Hoka Rocket X2 Review: Hoka’s best carbon racing shoe yet

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Despite being one of the first brands to follow Nike in making carbon plate running shoes, Hoka’s previous attempts at a super-shoe have fallen short of the standard set by others. The Hoka Rocket X2 changes that. It’s a great super-shoe with a soft and springy PEBA-based midsole, and certainly the best carbon racer Hoka has made so far.

Run Tester Nick has been been putting the Hoka Rocket X2 through its paces ahead of its launch, here’s his verdict on how it stacks up against other carbon shoes.

JUMP STRAIGHT IN:
00:00 - Intro
00:19 - Design & Key Stats
02:12 - How’s The Fit?
03:10 - The Run Test
10:00 - Verdict & Alternatives

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I'll wait for a new upper on the next version before I buy these. Too many proven marathon racers out there already at the same or lower price. Glad to see Hoka finally moving forward!

jimoconnor

Interesting alternative review from the Believeintherun one that I watched on the Rocket X 2 the other day.
Definitely looks like it may have heel rub issues for a number of people and I can't really see it being the best carbon racer for many people at the minute (although a huge leap forwards for HOKA).

Happy to stick with my current race shoe line up of Wave Rebellion Pro, Endorphin Elite and the Metaspeed Sky+ 🙂 Favouring the Endorphin Elite for Copenhagen Marathon atm as opposed to most reviews online my early feel for the shoe is that it is extremely good when I back off and run at goal MP (better than it is for the quicker stuff where maybe the Wave Rebellion Pro could be my pick). Raced in the Endorphin Elite over a Half at the weekend and the only negative was lack of grip on some tight corners and especially when hitting dirt at the sides of roads or fine grains of dry sand on Yarmouth promenade. Wave Rebellion Pro has wonderful grip though and the Sky+ is very good too.

I actually think that the Endorphin Elite has had a pretty hard time from then reviews online mainly down to Saucony's high pricing of the shoe. I found the Pro 3 a great training shoe but too soft for later stages of a Marathon when the legs are tired. The Endorphin Elite sounded like it would rectify that with the firmer HG foam and I got mine with a 15% discount bringing them down to £238 (still expensive and £18 more than I have paid on any other shoe but was somewhat offset by picking up the Wave Rebellion Pro for £169 which is an absolute steal for a shoe that good).

MarkSmith_Best-Athletics

I’ve been really excited for this one. That heel rub might be a dealbreaker though. Heard that from a couple of reviewers now. 😬

thecaptainchas

Just did a 10K race (hilly one in Ireland) and PB'd by almost 4 mins! Great shoe! No hotspots or toe squash for me but I sized up a half. Love the bounce and energy return. Stable'ish for me but it deffo didn't like slower paces...Speed 3s better at slower work but not as punchy as the RX2 at faster race pace cruising. Can do 10K to full I am thinking for me.

petersalama

I would have bought this shoe if the store had my size available. It just felt perfect and natural to run with. I ended up getting NB Fuelcell SC Elite V3's instead because they were the second best option for me. You thought those were better so now I don't regret my decision

Looooordi

I usually can't run in Hoka because they are narrow... The exception is the Mach 5 which is quite wide in the toebox. Is the Rocket X2 wider than the Mach 5..? Wider than the Rocket X V1?

i.p

Great review as always, but where’s the Vaporfly 3 review?! Waiting to decide if I should just get a discounted V2, but my size is “running” out of stock! 😬

betomf

Was wondering your thoughts on the HOKA X2 vs Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 for a marathon? and even as a everyday shoe, currently run in the Saucony Endorphin speed 3 and like your reviews absolutely love it but might be considering going for the HOKA, thanks

gemmahayden

I also suffered from the heel rub and had to return the shoe unfortunately . As I do get along with other Hoka shoes in general this was disappointing as the foam felt amazing .

Kevinwilsonruns

How does it compare to the Mizuno rebellion pro? Thank you.

georgesa.videau

How does it compare to the endorphin pro 3?

vtru

Apologies for the offtopic, but am I the only one waiting for Vaporfly 3 review? Again, not to say that Hoka or any other brand are not important, but vaporfly is THE supershoe. and the emergence supersheoes contributed to the greater popularity of shoe rotations (since nobody will train exclusively in supershoes) and has therefore increased overall interest in shoe review channels like Run Testers (which is the best, imho).

hederahelix