The Hoka Cielo X1 3.0 evaluation from our entrance of the pack racers to allow you to you realize if it’s the suitable carbon plated tremendous shoe in your huge targets.
The HOKA Cielo X1 debuted in 2022 because the model’s first carbon-plated tremendous shoe, designed particularly for elite marathoners chasing quick instances. Constructed with enter from skilled athletes, the unique Cielo X1 featured a responsive carbon fiber plate, PEBA-based foam, and an aggressive geometry geared toward maximizing pace over 26.2 miles.
The shoe has developed because the first iteration, with the main focus nonetheless being on preserving it a race-specific, light-weight, and aggressive racing shoe–one thing that might take care of adjoining manufacturers popping out with race-specific carbon footwear
It’s a shoe that LOOKS quick and feels very mild, coming in at 7.0 oz–half an oz. lighter in comparison with the earlier model–and accentuated stack of 37mm/30mm. However how does it truly carry out versus the large canine of Nike, Adidas, and Puma?
Spoiler: this shoe is FAST.
I’m a sucker for a great rocker geometry and this one is undeniably aggressive and I’ll undoubtedly be lacing up for at the least one or two races this spring with it on my toes.
Who’s the Hoka Sky X1 3.0 a great match for, let’s break it down by some widespread classes:
- Vast Toes: The higher match is absolutely versatile and the lacing lockdown is stable–so this is able to undoubtedly accommodate a medium to barely wider foot.
- Heavier Runners: The shoe nonetheless lacks some stability, a heavier runner would possibly fare higher with the Rocket X 3.
- Lengthy Runs:It’s going to undoubtedly maintain up for longer miles.
- Entrance of the Pack: If it’s ok for Alex Masai to run a 2:04:37 at Chicago (and place third), I’d say it’s a implausible front-of-pack shoe.
Purchase Hoka Cielo X1 3.0
This carbon plated tremendous shoe can compete with the large canine of Nike, Adidas, and Puma for certain. It’s a light-weight and springy race day shoe and ideal for the runner loving an enormous stack and loads of bouncy return whereas racing.
Hoka Sky X1 3.0 Overview
The second I pulled the Cielo X1 3.0 out of the field, I knew I used to be holding one thing quick.
Our staff gushed over the Cielo X1 2.0 and it seems we’re going to maintain that practice rolling with this latest mannequin.
It appears glossy, feels aggressive, the step-in expertise was fairly distinctive. You are feeling the aggressive rocker in two methods–upon step-in, you’re instantly pushed ahead. And whereas simply standing nonetheless, you may really feel a noticeable drop within the foam proper the place (on my foot) the metatarsals type.
The froth feels full and sturdy on the ball of the meals, and drops away fairly considerably on the heel and toes. It’s not uncomfortable, simply very distinctive. You understand immediately that you simply’re in a shoe constructed for one factor: pace.
In Hoka’s present lineup, the Cielo sits on the high of the efficiency pyramid. It’s poppy, aggressive, and light-weight. The Rocket X3 is Hoka’s versatile exercise and/or race shoe with far more stability vs. the Cielo. And the Mach X3 is a step under that, being a stable shoe selection for uptempo coaching days and exercises.
I first examined the Cielo X1 3.0 throughout a easy fartlek with 5k efforts on moist, post-snow roads…and regardless of dodging patchy pavement, the paces felt easy.
The power return is actual, the bounce is very large, and the froth—delicate PEBA, much like the Alphafly—provides that massive stack really feel with out beating up the legs.
In truth: I had extra enjoyable throughout my cooldown than the exercise itself, which in all probability tells you this shoe is constructed for longer, sustained pace quite than brief, sharp efforts.
- Weight: 7.5 oz Males’s 9, 6.2 oz Ladies’s 8
- Stack Top: 37mm heel / 30mm forefoot
- Entire Drop: 7mm
- Not out there in broad
- Accessible in 1 colour
- Accessible on hoka.com for $275
Purchase Hoka Cielo X1 3.0
Professionals
- Nice rocker geometry
- Responsive power return
- Roomy toebox
Cons
- Lacks stability
- Higher for longer distances
Coach Amanda: I’m sitting over right here injured simply sufficient to not take this shoe out but for a take a look at and I’m bummed. I’ve bought all three fashions lined as much as see what’s completely different and now I need to expertise it. I can say simply standing the footwear the three.0 is extra steady, so whereas it’s not but excellent it’s an necessary replace.
I feel this shift may additionally be why the shoe feels slightly extra comfy at quite a lot of paces.
Hoka Cielo X1 3.0 Match
The match is great. The higher hugs my foot in a manner that feels safe with out being overly tight—which is uncommon for race footwear, in my expertise. Numerous race-day footwear have unforgiving uppers that really feel constricting, however the Cielo’s Leno weave textile provides simply sufficient whereas nonetheless locking you in.
The toebox was truthful–not excessively roomy for my slim foot, however had simply sufficient wiggle room (making me suppose {that a} wider foot would even be advantageous on this shoe). I wouldn’t say it’s roomy, nevertheless it’s not uncomfortably tight both; there’s sufficient vertical area for my toes with out feeling sloppy.
