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Tested using Methodology v0.12
Updated Jun 16, 2026 08:40 PM
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Tested using Methodology v0.15
Updated Sep 14, 2026 04:53 PM
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PUMA
Heel Stack Height
40.3 mm
Weight
208.4 g (7.35 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.6 mm
Plate
Carbon Fiber
Heel Stack Height
39.3 mm
Weight
173.3 g (6.11 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.9 mm
Plate
Carbon Fiber
Our Verdict
HOKA Rocket X 3
PUMA Fast-R NITRO Elite 3
The HOKA Rocket X 3 and PUMA Fast-R NITRO Elite 3 are carbon-plated racers with very different priorities. The PUMA is much lighter and provides a more aggressive transition through toe-off, making it the more race-focused option for midfoot and forefoot strikers. The HOKA is considerably more stable and forgiving, making it easier to control over longer efforts. Get the PUMA for lower weight and a more aggressive ride; get the HOKA for greater stability.
Variants
- Rocket X 3 (White/Black - (Men - US 9))
- Rocket X 3 (White/Black - (Women - US 7))
- Fast-R NITRO Elite 3 (Mint Melt/Speed Blue - (Men - US 9))
- Fast-R NITRO Elite 3 (Mint Melt/Speed Blue - (Women - US 7))
Main Differences for
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Threshold
Half/Full Marathon Racing
8.0
8.4
Weight
7.9
8.9
Outsole Arch Width
69 mm (2.7")
25 mm (1.0")
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
7.8
8.9
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
7.9
8.9
Right Shoe Weight Photo
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Left Shoe Weight Photo
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Weight
208.4 g (7.35 oz)
173.3 g (6.11 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
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Heel Stack Height
40.3 mm
39.3 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
31.7 mm
30.4 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.6 mm
8.9 mm
Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop
7.0 mm
8.0 mm
External Shape
3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Outsole Heel Width
76 mm (3.0")
82 mm (3.2")
Outsole Arch Width
69 mm (2.7")
25 mm (1.0")
Outsole Forefoot Width
107 mm (4.2")
113 mm (4.4")
Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio
1.89
2.09
Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio
3.38
3.72
Internal Shape
3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Internal Length
274 mm (10.8")
273 mm (10.7")
Internal Heel Width
65 mm (2.6")
60 mm (2.4")
Internal Forefoot Width
94 mm (3.7")
93 mm (3.7")
Wide Sizing Available
No
No
Forefoot Fit: Width
8.5
9.4
Forefoot Width Photo
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Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation
-1.8 mm (-0.069")
-1.0 mm (-0.039")
Toe TTS Deviation
-4.2 mm (-0.165")
-2.3 mm (-0.091")
Forefoot Fit: Height
8.0
6.9
Forefoot Height Photo
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Toe TTS Deviation
-2.5 mm (-0.099")
-3.7 mm (-0.146")
Arch Fit: Width
8.2
8.8
Arch Fit Photo
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Arch Width TTS Deviation
-3.0 mm (-0.120")
-2.2 mm (-0.087")
Length Fit
10
10
Toe Clearance Photo
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Heel Rocker Geometry
6.9
8.4
Heel Rocker Photo
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Heel Spring
18 mm (0.7")
30 mm (1.2")
Heel Apex Position
20.4%
22.2%
Heel Rocker Angle
17.8°
24.8°
Forefoot Rocker Geometry
7.9
7.8
Forefoot Rocker Photo
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Toe Spring
55 mm (2.2")
55 mm (2.2")
Toe Apex Position
60.0%
59.0%
Forefoot Rocker Angle
26.6°
24.6°
Foam
Primary Foam Picture
Secondary Foam Picture
Primary Foam Name
Nitrofoam Elite
Primary Foam Type
A-TPU
Secondary Foam Name
No Secondary Foam
Secondary Foam Type
No Secondary Foam
Laces
Laces Picture
Lace Type
Flat
Width
6.0 mm (0.2")
Thickness
2.1 mm (0.1")
Stretch
15.0%
Other Features
Other Features Photo
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Tongue Gusset Type
Non-gusseted
Non-gusseted
Plate
Carbon Fiber
Carbon Fiber
Performance
Heel Compression Energy Return
8.5
8.8
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Energy Return
83.7%
86.1%
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
8.5
8.9
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Energy Return
83.8%
86.7%
Heel Cushioning
8.3
8.1
Heel Cushioning Picture
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Heel Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 550N
4.40 J
4.30 J
Energy Absorbed At 1100N
10.16 J
9.78 J
Energy Absorbed At 1900N
15.84 J
15.43 J
Forefoot Cushioning
7.9
8.7
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
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Forefoot Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 800N
5.14 J
5.56 J
Energy Absorbed At 1300N
8.44 J
9.67 J
Energy Absorbed At 2050N
12.09 J
14.13 J
Heel Firmness
5.6
5.9
Heel Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 550N
31.7 N/mm
32.8 N/mm
Firmness At 1100N
44.5 N/mm
46.2 N/mm
Firmness At 1900N
66.3 N/mm
68.5 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
6.6
6.0
Forefoot Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 800N
49.6 N/mm
49.5 N/mm
Firmness At 1300N
67.1 N/mm
64.5 N/mm
Firmness At 2050N
95 N/mm
89 N/mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
7.6
8.0
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 10km
8.27 J
8.81 J
Energy Absorbed At 20km
8.16 J
8.60 J
Energy Absorbed At 30km
8.08 J
8.47 J
Energy Absorbed At 40km
8.02 J
8.39 J
Rocker Stiffness
8.4
8.5
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Force To Flatten The Rocker
137 N
144 N
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
7.8
8.9
Forefoot Bending Video
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
70.5%
80.2%
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
8.3
8.3
Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
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Forefoot Bending Resistance
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
22.9 N/mm
23.0 N/mm
Forefoot Bending Force
319 N
322 N
Heel Compression Depth
7.2
Heel Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Compression At 550N
16.8 mm
Heel Compression At 1100N
23.8 mm
Heel Compression At 1900N
27.8 mm
Forefoot Compression Depth
6.9
Forefoot Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Compression At 800N
16.2 mm
Forefoot Compression At 1300N
20.2 mm
Forefoot Compression At 2050N
22.9 mm
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HOKA Rocket X 3
PUMA Fast-R NITRO Elite 3
Comments
HOKA Rocket X 3 vs PUMA Fast-R NITRO Elite 3: Main Discussion
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