HOKA Carbon X 3 Review
HOKA Carbon X 3 is Versatile and Comfortable
Likes
Dislikes
What's New
The Bottom Line
The HOKA Carbon X 3 continues to be a comfortable and efficient long-distance training and racing shoe. This third iteration has undergone slight modifications without sacrificing its versatility. While it features all-new materials in the upper and midsole, the Carbon X 3 retains the same shape and tooling as the past model, holding on to the shoe's protective and smooth ride.
Visually, the knit upper is the most notable change in version 3. This stylish and breathable design offers a more accommodating fit that works for a wider range of foot shapes, though it could feel a bit on the unstructured side for some. The other major update is HOKA's PROFLYX foam in the midsole. Our testers found this new foam to be slightly softer on the initial step-in but agreed that it still maintains the same smooth ride as previous models.
Overall, our team found the HOKA Carbon X 3 to be a versatile carbon-plated running shoe that works well for long workouts and race day alike. With its smooth ride and good underfoot protection, the Carbon X 3 is a great option for runners who want a comfortable long-distance racing shoe that can give them an edge or those looking for a stable and efficient shoe for uptempo training.
Shoe Performance
Shoe Softnessi
FirmSoftRide/Energy Returni
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protectioni
LowHighFlexibilityi
RigidElasticUpper Supporti
StructuredAdaptableSpecifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Medium to wide |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium |
| Heel Width | Medium |
| Arch Height | Medium |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 8.3 oz (Size 9) Women's: 7.6 oz (Size 8) |
| Heel Width | Heel Stack: 37mm | Forefoot Stack: 32mm Offset: 5mm |
| Terrain | Road |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softnessi
Kaleb: "The Carbon X 3 has an impact-dampening feel that I would not describe as 'soft' due to its rigid carbon plate and dense outer foam. It doesn't have the same sinking-in softness of a lower-density foam, but I was able to run comfortably in this shoe."
Connor: "The Carbon X 3 continues to utilise the same midsole geometry as its predecessor, but on closer inspection, you will notice the actual compound has been tweaked. The new compound is now slightly softer, which is a minor upgrade. But as I got the miles in and felt out the shoe, I honestly didn't notice too much of a difference. Going back and forth between versions 2 and 3, I noticed a small change, but it's hard to pinpoint if this is actually due to the new foam or the fact that my Carbon X 3 was fresh out of the box. If you're looking for a huge difference in underfoot feel, the Carbon X 3 will most likely be underwhelming."
Ride/Energy Returni
Kaleb: "I like how efficient the Carbon X 3 is out on the run, but it has more of a snappy responsiveness than a bouncy energy return. The PROFLYX foam feels very similar to the previous Carbon X 2's midsole. The rocker geometry of the shoe is fantastic, and it smoothly rolls through the gait cycle. Also, the firmness of the midsole helped the shoe perform well over a variety of paces, but the foam's return is not near the level of super foams like the Saucony PWRRUN PB foam."
Connor: "The Carbon X has always had good energy return, but compared to some of the more elite carbon plated marathon options, it's just a step behind. I was optimistic that the new foam compound would provide the spring this shoe needed to offer maximal efficiency benefits on race day. While I feel the shoe is a tad bit more responsive, I didn't notice a dramatic change from v2 to v3."
Underfoot Protectioni
Kaleb: "With 39 mm of foam, the Carbon X 3 has a lot of cushioning underfoot to protect runners from the roads. I would choose this shoe for any race of 10K and over."
Connor: "The Carbon X 3 maintains the same stack height and feels just as protective as the last version. This shoe is built for the ultra marathon and has all the protection you need to run through 100-mile road races, but it is fast enough for marathon day or even speed workouts. I really appreciated the cushioning on long-run days. The shoe became a staple when I was looking to pick up the pace a little bit for a long but steady 15-mile effort."
Flexibilityi
Kaleb: "The forefoot bends slightly, adding to the overall smoothness of the shoe's ride, but ultimately the Carbon x 3 has very little flexibility. I experienced a slight snap at toe-off, but truthfully, the geometry of this shoe is the real star, making every stride smooth and efficient."
Connor: "The stiffness of the Carbon X 3 was pretty much identical to version 2. With the same plate and same stack, the shoe continues to be rigid and stiff. I do think this Carbon X 3 feels less aggressive than some of the other plated shoes, but if you're looking for any sort of flex, this is not the shoe for you."
Upper Supporti
Kaleb: "For me, stretch-knit uppers are hit or miss. Some are sock-like and provide a comfortable hold that is as good out on the road as at home, but some can be sloppy. Unfortunately, the upper on the Carbon X 3 was not my favourite. The overall fit was solid, and I enjoyed the spacious toe box, but I felt like the upper needed a bit more structure, as I never felt completely locked in."
Connor: "The knit upper on the new Carbon X 3 is slightly rigid and definitely has a different feel from its predecessor. I found the fit slightly less supportive and even a little more sloppy, which could be an issue if you have a more narrow foot. I'm not normally too picky on upper fit, but it was something I noticed here. The fit was not a huge issue for me, but I feel that while the aesthetic of the shoe may be a little more exciting, the support and overall fit are slight downgrades."
HOKA Men's Carbon X
Women's HOKA Carbon Running Shoes
Individual Thoughts
I had an interesting time testing out the Carbon X 3. The underfoot experience of the Carbon X 3 felt almost identical to that of version 2, which is not necessarily a negative thing. The shoe rolls very smoothly and efficiently through the gait cycle, which allowed me to enjoy it at a variety of paces. But that said, the foam was not very responsive compared to some of the other carbon plated racers out there, and I did not get the energy return that I was hoping for from a long-haul racer. Also, I felt that the upper lacked the secure lockdown that I desire in a shoe. I found the sweet spot using the Carbon X 3 for my 5K tempo runs, and with its comfort and versatility, I think that the shoe could offer a great racing option for beginner to experienced runners.
Shoe Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
The Carbon X 3 makes small changes over its predecessor, so fans of the series will still continue to enjoy the latest version. The new midsole compound does seem to be more efficient than the compound in v2, but you won't find any major updates in the underfoot feel. When compared to other elite carbon plated racers, this shoe just seems to lack that crazy wow factor, but it still finds plenty of use in certain aspects of my training. It's a little heavier and not quite as aggressive as other racing shoes, and for that reason, I've found it fits best in my lineup for speed workout days and when I want a nice protective underfoot experience (especially when I'm a little beat up) or for steady effort long runs. When I'm going for my Sunday 15 miles and want something that just feels smooth and effortless, the Carbon X 3 does the job and keeps my legs feeling fresh the next day.