I lace my footwear in a double-back model to lock in my heel (I’ve gotten finicky about lacing as I’ve gotten older), and I did the identical with these. The lockdown is stable—no heel slip, no bizarre motion. The asymmetrical lacing additionally helps relieve stress on the instep, which I appreciated.
The tongue is skinny however stays in place effectively, and I didn’t expertise any bunching or discomfort. Total, the match is dialed—true to measurement for me, and really race-precise with out feeling slim like another tremendous footwear.
Hoka Cielo X1 3.0 Really feel
This shoe is bouncy. Like, actually bouncy. The PEBA foam is delicate and responsive—much like the Alphafly, for my part—and you may really feel the massive stack underfoot. It’s agency sufficient to really feel supportive, however delicate sufficient that you simply’re not getting beat up.
I took these out for a fartlek with 5k efforts on some slick roads and the paces felt GOOD (which my ego wanted, because it was my first exercise again post-marathon.) I used to be in a position to click on off sub-6 splits with out feeling like I used to be working too arduous.
I’m 5’9″, so I’m tall for a feminine runner, and I would like a shoe that’s steady—I’m not a kind of featherweight runners who can get away with something.
Given this: my greatest grievance was stability, which is one thing I knew is likely to be questionable after studying evaluations of earlier Cielo fashions.
I needed to deal with preserving my ankles steady as a result of the roads had been patchy and uneven; however I’m unsure if the instability I felt was the shoe itself or simply the circumstances (or the truth that I used to be hyper-aware that stability is likely to be a problem?).
On smoother surfaces, I’d think about it feels extra planted. The Hoka Rocket X3 is far more forgiving with stability, and I undoubtedly discover myself reaching for the Rocket over the Cielo for smaller week-day exercises.
The rocker is aggressive—you actually really feel it pushing you ahead. And the plate isn’t overly stiff,, just like the Puma Quick-R Nitro 3, which flared up my neuroma so badly that I’m nervous about carrying it once more.
It’s truly considerably stunning how cushioned the Cielo felt regardless of how briskly and rockered the platform is underfoot. I’d be very comfy making an attempt this out for longer distances—half marathon and even marathon paces.
I additionally had a blast throughout my cooldown, preserving it uptempo (which I like to do to get essentially the most bang for my buck in a exercise). Perhaps I had extra enjoyable within the cooldown than the exercise itself? Which in all probability speaks to the truth that this is likely to be an excessive amount of shoe for 5K stuff. It actually shines at tempo and marathon paces.
Related Footwear to the Hoka Cielo X1 3.0
We’ve examined a number of carbon plated footwear that really feel related, however completely different primarily based on the model match:
- Nike Alphafly 3 – yep, I stated it. It’s bought the stack return that the Alphafly gives with a ton of cushioned consolation for longer efforts.
- Puma Quick-R 3 – this comparability doesn’t include as a lot conviction as the previous; however much like the R3, once you slip into the Cielo, you KNOW you’re about to race. It’s mild and squishy and gives loads of bounce…the most important distinction right here is that the R3 is so stiff that it forces you onto your toes with zero forgiveness. An even bigger/taller runner like me can not get away with carrying the R3 for something longer than a 10k. The Cielo is far more versatile and supportive.
- Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 – Speedy, with a extra accommodating match for quite a lot of runners. It’s one other high carbon plated decide amongst our sooner testers.
I actually like this shoe. Rather a lot. The higher is implausible, the power return is plain, and it’s clear HOKA is critical about competing on the high of the tremendous shoe market. I feel they’ve carried out it with the Cielo X1 3.0.
Would I race in it this season? Sure. Would I select it over the Alphafly for the marathon? TBD–I’d must put on it for some huge marathon exercises/lengthy runs to see how my toes and legs maintain up. I’ll undoubtedly preserve grabbing it as I construct again my health this spring.
Hoka Cielo X1 2 vs 3
One of many huge questions we frequently get is ought to I purchase the brand new mannequin or can I get the previous one on sale and we really feel like that’s legitimate sufficient to handle on most evaluations!
They haven’t but discounted model 2 and will not because it’s a shoe that’s far more consumer particular and never fairly as broad of an attraction. Assuming it doesn’t drop then we 100% favor the updates made to the three!
- 3 feels higher at shorter distances as effectively (10K)
- Stability is considerably improved within the 3
- Weight and stack top are just about the identical
- The geometry modified a bit so as to add that stability – extra width by way of midfoot outsole
- Power return is slightly higher within the 3 and a high speeds slightly means rather a lot
- The forefoot is likely to be softer within the 2 and a few might favor that
95%
It’s a enjoyable, quick, bouncy shoe that makes arduous efforts really feel simpler and as a runner who LOVES loads of bounce in her footwear, I find it irresistible. In case you’re a midfoot striker with slim to medium toes and also you’re chasing a sub 3:30 marathon PR, this shoe deserves a spot in your rotation.
Purchase Hoka Cielo X1 3.0
Who Tried It?
Mary is a latest addition to the Run to the End reviewing staff, however has been working marathons since 2010 and began teaching in 2015. She’s the proprietor and founding father of Raise.Run.Carry out and mother of two kiddos. She’s additionally a lover of energy coaching and loves to assist others notice simply how impactful lifting is. After main hip surgical procedure in 2022, she’s been working again into wholesome working and is lastly reaching her stride 3 years post-op. Comply with Mary at @itsamarython
