HOKA Rocket X 3 vs Cielo X1 3.0

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

HOKA Rocket X 3
HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 
early access

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Nov 24, 2025 03:09 PM

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Hoka.com

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Jan 27, 2026 09:26 PM

This review is in Early access

Amazon.com

Our Verdict

HOKA Rocket X 3

HOKA Cielo X1 3.0

Full comparison details regarding individual product score sets can be found in the section below
0 

Variants

  • Rocket X 3 (White/Black - (Men - US 9))
  • Rocket X 3 (White/Black - (Women - US 7))
  • Cielo X1 3.0 (Neon/Yuzu - (Men - US 9))
  • Cielo X1 3.0 (Neon/Yuzu - (Women - US 7))

Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 
 

8.4
0.0
No major differences between these running shoes for marathon racing. See full list of tests below.

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

7.9
N/A

Right Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Rocket X 3 Right Shoe Weight Photo
HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 Right Shoe Weight Photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Rocket X 3 Left Shoe Weight Photo
HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 Left Shoe Weight Photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Weight 
 

208.4 g (7.35 oz)
Lock g (Lock oz)
Show Text 

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Rocket X 3 Stack Height Photo
HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 Stack Height Photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Heel Stack Height 
 

40.3 mm
Lock mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

31.7 mm
Lock mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

8.6 mm
Lock mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

7.0 mm
Lock mm
Show Text 

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Preview 3D
HOKA Rocket X 3 3D Model Full Shoe
HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 3D Model Full Shoe Sample

SAMPLE

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Outsole Heel Width 
 

76 mm (3.0")
Lock mm (Lock")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

69 mm (2.7")
Lock mm (Lock")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

107 mm (4.2")
Lock mm (Lock")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

1.89
Lock

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.38
Lock

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Preview 3D
HOKA Rocket X 3 3D Model Internal
HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 3D Model Internal Sample

SAMPLE

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Internal Length 
 

274 mm (10.8")
Lock mm (Lock")

Internal Heel Width 
 

65 mm (2.6")
Lock mm (Lock")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

94 mm (3.7")
Lock mm (Lock")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

No
Locked

Other Features  

Other Features Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Rocket X 3 Other Features Photo
HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 Other Features Photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Non-gusseted
Locked

Plate 
 

Carbon Fiber
Locked
Show Text 
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

8.5
N/A

Heel Compression Video  

HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 Heel Compression Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Heel Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Rocket X 3 Heel Energy Return
HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 Heel Energy Return Sample

SAMPLE

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Heel Energy Return 
 

83.7%
Lock%
Show Text 

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

8.5
N/A

Forefoot Compression Video  

HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 Forefoot Compression Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Forefoot Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Rocket X 3 Forefoot Energy Return
HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 Forefoot Energy Return Sample

SAMPLE

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Forefoot Energy Return 
 

83.8%
Lock%
Show Text 

Heel Cushioning 
 

8.3
N/A

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Rocket X 3 Heel Cushioning Picture
HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 Heel Cushioning Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Heel Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Rocket X 3 Heel Cushioning
HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 Heel Cushioning Sample

SAMPLE

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Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

4.40 J
Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

10.16 J
Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

15.84 J
Lock J
Show Text 

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

7.9
N/A

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Rocket X 3 Forefoot Cushioning Picture
HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 Forefoot Cushioning Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Forefoot Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Rocket X 3 Forefoot Cushioning
HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 Forefoot Cushioning Sample

SAMPLE

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Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

5.14 J
Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

8.44 J
Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

12.09 J
Lock J
Show Text 

Heel Firmness 
 

5.8
N/A

Heel Firmness  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Rocket X 3 Heel Firmness
HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 Heel Firmness Sample

SAMPLE

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Firmness At 550N 
 

46.8 N/mm
Lock N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

124.4 N/mm
Lock N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

305.2 N/mm
Lock N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Firmness 
 

8.2
N/A

Forefoot Firmness  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Rocket X 3 Forefoot Firmness
HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 Forefoot Firmness Sample

SAMPLE

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Firmness At 800N 
 

108.3 N/mm
Lock N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

223.2 N/mm
Lock N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

462.5 N/mm
Lock N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

7.6
N/A

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Rocket X 3 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning Sample

SAMPLE

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Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

8.27 J
Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

8.16 J
Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

8.08 J
Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

8.02 J
Lock J

HOKA Rocket X 3

HOKA Cielo X1 3.0

Comments

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HOKA Rocket X 3 vs HOKA Cielo X1 3.0: Main Discussion

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