Race Day · Hoka

Rocket X 3

Name: Hoka Rocket X 3
Brand: Hoka
Price: 250 USD

Hoka's lightest racer yet, with a forgiving rocker and a grippy outsole.

7.9 Solid

Runsletter Score out of 10. Good at its job, with clear limits.

Buy it if

Predictable, forgiving ride over the full distance
Better outsole grip than most racers
Light for a Hoka racer
Works for tempo sessions as well as races

Skip it if

Less exciting than the bounciest super shoes
Not the lightest racer on the shelf

$250

List price; often discounted in seasonal sales

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Weight: 205 g
Stack: 40 mm
Drop: 7 mm

The verdict

The Rocket X 3 is Hoka's lightest racer yet, with a carbon plate between two layers of PEBA foam and Hoka's familiar rocker shape. The ride is smooth and forgiving rather than wild, and the outsole grips better than most race shoes.

It is a sensible pick for marathoners who want a super shoe that behaves the same at mile 22 as it did at mile two. Its predictable feel also makes it a good option for tempo work and for runners new to carbon.

It doesn't match the raw bounce of the Alphafly 4 or the extreme lightness of the Fast-R Nitro Elite 3, but it is easier to live with than both. Fit is secure and true to size, without the cramped feel of the narrowest racers.

“A steady, sensible super shoe that won't surprise you at mile 22.”

Specs

Weight	205 g
Stack height	40 mm
Drop	7 mm
Cushion	4 / 5
Plate	carbon
Support	Neutral
Surface	road
Best for	race, tempo
Midsole	Two layers of PEBA foam
Plate detail	Full-length carbon plate with winglets
Upper	Lightweight engineered mesh
Outsole	Grippy rubber with generous coverage
Fit	Secure, true to size
Widths	Standard only