HOKA Rocket X Trail review

After extensive lab testing and running in the HOKA Rocket X Trail, we found that it's an excellent choice for:

• Trail runners chasing personal bests in races with smooth terrain or highly-runnable trails.
• Anyone who love the propulsive, energy-packed ride of road super shoes and want the closest experience on the trails.
• Those who regularly train on gravel or dirt roads and need a fast shoe for speed workouts and high-paced long runs.

The lack of a Vibram outsole shouldn't be a concern, as we found HOKA's rubber both grippy and durable. But given the premium price tag, we understand why this could be a deal-breaker for some runners. If that's you, we recommend checking out the HOKA Tecton X 3 or Nike ACG Ultrafly Trail instead.

We also believe the steep price could put the Rocket X Trail out of reach for many runners. If spending over $200 on a trail shoe sounds excessive, we recommend the Salomon Aero Glide 4 GRVL as a more budget-friendly alternative.

The HOKA Rocket X Trail is clearly built for ultra-distance racing, and our lab results leave little doubt. We recorded sky-high shock absorption of 145 SA in the heel and 121 SA in the forefoot, putting most of its rivals to shame.

HOKA has finally embraced A-TPU foam, arguably the hottest technology in running shoes right now. The Rocket X Trail features two layers of this cutting-edge material with a carbon-fiber plate sandwiched between them, delivering excellent energy return for a trail shoe at 70.1% in the forefoot and 70.3% in the heel.

We believe this switch from PEBA to A-TPU is a smart move for HOKA's top-tier cushioning technology, as trail running demands greater foam durability, another area where A-TPU has the upper hand over PEBA.

The combination of excellent A-TPU foam and a maximalist stack height makes the Rocket X Trail stand out from the crowd in terms of cushioning, delivering a highly-protective ride that few trail shoes can match.

Just one look at its side profile reveals a massive amount of foam under the heel, something we confirmed with our digital calipers when we recorded a whopping 41.6 mm.

The forefoot also packs a generous amount of foam, easily surpassing our current lab average with an impressive stack height of 30.3 mm.

You may have already done the math, and yes, the Rocket X Trail has a surprisingly high heel-to-toe drop. At 11.3 mm, it's almost double HOKA's stated figure. Interestingly, we've encountered this discrepancy with the brand many times before, likely because HOKA measures the forefoot closer to the midfoot, whereas we follow the standardized World Athletics guidelines.

Despite the high drop, we actually enjoyed how the Rocket X Trail feels and we endorse it for both forefoot and midfoot strikers too, as its rocker-focused geometry works well for both groups.

The HOKA Rocket X Trail follows the familiar dual-layer formula found in many super shoes, pairing a softer top layer (33.6 AC) for step-in comfort with a firmer bottom layer (41.0 AC) that adds control and stability.

We also tested how the A-TPU foam responds to cold temperatures. After spending 20 minutes in our freezer, it became just 14% firmer, a solid result that suggests good consistency in colder conditions.

The main reason we believe the Rocket X Trail works so well for all footstrikes is its massive rocker, which practically propels you forward whether you like it or not.

This forward-driving geometry is yet another sign that HOKA designed this shoe specifically for easy terrain, where maintaining high speeds and maximizing efficiency are essential.

HOKA has taken an interesting approach with the Rocket X Trail's carbon plate. We've already seen here in the lab that shoes like the Skyward X 2 feature an H-shaped plate that can enhance stability while allowing the shoe to remain more adaptable. Now, HOKA has brought that same concept to the Rocket X Trail, but with a shorter, trail-focused execution.

Most HOKA shoes feature a snug fit, so we weren't expecting a race-focused model like the Rocket X Trail to offer much room. After all, this shoe was designed from the ground up for speed, where a secure, foot-hugging should take priority over spaciousness.

Our first fit measurement confirmed those expectations, as we recorded a width of just 94.3 mm, placing the Rocket X Trail below our current lab average.

We then turned our attention to the toebox, where we measured a narrow 70.9 mm. This is classic HOKA design, with a pronounced taper that prioritizes a snug, race-ready fit over extra toe room.

As a result, we believe runners with wide feet will struggle to stay comfortable over long distances in the Rocket X Trail.

The HOKA Rocket X Trail proved a bit more generous when it came to toebox height, offering some welcome vertical space despite its otherwise snug fit.

We measured 28.9 mm, slightly above our lab average and a welcome bonus for ultra-distance runners who need extra toe room as their feet swell.

HOKA has enjoyed a successful partnership with Vibram for years, with models like the Speedgoat 7 and Mafate 5 serving as excellent examples. That's why we found it surprising that the Rocket X Trail features HOKA's in-house rubber instead of the Megagrip Litebase compound that the Italian company produces for trail racing shoes.

