HOKA Cielo X1 2.0 Review
Published: March 21, 2025
The Cielo X1 steps into the ring as a serious competitor
Likes
- Lighter weight design offers elite performance
- Aggressive geometries help highly efficient runners
- Dialed-in, race-day fit
Dislikes
- Not suitable for slower paces
- Not the most durable super shoe
- Can be unstable
What's New
With major updates, the Cielo X1 2.0 is almost an entirely new offering from HOKA. While some runners loved the unique ride of the original Cielo X1, the shoe was too heavy to compete among the best racing super shoes on the market. Version 2 significantly shaves down weight and features more aggressive geometries, making the shoe undeniably fast. The upper also changes from knit to more breathable mesh, with a dialed-in, race-ready fit.
The Bottom Line
Our testers found the Cielo X1 2.0 to be a big departure from the original. It's now an efficient, racing super shoe. Where as v1 was better suited as a trainer. Note, the 2.0 is less accessible to the masses compared to v1. The new shoe is lighter and faster, but not as stable. The Cielo X1 2.0 won't be for everybody, but serious racers looking for a competitive edge should consider this shoe.
Specifications & Fit
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Unisex: 7.4 oz (men's size 9) |
| Stack Height | 46 mm (Heel), 39 mm (Forefoot) | 7 mm Heel-Toe Offset |
| Terrain | Road |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to size |
Our In-Depth Look
Upper
Katie: "HOKA nailed the upper for the Cielo X1 2.0. The mesh upper is breathable and locks your foot down (in a comfortable way) so you can travel at faster speeds with peace of mind. I also appreciated the updated laces, which are flat and easy to cinch down for further security."
Connor: "The upper moves away from the less adaptive knit material seen in v1 and more toward the performance mesh design I prefer. The material is lighter and more breathable while providing much better lockdown. I find the fit is much more race-tuned. The midfoot wrap is snug and secure, and the toebox has just enough room to not feel squished. The material is crazy thin and very breathable, but it does provide a little extra structure in the heel for a hint of heel support. The tongue wraps the upper all together and is noticeably soft while providing a seamless fit. Overall, the Cielo X1 2.0 upper is a pretty big departure from the past version. In my opinion, it has moved in the right direction in terms of elite-level performance that is fine-tuned for race day."
Midsole
Katie: "When I ran at fast paces, I found the double-layer PEBA foam, combined with the carbon plate, propelled me forward quite nicely. I felt unstable in the shoe and would only recommend the Cielo X1 2.0 for competitive running."
Connor: "Nearly a year ago, I tested out the original Cielo X1. What really made the shoe stand out was its overstacked and aggressively rockered PEBA midsole that offered ultimate protection as well as an ultra smooth ride. The new design definitely feels like it was stripped away of any material that wasn’t needed. Version 1 was bulky and didn’t feel like the true racing shoe. It felt more like a plated super trainer. Once I retired thoughts of racing in the shoe, I found it offered a good feel for certain speed and daily training sessions. The Cielo X1 2.0, on the other hand, offers similar extreme geometries but in a much lighter package. Running marathon pace feels easy. While it offers a lot of protection, it doesn’t feel like “too much” shoe. The foam is soft and bouncy and really comes alive the faster you go. Version 1 felt pretty good (but not great) at a variety of paces, while v2 really comes alive and excels at faster paces. The shoe has lots of cutouts (including a big one on the medial side) and slightly narrower net bases which help keep weight down. However, this does seem to come at the expense of a less stable design. The shoe is stable enough for efficient runners to compete on the roads for the marathon distance, but it isn’t going to be quite as forgiving as v1. While the shoe feels more stripped down, it does still have a stack height of 46 mm (measured in-house) which makes it feel a little squirrely when taking tight corners."
Outsole
Katie: "I appreciated the grippy nature of the rubber outsole. It offers plenty of traction on the road."
Connor: "The outsole of the Cielo X1 2.0 offers decent grip; while I was unable to test it in very wet conditions, it performed well for all of my faster, dry road running efforts. The thin material with cutouts does a really good job of keeping weight down. My only small complaint would be durability. With 50 miles in the shoe, I’ve noticed a little more wear than some of its competitors. It's still holding up well enough for racing, but I thought it was worth noting that it doesn't look as fresh as some other shoes I’ve been testing."
Comparable Shoes
HOKA Cielo X1 2.0 vs. Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 3
Connor: "The Cielo X1 2.0 is in a new category of racing super shoes, and I think runners who are interested in the Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 3 will also enjoy the Cielo X1 2.0. Both offer overstacked designs that use radical geometries to technically stay “World Athletics legal” for professionals on race day. The geometries of the Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 3 feel a little crazier and take a little longer to get used to, but both seem to act as a mechanical advantage to propel you though your stride. I enjoyed the bouncy foam each shoe offered, but the Cielo X1 isn’t quite as soft and squishy as the Rebellion Pro 3. While neither shoe is very stable due to the high stacks, I did find the Cielo X1 2.0 offered a little more stability for the long haul."
Individual Thoughts
KatieOverall Score: 7/10
Built for speed, the HOKA Cielo X 1 2.0 does exactly what it's designed to do. Although I found the shoe to be unstable, it propels you forward. The double layer of PEBA foam provides protective, energetic cushioning. As a recreational runner, I needed an adjustment period for the intense geometry, and I only found the Cielo X1 2.0 to only be comfortable at a faster pace. I only recommend this shoe for runners already accustomed to super shoes or runners looking for a PR. The breathable mesh upper offered a cooling relief during our unseasonably warm California winter and I appreciated that it, along with the wrap knit tongue, kept my feet perfectly in place at a higher speed. The full-length carbon plate does give the shoe a slightly rigid feel, which is more noticeable at longer distances.
ConnorOverall Score: 8/10
The HOKA Cielo X1 2.0 offers a massive update for the series, and with these radical changes, it almost feels like a brand new shoe. While I enjoyed v1 and know several runners who chose it as a top shoe of 2024, it didn’t quite hit the mark when it came to true race day performance. Now with the latest update, HOKA offers an aggressively rockered and highly protective super shoe at a weight that can compete with the best. I now find the shoe to be a serious contender on the start line and something I would consider for my next marathon. HOKA uses the aggressive heel bevel to legally pack even more foam into this shoe, which not only helps protect my legs later in the race, but also provides that little extra bounce. As more of a midfoot striker, I felt the shoe worked perfectly for my stride, but like any super shoe, the geometries really come down to personal preferences. If you’re a competitive runner in the market for a new super shoe, the Cielo X1 2.0 has all the characteristics needed for elite race-day performance.
HOKA Cielo X1
The HOKA Cielo X1 is a premium road racing shoe that is made to help you crush your most ambitious running goals in races ranging from 10K to the marathon.
HOKA Cielo X1
The HOKA Cielo X1 is a premium road racing shoe that is made to help you crush your most ambitious running goals in races ranging from 5K to the marathon.
