SC Elite v5 vs Rocket X 3: The Best Super Shoes for Heel Strikers
Not everyone lands on their forefoot. These two $250 racers are built for the rest of us, but they feel very different.
Most super shoes are designed for elite forefoot strikers. The New Balance FuelCell SC Elite v5 and the Hoka Rocket X 3 are two of the best options for runners who land further back, or whose form slips in the second half of a marathon.
The SC Elite v5 has a wide platform, an Energy Arc carbon plate and a heel that lands softly. It weighs about 215 g, with a 40 mm stack and an 8 mm drop. Reviewers find it firmer and more nimble than the Hoka, and slightly more stable than the Adios Pro 4 or Metaspeed Sky Tokyo.
The Rocket X 3 is a little lighter at about 205 g, with a 40 mm stack and a 7 mm drop. It's the softer of the two, with more cushioning over long distances. Multiple testers found it remarkably stable for its height, helped by a forgiving rocker and a grippy outsole.
Energy return is similar in independent testing. The difference is feel: the New Balance is snappier, the Hoka is plusher.
Price. Both cost about $250.
Our verdict: if you want a softer, steadier ride that protects your legs over 42 km, take the Rocket X 3. If you want something a bit livelier for the half marathon and faster sessions, while keeping a stable, heel-friendly platform, take the SC Elite v5.
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