Hoka Carbon X 3

Review Score
75%
🏅 Highly Rated
See 15 reviews
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Pro athlete users

+6
Thibaut GarrivierDion FinocchiaroCarla MolinaroPete Kostelnick
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Hoka Carbon X 3: Review

“A lightweight, maximally cushioned shoe for long-distance racing and up-tempo training.”

Overview


The Hoka Carbon X 3 is a running shoe designed for long-distance racing and up-tempo training. This shoe is part of the Hoka Carbon X family and is known for its full-length carbon-fiber propulsion plate embedded into a two-layer midsole, providing an energetic ride.

Key Features:

  • Maximal Cushioning: Offers a comfortable ride for long-distance running.
  • Carbon Fiber Plate: Provides stability and a snappy ride with smooth transitions.
  • Knit Upper: Ensures a comfortable, sock-like fit.
  • Lightweight: Weighs 8.4 oz, which is lighter than average, making it ideal for racing and speed training.

The Hoka Carbon X 3 is an ideal choice for runners who prioritize stability and cushioning for long-distance running. Its breathable knit upper offers comfort, making it suitable for marathon and ultra marathon running.

According to our analysis of reviews from experts around the world, it averages a review score of 75%. This puts it in the lowest rated 20% of comparable running shoes. According to our analysis of prices across the internet, at current rates it's in the most expensive 20% of running shoes.

Verdict

The consensus on the Hoka Carbon X 3


The Hoka Carbon X 3 is a high-performance running shoe that excels in long-distance racing and up-tempo training. It offers a smooth and rolling ride, thanks to its full-length carbon-fiber propulsion plate and two-layer midsole. The shoe's rockered profile and copious amounts of cushioning ensure comfort during long runs. However, the fit might not suit everyone, as some users found the knit upper to be loose-fitting. Despite this, the Carbon X 3's lightweight design and high-volume interior make it a solid choice for runners seeking a comfortable and energetic ride. In our experience, we've found that the Hoka Carbon X 3 offers a good balance of comfort, performance, and durability.

Updates to Hoka Carbon X 3


The Hoka Carbon X 3 has been updated from the previous Hoka Carbon X 2 model to be lighter, cushier, and more consistent. The new seamless knit mesh upper provides a comfortable, sock-like fit. The new top layer of Profly X supercritical midsole material creates a smoother, softer, and more resilient ride.

7 Hoka Carbon X 3 Pros & Cons


4 Pros

Maximal cushioning provides a comfortable ride for long-distance running.
Carbon fiber plate offers stability and a snappy ride with smooth transitions.
Lightweight design makes it ideal for racing and speed training.
New seamless knit mesh upper ensures a comfortable, sock-like fit.

3 Cons

Some users found the knit upper to be loose-fitting.
Toe box is narrower than average, which might be a concern for runners with wider feet.
Shoe might be less breathable, which could be a concern for runners in warmer climates.

In Depth


Upper

The Hoka Carbon X 3 features a new seamless knit mesh upper that provides a comfortable, sock-like fit. This breathable upper ensures good ventilation, keeping your feet cool during long runs. However, some users found the fit to be loose, which might affect the shoe's performance during speed workouts.

Midsole

The midsole of the Hoka Carbon X 3 is designed with a full-length carbon-fiber propulsion plate embedded into a two-layer midsole. This design provides an energetic ride, making the shoe ideal for racing and speed training. The new top layer of Profly X supercritical midsole material creates a smoother, softer, and more resilient ride.

Outsole

The outsole of the Hoka Carbon X 3 is durable and provides good grip, making it suitable for road running. However, some users found the shoe to be less breathable, which might be a concern for runners in warmer climates.

Size/fit

The Hoka Carbon X 3 has a true-to-size fit with a medium width and high-volume interior. However, some users found the toe box to be narrower than average, which might be a concern for runners with wider feet.

Comfort

The Hoka Carbon X 3 offers a comfortable ride, thanks to its maximal cushioning and seamless knit upper. The shoe's high-volume interior ensures ample space for your feet, providing comfort during long runs.

Who should buy the Hoka Carbon X 3?


The Hoka Carbon X 3 is a great choice for runners who participate in long-distance marathons and ultra marathons. It's also suitable for those who engage in speed training and prefer a shoe with maximal cushioning and a carbon fiber plate for an energetic ride.

Who should not buy the Hoka Carbon X 3?


The Hoka Carbon X 3 might not be the best choice for runners who prefer a snug fit, as some users found the knit upper to be loose-fitting. It might also not be suitable for runners with wider feet, as the toe box is narrower than average.

Hoka Carbon X 3: What's it good for?


The Hoka Carbon X 3 is good for long-distance running, including marathons and ultra marathons. It's also suitable for speed training and racing due to its lightweight design and energetic ride.

