Hoka One One Cielo X1 2.0 Introduction
The original Cielo X1 was a flop. It was designed to be the tip of the Hoka racing spear, the flagship Hoka super racer- their version of the Alphafly. However, most Hoka elite runners still chose the cheaper Rocket X 2 to race in, which was lighter, smoother and felt faster than the Cielo X1.
The problem with the Cielo X1 was its weight, 9.3 oz (264 g) for a men’s US9. To put this into a perspective, the Nike Alphafly 3 and the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 both weigh a mere 7 oz (198 g). This makes a big difference over the marathon distance.
When I reviewed the Cielo X1 last year, I said that it felt more like a long-run trainer than a racer. I also felt that its carbon plate was too flexible for a racer. It didn’t feel like a special shoe, considering its $275 price.
Hoka normally takes their time with new versions, updating their popular shoes every 2 years instead of every year which is typically the industry standard. The Clifton, Bondi and Rocket X get updates approximately every 2 years. It’s only been a year since the Cielo X1 has been out so I think they knew that the first version wasn’t good enough.
This year’s Cielo X1 2.0 weighs 8.1 oz (230 g), a significant decrease. It has the same stack height as its predecessor, which Running Warehouse lists as 46 mm/39 mm however the way that World Athletics measures stack heights clears it for official World Athletics races. Its price is still $275.
Hoka One One Cielo X1 2.0 First Impressions
I put the Cielo X1 2.0 through its paces on the first run. I did a 42 kilometre training run ranging from steady effort all the way to marathon effort. It needed no break-in period and the upper was supremely comfortable for the entire run.
I was surprised how different it felt to its predecessor. It felt like a racer and not a trainer anymore. I felt more energy return from the midsole foam and it was easy to increase my pace.
The other thing that I noticed was how unstable the narrow midfoot and heel made the ride feel. It was a lot more unstable compared to the first version. I found myself having to slow down significantly when going around corners.
The shoe that it reminded me of was the Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 3, another very unstable racer with a narrow midfoot/rearfoot and aggressive heel bevel. The Cielo X1 2.0 was slightly more stable and easier to run in.
Hoka One One Cielo X1 2.0 Upper
The new upper is one of the reasons why the Cielo X1 2.0 feels more like a racer than a trainer. It’s made of a new engineered jacquard mesh which is much thinner, lighter and more breathable.
The flat tongue is not gusseted but it doesn’t slide around thanks to the lace loop on it. There’s also padding on the inside of the heel tab and collar to prevent any chafing or heel slippage. Overall, it’s a very comfortable racing upper.
When it comes to fit, the Cielo X1 2.0 is true to size but it’s designed for narrow feet. It’s not as roomy and accommodating as version 1 so runners with wide feet will need to go up a half size.
Hoka One One Cielo X1 2.0 Sole Unit
With the exception of the Wave Rebellion Pro 1/2/3, the Cielo X1 2.0 is the most unstable racer I’ve ever run in. The design of it just does not suit my running mechanics.
One of the big changes they’ve made is that they have moved the midsole cutout from the lateral side to the medial side. This results in less support on the medial side and it encourages my ankles to roll excessively inward. It has also become less heel-strike friendly because the rearfoot is so much narrower.
The other reason it feels so unstable is its aggressive meta-rocker. Both the heel and the forefoot curve upwards. The sole is shaped like a “U” and there’s a very little portion of the outsole that’s in contact with the ground. With version 2, the forefoot rocker starts even earlier than its predecessor.
Runners underestimate how much energy is used to stabilise the feet throughout the entirety of a marathon. When you’re running in an unstable shoe like the Cielo X1 2.0, it puts a ton of extra stress on the lower legs. That’s why I feel Saucony also made a mistake with the super soft Endorphin Elite 2.
The Cielo X1 2.0 is now geared more towards elite runners than casual runners because of the lower leg strength and excellent running form required to run in it. If you require even a tiny bit of support, you need to stay far away from the Cielo X1 2.0.
The Cielo X1 2.0 is best suited to fast paces below 4 minutes per kilometre (6:26 per mile). For me, that’s threshold pace or faster so it works best for intervals and threshold workouts when I’m up on my toes.
The ride of the X1 2.0 is softer than the first version. It feels like the PEBA foam is a lower density; it compresses more easily. I also notice more rebound compared to the midsole of v1. This is an aspect of the Cielo that Hoka has improved.
The carbon plate in the Cielo X1 2.0 has some flexibility. It’s more flexible than the plates in the Rocket X 2, Alphafly 3 and Wave Rebellion Pro 3. This results in a forefoot rocker which isn’t as punchy as in other racers, even though its rocker starts early and its toe-spring is high.
The Cielo X1 2.0 has a sticky rubber outsole that provides decent grip in dry conditions but struggles with traction on smooth, wet surfaces. It’s the rain season here in Malaysia and it wasn’t fun to use while it was raining.
The build quality and durability are better than the average racer so you can use the Cielo X1 2.0 for racing as well as training. The midsole foam doesn’t puncture or chip as easily as other racing midsoles. There’s also good rubber coverage on the outsole.
Hoka One One Cielo X1 2.0 Conclusions
The Cielo X1 2.0 is lighter and more energetic for sure but would I pick it over the first version? No, I don’t think so. In order to cut weight, they’ve sacrificed a lot of stability and the X1 2.0 is now one of the most unstable racers on the market.
The Cielo X1 2.0 feels like it was designed for elite or sub elite runners with exceptional running form. The slower you run, the more unstable it feels. The Rocket X 3, which is coming out later this year could be the Hoka racer for the masses with the Cielo X1 2.0 the option for the fast runners.
Compared to the competition, the Cielo X1 2.0 doesn’t feel as fast. While the PEBA midsole foam is very good, it loses speed through its instability and its flexible carbon plate. I won’t be racing in it because I overpronate too much. I also prefer a late stage forefoot rocker, like the one in the Rocket X 2 because it creates more of a springboard effect.
At $275, it’s one of the most expensive racers on the market; however, its performance doesn’t warrant its high price. It doesn’t provide as much speed assistance as the top-tier racers. I would still pick the Rocket X 2 over the Cielo X1 2.0 because of its higher level of stability and its stiffer, more propulsive carbon plate.
