Hoka Rocket X Multi-Tester Review: Four runners test out Hoka’s new carbon racer

The Hoka One One Rocket X aims to offer a high level of performance at a lower price than most carbon plate super shoes, with its £140 price making it a lot more affordable than most of the top racers from other brands. The shoe isn’t a true successor to the Carbon Rocket, being softer and better suited to long distances events, and it’s lighter and speedier than the Carbon X and Carbon X 2 shoes.

All four Run Testers have been testing out the Carbon Rocket X so we can give you a comprehensive review from a range of perspectives, and help you decide if this is the carbon shoe for you.

JUMP STRAIGHT IN:
00:31 - Key Info
01:00 - Design
02:09 - How’s The Fit?
03:42 - Running Performance
16:51 - Verdict

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[willwilling]

Thanks for the review. You guys confirmed that the reason I bought the shoe was solid. Mainly for training at this point. I plan on doing a lot of miles at the 8 to 8:30 minutes pace. Hopefully I'll be able to build my strength and fitness and take it up to higher speeds and longer distances.

[pauldaniel]

Great to have a few opinions in one video. Love the channel. Well done guys.

[neilthomas]

Thanks for the review just picked up 2 pairs of these for under £70 each love them just beat my age 60 plus 10k time 👍

[TrailrunnerTroy]

Thank you for your excellent review. I’m mostly a longer-distance trail runner but use the Rocket X for speed work/tempo runs on tarmac and buffed dirt roads and thoroughly enjoy it. Agree that it doesn’t feel like a carbon plated shoe, unlike the original Carbon X, but is plenty fast. Here in Colorado don’t have wet roads in the way you do so traction hasn’t been an issue. Haven’t raced in it and not sure I will; it feels more like a trainer to me. One of my favorites!

[chris_mcc_]

Great in-depth review. I’m a big fan of the OG Carbon X, so really interested to hear your comparisons here. Keep up the good work chaps.

[briansmyth]

Having watched alot of your videos in search of my first carbon plate shoe I purchased these. Great for my tempo training over last couple of months, trying them for first time in HM at the weekend. Watch this space.

[grgr]

After the rocket X2 was recently introduced these are now half price almost everywhere.
Got a pair for 85 euros. You can't beat that value for money with anything on the market.

[rayclayton]

Great reviews, I use mine for short faster stuff as they feel better the faster you run 😃

[paulcain]

I’m enjoying this as a training shoe for longer runs. I feel it works with your gait cycle and turnover is easy and smooth. I’d still race in a VapourFly but this is working well for me. Grip is better than the SPEED but not as good as the RC elite which is almost trail like 👍

[christophersmith]

Love this shoe even today. The only super shoe where you can dorsi the toes

[sylvainbauge]

Aliphine Tuliamuk won the US marathon trials in these so they can definitely go the distance and produce fast times (although it's the athlete who does) :)

[mypenniez]

Thanks for the review. I ordered this shoe and am awaiting its arrival. I only run 5k as a 60 year old so I need some cushioning but also want something that can pick up the pace. I think this is perfect fit for me because of those features. I have other shoes for recovery runs and medium pace runs. I like how you guys give your opinion on who this is best for. Excited to test these out.

[thomasneddon]

Wish I'd watched this before I purchased the Carbon X2s. They're just too bulky for the fartlek and threshold sessions I like to do. Might have to return for a pair of these!

[And-rcyy]

I just received my Rocket X today. I got a half size too small by mistake. I tried them out tonight on a short 4km and they feel fine without socks. I'm going to do a marathon on Sunday so hopefully they'll work out nicely.

[markrocks]

So tempted to try a pair of Rocket X for race day, mainly half marathons. I usually run in the likes Brooks Ravenna and Adrenaline, Men's Guide ISO or ASICS GT-2000 at the stability end of the spectrum. Would I be asking for trouble? FOMO...

[dixieharrow]

just picked a pair up for £74 with discount code to use alongside my saucony endorphin speeds, absolute bargain

[petergibbs]

Fantastic review, I have the Endorphin Speed and love it but want to introduce a Carbon plated shoe and am trying to make my mind up as I can’t afford them all and not traditionally a fan of Nike shoes....

[suryopras]

I want to try it but I'm still slow. Will this make a significant difference at 6min/km or should I focus more on training for better aerobics? Currently using the Adidas Boston 8 daily.

[marthaaldridge]

Do you guys have any female testers? Especially for ‘unisex’ shoes, understanding what the fit is like on a narrower foot would be really helpful.

[belvinnadar]

Kinda overpaid for these but I hit my personal best with it on a half marathon, so guess I'm not salty anymore.