Hoka Rocket X 3 Review

The Hoka Rocket X 3. All photographs: iRunFar/Nathan Allen

In fly fishing, there’s a time period referred to as the boldness fly. It’s the confirmed fly you tie on that has landed you tons of fish over time. The Hoka Rocket X 3 ($250) has shortly change into my confidence shoe for highway exercises and races. It’s Hoka’s “entry-level” highway racing tremendous shoe and is created on an all-gender final, which suggests there are not any gender-specific choices. Whereas most likely not a shoe for individuals new to working, it’s a superb choice for many who are simply beginning to discover the tremendous shoe world. The Rocket X 3 is inexpensive than the Hoka Cielo X1 2.0, which is the model’s higher-level racing shoe, and for what it’s price, I favor the Rocket X 3 to the Cielo.

Hoka up to date the Rocket X 3 in a couple of alternative ways. The larger updates are including a stickier rubber to parts of the outsole, including winglets to the carbon plate, eradicating the gussets, and making the higher extra breathable. Hoka additionally raised the stack top on the heel from 40 millimeters to 42 millimeters. The forefoot stack top stays the identical at 35 millimeters, so the general drop elevated from 5 to 7 millimeters. Hoka did drop the claimed weight from 8.3 ounces (235 grams) within the Rocket X 2 to eight ounces (227 grams) on this model.

In an growing market of newfangled tech, carbon plates, and better stack heights, the Hoka Rocket X 3 stays considered one of my favourite highway racing tremendous footwear. Regardless of its value, I do consider it’s probably the most accessible and inclusive tremendous footwear out there. I wouldn’t name it an entry-level racing shoe just like the New Stability FuelCell Insurgent v5 or Saucony Endorphin Velocity 5, however it’s a superb gateway choice into the world of tremendous footwear.

Store the Hoka Rocket X 3 – Unisex

Hoka Rocket X 3 Higher

A lateral view of the Hoka Rocket X 3.

The higher of the Hoka Rocket X 3 is nearly fully totally different from the Rocket X 2, and I’d say it’s all constructive change. First, the fabric went from an artificial mesh to a single-layer warp knit mesh. The warp knitting course of creates a powerful cloth with bigger holes that maintains its form and dimension underneath stress. It’s additionally used to create mosquito nets, for instance. This makes for a extremely safe, breathable, and comfy higher. Nearly all of my testing came about in June and July within the U.S. Midwest, together with by means of a number of warmth advisories, and my ft by no means felt overheated.

Hoka additionally revised the heel collar, including some padding on the heel. It has an identical really feel to the Hoka Clifton 10 or the Hoka Tecton X 2 by way of consolation and safety. The change that would draw probably the most pushback is the elimination of the gussets. To be completely trustworthy, I didn’t even understand the tongue didn’t have gussets till one other editor pointed it out. I had zero problem with the tongue shifting round as soon as I tied the footwear. I credit score this to the laces, which have a singular texture and design.

There’s one thing particular a couple of shoe you possibly can take out of the field, slip on, and run for 10 miles with zero scorching spots, blisters, or break-in time. However that’s precisely what occurred right here, and I discovered them to be one of many extra snug tremendous footwear I’ve examined. The match was true to dimension.

Hoka Rocket X 3 Midsole and Outsole

A medial view of the Hoka Rocket X 3.

The Hoka Rocket X 3 employs the identical PEBA midsole foam because the earlier model. That’s a superb factor, because the Rocket X 2 was considered one of my favourite tremendous footwear, and quite a lot of that needed to do with the responsiveness, bounce, and effectivity of the midsole foam. Hoka did replace the full-length carbon plate, including winglets for stability. I’m going to be completely trustworthy: It’s exhausting for me to say if the winglets are gimmicky or really assist. I’ll say the Rocket X 3 might be considered one of — if not probably the most — secure tremendous shoe I’ve examined. Regardless of the excessive stack top and springiness, I really feel assured taking turns at pace and on uneven surfaces. To a sure extent, I’d additionally take these onto dust or gravel roads. Perhaps that has to do with the winglets, or maybe it’s simply the general development of the shoe. Both means, it’s a comparatively secure tremendous shoe.

The key replace to the outsole is the addition of grippy rubber to sure sections, particularly by means of the forefoot. One of many gripes I’ve with tremendous footwear is how slippery they are often on moist pavement. The Rocket X 3 positively has extra grip than most tremendous footwear, in each moist and dry situations. I not too long ago wore them throughout a neighborhood 5k in rural Minnesota that had a quarter-mile of gravel highway I wasn’t anticipating. My tempo slowed a bit in comparison with the pavement, however general, the footwear felt effective on the gravel. I used to be solely pressured to gradual my tempo for one flip with quite a lot of unfastened rocks, however I didn’t expertise any slipping.

At their greatest, tremendous footwear will naturally put you at a quicker tempo. They’ll present the vitality return and propulsion to maintain you working quicker and effectively for longer distances. I consider the Hoka Rocket X 3 do that effectively by additionally offering extra stability and traction than most different tremendous footwear.

Hoka Rocket X 3 Total Impressions

The outsole of the Hoka Rocket X 3.

For anybody on the planet of tremendous footwear, the Hoka Rocket X 3 is a superb entry choice. Whereas I consider that almost all tremendous footwear are an excessive amount of shoe for informal runners — particularly those that try to maintain their working behavior at an affordable funds — they will present an enormous profit for somebody coaching for a marathon and making an attempt to succeed in a sure qualifying time.

At $250, the Rocket X 3 has a cheaper price level than most different tremendous footwear and is an efficient entry level into the world of carbon-plated footwear. However virtually extra importantly, it’s an excellent shoe that has the entire vitality return and pace advantages of different choices with out the overly aggressive rocker, bounce, or instability. In different phrases, if it’s your first tremendous shoe, it probably gained’t really feel as scary or awkward because the Nike Alphafly 3 or Saucony Endorphin Elite 2, for instance.

After greater than 100 miles, together with a number of exercises, lengthy runs, and the aforementioned 5k, the Rocket X 3 has earned the place of a confidence shoe in my quiver. It’s a superb choice for tremendous shoe newbies, and a strong selection for anybody looking for highway PRs or trying to take their racing recreation to the following stage.

Store the Hoka Rocket X 3 – Unisex

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And for those who’ve run in earlier variations of this mannequin. how does this third model really feel for you?