But is this really a cause for concern? In our wet-concrete traction test, the Rocket X Trail achieved a solid coefficient of friction of 0.71, suggesting that skipping Vibram might not be such a big deal after all.

The Rocket X Trail features small, directional lugs in both the forefoot and heel, and HOKA even went wild and threw in three extra lugs under the forefoot. Talk about generosity!

At just 2.8 mm deep, these shallow lugs make the shoe's DNA crystal clear: it's built for hardpack, gravel roads, and pretty much any type of smooth terrain where speed takes priority.

The amount of exposed foam on the Rocket X Trail's outsole is substantial. In fact, it ranks among the trail shoes with the least rubber coverage we've tested, taking weight-saving to the extreme.

However, we believe this trade-off will be worth it for many runners. The Rocket X Trail isn't designed for adventures deep into the wilderness, but rather for high-speed racing where every second counts. And when you're chasing the clock, every gram matters.

At 20.0N in our test, we verified that the Rocket X Trail is a remarkably stiff running shoe, and its H-shaped carbon plate makes its presence felt with every stride. Therefore, if you prefer a more flexible, natural-feeling ride even on race day, we believe this isn't the right pick for you.

We've already mentioned how weight reduction is a top priority for the Rocket X Trail, something that's evident throughout its upper, midsole, and outsole. And HOKA absolutely delivered, keeping this max-stack trail racer at an impressively low 8.9 oz (252g).

Stability in the Rocket X Trail is a real mixed bag. On the one hand, its speed-focused design, bouncy foam, and massive stack height inevitably compromise lateral support. These are the trade-offs you would expect from a shoe that prioritizes cushioning and speed above everything else.

However, HOKA counters these drawbacks with a massive footprint that provides a broader base, while the H-shaped carbon plate also helps manage lateral forces. So the Rocket X Trail isn't particularly stable, but it's definitely more stable than it looks.

Despite lacking a full-length carbon plate, the Rocket X Trail still proved remarkably stiff in our torsional rigidity test, registering 17.0 Nm.

The heel counter of the Rocket X Trail felt surprisingly familiar, with a moderately stiff construction that earned a 3/5 in our test and a design that reminded us of some HOKA road shoes.

But if there's one area that truly left us speechless, it's the midsole width. The Rocket X Trail has an absolutely massive footprint, something we noticed immediately after unboxing it, even before taking our first steps.

Our calipers revealed a mind-blowing 126.3 mm in the forefoot, making it the widest trail shoe we've ever measured in our lab at the time of this review.

The heel is arguably even more impressive than the forefoot, with a massive width of 103.6 mm. And as with most HOKA shoes, the midsole barely tapers toward the midfoot, adding another layer of stability.

However, don't expect lightning-fast cornering or agile side-to-side movements. This beast is built to charge straight ahead.

The featherlight build of the HOKA Rocket X Trail might suggest limited durability, but we're not here to make assumptions. Instead, we put the shoe through real lab tests to see how it holds up, starting with the toebox.

We were pleasantly surprised by the outcome of this first test, as a 3/5 score is a solid result for such a razor-thin material.

Our smiles grew even wider after testing the heel padding, as achieving a perfect 5/5 in this demanding durability test is no easy feat.

And despite the absence of a Vibram outsole, we found that HOKA's rubber delivers impressive results in both traction and durability. We already proved the former, and now we've confirmed the latter, with just 0.8 mm of damage in our abrasion test.

We measured an outsole thickness of 2.2 mm, but keep in mind that rubber coverage is limited, so this measurement only applies to the areas where rubber is actually present.

No surprises in our insole thickness test, as the 4.7 mm we measured sits right around the category average.

The perforated insole is easily removable, allowing you to swap it for a third-party option if you prefer.

One of the few shortcomings of the Rocket X Trail is the lack of reflective elements, which we found surprising given that HOKA is usually one of the best brands in this regard.

We loved that HOKA included sawtooth laces, which are always a welcome addition to any running shoe. However, we believe they add even more value to a race-focused model like the Rocket X Trail, combining secure lockdown with a more race-focused aesthetic.

The tongue follows the same weight-first philosophy as the rest of the shoe, with comfort taking a back seat. As a result, its 3.7 mm of padding offers limited protection, so you'll want to be careful when cinching down the laces.

Another clear sign that the Rocket X Trail is essentially a slightly rugged super shoe is its tongue. This perforated, gusseted design looks straight out of a road-racing shoe.

The heel features a clean finish, with an overlay that neatly conceals the stitching and an attachment point for an ankle gaiter. However, there's no pull tab of any kind.

No, the HOKA Rocket X Trail isn't cheap. However, it sits at the lower end of the super shoe price spectrum, and considering the amount of cutting-edge technology packed into this trail racer, we believe its premium price tag is more than justified.