FIRST LOOK: HOKA Rocket X 3

HOKA came in and changed the game when they released their Rocket X 2 back in 2023, and now two years later comes the third iteration of their race day option for pinnacle performance.

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Lighter than the Rocket X 2 predecessor and the Cielo X1 2.0, the Rocket X 3 comes in at 226g, a cool 6g lighter than the Rocket X 2 and maintains its place as a strong contender for those looking to achieve personal bests in races like marathons and half-marathons who are looking for a balance between speed and comfort.

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What hasn't changed in HOKA's latest version in the supershoe line up is how engineered the Rocket X 3 is for race day; from 5Ks all the way up to a marathon.

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The Rocket X 3 offers enhanced cushioning, propulsion, and stability compared to the Rocket X 2 as well as provides a softer underfoot feeling without compromising on the same level of responsiveness as the Rocket X 2.

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Easier Step In

A noticeable change is the collar construction and the step in feel to be a lot easier compared to the Rocket X 2 thanks to the gusset being removed. The Rocket X 3 now features a stitch-and-turn collar to help mitigate blisters.

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There's also an improved breathability in the upper thanks to a single layer engineered mesh.

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The same, but different

For those looking at this shoe for a marathon, then you're looking at this being optimal for 3-4 hour goals with the Cielo X1 2.0 becoming more of a force on race day for less than 3 hours. This is a lot to do with the more aggressive rocker found in the Cielo X1 2.0 compared to the Rocket X 3 which has a better amount of stability.

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While featuring the same PEBA foam midsole as the Rocket X 2, the Rocket X 3 features updates to its carbon plate and features winglets, similar to that found in the Cielo X1 2.0.

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The drop in the Rocket X 3 has increased to 7mm, up by 2mm compared to the Rocket X 2 which had a drop of 5mm.

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Outsole Upgrades

What lacked slightly in the Rocket X 2 in terms of grip has been modified in this third version with an improved traction underfoot thanks to a sticky rubber outsole update

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