HOKA Rocket X 3 Review

With two children beneath 3 and a full-time job, my coaching home windows are quick and treasured. Most of my runs are 5 to six miles from the home, linking right into a community of grime and crushed-gravel roads that twist and roll by the foothills. These runs are typically quick — tempo and threshold efforts most of the time — as a result of that’s how I get essentially the most bang for my time-constrained buck.

It’s not precisely the perfect terrain for a carbon-plated shoe, however I’ve thrown the HOKA Rocket X 3 at nearly all the pieces: highway, gravel, grime, observe, and even a rocky, technical path part that the majority plated sneakers would balk at.

To its credit score, it held up much better than anticipated. Since my check pair arrived in July, I’ve logged over 150 miles and nonetheless attain for it 3 or 4 days every week. It’s that uncommon shoe that makes you need to run quick.

Broadly talking, it jogs my memory of Tracksmith’s Eliot Racer (which I reviewed earlier in 2025). Nevertheless, even with extra miles on it, the Rocket X 3’s foam nonetheless feels recent and responsive.

Briefly: The HOKA Rocket X 3 sits slightly below the model’s top-tier carbon-plated racer, however I’d argue it’s the higher shoe for extra runners. It’s lighter, extra versatile, and extra steady than its haloed large brother, the Cielo X. The Rocket X 3 additionally prices much less, feels quicker underfoot, and holds up higher to common use — particularly for these of us who prepare and race shorter than the marathon distance.

HOKA Rocket X 3 Evaluate

Specs and Design Overview

At simply 8 ounces in a males’s measurement 9, the Rocket X 3 is notably mild. For comparability, the Cielo X 1 2.0 weighs 8.7 ounces, and the Mach X 3 — HOKA’s quick every day coach — is available in at 10.2. HOKA’s signature Meta-Rocker geometry promotes clean transitions and encourages a fast, rolling stride that naturally pulls you onto your midfoot or toes.

The drop is 7 mm (40 mm within the heel, 33 mm within the forefoot) — 2 mm increased than earlier Rocket X variations. That gives a bit of further foam with out feeling disconnected from the bottom.

The midsole makes use of a dual-layer, supercritical PEBA foam, with a “winged” carbon plate sandwiched between the slabs of froth. Most manufacturers fluctuate foam density between layers — one for cushion, one for help or propulsion. HOKA appears to have opted for nearly similar compounds, producing a constant, energetic experience.

Regardless of its peak and bounce, the Rocket X 3 is impressively steady. HOKA’s Lively Foot Body design cups the heel and midfoot by elevating the midsole partitions. It retains you planted and assured by turns. The distinction to twitchier racers just like the Puma Quick-R Elite 3 is — an absolute rocket however one which wobbles beneath strain — is refreshing. The Rocket X 3 threads the road between pace and management fantastically.

Sturdiness has been equally spectacular. After about 150 miles — roughly 90% of these on gravel — the froth nonetheless feels energetic, and the outsole put on is identical.

One small however significant contact for these of you who additionally would possibly gravel-grind: the outsole cutout that exposes the plate is almost an inch huge. Which means gravel by no means will get caught in it. It’d sound trivial, however for those who’ve ever run in sneakers with narrower cutouts. You know the way they will lure pebbles like a magnet. Nothing kills rhythm quicker than feeling a stone glued to your outsole mid-run.

Higher

The higher is one other sturdy replace. The translucent engineered mesh wraps cleanly and breathes exceptionally properly. It has a minimal really feel that’s safe however not suffocating.

HOKA skipped the gusseted tongue this time, decreasing bulk and giving the shoe a sleeker profile. A enjoyable little design flourish — a stitched rocket graphic extending from the eyelets to the toe field — provides character with out flash. It’s the sort of element that makes you smile whenever you’re lacing up.

