Rocket X 3 vs Wave Rebellion Pro 3

The Rocket X 3 is Hoka's do-it-all carbon racing shoe, the leaner, cheaper stablemate to the maximal Cielo X1. Where the Cielo goes big on stack and cushioning, the Rocket X 3 keeps things sharp: a PEBA midsole, a full carbon plate and a 40mm heel that stays legal for racing. At 210g it is not the lightest super shoe on the shelf, but it is versatile in a way the pure marathon rockets are not. This is a race shoe you can genuinely run across distances, from a 5K where you want turnover to a marathon where you want protection late on. We rate it as the sensible carbon racer for runners who want one fast shoe to cover everything rather than a shelf of specialists. At an RRP of 239 pounds it is priced with the elite pack, so you are paying for that flexibility.

The Wave Rebellion Pro 3 is Mizuno at its most uncompromising: a £250 carbon racing shoe built for one thing, chasing a fast marathon or half. The party trick is the radically cut-away heel, which drops away behind your foot and throws you forward onto a steep forefoot rocker. Land on your midfoot or forefoot and it rolls you through toe-off with real momentum. At 225g with a 4mm drop it is light and low-slung for a super shoe, and the carbon plate keeps everything firm and directional underfoot. This is not a do-everything racer. It rewards efficient runners who hold pace and land forward, and it can feel awkward for anyone who sits back on their heels. If you want a friendlier ride with more forgiveness, the Vaporfly 4 is the easier shoe to run. But for committed racers who like an aggressive, propulsive road shoe, few things feel this eager to move.