Rocket X 3 vs Endorphin Pro 4

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 Endorphin Pro 4 is Saucony's carbon marathon racer, a road racing shoe built to help you chase a personal best over the half and full. It sits just below the top-tier Endorphin Elite in the range: less aggressive, a touch more forgiving, and easier to run at real-world marathon pace. At 212g it is light for a carbon racing shoe, and the full-length plate gives you that firm, rolling snap through toe-off that defines this category. The 8mm drop keeps you rolling forward rather than sitting back on your heels. In our view it is one of the more approachable super shoes: quick when you push, but not so unstable that it punishes you late in a race. For runners who want a genuine carbon marathon shoe without the harshest edge of an out-and-out elite racer, the Pro 4 is an easy shoe to recommend. Just know you are paying a premium race-day price at £230 RRP.