4 Hoka Carbon X 3 FAQs


Is the Hoka Carbon X 3 suitable for long-distance running?

Yes, the Hoka Carbon X 3 is designed for long-distance running, including marathons and ultra marathons. Its maximal cushioning and carbon fiber plate provide a comfortable and energetic ride.

Does the Hoka Carbon X 3 have a carbon fiber plate?

Yes, the Hoka Carbon X 3 features a full-length carbon-fiber propulsion plate embedded into a two-layer midsole. This design provides an energetic ride, making the shoe ideal for racing and speed training.

What is the weight of the Hoka Carbon X 3?

The Hoka Carbon X 3 weighs 8.4 oz, which is lighter than average. This makes it suitable for racing and speed training.

Does the Hoka Carbon X 3 have a breathable upper?

The Hoka Carbon X 3 features a new seamless knit mesh upper that provides good ventilation. However, some users found the shoe to be less breathable, which might be a concern for runners in warmer climates.

Hoka Carbon X 3 alternatives



Hoka Carbon X 3
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released
Released
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productAthletes
Pro athlete users

+8
Carla MolinaroPete Kostelnick
Weight
Weight
M: 241 g
W: 213 g
M: 230 g
W: 193 g
210 g
210 g
244 g
M: 204 g
W: 184 g
Forefoot
Forefoot
M: 27 mm
W: 25 mm
M: 33 mm
W: 31 mm
24 mm
27 mm
32 mm
32 mm
Heel to toe drop
Heel to toe drop
5 mm
6 mm
8 mm
8 mm
8 mm
Heel
Heel
M: 32 mm
W: 30 mm
M: 33 mm
W: 31 mm
30 mm
35 mm
40 mm
40 mm
Usages
Usages
RacingSpeed training
Speed trainingDaily runningSpeed trainingRacingSpeed trainingRacingSpeed trainingRacingSpeed training
Brand
Brand
Hoka
AltraNew BalanceBrooksNikeSaucony
Shoe Type
Shoe Type
BreathableComfortableLightweightMaximalist
LightweightLow dropMaximalistZero dropBreathableComfortableLightweightMaximalistLightweightMaximalistBreathableComfortableLightweightMaximalistBreathableComfortableLightweightMaximalist
Breathable
Breathable
Carbon fiber plate
Carbon fiber plate
Carbon plate
Carbon plate
Orthotic friendly
Orthotic friendly
Removable insole
Removable insole
Rocker
Rocker
Techs
Techs
New Balance FuelCell
Environmental Characteristics
Environmental Characteristics
SustainableVegan Ⓥ
0

Hoka Carbon X 3: what the experts say (2 reviews)

Hoka Carbon X 3: 11 Expert video reviews

Hoka Carbon X 3: 1 Manufacturer video

Hoka Carbon X 3 characteristics and specifications

Characteristics
SportsRunning (+1920)
TerrainRoad (+1303)
UsagesRacing (+189)Speed training (+290)
BrandHoka (+97)
Support TypeNeutral (+1503)
Pronation TypeNeutral pronation (+1483)
Strike TypeFore/Midfoot strike (+1062)Heel strike (+1141)
Arch TypeHigh arch (+1430)
Shoe TypeBreathable (+331)Comfortable (+253)Lightweight (+418)Maximalist (+504)
FitMedium toe box (+830)Wide toe box (+324)
FeaturesBreathable (+964)Carbon fiber plate (+77)Carbon plate (+47)Orthotic friendly (+273)Removable insole (+253)Rocker (+139)
MaterialsKnit (+196)
Events10k (+682)Half marathon (+682)Marathon (+682)Ultra marathon (+133)
ColorwaysBillowing Sail / Evening Primrose, Black / White, Blue Coral / Black, Ceramic / Evening Primrose, Coastal Sky / Bellwether Blue, Cyclamen / Impala, Evening Primrose / Scuba Blue, Festival Fuchsia / Black, Mountain Spring / Puffin Bill, Peach Parfait / Summer Song
Specificationsvs Average
Model
3
Released
Apr 2022
Measurements
Weight
M: 241 g
W: 213 g
Heel to toe drop
5 mm
Heel
M: 32 mm
W: 30 mm
Forefoot
M: 27 mm
W: 25 mm

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AuthorTom Green
Tom is the founder of geerly. Based in West London, he found his passion for running in his mid-30s. He’s best at longer distances, and is a regular at the London Marathon, where he's edging closer to sub-2.40. He started geerly because he found it frustrating when shopping for running shoes spending ages trying to find the best deal in his size, and wading through verbose, waffling reviews clearly designed to appeal to search engines rather than be helpful to users. For geerly he's passionate about writing reviews that get straight to the point, and helping runners find the right gear at the best price.
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