Efficiency on Diverse Terrain

Earlier than an area path race in Eldorado Canyon (one I’ve raced 5 occasions earlier than), I discovered myself debating which sneakers made sense for race day. The course is roughly 75% grime highway and clean, buffed-out path. That tempts a whole lot of highway runners to gamble with their light-weight highway racers. The considering is easy: financial institution time on the quick stuff, after which take it simple on the one quick however very rocky descent.

I made a decision to strive the identical strategy, operating the course within the Rocket X 3 on a few coaching runs, one at full race tempo.

Predictably, issues received dicey on the descent. I slid out on a switchback and bashed my knee on a rock. It was a not-so-gentle reminder that even HOKA’s “sticky” rubber has its limits. No knock there. It was an attention-grabbing experiment. 

That mentioned, I used to be shocked by how steady and predictable it felt on the remainder of the course. On packed grime, crushed gravel, and highway, the traction was wonderful, even in damp situations. The Rocket X 3 isn’t a path shoe and doesn’t fake to be — clearly — however my level is, it’s an inexpensive shoe for mixed-surface coaching or mild path stretches.

Match

As a lot as I like how this shoe runs, the match isn’t good. It’s a unisex mannequin with out half sizes, and I’m a real 12.5. HOKA despatched me each a 12 and a 13. The 12 is barely quick, and the 13 feels too roomy. The slender toe field doesn’t assist both — one thing wide-footed runners will discover straight away.

Nonetheless, I’ve put loads of miles on each pairs. The comfortable 12 hasn’t induced blisters or sizzling spots, and the midfoot and heel lockdown are wonderful. No rubbing, no heel carry, no irritation across the Achilles. My longest run in them thus far is 10 miles. For that distance, they’re implausible. If I pushed to 20K or 30K or a marathon, although, I believe the narrowness and sizing hole would possibly begin to present.

Room for Enchancment

The HOKA Rocket X 3 nails nearly all the pieces you need in a contemporary super-trainer. It’s mild, quick, steady, and surprisingly sturdy — nevertheless it’s not with no few quirks.

As already talked about, the match is the place issues get tough. The unisex sizing skips half sizes, and the slender toe field gained’t do any favors for runners with wider toes or these hovering between sizes. A barely roomier forefoot and a extra dialed measurement vary would go a great distance towards making this one of the crucial universally snug carbon-plated sneakers on the market.

Because it stands, the Rocket X 3 is a top-tier trainer-racer hybrid. Nevertheless, with just a few considerate tweaks, it could possibly be the benchmark for all-around efficiency.

HOKA Rocket X 3: Conclusions

I’ve by no means run in a extra enjoyable, energetic, or versatile HOKA than this one. Even in comparison with the Cielo X iterations, the Rocket X 3 feels extra approachable and higher balanced. It is a quick, clean, and surprisingly sturdy shoe that’s been my most-used coach in 2025 (and one which’s vying for my prime choose of the yr).

The Rocket X 3 is constructed for quick operating, nevertheless it doesn’t endure from the standard tremendous shoe tradeoffs. It’s steady, sturdy, and energetic with out feeling harsh or twitchy. At $250, it’s costly however nonetheless cheaper than a lot of its direct opponents close to the $300 mark.

One of many Rocket X 3’s largest strengths is accessibility. Older carbon-plated racers have been virtually completely for mid- or forefoot strikers, however the Rocket X 3’s geometry and better heel stack make it pleasant for a broader vary of runners, together with those that land a bit of farther towards their heels.

Who would possibly not find it irresistible? Runners with huge toes, or anybody pissed off by the dearth of half sizes. I occur to fall into each camps, however that hasn’t stopped me from having fun with the shoe immensely. The efficiency, stability, and sheer enjoyable of the Rocket X 3 make it one among HOKA’s most full sneakers to this point.

If HOKA can refine the slot in future variations, they’ll have a near-perfect all-rounder — one which bridges the hole between a real racing shoe and an on a regular basis quick coach.