HOKA Rocket X 2 Review
Published: March 31, 2023
HOKA's New Super Rocket X 2 Puts the Fly Into “Fly Human Fly”
Likes
- Top-tier energy return
- Soft and squishy feel
- Dialed-in midsole geometry with smooth, effortless roll
- Excellent traction
Dislikes
- Heel fit caused some minor discomfort
What's New
It has been over two years since HOKA released the original Rocket X, but with top-to-bottom updates, the Rocket X 2 is an entirely new shoe, and this elite marathon racer has all the high-performing tech to be your new go-to go-fast shoe.
The PEBA foam midsole is the propellant for these rockets, offering soft landings with a high-powered energy return that will have runners bouncing swiftly forward each stride. But the supercritical foam is not the only thing the Rocket X 2 has to offer, as the midsole also features a PROFLYX construction and an embedded carbon-fiber plate, which produces super efficient, super smooth transitions through the gait cycle.
A Durabrasion rubber outsole is strategically placed underfoot for hardy durability and an impressive level of traction that truly claws at the pavement, giving runners the confidence to maintain their speed regardless of the course or its conditions. Locking runners in for the ride is HOKA's new Technical Synthetic Mesh upper, and this stripped-down design has got the goods. It is lightweight with a secure lockdown, giving runners the confidence to really go after their racing goals.
The Bottom Line
HOKA finally has a proper super shoe that can compete with the very best, and it is time for liftoff. The original Rocket X was a solid race-day option, but without a true supercritical foam, it lacked the elite responsiveness and efficiency it needed to challenge its competitors. The Rocket X 2's new PEBA-based foam midsole and overall dialed-in PROFLYX design have changed that narrative, and our tester is full of praise for HOKA's premium racing shoe.
The shoe's new PEBA foam midsole is all the buzz, and our tester is in love with the propulsive feel of the new compound. The PEBA foam significantly outperforms the CMEVA compound used in the original, and in combination with the PROFLYX midsole construction, our tester enjoyed new levels of responsiveness and efficiency from the Rocket X 2, proving that the new-and-improved racer has the tech to compete with the best of the best.
What distinguishes the Rocket X 2 from other racing shoes is its ability to deliver fast times and quality performances at any racing event, and not just for marathons. In other words, our tester found that the shoe was aggressive and efficient enough to help runners snag their new 5K personal best, as well as soft, smooth, and protective enough to go the distance when faced with the formidable 26.2. The choice is yours when deciding where and when you launch these rockets.
The technical synthetic mesh upper is thin and feels lightweight on foot, providing a snug fit that screams race-ready HOKA. Unfortunately, our tester experienced slight irritation from the shoe's heel collar, leaving room for improvement for version 3. This minor issue did not sway the opinion of our tester, and the Rocket X 2 is already in the "best of" conversation. Do not be surprised if this shoe is one of the few that make our coveted list at the end of the year.
Specifications & Fit
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Unisex: 8.3 oz (size 9) |
| Terrain | Road racing |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to size |
Our In-Depth Look
Upper
Connor: "The Rocket X 2's upper is lightweight, thin, and stripped down to the bare minimum, which is more or less the standard for elite carbon-plated racing shoes. That said, I felt HOKA stripped down the Rocket X 2's upper more than the competition, with its barely-there heel and razor-thin tongue design.
Despite the extremely minimal design, the upper supported my foot well over longer, faster efforts. The midfoot is snug and secure, but there is still a little wiggle room in the forefoot.
If I had one minor complaint, it would be with the heel. Throughout testing, I experienced some very minor hotspots, and while I did not get any blisters, it was a slight nuisance. I went back and adjusted the laces to provide a more secure heel fit which did help, but the heel does seem like it could be modified in future versions to provide a more optimal fit and feel."
Midsole
Connor: "Honestly, the midsole is what truly makes a super shoe super, and HOKA has been slightly behind in the foam innovation department in recent years, but the brand has come out swinging in 2023!
While this shoe features a PROFLYX midsole (a name we have heard before), this specific foam formulation is unlike anything else we have seen from HOKA in the past. The PEBA-based foam compound can be described as an almost perfectly balanced combination of bouncy, lively, fun, and soft. Ultimately, the Rocket X 2's PROFLYX midsole is what I expect from a modern-day racing shoe. Furthermore, I believe both pro athletes and novice runners will feel confident toeing the line in these shoes.
From a geometry perspective, the shoe feels very smooth and almost puts me in a more aggressive stance. It felt really easy picking up the pace in this shoe, and I think it will perform well over a wide range of race distances. The carbon fiber plate is seamlessly embedded into the shoe, and it has been reworked to be even more propulsive, all while providing the stiffness needed to stabilize the low-durometer foam."
Outsole
Connor: "The outsole rubber covers a good chunk of the forefoot and heel, but HOKA still left a good amount of the midsole exposed, along with a huge cutout in the midfoot to shed extra ounces. From a durability standpoint, the shoe has held up well so far, and I expect it to be on par with several of its competitors. The traction, on the other hand, is where the Rocket X 2 distinguished itself. The rubber provides a grippy bite, which helped me feel confident on turns and helped me maintain speed throughout my run, even when running in damp weather conditions."
Comparable Shoes
Connor: "The Rocket X 2 officially puts HOKA amidst the super shoe category, and the foam is right up there with the best. From a ride and geometry perspective, I found it had a similar feel to the Endorphin Elite. It puts me into a somewhat aggressive stance, which allows me to flow through my stride effortlessly. The foam is pretty soft and bouncy, and while it may not be the absolute softest, most responsive compound on the market, it reminded me of the original Nike Vaporfly, which is quite the compliment, as I (like many others) really enjoyed racing in that shoe."
HOKA Men's Rocket X
The HOKA Rocket X is a highly responsive racing shoe with a carbon fiber plate designed to help you PR in races ranging from 5k to the marathon.
HOKA Women's Rocket X
The HOKA Rocket X is a highly responsive racing shoe with a carbon fiber plate designed to help you PR in races ranging from 5k to the marathon.
Individual Thoughts
ConnorOverall Score: 9/10
The HOKA Rocket X 2 is a fantastic addition to HOKA's racing lineup and a huge step in the right direction for the brand in the category. Over the years, we saw almost every brand develop a super foam compound, which left me wondering when HOKA would join the party. Luckily, the wait was worth it. Honestly, I think they hit the ball out of the park with the HOKA Rocket X 2, proving that they are more than ready to continue pushing the boundaries of performance running shoes for years to come.
In years past, I have leaned toward Nike super shoes for race day, but the addition of several new offerings from a multitude of different brands has made the race-day choice even harder. The Rocket X 2 will unquestionably be right up there with the best, and I would highly recommend trying this shoe for yourself to see if the geometries work with your stride.
The ride worked well for fast and long-distance efforts, but the aggressive feel will most likely make the shoe a half-marathon racer in my rotation. It has the protection to handle the full marathon, but the midsole is still a millimeter or two away from the legal max stack height, and I like all the protection I can get for marathon distances. Other than some minor upper tweaks and maybe continuing to strip down weight to be a little closer to that sub-7-ounce range, I have no complaints about the Rocket X 2. HOKA has more than proven that they have the technology and innovation to create a blazing-fast super shoe, and if you are on the fence about what your next race-day shoe should be, I would highly recommend checking out the Rocket X 2.
