Hoka Cielo X1

The Run Testers finds that the narrower fit and midsole sitting in a more narrow form focuses the lively feeling from the original Cielo X1 and creates a more aggressive feeling.

The Run Testers measured his UK men's size 8 sample of the Cielo X1 2.0 at 196g, which he describes as a sizable drop from the original Cielo X1.

The Run Testers observes from lacing it up that the Cielo X1 2.0 is definitely less stable than the original Cielo X1.

The Run Testers observes that the Cielo X1 2.0 felt more aggressive when he started running in it; the transitions feel a little bit quicker and more lively.

The Run Testers reports that the US price for the Cielo X1 2.0 is $275, and he anticipates UK pricing will sit at the same £250 as the original Cielo X1.

The Run Testers finds the Hoka Cielo X1 gives a nice soft bounce from the midsole foam.

The Run Testers finds the Hoka Cielo X1 still provides propulsion from the geometry of the shoe and the plate.

The Run Testers observes that he ripped off the back section (heel area) of the Hoka Cielo X1 during the race, which upset him because he thought he had stopped having that issue with shoes.

The Run Testers plans to fix the torn heel with shoe goo.

The Run Testers says he felt the heel tearing happening at about 8 km and started groaning.

Mike states that for him personally, he would look to the Hoka Cielo X1 for running longer, and it can work for shorter distances, but it would be the shoe he would turn to for longer marathon training runs.

The Run Testers describes the Hoka Cielo X1 laces as 'quite bad'; they have only come undone for him twice in about 250 km of running, but both times were in races despite triple-tying them.

The Run Testers finds the Hoka Cielo X1 unbelievably bouncy, probably as bouncy as any carbon shoe out there.

The Run Testers reports racing a half marathon in the Hoka Cielo X1, which was not an all-out effort, but the laces came undone twice.

The Run Testers has done the most miles in the Hoka Cielo X1 of any shoe this year, because he used it for so many training sessions as it is a fun, fast, bouncy shoe.

The Run Testers has never felt his legs were wrecked after running in the Hoka Cielo X1.

The Run Testers notes that Nick has had interesting experiences with the lacing on the Hoka Cielo X1, suggesting something may need rectifying for a next version.

The Run Testers used the Hoka Cielo X1 for a lot of his bigger London marathon training runs.

The Run Testers describes the Hoka Cielo X1 as a 'different kind of super shoe', noting it is 'a lot heavier than the metas speed Sky Paris' and 'a lot springier and bouncier'.

The Run Testers finds that the bounce of the Hoka Cielo X1 is 'very noticeable' and 'huge', contrasting it with the Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris where the bounce is less noticeable.

The Run Testers finds the Hoka Cielo X1 'incredible fun to run in' and a 'great Marathon option'.

The Run Testers expresses that after testing another marathon shoe, the Hoka Cielo X1 is the shoe they cannot wait to go back into and will continue to use for long-distance, marathon-pace, and half-marathon-pace training runs.

The Run Testers finds that every time they run in the Hoka Cielo X1 they feel really good, especially over longer distances.

The Run Testers finds that the Hoka Cielo X1 has a lovely rocker and a good level of bounce, making it enjoyable to run longer in.

The Run Testers places the Hoka Cielo X1 ahead of the Saucony Endorphin Pro 4, calling it 'the bounciest most fun shoe most comfortable shoe looking at marathons'.

Marathon Handbook states that the lacing system of the Cielo X1 was "the worst" among Hoka's shoes.

Marathon Handbook attributes the weight reduction to two changes: (1) a rejigged outsole — the Cielo X1 had a lateral-side cutout that runners complained hurt traction, and the new version replaces it with a medial-side cutout that 'will contribute to that same amount of weight loss maybe even a little bit more' without interfering with traction or foot-strike pattern; and (2) a new upper.

Marathon Handbook measured the weight change: Hoka 'chopped almost a full ounce off the weight' of the Cielo, going from '9 oz to 8 oz,' which he calls 'pretty significant.'

Marathon Handbook notes the price point of the Cielo X1 second edition is 'the exact same' as the X1.

Marathon Handbook recalls spending about $280 on a pair of Hoka Cielo X1's.

Sagasu Running finds the Hoka Cielo X1 was not a top-tier super shoe; at best, it was a super trainer.

Sagasu Running observes the Hoka Cielo X1 was the first shoe that really brought an emphasis on the plate, the split plate, the wings.

Sagasu Running speculates that the Hoka Cielo X1 was probably one of the first shoes that really pushed the idea of plate dynamics, really developed the plate.

Runnertia finds the Hoka Cielo X1 one of the best shoes for long runs that he has ever owned.

Runnertia observes that after a 21-mile run at 8:19 pace (total run 21 miles), the Hoka Cielo X1 felt so good he could have kept going.

Runnertia observes that after over 320 miles (ending around 330–335 or 340 miles), the Hoka Cielo X1 still feels bouncy.

Runnertia observes that the Hoka Cielo X1 feels the same at 9.5 miles into a run as it did at the start.

Runnertia observes that the Hoka Cielo X1's outsole rubber is shaving away and it's becoming slippery on the road, which is part of why he is retiring it.

Runnertia finds the Hoka Cielo X1 bouncy and states he will continue to run in it, though it is getting close to the end of its life.

Runnertia is shocked that the bounce of the Hoka Cielo X1 has not gone completely away after 300 miles given that it is PEBA foam.

Runnertia notes that the stock laces on the Hoka Cielo X1 were terrible but states that it does not matter because he uses extra laces.

Runnertia observes that at 300 miles the left shoe of the Hoka Cielo X1 does not have all that much outsole wear, but the right shoe is getting chewed up, with ridges running through the shoe and the landing zone area getting flat and bald.

Runnertia states that no better shoe exists for recovery days during 16-mile double sessions than the Hoka Cielo X1 for him.

Runnertia states that the Hoka Cielo X1 is already a no-go for him on wet surfaces due to the outsole wear pattern.

Runnertia states that the only potential problem with the Hoka Cielo X1 would be outsole rubber durability, which he has not personally experienced.

Runnertia finds that the Hoka Cielo X1 functions as a long-run cruiser, which was not the original intent as the brand's premier marathon racer.

Runnertia finds the Hoka Cielo X1 to be really comfortable and excellent for long runs.