If you had asked us a calendar year ago, had not yet cracked the code in the super-shoe category. It's a COMPLETELY different world now. With the launch of x1, HOKA not only has one, but two shoes at the top of the we've tested at the office.
Perhaps you are already familiar with HOKA's first race-day option, namely , so the natural question would be, how does Cielo x1 stand out from it? And why is it necessary? Hoka Rocket x2 was and is an excellent racing shoe, perhaps one of the best, so which runner is it that misses the Cielo x1?
It's inevitable that we'll repeat ourselves a bit when making these articles. This is because our perspectives are constantly being pushed and challenged. is a shoe that AGAIN pushes the ceiling and challenges our idea of what a can perform.
Before we dive into this wonder of a , here are a few quick facts about Cielo x1:
Facts:
Type: Race day, neutral
Heel drop: 7mm
Stack height: 39mm in the forefoot, 32mm in the heel
Midsole material: Dual-layer PEBA
Carbon: Wing-shaped carbon plate.
A Little Masterpiece - HOKA Cielo x1
The upper is made of a knitted material with a lot of structure and substance, considering it's a race-day shoe. This is a little masterpiece in my view, as a midsole with so much (pleasant) noise benefits from an upper that helps keep the foot in place. The tongue might be divisive, it's definitely stretchy, and I haven't said too much. In a shoe where a lot of thought has gone into everything, I think HOKA's team decided on the laces right before the coffee break because they're a bit tricky to handle. Now, on to a lot of positives!
Top-Tier Rocker Geometry
Dual-layer PEBA midsole. You heard right, dual-layer. In between, a carbon plate, what else, it's 2024. In the shoe, you also have what we call an “Early Stage Meta-Rocker.” I throw around terms, I apologize! But it actually means you get this rolling run, and early-stage means this rolling sensation starts early in your landing. My experience with Cielo x1 is that you get a very strong energy return if you land quite notably on your mid-forefoot. Not in the trampoline-like manner you know from, for instance, , but more a shoe that quickly propels you to the next step.
The outsole has a relatively large amount of rubber on the surface, which can be really good for several things, durability and grip, but naturally, it's not helping to reduce the weight, so here it probably depends on the individual runner whether it's a plus or a minus. Generally, most runners prefer lightweight running shoes for race-day, and I'm probably on that team. But weight isn't always the deciding factor for me in a race shoe.
For those on Team "Just-want-to-know-how-it-feels":
is smooth as butter.
Yes Please! HOKA Cielo x1
“Yes please!”, “Yessss please !” I almost had to shout when I finally found myself running in Cielo x1, on a run with some marathon intensity. It just felt smooth, it felt effortless, and those who know me personally know that my runs are certainly not without grimaces and struggles. I don't hold back verbally when my body isn't cooperating. But it did this day, and Cielo x1 was absolutely contributing.
In HOKA's lineup of race-day shoes, Cielo x1 is the obvious choice for longer distances, whereas Rocket x2 is a bit more versatile and in our view can be used for all distances. Cielo x1 is heavier, but it's not just dead weight, you get extra fun for these grams, both in the midsole and also in terms of stability in the upper. I think it's an important point that these 20-30 grams aren't always just extra weight you have to carry around, but that you actually get something in return for it. You get this ultra-smooth roll from midfoot to forefoot, which you really benefit from when you start to get a bit more tired at the end of the run - or km 35 on your marathon when the seriousness really sets in. If you know, you know.
HOKA Cielo x1 makes running fun, and that must after all be one of the greatest compliments you can give a shoe.
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