HOKA Rocket X 3 review

You’re the ideal runner for the HOKA Rocket X 3 if:

• You’re a neutral runner seeking a dependable supershoe with standout durability.
• Most supershoes feel too stripped down and you prefer added padding in the tongue and heel paired with a lively midsole.
• You want a high-performing shoe for long runs and tempo workouts and don’t mind paying a bit extra compared to training-focused options.

From our perspective, the main drawback of the Rocket X 3 is its weight. We believe lighter options such as the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo offer a faster racing experience. And for those who want the absolute lightest feel, the ASICS Metaspeed Ray is the perfect shoe.

We also think that the rocker geometry of the Rocket X 3 won’t suit everyone. After testing the shoe, we discovered that runners preferring a flatter midsole may struggle with its aggressive forward roll. For a more grounded and classic ride, the Nike Vaporfly 4 is much a safer bet. And it's way lighter too!

This test is crucial to see if a shoe works well for half marathons, full marathons, and long runs.

Fortunately, the Rocket X 3 showed superior cushioning compared to the average, with 155 SA in the heel and 112 SA in the forefoot.

It’s 2025 and HOKA still hasn’t given a flashy name to its PEBA foam. But that’s hardly the point, what matters is whether the foam has good energy return or not.

When we tested it with our machine, we discovered a strong showing with 73.9% rebound in the heel and 78.0% in the forefoot. The heel could be slightly springier, but the shoe still meets supershoe standards.

The heel stack height nearly maxes out World Athletics regulations at 39.6 mm, standing just 0.4 mm under the limit required for a running shoe to be approved in official road races.

By contrast, the forefoot offers less cushioning, coming in just under the 30 mm mark at 29.6 mm. Still, that’s plenty for long distances and may even appeal to runners who prefer a more ground-connected ride.

This design also explains the significant gap in shock absorption we observed earlier between the heel and forefoot.

It’s interesting to see HOKA shifting away from its usual low or medium drop designs. Traditionally, most of their shoes carried a 5 mm heel-to-toe offset, but the Rocket X 3 measures a true 10.0 mm (listed at 7 mm). Similarly, the Clifton 10 is now officially 8 mm, yet we measured 12.4 mm.

With this change, HOKA is clearly catering more to heel strikers than ever before, as well as to runners who simply prefer a midsole with greater incline.

This supershoe features a dual-density midsole made of two distinct layers of PEBA foam. The key layer, placed closer to the foot, measured 15.9 HA in our tests.

Because of this, the ride feels slightly softer than in the Rocket X 2, though the difference is subtle and noticeable only to very picky runners.

The second layer measured nearly identical at 15.5 HA, meaning that even though it’s technically a dual-density midsole, it essentially feels like the same foam on both the top and bottom.

Those who love rockered supershoes will be happy with the Rocket X 3. HOKA has built it with a highly-rockered geometry that helps you roll forward smoothly, making transitions easier and faster with less effort. But at the same time, this type of rocker is not for every runner.

While not as extreme as the Cielo X1 2.0, we found that the Rocket X 3 has a quick toe-off and the stride is really smooth.

The Rocket X 3 carries over the design of its predecessor, featuring a full-length carbon plate with wings that add a touch of stability. This plate is sandwiched between the two aforementioned layers of responsive PEBA foam.

Its shape remains unchanged from the earlier version, keeping the familiar spoon design that begins in the midfoot and drives propulsion forward.

The Rocket X 2 had an extremely narrow fit that excluded many runners, and we hoped version 3 would feel more democratic in the toebox.

After we tested it, we discovered the Rocket X 3 is slightly more accommodating, yet still narrower than average. Its race-focused design gives a tight feel that some will enjoy, but others may find restrictive.

The taper is clear, with our measurements showing just 70.0 mm in the toebox. That’s even 0.8 mm less than in version 2, though this model maybe feels a hair wider.

We tested the height of the toebox to complete the fit picture and discovered it measures 26.9 mm.

This number matches what many daily trainers deliver, offering a comfortable space.

One of the standout features of the HOKA Rocket X 3 is its trustworthy grip, proven by a 0.57 score in our SATRA TM144 test. It provides top-tier traction in both dry and wet conditions with its new rubber compound.

The outsole of the Rocket X 3 stands out with a bit more rubber coverage than most supershoes. While this adds weight, runners using it mainly for training may value the durability and protection it provides.

