Nike Vaporfly Next% 3 vs. Hoka Rocket X 2 | BETWEEN TWO SHOES

Thomas and Robbe put two race day slayers head to head in the Nike Vaporfly Next% 3 and Hoka Rocket X 2. Both with bouncy Peba midsole, both with carbon plates, both with some differences that may make you choose one over the other.
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[@kentm7731]

Great comparison between 2 major releases for spring 2023. However, based on your Hoka description, it seems to be targeting the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 in its race shoe thesis. Any chance a between 2 shoes comparison is to come?

[@JoelLong]

I absolutely love the Rocket X2….got 50 miles on them and they are holding up solid

[@d4ve3]

Really intrigued by the Hoka. Really want to try them but can’t justify the cost so maybe in a sale in the future!

[@thecaptainchas2820]

Been waiting for this one.

[@johna4836]

I'm curious how the new On Cloudsurfer everyone is talking about stacks up against something as good as the Novablast.

[@bubbie23jw]

I’m getting both of them!

[@DesertTriDad]

I’ve ran through a number of super shoes and love the Rocket X2. It is very similar to the endorphin pro 3. Before those two I had gone through two Metaspeed sky, so I guess my preferences are similar to Robbie. I’m a triathlete (not a super fast runner 6:35 13.1 pace), and I think the rocket is a very forgiving shoe. At my last track session of 10 miles I took it anywhere from 4:45-5:00min/mi on 400 repeats to 10:30s on the rest sets and it ate up all of those paces very comfortably. And when I started to fatigue it felt supportive. With my prior vaporfly 2 I felt like I could only run fast.

[@i.p2088]

I have the Alphafly V1 but I don't run in them because I feel like it has negative drop... VAPORFLY V2 is perfect for me with the 8mm drop but the heel is so narrow.. How is the drop in the Rocket X2? I have the Mach 5 but again I feel the drop low for me.. Endorphin Pro 3 is great with the 8 mm drop so is the Vaporfly V2.

[@DesertTriDad]

@@i.p2088 I train almost exclusively in the Mach 5 for non plated days and I prefer rocker over drop. It sounds like you’re the opposite so you may prefer the vapor fly.

[@Believeintherun]

The drop on the X 2 is 5 mm, but the rocker is the bigger part of the story, keeps you moving forward like a higher drop shoe - R

[@peter50grover]

I am running my second marathon next week in the alpha fly next percent 1. The energy return that I experienced from my first marathon 6 months ago got me to Boston in 2024. No need here for a new race day shoe.

[@kalvin.]

Kipchoge surely will be wearing the alphafly 3 proto like in some of his training clips and a few other elites have been wearing. But we could start seeing more of the Nike athletes moving from VF2 to the 3.

[@ronrunsworld]

I won’t say for sure, but it might happen. If not, it’s way more likely he will use the alphafly 2 and not the vaporfly 3.

[@grandeisern]

Great vid.

[@henya2409]

Rocket X2 is an absolute beast, my favourite super shoe (I have the Alphafly 1-2, Mizuno wave rebellion pro, Adidas Adios Pro 3, Saucony Endorphin Pro 3, NB Fuelcell elite v3 and the Puma Deviate Elite v2)

[@yefimovichilia]

The Hoka has the same bug as the Nike Fly 5 with it being a Plunger, making this vacuum noice (maybe happens only for heavier runners)

[@mathieudube6907]

At the end of the day when comparing supershoes the first and last question should be which shoe is faster. The answer of course is the Vaporfly.

[@ZeldaFitz]

Where one on each foot and see what leg is faster?

[@Bodhished]

How do these shoes compare to the Nb elite v3?

[@therunningtattooartist5172]

I found the Hoka a tight fit?

[@obadiyahshamayahubey2142]

Awesome 😎

[@billeva8457]

Nice comparison but I’m still loving the Adios Pro 3s. Plus at 6.3 oz at my men’s size 9.5 the weight is hard to beat 😍

[@jimoconnor8597]

Where did you get an Adios Pro 3 that light? I have a men's 8.5US and it is 7.2oz. Even the website states 7.6oz for men's size 9US.

[@billeva8457]

@@jimoconnor8597 Lol! Maybe my scale needs recalibrating 🤷 Adios Pro 3s are checking all the boxes for me. How do you like yours?

[@jimoconnor8597]

@@billeva8457 I use them for WOs a lot but race day is still the AF V1 for me. Just ordered the Rocket X 2 so I'll see. Could be running Boston in them if they are as good as reported. Not trying to blaze it there, just a nice easy 3:40-3:45 and enjoy the race.

