Hoka Rocket X 2 in test

Hoka has really taken a long time with the successor of the Rocket X. Surely it was also because Hoka had a very good player in the performance game with the Carbon X. But competitors such as Asics with Metaspeed Sky+ have not slept.

But the competitors such as Asics with the Metaspeed Sky+ have not slept and so it was high time for Hoka to follow up with a new model.

One thing in advance, the Rocket X 2 has only the name with the first Rocket X in common. It is a completely new development with completely different technology.

Keyfacts

• 5mm drop
• 211 grams at size 42 2/3
• Unisex size run

When we first tried the Hoka Rocket X 2, we were already very impressed with its lightweight and very technical design. The shoe is very lightweight, extremely well made lets you guess what to expect as soon as you unpack it. But more on that later.

The Upper

The Rocket X 2 has a technical mono-mesh upper with a skeletal arrangement of overlays (blue) and underlays (green) that essentially wrap the entire foot, including the heel. It looks very plastic at first glance, but is completely breathable and soft when running. We had no issues with creases rubbing against the foot.

The Rocket X 2 does not have a heel cup, but only lateral padding , which keep the foot in the shoe. This works surprisingly well, the heel sits firmly. The tight lacing does the rest.

The sole

Hoka uses their ProFly X construction with the C0004 plate. This plate is actually a gamechanger. If you only bend the shoe with your hands, you already immediately notice the restoring forces. On the asphalt, the shoe really moves forward thanks to the carbon plate and the new high-performance foam. The Rocket X 2 is a guarantor for fast times on the short track and thanks to the comfortable damping also for narrow tracks. We were most amazed by the shoe's stable stance. No swimming, no sinking away or the like. On the point stable and always straight ahead.

We tested the Rocket X 2 on a longer run and were thrilled with its performance. The shoe offers very good cushioning and a responsive running feel. The feet didn't feel tired or overworked even though we ran fast for an extended period of time.

The Rocket X 2 also has excellent traction. We were able to run smoothly on a variety of surfaces, including asphalt, concrete and gravel. The shoe had a firm footing at all times. We very positively liked the good breathability.

Another highlight of the Hoka Rocket X 2 is its fit. The shoe adapts well to the foot and offers sufficient support. The upper is slightly stretchy and adapts to the shape of the foot without pinching or chafing.

Overall, we are very impressed with the Hoka Rocket X 2. The shoe is very comfortable and offers excellent performance for long runs and enough tempo resistance for fast short races.