Men's Hoka Rocket X Trail - Race Day Trail Shoe

*Will Ship Monday 8/25/205 

Design & Build

• Max-stack A-TPU midsole with carbon propulsion – Men's Hoka Rocket X Trail features a lofty 42 mm heel / 36 mm forefoot stack height (men’s US 10) made from dual-layer Aliphatic TPU foam, sandwiching an H-shaped carbon plate for spring and responsiveness; the soft yet propulsive cushioning feel

• Aggressive rocker geometry – Modeled after Hoka’s road racing shoes, the pronounced rocker design promotes efficient heel-to-toe transitions and mid-to-forefoot striking.

• Lightweight overall weight – Registered at approximately 9.1 oz (258 g) for a men’s US 9. 

Upper & Fit

• Thin, breathable mesh with TPU support – A minimal, single-layer mesh upper with thin TPU underlays keeps the weight down while providing structure; reviewers say it’s light yet secure.

• Structural heel cup & reinforced toe bumper – The padded heel cup offers good lockdown; a toe bumper adds protection against trail debris.

• Built-in gaiter attachment – Ideal for keeping grit out on longer runs. 

Outsole & Traction

• Zoned minimal rubber with low-profile lugs – The outsole of the Men's Hoka Rocket X Trail uses strategically placed rubber and 3–3.5 mm lugs to provide traction primarily on smoother, fire-trail terrain, while reducing weight compared to a full-coverage outsole.

• Forefoot-biased traction zones – More rubber is placed at the forefoot for propulsion, with reversed lug orientation at the heel to assist in downhill braking.

Performance & Feel

• Sprightly yet cushioned ride – The combination of A-TPU foam, carbon plate, rocker, and stack height delivers a lively, propulsive feel—especially at racing or fast-pace efforts.

• Stable, surprising for the stack height – Despite its tall profile, the midsole’s lateral squish and wide base offer a secure platform on smoother terrain.

• Trail racing weapon – Ideal for high-speed distances on runnable terrain; prototypes have been credited in podium finishes at the Western States 100 and Hardrock 100 (2024 & 2025). 

Minor Trade-offs

• Not for technical terrain or mud – The outsole is too minimalist for loose, muddy, or off-camber trails.

• Less stable at slow paces or rough trails – Some racers find it feels awkward or less secure at slower speeds or uneven terrain. 

Who It’s For

Trail runners aiming for fast, runnable trails, ultra distances, or race-day speed who want a shoe that feels like a road super-shoe but is trail-appropriate. It’s not for rugged technical terrain but excels on smoother, high-velocity surfaces. Its design sacrifices some stability at low speeds for lightning-quick response. Unsurprisingly, it comes at a premium—around $250.

Summary

The Men’s Hoka Rocket X Trail is Hoka’s bold leap into high-performance trail supershoes. With an ultra-bouncy A-TPU stack, flexible H-shaped carbon plate, rockered profile, and featherweight build, it’s built to fly across non-technical terrain. If your ideal trail run is fast, fluid, and long, this shoe delivers—just don’t expect boot-like grip or confidence on technical descents.