Hoka Rocket X

Rocket X is the latest carbon plate running shoe from Hoka. It has a timeless, simple, and streamlined design that was created with the marathon in mind and is extremely effective.

For starters, the Hoka Rocket X is more closely related to a traditional racing shoe than it is to a carbon plate design.

Its semi-rigid carbon-fiber plate is subtle and provides strong bounce without having the "trampoline" aspect of other carbon shoes; many testers equate the Rocket X to the Saucony Endorphin Pro in terms of ride quality, but believe the latter to be smoother in overall feel than the former.

The CMEVA midsole has a stack height of 32 mm under the heel and 27 mm under the forefoot, and it provides a straightforward and effective cushioning that testers described as firm and somewhat springy.

Runners claim that a fast pace "activates" the carbon plate's propulsive benefit. Several testers agreed that forefoot striking is the best way to get the most out of this shoe.

Next, the upper's lightweight and breathable mesh provides precise and flexible foot lockdown, making it the ideal configuration for combining comfort with a race-ready fit in a single shoe.

The heel counter is very comfortable and not too high, which will suit Achilles sufferers.

The toe box is reasonably spacious, so runners with wide feet should not be concerned. Finally, the rubber outsole, despite its seeming smooth texture, provides sufficient traction while remaining durable enough to survive normal wear and tear.

To sum up, the Hoka Rocket X is an excellent racing shoe with a carbon plate that could equally be used a training shoe for tempo and interval runs.

If you want a simple yet stylish carbon plate competition shoe for short or medium distances, this could be a solution.

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