Review: The HOKA Rocket X 3 road running shoe

Henry Howard
4 minutes ago
2 min read

The HOKA Rocket X 3s feature a higher bed of soft cushion, designed to provide a forgiving impact and ride. — Photo courtesy of HOKA

By Henry Howard

My go-to running shoes are generally HOKA models for both roads and trails. For road running specifically, my favorite has been the Cliftons. Like other brands, HOKA has been adding a collection of carbon-plated options in their offerings, including the new HOKA Rocket X 3.

After several rounds of testing on roads (and one on very mild trails), I am a fan of the HOKA Rocket X 3. The neutral shoes feature a higher bed of soft cushion, designed to provide a forgiving impact and ride. I had the opportunity, courtesy of HOKA, to try out the Rocket X 3s, which were unveiled July 1.

First impressions of the HOKA Rocket X 3 road running shoe

My initial impression of the Rocket X 3s was positive as they were very comfortable upon putting on, thanks to the cushioned midsole. Like most carbon-plated shoes, it takes a few steps to get used to them but once you do it is time to “fly human fly.”

I found the cushioning to be very responsive. The Rocket X 3 features a low-profile cushion bed that keeps your foot closer to the ground, and utilizes a firmer material designed to provide a solid push-off.

As I mentioned ,one of my runs was on mild trails. Even though it was a mix of grass, gentle single track and crushed stone, I would not recommend the Rocket X 3s for this use.

One thing to note is that I had not tried earlier versions of the Rockets but heard from some HOKA wearers that they were disappointed in them. HOKA did make some significant changes to the Rocket X 3s. Perhaps most notably HOKA updated the carbon fiber plate with winglets, and removed the gusset. Among other improvements were adding a sticky rubber outsole that provides better traction, streamlining the collar and enhancing breathability.

Five reasons to try the HOKA Rocket X 3 road running shoes:

They are very comfortable. It did not take long at all to get used to them.
The carbon plate worked really well during a speedwork session. I was able to hit a similar pace to other carbon-plated shoes I had worn during previous workouts.
Incredibly lightweight? Check. While the Rocket Xs weigh 8 ounces, other HOKA road shoes are a higher such as the Cliftons (8.9), the Arahis (8.9) and the Bondi (10.8.).
The 7mm drop, which increased from 5mm in the previous version, does not feel that large. I generally favor drops of 4mm-5mm and didn’t have any issues with these.
The single-layer mesh upper enhances breathability while the stitch-and-turn collar helps prevent blisters.