Right here is our Hoka Rocket X3 overview after testing on the roads and across the monitor to see simply what it might probably do for pace.The Hoka Rocket X launched to A LOT of fanfare. It was a high choose for a lot of many runners, besides Coach Amanda who discovered the underfoot nice however the heel ripped her foot aside. Everybody agreed the X2 improved on that side, however some didn’t love the replace fairly as a lot as the unique.

We’ve seen this sample with different tremendous footwear just like the Nike Vaporfly.

Which had us all very curious to see simply what the Rocket X3 would have in retailer with a further 4mm of cushion. It’s not their high tier, entrance of the pack race day shoe the Hoka Cielo x1 2.0, nevertheless it’s additionally not shy on pace or consolation! We admit it’s complicated once they name it their quickest shoe…nevertheless it’s not.

Hoka Rocket X 3 Overview

There are some notable adjustments from the X2 and to date, we now have to say, we love them. The extra 4mm heel stack diminished the general drop to 7mm whereas giving us extra of that smooth bouncy really feel we search from a carbon plated racer.

For my first check run, I took these footwear  to the monitor for a pyramid exercise. 10 minutes up,  400,800,1000,1000,800,400 with 90s restoration. My warmup tempo was round 12 minutes. This isn’t a shoe meant for straightforward runs or midfoot hanging, for the whole warmup, my weight was closely shifted to the outsides of each ft. It wasn’t uncomfortable, it was simply noticeable that I wasn’t utilizing the plate.

As soon as the exercise started is when the enjoyable began! These footwear had been simply in a position to speed up to my 5k tempo (excessive 7’s), and gave sufficient stability to deal with the recoveries with out shedding a lot pep.

This can be a shoe that helps you run quicker, as you run quicker!

I surprisingly ran an 800m PB, within the warmth of summer time coaching! I usually collapse on the second 1k of the pyramid, however the Rocket X 3  actually helped delay the muscular fatigue I’m used to.

Whereas these are snappy and responsive sufficient to deal with brief intervals and shorter races (5k), I feel the steadiness of the shoe is de facto particular and units the shoe aside from different footwear on this class. I’d use these for a threshold exercise, half and even full marathon.

Whereas most excessive stack footwear really feel like bouncing on an uncontrollable trampoline, the Rocket X 3 is harking back to a pogo ball (baby of the 90’s anybody?). Steady base, however can get actually wild with large jumps, the extra you hop.  These footwear are all the pieces anybody may ever need in stability and responsiveness.

As famous, the precise arrange of the carbon plate with winglets provides to the sensation of stability that’s so usually lacking in these quick race footwear. This widens the scope of who can use and luxuriate in this shoe!

Hoka Rocket X 3 Match

From out of the field, and onto my ft, these  felt a bit of cosy on the toe field, a lot in order that I double checked the field to verify they had been the right measurement.  I didn’t run in to any points whereas operating, however definitely seen the match every time I pull them on.

Nonetheless, as soon as I began transferring, the breathable higher offered extra space, and my toes had been in a position to unfold. This can be a credit score to the design of the higher, which is extraordinarily light-weight, breathable and feels extra versatile. So we’ll file this beneath not a serious grievance, however one thing to contemplate for those who like extra toe house. 

I put on a ten.5, and would say these are true to measurement for size.

The heel collar is extra streamlined than its predecessor, and the shoe by no means moved whereas operating.  Although Coach Amanda says it’s nonetheless not a super match for her (heel blisters) and she or he stays unhappy as a result of she desires to spend extra time within the Rocket.

Tongue is tremendous skinny, however not sharp which we now have seen in a few of these. Like most carbon footwear, they’re slicing weight each the place they’ll which implies taking out that padding and even the laces are very skinny. Whereas there’s a gap for heel lock lacing, they received’t be lengthy sufficient to tug it off. As famous, we felt locked in so once more aren’t chalking this up as a destructive, however a be aware.

Other than the preliminary really feel of the toe field being too slim, the The Hoka Rocket X 3 is a shoe I’ll preserve coming again to for longer, sustained efforts. The added twin density layer of SCF PEBA foam on the midsole does an awesome job of feeling responsive to hurry choose ups.

Who Tried it?

I’m Alison, a 42 12 months outdated stable center of the pack runner. I primarily run on the street, however received’t flip down treadmill exercise. I equally love solo and group runs, and have a big community of buddies I run with within the DMV space.  My favourite distance to run is no matter 45 minutes equates to. My favourite distance to race is the marathon. Once I’m not marathon coaching, I usually keep 25-30 miles per week. I take my espresso black, and love confetti flavored pop tarts. Once I’m not operating, I’m fascinated about my subsequent run. Yow will discover me on instagram @alioop_0_o_runs.

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