Customer Reviews Hoka Carbon X 3

To be honest, it seems comfortable the first time you set your feet in and walk around. But as soon as you start running, I felt they were too stiff and not as responsive or comfortable on the toe to heel strike. The fact that there was no shoe tongue, it made me have to re tie my shoes about 3 times during my long runs. I ran with them 3 times, each time made me more concerned. My legs hurt more than they ever had while using Hoka running shoes. Other wise cool design, probably not a shoe I'd use to run long distance. Maybe for a jog, or at work.

I was excited about this shoe. Love the design. The upper felt very comfortable. However, the heel slip was very pronounced and I was sure I would chafe my ankles. I've been running for about two years and I've been buying ~5 pairs of sneakers every year, from Asics, Hoka to Saucony. This is the first pair that I am returning. It seems like a pretty big design flaw if the heel slippage is so bad.

This could be a great shoe but the supports on the side of the shoe are flawed. I cant even run in them they dig in to my lateral malleolus so much. Pretty disappointed given the price point.

As much as I love this company, I must share my thoughts on this year's model. I feel the last round of design on two models (Clifton 9 and the Carbo) is a step backward. Please share this with your R&D team. The main issue I had with this year's Carbon X was the padding on the ankle area is no longer there. I owned a prior year's version and it had a seamless padded area. This version has two seam points that dig into your outside lower ankle. I wore crew socks over ankle socks, but I could still feel the knots dig into my ankle. As for the Clifton 9s, they have a higher tongue compared to previous years, which also digs into the center top of the ankle. So as you run in both these two models, there is fiction. I recently ordered the carbon x3 to replace the Clifton 9s, only to return them, and finally go back to the Clifton 8s. I wish you rolled out the same shoe in new colorways so we don't have to keep adjusting to new cuts/designs. Redesign the outside of the shoe like car manufacturers, every 5-7 years. Just change the colors, graphics, hoka name on the outside and leave the rest alone.

The Carbon X2s were the best shoes I'd ever had as I have hallux rigidus. Since they were starting to wear out, I figured I'd upgrade to the X3s. Unfortunately, there was this bizarre lump in my left arch on both the first pair and my exchange pair. It wasn't comfortable at all to simply walk in. Hopefully I find a decent shoe soon, but I was quite disappointed in this generation.

There's something quite not right about the laces and built in tongue on these shoes. Been through maybe 8 pairs of previous models and loved them. Not these. I'm only 32 miles in, 4 runs but so far very disappointed. Me feet haven't changed so there's been a change to these shoes that doesn't agree with me.

I have run in the carbon x and Carbon x 2 and loved the shoe. I ran multiple half marathons. I upgraded to the X3 and have not been happy w the new design. The change in the upper causes the tongue to rub on the front of my ankle causing blisters. The fit is loose and tightening the shoe laces does nothing to help. When I run past 4 miles the shoe has a "click" that feels like the sole is coming loose. I currently have around 60 miles on the shoe and have run a half marathon to give them a chance. I will not purchase this version again.

No upper holes to allow for heel lock makes the whole sizing thing weird. Wonder why this version is missing those two holes. Without them, the heels keep coming off. Strange Hoka experience...

I would start off by saying I love the color of the shoe and the carbon feature. Unfortunately, that does not negate the negative of this shoe. Having walk in it for a day, my left heel really hurts and my right foot bone is also in pain having been tubbed against all day. Will have to find another model.

Preparing for 1/2 marathons

I wish you made these with a wide option

I love my Rincon & Mach 5s but these were terrible. First 5 miles in of wearing them at a moderate pace had brutal blisters. Could just be too narrow but these will be a casual sneaker at best for me

It is a decent running shoe when I'm sprinting. However, after many miles it has never felt fully broken" in. Seems to be designed to run on a heel strike which is not a proper way to run. Overall, I am not satisfied with the shoe but will always be a loyal customer to Hoka.

The online picture looked great but what the don't show is the other side of the shoe. While the side pictured is a clean white with red stripe, the opposite side is an ugly brick red color. I have no idea why Hoka took a beautiful shoe and made it so ugly!

The shoes are hard to put on. I didn't know it was one you have to slip on. It was expensive. I don't think I'll buy another pair.

Don't like the design. No tongue. Hard to put on. Not that cushioned.

I've been buying Hoka shoes for myself nd as gifts and for a whole. I have issued them to employees at my warehouse locations for years, i loved every single pair and everyone that has gotten pair from me have always loved them. This am particular slow has pressure point on the top of the show. Has given me pain in my left foot and had nothing but issues from the time I wore them. Never had an issue similar w Hola before. The size fit right the shoe is not fit I would love to rerun them but I think is passed the 30 days.

wore it a few times to run. just dont feel the comfort that i would expect from a carbon shoes. I have wore other brands and love them. I have Carbon X, X2, and now X3. want to love them, but I cant seem to.

Overall, I feel this shoe is about five years behind, and it seems like it should be a GEN one shoe. In current times, there's so many different carbon fiber shoe options, and I have most of them. In my opinion, the material used especially on the upper for this shoe, at this price point, at this point in the game with the amount of research and development that goes into these carbon fiber running shoes, the upper feels like a heavy duty wool sock. The shoe is very difficult to get on and off, especially if you're trying to do it quickly. The pool tab that's located on the tongue of the shoot, in my opinion should be on the heel of the shoe. I also don't like the tongueless design, because if you have a narrow foot then the material tends to fold on itself and you have a crease beneath the shoe laces, and with Extended mileage, those folks turn into hotspots that are being pressed into the top of your foot. I think for comfort in regards to walking in daily use, this is a very comfortable shoe. The shoe is quiet in regards to just wearing it in daily use, there is no clacking or Clydesdale sounding tone similar to what is on the Nike next percent, but overall the shoe is seemingly heavy especially with the absorbent fabric on the top when you're running in the rain. Also, the fabric is extremely absorbent of dirt and after just one used it look like I had had the shoes for a couple months, not a huge deal, but worth noting because they are expensive and other shoes in this category hold up to durability much longer. The Nike next percent are by far the gold standard in this category in my opinion The Brooks Hyperion elite two, are another great option in this category, with an incredible upper, but similar to the Hokas The soul of the shoe is very slippery when it's raining outside especially on the road as you run across painted concrete or asphalt, it seems like your footing is not as sound as it is on other shoes that have a old tread