Hoka Rocket X 3 Evaluation 2025: I Tried the New Tremendous Shoe

The very first thing I seen in regards to the Rocket X 3 was how simple it was to get on. I typically felt like I needed to struggle the Rocket X 2 to get it on my foot, however the brand new model has a extra structured heel collar that permits my foot to slip in additional simply. The X 3 additionally has serrated laces, which I discover helps me get a safer lockdown within the shoe.

The Rocket X 3 appears to run true to dimension—I put on my standard ladies’s 9, which provides me loads of room between my huge toe and the entrance of the shoe (key for when my toes swell up on lengthy runs). Like many quick footwear, although, the Rocket X 3s are slim. I normally put on an everyday width, and these are simply broad sufficient for my toes (I solely seen a bit tightness throughout the widest a part of my foot). However for those who sometimes put on broad footwear, chances are you’ll wish to assume twice about making an attempt to suit into these.

On the run

I examined the Rocket X 3s on a mixture of runs between three and eight miles. A few of them have been pace exercises, whereas others have been extra informal—I let myself run as quick or as sluggish as felt pure in footwear.

I discovered that the Rocket X 3s inspired me to quicken my turnover (in different phrases, they helped me choose up my foot off the bottom sooner to take one other step). I seen myself pushing the tempo once I didn’t imply to—even in horrible climate situations and on days when my physique was feeling a bit off, I used to be darting up hills that normally sluggish me down.

Underfoot, the Rocket X 3s are tremendous bouncy, however not in a method that makes me really feel unstable or out-of-control, like another tremendous footwear do. I can see how the winglets within the plate might make conditions like rounding a decent nook in a race or avoiding an sudden impediment on the paths really feel safer. They felt okay once I slowed down too—one other bonus that may be onerous to seek out in a brilliant shoe.

These sneaks are fairly comfortable too—and solely as soon as, on my longest run, did I discover that my sweaty toes began to slip round in them. (Though, to be honest, I’m unsure if there’s any shoe that would have prevented this.)

Backside line

At $250 a pair, the Rocket X 3 is certainly an funding. That stated, Hoka hasn’t raised the worth from its earlier model even amidst all of the upgrades, and $250 is definitely on the low finish in the case of tremendous footwear. So, for those who’re an skilled runner who’s available in the market for a quick racing shoe, the Rocket X 3 must be in your checklist—particularly for those who worth extra stability and help in your sneaks.

I’ll be reaching for the Rocket X 3s for pace exercises and races. I must log extra double-digit runs to seek out out if I wish to take them for a marathon-distance trip, however I’ve a sense that 26.2 miles is simply what they’re made for.

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