Reader review
Anonymous runner · Nov 8, 2024
5/5
Overall
- Comfort
- 4/5
- Cushioning
- 4/5
- Durability
- 5/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 5/5
HOKA
Rocket X 2
The Rocket X 2 is HOKA ONE ONE's carbon-plated """"supershoe"""" designed for racing and training.
Daily trainer
· Neutral
· Road
Exceptional (97/100)
- Weight
- 7.5 oz
- Release
- 2023 Q2
- MSRP
- $250
- Stack Height
- 37mm heel - 31mm toe
- Drop Height
- 5mm
Exceptional (97/100)
overall
Shoe details
- Weight
- 7.5 oz
- Release
- 2023 Q2
- MSRP
- $250
- Stack Height
- 37mm heel - 31mm toe
- Drop Height
- 5mm
Ratings & Reviews
Exceptional (97/100)
Better than about 96% of shoes
Based on product-line history, external ratings, and runner reviews.
?
This score rates better than 96% of shoes.
Our ratings use detailed reviews from knowledgeable runners, ratings for shoes in the same product line, and reliable product information from trusted retailers.
Rating breakdown
Better Shoes score out of 100. Shading shows the expected rating range.
?
Rankings combine runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, direct comparisons to other shoes, related product-line performance, and trusted external ratings.
The darker band shows the central score range. The lighter band shows a wider range of reasonable outcomes. More reviews for this shoe usually narrow both bands.
Overall
Exceptional (97/100)
Overall ranking
We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.
Estimate
Exceptional (97/100)
Rank
Ranks above 96% of shoes
Compared with all shoes
The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.
Durability
Exceptional (99/100)
Durability ranking
We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.
Estimate
Exceptional (99/100)
Rank
Ranks above 98% of shoes
Compared with all shoes
The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.
Comfort
Excellent (95/100)
Comfort ranking
We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.
Estimate
Excellent (95/100)
Rank
Ranks above 93% of shoes
Compared with all shoes
The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.
Cushioning
Excellent (95/100)
Cushioning ranking
We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.
Estimate
Excellent (95/100)
Rank
Ranks above 93% of shoes
Compared with all shoes
The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.
Value
Excellent (93/100)
Value ranking
We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.
Estimate
Excellent (93/100)
Rank
Ranks above 92% of shoes
Compared with all shoes
The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.
Appearance
Good (74/100)
Appearance ranking
We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.
Estimate
Good (74/100)
Rank
Ranks above 46% of shoes
Compared with all shoes
The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.
80%
4/5
Prefer this shoe over another.
Reviewers said this shoe was better than another shoe they ran in.
Comparison set
Rating
All Running Shoes
Better than 96% of 2,532 running shoes ranked.
Exceptional (97/100)
Daily Trainers
Better than 96% of 1,849 daily trainers ranked.
96%
HOKA
Better than 88% of 134 HOKA shoes ranked.
88%
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Rates well on cushioning and comfort.
- Rated among the top quarter of shoes on durability, which puts it above most other carbon-plated supershoes, especially Nike's offerings.
Cons
- Heavier this generation's supershoe standard-bearer, the Nike Vaporfly Next% 3.
Compared to other shoes
See how this shoe compares to others like it.
Current shoe
Lightest
/
Best durability
/
Best value
Newest
Best overall
/
Best comfort
/
Best cushioning
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Supershoe
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
7.5 oz M
Lightest
—
8.5 oz M
Stack
37/31mm
—
40/35mm
Drop
5mm
7mm
5mm
Release
2023 Q2
2025 Q3
Newest
2023 Q1
MSRP
$250
—
$165
Lower MSRP
Best price
—
—
$164.99
Ratings
Overall
Excellent (96%)
Good (72%)
Exceptional (>99%)
Best overall
Comfort
Excellent (93%)
Good (78%)
Exceptional (>99%)
Best comfort
Cushioning
Excellent (93%)
Good (78%)
Exceptional (>99%)
Best cushioning
Durability
Exceptional (98%)
Best durability
Above average (62%)
Very good (80%)
Appearance
Average (46%)
Below average (21%)
Very good (82%)
Best appearance
Value
Excellent (92%)
Best value
Average (50%)
Good (74%)
Where to buy
No offers available
Better alternatives
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99th percentile
+4 percentile points vs this shoe
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$114.97
99th percentile
+3 percentile points vs this shoe
Triumph 22
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$159.99
98th percentile
+2 percentile points vs this shoe
Escalante 4
Daily trainer
$129.95
97th percentile
+1 percentile points vs this shoe
Velocity NITRO 2
Daily trainer
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97th percentile
+1 percentile points vs this shoe
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97th percentile
+1 percentile points vs this shoe
More from HOKA
Reader Ratings
17 reader ratings
Showing 1–5 of 7 written reviews
Hoka Pebax Rocks
Anonymous runner · Mar 3, 2024
5/5
Overall
First Hoka supershoe, blew my expectations. Very responsive and helps my legs feel fresh even on hard efforts
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 5/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 5/5
Best first(and vesatile) supershoe!
Warren · Dec 6, 2023
5/5
Overall
Best high cushion racing shoe with lots of energy return very responsive and comfortable it is decently durable and works for a big variety of Paces and types of workouts this shoe will work for beginner runners to the most experienced runners
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 5/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 5/5
Faster than Vaporflies imo
Emils · Oct 25, 2023
4/5
Overall
Crazy durability, they feel the same after ~120miles in, I have seen guys taking them up to 400 and still go strong without noticable damage to outsole or to midsole.
Feels great for everything from Half marathon pace tempos to 5k road races - For me 5:40/mi-4:57/mi
Have to say that trying the shoe on in the store I went half a size up and it fits perfect.
- Comfort
- 3/5
- Cushioning
- 4/5
- Durability
- 5/5
- Appearance
- 3/5
- Value
- 4/5
Not as good as the first Rocket X
Tim Jones · Sep 23, 2023
4/5
Overall
I bought this shoe because I loved the original Rocket X. The major difference in the Rocket X 2 is the rocker from mid-foot to toe is way less pronounced. The aggressive rocker(mid-foot to toe drop) of the old Rocket X made me feel like I was rolling down to my toes and I could feel that it took a lot of pressure off my posterior chain. The Rocket X 2 does not have the same feeling, and my calves are fatigue much quicker.
- Comfort
- 3/5
- Cushioning
- 3/5
- Durability
- 5/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 3/5