Despite not being the newest board in ...Lost's catalog, this model continues to be an old faithful in my quiver for a wide variety of surf. I ordered mine in XTR closed-cell technology in 2022, glassed with epoxy and lammed with carbon strips in the center of the deck as well as under the back foot. This would relate closest to ...Lost's Light Speed construction readily found on the board rack today.
The Rocket Redux is a great board to have in the quiver for waves knee-high to head-high and will even perform well in overhead surf if you want to charge on a smaller board. I find myself riding this board in between a true groveler (something short, wide, ideally a quad/twin) and my high-performance longer shortboards. My Rocket Redux is a thruster-only option, making it want at least a touch of power in the pocket to pump and get down the line. It can feel a little bit sluggish in really gutless waves, but if there's at least an ounce of juice behind the wave this board takes off.
The Rocket Redux paddles extremely well, with a good amount foam under the chest and a lower entry rocker. Still, performance is kept through well-foiled rails, especially as it thins out through the tail, combined with the perfect amount of tail rocker to get this board turning on a dime when up to speed. I love the tail shape on this board, as it provides enough width to skate through a flat section, but I have had so much fun on this board backside, taking off facing the beach and really hammering on the bottom turn. This board loves it and accelerates through a hard turn with the right fins. I use the FCS MB PC Carbon Thruster set, and they have been a great do-it-all fin allowing for a ton of drive but also long drawn out turns and release when you want it.
Finally, if you like the feeling of a shorter board in larger, more powerful surf, the Rocket Redux combines just enough flip in the nose to make steep drops. It's trademarked Rocket tail also acts like a round-pin/thumb tail in steeper waves, feeling very controlled and locked-in. This board is an excellent option in between your groveler and HP shortboard, especially if you love surfing hybrid performance boards like the Round Nosed Fish.