The Rocket X 3 shows significant longitudinal stiffness, measuring 21.3N at 30 degrees in our lab test. This results in a sharp, snappy ride that best suits runners who perform well with the strong presence of a carbon plate.

In our view, the weakest part of the Rocket X 3 is its heavy build. We understand it is a supershoe with extras like a padded tongue and thicker outsole rubber, yet the 7.75 oz (220g) weight feels excessive and clearly needs improvement.

The good part is that HOKA has time to address it, since the Rocket X 4 likely won’t appear until 2027 with their usual two-year cycle.

When spending over 200 dollars on a shoe, we all expect a top-quality upper that delivers both performance and breathability. Fortunately, HOKA got it right with the Rocket X 3.

The engineered mesh upper is excellent. Ventilation is outstanding, earning a flawless 5 out of 5 in our test, which is impressive.

We also appreciated the clever design choices. Instead of relying on a single layer, HOKA placed reinforcements in key areas to balance stability, airflow, and lightweight construction.

Under our digital microscope, the upper impressed us even more. 

It’s a paper-thin, precision-crafted material—exactly the kind of build we look for in a supershoe.

Inspecting the upper by hand, we discovered it has zero stretch. We also noticed generous heel padding—especially rare in a supershoe—adding an extra detail worth pointing out.

Despite its compact build, the Rocket X 3 stands out as one of the most stable supershoes available today. The carbon plate wings, raised midsole sidewalls, and reinforced upper combine to deliver a more supportive ride than most rivals.

The plate of the Rocket X 3 isn’t forked like in other HOKA models, but it does have a forefoot gap that, together with the outsole cutout, gives it a 4/5 torsional rigidity—below the usual 5/5 for supershoes.

We also noticed that the heel counter stands out for runners who dislike ultra-pliable designs. Here, added structure and padding earn a 2/5 score, increasing weight but offering a trade-off some may appreciate.

We mentioned earlier the compact dimensions of this shoe, and the numbers back it up. At just 108.0 mm in the forefoot, it delivers sharp agility and gives you the sensation of having something truly fast on your feet.

Yet it's the heel which really made our eyebrows go as high as possible. We registered just 76.5 mm, which is really low and makes it one of the most aggressive heels we've measured in the lab. And while it does not make the shoe fully unusable for heel strikers due to the supportive features that it has, we really think that it's a shoe only meant for neutral runners.

The upper left us impressed. Paper-thin materials like this usually collapse instantly under our Dremel, but in this case, we measured a solid 3/5 score in our demanding durability test.

The heel padding also delivered a strong result with a 4 out of 5. This is especially impressive given that it’s one of the few supershoes featuring thicker padding and added comfort in this area.

Moving to the outsole, the Rocket X 3 closed our durability tests on a high note with a solid 0.9 mm result. While close to the average and not record-breaking, it’s quite impressive for a supershoe with good traction.

To play it safe, HOKA added 2.4 mm of rubber thickness. That’s quite a lot—similar to many tempo shoes—and it fully explains why this model feels heavier than most of its competitors.

HOKA chose a slim 3.4 mm insole to maximize cushioning underfoot while still meeting World Athletics regulations.

The thin stock insole is removable, but be aware that the toebox isn’t very spacious. Swapping in a different insole could take up too much room and compromise comfort.

In our lab tests, the PEBA foam managed cold conditions impressively. After a 20-minute stay in the freezer, it returned only 3% firmer.

The Rocket X 3 doesn’t include any reflective elements, and to be honest, that’s not surprising.

The Rocket X 3 uses a traditional lacing system with reinforced eyelets for durability and a secure lockdown. The flat laces feature a textured finish that helps them stay tied and add a premium touch to the shoe.

Just like in the heel with its extra padding compared to other supershoes, we found the same approach here. Instead of the usual 1 or 1.5 mm from rivals like the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2, HOKA added 3.1 mm, boosting instep comfort significantly. It's perfect for those willing to trade a bit of weight for comfort.

The tongue can shift slightly since it lacks a semi-gusseted or gusseted design. However, this isn’t a deal-breaker, especially as most supershoe rivals use a similar setup.

The HOKA Rocket X 3 is not an exceptional bargain, but it's not overpriced against other supershoes. It’s nice to see no price hike too, though it's true that the shoe lacks major tech updates to justify one.

The Rocket X 3 features HOKA’s signature extended heel collar, making it easy to grab and slip on.