HOKA’s Max-Stacked Rocket X Trail combines road race shoe energy with increased grip from a 3-mm lugged outsole. If you’re looking for a fast shoe for offense, this is the one. It’s also great for all-round comfort. In testing, I strapped on the Rocket Whether I was moving at marathon pace or with heavy, tired, torn strides in the latter miles, it provided efficiency and energy.
The Rockard, Supercritical midsole uses HOKA’s most lifelike foam with a carbon plate, similar to what you’ll find in its race-ready road shoes. This combines for a really fun ride that is smooth, springy and nimble and really consistent. It’s also highly cushioned, so you’ll be sacrificing a lot of ground feel for the springy softness of that big pile. It is also less stable on very rough terrain. But on open, flat, driveable mixed terrain, it is excellent.
The lightweight upper has a race-shoe-ready feel and after running in ankle-deep flooded sections, they shed water really fast. It’s an expensive road-to-wheel shoe, it’s versatile and also has great winter road potential.
| specification | |
|---|---|
| weight | 9.45 ounces |
| fall from heel to toe | 6mm |
| lug depth | 3mm |
