HOKA Rocket X 3 vs Saucony Endorphin Elite 2

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

HOKA Rocket X 3
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Oct 27, 2025 07:04 PM

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Hoka.com

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Oct 23, 2025 06:45 PM

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Saucony
HOKA Rocket X 3 Picture
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Picture
  1. Recommended in 1 article:
  2. Marathon

Our Verdict

HOKA Rocket X 3

Saucony Endorphin Elite 2

The HOKA Rocket X 3 and Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 are both soft, carbon-plated super shoes built for long-distance racing, but they take different approaches to achieving speed and comfort. The Endorphin Elite 2 is slightly lighter and features an even softer, more compressive midsole, making it feel extremely plush underfoot. That said, it does firm up when pushing harder, making it feel more balanced overall. The Rocket X 3, while not quite as light, offers a ride that blends cushioning with structure. Fit is another key difference: Saucony's upper runs narrower and more performance-oriented, which may be limiting for wider-footed runners, whereas HOKA's roomier fit make the Rocket X 3 more accommodating.

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Variants

  • Rocket X 3 (White/Black - (Men - US 9))
  • Rocket X 3 (White/Black - (Women - US 7))
  • Endorphin Elite 2 (Buttercream/Ash - (Men - US 9))
  • Endorphin Elite 2 (Buttercream/Ash - (Women - US 7))
  • Endorphin Elite 2 (Citron/Black - (Men - US 9))
  • Endorphin Elite 2 (Citron/Black - (Women - US 7))
  • Endorphin Elite 2 (Fog/Cinder - (Men - US 9))
  • Endorphin Elite 2 (Fog/Cinder - (Women - US 7))
  • Endorphin Elite 2 (White/Peel - (Men - US 9))
  • Endorphin Elite 2 (White/Peel - (Women - US 7))

Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 

8.4
8.6
No major differences between these running shoes for marathon racing. See full list of tests below.

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

7.9
8.1

Right Shoe Weight Photo  

HOKA Rocket X 3 Right Shoe Weight Photo
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo  

HOKA Rocket X 3 Left Shoe Weight Photo
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

208.4 g (7.35 oz)
201.9 g (7.12 oz)
Show Text 

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo  

HOKA Rocket X 3 Stack Height Photo
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

40.3 mm
40.0 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

31.7 mm
32.3 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

8.6 mm
8.0 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

7.0 mm
7.7 mm
Show Text 

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

HOKA Rocket X 3 3D Model Full Shoe
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

76 mm (3.0")
87 mm (3.4")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

69 mm (2.7")
55 mm (2.2")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

107 mm (4.2")
112 mm (4.4")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

1.89
2.18

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.38
3.47

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

HOKA Rocket X 3 3D Model Internal
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

274 mm (10.8")
273 mm (10.7")

Internal Heel Width 
 

65 mm (2.6")
55 mm (2.2")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

94 mm (3.7")
90 mm (3.5")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Other Features  

Other Features Photo  

HOKA Rocket X 3 Other Features Photo
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Non-gusseted
Non-gusseted

Plate 
 

Carbon Fiber
Carbon Fiber
Show Text 
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

8.5
8.8

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

See details
See details

Heel Energy Return 
 

83.7%
85.8%
Show Text 

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

8.5
8.8

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

See details
See details

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

83.8%
86.4%
Show Text 

Heel Cushioning 
 

8.3
8.4

Heel Cushioning Picture  

HOKA Rocket X 3 Heel Cushioning Picture
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

See details
See details

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

4.40 J
4.68 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

10.16 J
10.06 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

15.84 J
15.62 J
Show Text 

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

7.9
8.2

Forefoot Cushioning Picture  

HOKA Rocket X 3 Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

See details
See details

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

5.14 J
5.50 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

8.44 J
8.88 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

12.09 J
12.56 J
Show Text 

Heel Firmness 
 

5.8
5.9

Heel Firmness  

See details
See details

Firmness At 550N 
 

46.8 N/mm
47.9 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

124.4 N/mm
131.9 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

305.2 N/mm
302.6 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Firmness 
 

8.2
8.2

Forefoot Firmness  

See details
See details

Firmness At 800N 
 

108.3 N/mm
106.8 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

223.2 N/mm
224.5 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

462.5 N/mm
454.1 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

7.6
7.9

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

See details
See details

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

8.27 J
8.60 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

8.16 J
8.52 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

8.08 J
8.47 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

8.02 J
8.43 J

HOKA Rocket X 3

Saucony Endorphin Elite 2

Comments

  1. Comparison

HOKA Rocket X 3 vs Saucony Endorphin Elite 2: Main Discussion

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