[@Believeintherun]

Adios Pro 3 is a great shoe, no doubt, but you may want to get your scale checked out haha

[@missbutts85]

Still undecided. I’m not the fastest runner so I don’t know which one would feel good for me

[@sohelsanghani]

Thanks for the video guys, but I still have questions at the end of it. Which ones softer? More energy efficient? Better for slower paces? Easier on the calves / achilles?

[@dhoang75]

2nd that. However, my guess is that the ZoomX is softer though.

[@Believeintherun]

Probably Hoka X 2 for slower paces, though depending where you land, that rocker could get you on the calves/Achilles. ZoomX is a tad softer

[@EatMyPropwash]

Almost a year later…. I’ve now done 2x 70.3 triathlons (1/2 marathon runs), 3x Olympic distance runs (10k), and 4x sprint distance (5k) plus a couple 1-3 mile distance brick runs off the bike… the Hoka Rocket X2’s are the bees nees of racing, At least for triathlon. Stand alone 5 and 10k the NB SCElite allows me to crank over a much faster cadence. Hoka’s I’m around 180-185, NB’s I’m 183-190+

[@i.p2088]

Vaporfly V2 is amazing but just for full out effort where you land midfoot etc.. Slower run killed my Achilles Tendon in the Vaporfly V2.. The Rocket X2 sounds like a better option for a slower runner.

[@moreybrown870]

yeah- VF's don't like running slowly.

[@yefimovichilia]

did a fast and short intervals today, during the interval the Hoka felt amaaazing, but as soon as you run slow it vacuums down to the ground like the Nike Fly 5

[@hikerboater]

I bought both. The biggest difference is that the Hokas seemed to have a sweet spot on the forefoot, as if they're specifically 'tuned' to strike in a certain spot. The foam feels bouncier than the Vaporflys, maybe a little firmer, giving the impression of running taller. The Nikes are light, fast, comfortable but don't feel really remarkable in terms of responsiveness. The Hokas really feel more responsive than the Nikes. In fact, I think the Adidas Takumi Sen 8 feel more responsive than these Nikes. Also, due to the slightly wider footprint and more foam on the lateral side, the Hokas get the nod as being a bit more protective and stable than the Nikes. I will be using them primarily on the track for short distances and 400m training. I like the snug fit of the Hoka upper, similar to my Adidas racing spikes.

[@moreybrown870]

1 oz lighter on the shoe... is about 1min in a marathon (less for faster runners, more for slower)... all other things being equal... which they never are.

[@bubbie23jw]

I need that blue believe shirt in the background ❤😮

[@bubbie23jw]

I went to order yesterday and all is left are XSM 🥹🤯❤️‍🩹😥🫡

[@marymorgan2607]

I have that blue shirt. Get it!

[@bubbie23jw]

@@marymorgan2607 do they have them in stock

[@marymorgan2607]

Looks like they only have unisex XS left.

[@robertkolodzieski7219]

Read something that said the carbon plate was a pinch more aggressive and higher in the VF3 than the previous 2. As someone who gets super bothered from the AF plate arch, is the VF3 coming anywhere close to that level of aggressive? Plate in the VF1’s don’t bother me whatsoever.. That’s probably the deciding factor for me…

[@Believeintherun]

Check out the full video review of the VF 3

[@fayecooper4277]

Which one would Meg pick? My preferences are like hers… so curious which one she would take for the marathon distance?

[@Believeintherun]

Vaporfly

[@fayecooper4277]

👍

[@MrEsPlace]

If only they'd make a super shoe for a wide foot.

[@fransera]

The good thing is, we don't need to spend on the super shoes 😅

[@chrisreyes7326]

Is the closest we got is the Altra Vanish Carbon?

[@MrEsPlace]

@@chrisreyes7326 Topo Cyclone 2 I'd say is a fair stab at it.

[@Sergygo]

Wide foot shoes are too wide for me and yet many super shoes hurt my feet with how narrow they are 💀 i dont get what all these companies are doing

[@LFKY13]

the new endorphin pro (not elite) is wide foot friendly

[@ch_47]

Could you run in either shoe for shorter runs and wear in public or just for race day?

[@Believeintherun]

Race day. They are a little unstable for walking around.

[@edwinduisburg8138]

Its weird people have been saying next% even though nike removed the naming from Vaporfly, Tempo and Alphafly months ago.

[@TimGrose]

Interestingly though my "Vaporfly 3" box actually says "Nike ZoomX Vaporfly NEXT% 3"

[@Joe_Souza]

Thomas, I enjoy the channel and content. Just curious why each of you introduce yourselves with your name followed by “from Believe In The Run”?

