HOKA Cielo Road Shoe Review | Running Warehouse

Individual Thoughts

ConnorOverall Score: 8.5/10

Overall, HOKA has done well in introducing several new shoes featuring their new PEBA supercritical midsole foam. The Rocket X 2 felt phenomenal at the introduction, and I am glad they did not wait to add other race and speed training options to their performance line.

In my own shoe lineup, the Cielo Road is going to see the most use as a speed workout shoe, and I might reach for it for shorter races as well. I really enjoyed how nimble the shoe felt, but I am still not sure if I would pick it over some of the lighter carbon-plated shoes currently on the market. The shoe has a track spike-like feel that keeps you securely locked in, and if you are hitting tight turns at speed or want something that feels more connected to the ground than a 40-mm super shoe, the Cielo Road will deliver.

The ride and level of comfort are two more areas where the Cielo Road really shined. The PEBA foam midsole is so bouncy, and the shoe almost disappears on foot as you begin to pick up the pace. For workouts on the track and even fartleks on the road, the Cielo Road always felt efficient and fun underfoot. Honestly, it is hard for me to say anything negative about the shoe because it just delivers. Sure, I still think there are ways to make the shoe lighter, but 7.1 oz is still crazy light, and the Cielo Road will perform well for a variety of runners competing in a wide range of events. If you are looking for a lower-stacked, non-plated super shoe that has its own unique look and feel, I would not hesitate to give the HOKA Cielo Road a try.

JonOverall Score: 10/10

The HOKA Cielo Road excels at what it was built for, and yet it is also surprisingly versatile, making it one of my favorite shoes of the year so far. These days, it seems like no matter the race distance, you are supposed to choose a carbon-plated shoe with a 40-mm stack height if you want to run your best race. And given all the excellent options to choose from, I really started to question the utility of race-day shoes that lacked plated technology and had lower stack heights. I would think, "Why would I ever choose a shoe that does not have all the 'best' technology if I want to run my best times?" The HOKA Cielo Road answered that question and showed me that more features doesn't always mean better.

When I ran at faster paces, I felt more connected to the ground, which made me feel more aggressive with each stride. The flexibility of the midsole gave me a more natural underfoot experience, and I felt more in control and more stable. For all those reasons, I will be racing in these in the future.

The icing on the cake was how nice they felt on easy efforts. There were a few instances when my legs felt beat up, but I still needed to put more testing miles on the Cielo Road, and I wore them anyway. I was pleasantly surprised by how good they felt even at my easier paces. Overall, I could not have been happier with my experience in the HOKA Cielo Road, and I loved them more and more with every run. I think they are a fantastic race-day option for shorter distances with the versatility to be worn on training days as well.

Our In-Depth Look

Upper

Connor: "The upper is stripped down to the bare minimum, giving the Cielo Road a very track spike-like feel. It's snug, especially in the midfoot, and keeps my foot locked into position during fast efforts. The material is extremely breathable, which is optimal for hotter days or if you need a shoe with good ventilation.

My one small complaint was that the heel fit could use a little work. There is no structure to it, and I had some very minor hot spots. Nothing too noticeable once I started running, but it could be further dialed for added comfort."

Jon: "When it comes to race-day shoes, I look for an upper that is highly breathable, is minimal yet comfortable, and has enough volume in the toe box to give my toes some wiggle room. Amazingly, the HOKA Cielo Road checks all those boxes for me. The highlight was the soft, suede-like material, which worked incredibly well to offer a lot of support and comfort. Several areas inside the shoe are lined with that material, and they provide a supremely comfortable on-foot experience from start to finish. From the heel to the tongue, there was no detail left behind, and it paid dividends for me during my runs."

Midsole

Connor: "The Cielo's PEBA-based midsole foam is the same that we saw in the Rocket X 2, and I still think HOKA knocked it out of the park. It feels soft and bouncy and makes it really easy to push fast paces. I have not had a lot of success with a lower-stacked super shoe in the past, but I feel HOKA did a really good job executing the Cielo Road.

The stack makes me feel much more connected to the ground compared to a more traditional max-stacked super shoe, and I felt more confident hitting tight turns. While the shoe feels fast, I could not help but wonder if a plate of some sort or a midsole shank would provide more stiffness and help create a more aggressive design for peak performance. Again, the shoe does feel fast, but I am still not convinced I would choose it on my peak race day over some of the carbon-plated options."

Jon: "We have entered a new era of HOKA racing shoes, where PEBA foam is being utilized in the midsole, and I am here for it! Shoes like the Cielo Road and ASICS Superblast have taught me that plated technology is no longer something I absolutely need in a race-day option. Sometimes supercritical foam is all I need, and that is definitely the case with the Cielo Road.

The midsole delivers an incredibly soft ride but is also dense enough to absorb the impact of ground contact very well. The foam was also highly responsive, and it allowed me to pick up the pace easily during my track workouts. I would unquestionably lace these up for a 5K or 10K race, and I would even consider giving them a go for a half-marathon. That is how much I love these shoes!"

Outsole

Connor: "I had no issues with durability or traction with the Cielo Road's outsole. It held up really well, and I actually found myself asking if the rubber could be reduced. The Rocket X 2 seemed to have even more outsole cutouts to cut weight down, and it also seemed like the rubber was slightly thinner. As a racer, I feel this shoe probably could make some small tweaks to cut weight, but overall, that is a small complaint, as I had no major issues with the Cielo Road throughout testing."

Jon: "For as lightweight and minimal as this shoe is, the rubber in the outsole is thicker than I expected, which was a pleasant surprise. I had no issues with grip on the track and roads, and given the thick layer of rubber, it appears to have the durability to handle plenty of daily runs; this is not just a race-day shoe. "

Comparable Models

Nike Streakfly vs. HOKA Cielo Road

Both shoes are built to excel in shorter race distances, such as the 5K and 10K, and feature stripped-down uppers with lower-stacked super foam midsoles. The Streakfly has a midfoot shank, whereas the Cielo Road does not have any sort of plate in the midsole, giving the Streakfly a more snappy feel and a slight edge in terms of speed. The Streakfly's upper does not have a lot of structure, especially in the toe box, and the Cielo Road's upper feels more accommodating.

adidas adizero Adios 8 vs. HOKA Cielo Road

Another lower-stacked shoe built for shorter race distances and faster workouts, the adizero Adios 8 features an EnergyTorsion Rods System and Lightstrike 2.0 foam in the midsole. The speed and performance are comparable to the Cielo Road, and what shoe you select for race day will come down to individual preference, but the Cielo is more protective underfoot, helping wearers feel more comfortable on the run. Furthermore, the Cielo Road's upper delivers more comfort as well. Though the Cielo Road is slightly higher priced, with its level of comfort, it provides more versatility and a wider range of use.