It won’t be surprising if the HOKA Rocket X 3, especially built for speed, stability and comfort, will be among the shoes used by some of the top triathletes from all over the world competing in the Ironman 70.3 Lapu-Lapu City Cebu on Sunday.
After all, the Rocket series made by the leading global running shoe company has proven to be a popular choice by some of the elite campaigners in the grueling ultra marathon, among them Swiss 10-time women’s world Ironman champion Daniela Ryf.
At 36 years old, Ryf wore the Rocket X3 prototype pair of shoes in the final leg of the swim-bike run event, boosting her to fifth overall in the 2023 edition in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, according to the respected Triathlete website.
“Wearing a pair of HOKA Rocket X3 prototype shoes—which included a new supercritical foam midsole package and a Rocket X2 upper—she moved up during the first half of the run (1:28:52 split) before slowing slightly over the second half (1:33:19),” the Triathlete report said.
On the other hand, the Ironman World Championship staged in the picturesque city of Nice, France last year saw six entries of the top 25 use the running wear, including British veteran Nikki Bartlett, who wore the HOKA Carbon Rocket 2 in springing to fifth place overall.
“Bartlett wore a pair of green-and-yellow HOKA Carbon Rocket 2s, a carbon-plated super shoe with a dual-density PEBA-based foam midsole that produces a bouncy, explosive, and forward-propelling sensation in each stride,” the Triathlete reported.
Given that the third and final stage – a 21.1-kilometer run – of the Ironman 70.3 more often than not separates the contenders from the also-rans, having shoes that can provide an added edge in speed and explosiveness could spell the difference, which is why the Rocket X 3 fits the bill.
A review by independent and influential trade magazine 365 Rider (https://magazine.365rider.com/en/Review-of-the-Hoka-Rocket-X-3–ideal-for-racing-with-stability) noted that the shoe meets these requirements.
“HOKA Rocket X 3 arrives with a clear mission: convert the energy of each stride into real, explosive progress,” the article noted.
“With a redesign focused on competitive performance, this shoe takes a leap forward from its predecessor by incorporating an updated carbon plate, dual-density PEBA foam and a grippy sole designed to offer confidence in every support,” it added.
“The core of the Rocket X 3 is a dual-density PEBA midsole, a material that is becoming more and more common in super sneakers due to its incredible ability to absorb and return energy,” the review pointed out.
“This version uses a perfectly calibrated combination: a softer layer at the base for comfort and a firmer layer on top that channels forward momentum.”
The report acknowledged that “the Rocket X 3 isn’t a shoe for everything. It demands pace, technique, and purpose, but rewards you with stability, lightness, and energy efficiency,” which is just right for triathletes ”who need a model stable due to fatigue but at the same time speed.”
Local runners were able to check out the sneakers during a clinic of HOKA Run Club at the UP Diliman track and field oval over the weekend.
“Bringing the Rocket X 3 to the Philippines is about giving Filipino athletes access to the same world-class gear trusted by global champions,” said Sharon Salvacion, HOKA Philippines Senior Marketing Manager.
“We recognize the grit and determination of the local triathlon community, and we want to equip them with footwear designed for high performance, energy return, and stability—exactly what’s needed in the final leg of a demanding race like Ironman 70.3 Cebu,” Salvacion added.
HOKA is available at Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque, SM Aura in Taguig, One Ayala in Makati, Greenhills Mall in Ortigas, and Acienda Outlet Mall in Silang, Cavite.
HOKA is also available at select branches of Foot Locker, Commonwealth, Sole Academy, Planet Sports, Runnr Stores, Toby’s Sports, Rev in Alabang Town Center, The SM Store at SM Mall of Asia and SM Megamall, and R.O.X. in Bonifacio High Street.
More information is available at www.hoka.com or through HOKA Philippines’ official social media pages on Facebook at facebook.com/hokaphilippines and Instagram at @hoka_philippines.
HOKA is distributed in the Philippines by Map Active and Planet Sports Inc.