[@jarrettw7753]

Some people who get recommended videos in the algorithms aren’t familiar with bitr so they gotta know. Consider yourself a pro. 👏

[@Joe_Souza]

@@jarrettw7753 Thanks Jarrett!

[@paulmulks]

I'd luv to have a cold beer or 10 with you guys 😂🍻

[@Believeintherun]

We're down!

[@paulmulks]

@@Believeintherun Next time you're in London 🍻

[@jimoconnor8597]

If this is a 5k or 10k, would Robbe still choose the Hoka or is it really a marathon/half marathon shoe?

[@Believeintherun]

I would 100% go Takumi Sen, I just like a dart on my feet for faster stuff - R

[@jimoconnor8597]

@@Believeintherun Same but I meant for these 2 shoes. Like if I was going to buy just one, which shoe could cover more race distances.

[@Believeintherun]

@@jimoconnor8597 I think maybe VF for shorter, just for that lightning fast feel

[@thespacetime]

I hate the rocket x2 for its price. In our region its almost twice the price of Vaporfly 2. Why would i even consider it

[@matthewprete4380]

geez thats terrible where do you live.

[@albertfebry]

Trueeeee... In my region i can get VF2 with 40% less money than Rocket X2

[@OneTouch1980]

These two shoes really do show that there is not much left to pick one over another other than what you prefer on your feet for the comfort. Weight difference is so irrelevant that over the distance of the marathon, that 1 once savings in the Nike might give someone a 0.3% edge in performance (that came from study where they found that for every 3.5oz of weight added to a shoe, the runner would burn 1% more energy over the distance studied, so this would indicate that for every 1oz added it would be 0.3%). I think my watch and wedding ring together are more than 7oz which would mean running without them i could save 2% in consumed energy. Of these two shoes, Nike always gets the color correct so they will stick out in every race and you will know what that athlete is wearing. Hoka just needs better color design team, they are just so blaaa.

[@owgriswo]

How would this episode go if if was the Vape 2 instead of the 3, and why?

[@Believeintherun]

Watch the full review of the Vaporfly 3.

[@johnteal2016]

We’re at the point where basically all the super shoes are legit.

[@Believeintherun]

You're not wrong

[@beyonthere9506]

Why do shoes of the same size in the same box weigh differently on both sides? (Written with Google Translate)

[@Believeintherun]

Glue, stitching, other variables

[@runfrankfurt]

I feel that the Hoka Rocket X2 is probably more comparable to the New Balance SuperComp Elite. Having a comparison between those two should be interesting.

[@Believeintherun]

Elite is softer, not as aggressive of a rocker

[@justinboss4212]

Bro are you high? Those 2 shoes are nearly complete opposites.

[@runfrankfurt]

@@justinboss4212 Yeah man, I am completely high. Damn, I am busted…

[@dnice362]

Which has the better pop

[@Believeintherun]

Pretty equal

[@pauls3253]

oh my god… rocker, rocker, rocker, rocker, rocker, rocker…

[@sergiocaet]

How dare Robb to contest the dogma???!!!!

[@bluesque9687]

Duh! Vaporfly is the king.

[@vika0194]

What goes through their mind when they only offer this color for men? No way I would buy that.

[@ronaldjohndizon7526]

This Robbie is just a Nike hater that’s all.😂

[@diegopereira7281]

❤️ HOKA ❤️ best running shoes Cushioning

[@MatthewMoscotto]

Why did Nike come out with a hot pink shoe for guys? No wonder it's the only one still available online.

[@justace123]

Because pink is rad.

[@GradoRuns]

All of Nikes pink alphas and Vapor’s have been top sellers dude

[@seanmac80]

Speak for yourself; pink shoes are excellent.

[@pulkitchanana]

Pantone colour of the year (perhaps?)

[@itsahardmuttlife9263]

@@GradoRuns Thats why it’s the only color available and available in about all sizes. 😂

[@LR6092]

I personally don't like the vaporfly or any other nikes for that matter but compared to hokas I feel like this doesn't really require a video to know the outcome. Hoka sucks and until they innovate in regards to their midsole they will be an afterthought.

[@LR6092]

@AnubisSpecial well that's good to hear. I also wouldn't buy it

[@michaeltanel3815]

​@@LR6092 So thank you both for confirming you neither paid attention to the video nor are actually open to anything changing your mind. Awesome.

[@LR6092]

@@michaeltanel3815 who needs hoka when saucony is running the show with the endorphin series. Everything else is clutter