{"id":45438,"date":"2024-03-05T03:43:32","date_gmt":"2024-03-05T08:43:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.runningshoesguru.com\/?post_type=reviews_road&p=45438"},"modified":"2024-03-15T09:13:57","modified_gmt":"2024-03-15T13:13:57","slug":"hoka-cielo-x1-review","status":"publish","type":"reviews_road","link":"https:\/\/www.runningshoesguru.com\/reviews\/road\/hoka-cielo-x1-review\/","title":"HOKA Cielo X1 Review","author":95,"featured_media":45456,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"brands":[486],"shoes_type":[259,781],"shoes_family":[],"_stcr@_rolfkleinfeld@hotmail.com":null,"review_3_website_name":null,"test_trail":null,"_test_trail":null,"usd":null,"_usd":null,"aud":null,"_aud":null,"cad":null,"_cad":null,"gbp":null,"_gbp":null,"eur":null,"_eur":null,"shoe_brand":null,"_shoe_brand":null,"shoe_name":null,"pros":"5","cons":"3","verdict":"The Hoka Cielo X1 is a heavy racer which feels more like a long run trainer. It has incredibly deep, soft cushioning and a high toe-spring but its flexible carbon plate makes it feel too relaxed and not aggressive enough. While it feels very comfortable and efficient on long runs, it\u2019s not a top-tier racer and at $275, it\u2019s heavily overpriced","weight":null,"heel":null,"toe":null,"heeldrop":null,"reccomended_for":null,"rrp":null,"review":null,"keywords":"HOKA Cielo X1, Hoka running shoes review, best Hoka running shoes, Racer running shoes,","description":"The Hoka Cielo X1 is a heavy racer which feels more like a long run trainer. It has incredibly deep, soft cushioning and a high toe-spring but its flexible carbon plate makes it feel too relaxed and not aggressive enough. While it feels very comfortable and efficient on long runs, it\u2019s not a top-tier racer and at $275, it\u2019s heavily overpriced","professional_image":"45096","_professional_image":"field_5d9574dae3414","usage":["racing","speedwork","long_distance_racing"],"_usage":"field_5943593f1d1c2","rsg_subtitle":null,"subtitle":null,"_subtitle":null,"introduction":"[caption id=\"attachment_45444\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1280\"]\"Picture<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nHoka is a brand that's been built on big cushioning. The Clifton<\/a> and Bondi<\/a>, their two most popular trainers are bestsellers because their thick, rockered midsoles provide deep cushioning and good comfort for both walking and running. On a recent trip to the States, I was surprised by the sheer number of people wearing Hokas for casual wear. \r\n\r\nThe Cielo X1 is another Hoka running shoe which follows the Hoka template of a mega-thick sole with a rocker. It is however one of the few Hokas to use PEBA foam- most of them use EVA. \r\n\r\nThe Cielo X1 does not replace the Rocket X series. It's another long-distance racing option in the Hoka range. The Rocket X 2<\/a> was one of my favourite top-tier racers of the past 2 years so I have high hopes for the Cielo X1.\r\n\r\nThe Cielo X1 looks like the kind of running shoe I would have designed if I had carte blanche<\/strong>. It has the maxed-out stack height midsole, the aggressive forefoot rocker, and the outsole coverage to make it durable enough for training. \r\n\r\nIt's on the heavy side for a racer at 9.3 oz (264 g) for a men's US9. The Rocket X2 is only 8.3 oz (236 g). It has a drop of 7 mm, which is higher than most Hokas- the standard for Hoka is 5 mm. It also comes in at a sky high price of $275, the same price as the Endorphin Elite<\/a>. \r\n","introduction_text":null,"conclusions":"[caption id=\"attachment_45451\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1280\"]\"Picture<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nAt the 2024 US Olympic Trials for the marathon, 6 Hoka NAZ Elite athletes participated. 5 of them wore the Rocket X2, and only 1 chose to wear the Cielo X1.<\/strong> I would also pick the Rocket X2 over the Cielo to race a marathon in. \r\n\r\nI\u2019m a bit disappointed with the Cielo X1 because on paper, it has the potential to be an outstanding racer. It\u2019s just too heavy and too soft for racing<\/strong>. Some of the cushioning can be removed to make it lighter; this much cushioning feels overkill for the marathon distance.\r\n\r\nYou can clearly see that the Adidas Prime X inspired the Cielo X1. The Adidas super shoe feels faster though due to its firmer ride, its super stiff forefoot and its aggressive rocker. The Cielo X1 is over an ounce lighter than the Prime X 2 but it doesn\u2019t feel as \u201cspecial\u201d. \r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_45446\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1280\"]\"Picture<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nI will continue using the Cielo X1 for long training runs so it will stay in my rotation. It has a design that keeps my legs feeling fresh during long runs and helps me recover much faster afterwards<\/strong>. I won\u2019t be racing in it because I prefer firmer, lighter and stiffer shoes for racing. \r\n\r\nThen there\u2019s the price. $275 is way too much for a shoe that suits long-distance training runs more than races<\/strong> so I wouldn\u2019t recommend it unless you\u2019re aiming for a 3:30 marathon time or slower and you like uber-soft cushioning. \r\n","model":"Cielo X1","_model":"field_5c1600ad0113f","who_is_it_for":"If you\u2019re looking for a soft racer and you\u2019re aiming to race a marathon in 3:30 or slower, the Cielo X1 is a good option. If you like the Rocket X2 but you find it not cushioned enough, the Cielo X1 is also a good option. \r\n","pros_0_pro_line":"High level of bounce from dual PEBA layers","_pros_0_pro_line":"field_5c16011c4fed6","pros_1_pro_line":"Good outsole rubber coverage","_pros_1_pro_line":"field_5c16011c4fed6","pros_2_pro_line":"Bottomless, plush cushioning","_pros_2_pro_line":"field_5c16011c4fed6","cons_0_cons_line":"Not as propulsive as top-tier racers","_cons_0_cons_line":"field_5c16011c70a57","cons_1_cons_line":"Thick and warm knitted upper","_cons_1_cons_line":"field_5c16011c70a57","cons_2_cons_line":"Way too expensive","_cons_2_cons_line":"field_5c16011c70a57","water_resistance":null,"_water_resistance":null,"pros_3_pro_line":"Reflective upper for safety","_pros_3_pro_line":"field_5c16011c4fed6","pros_4_pro_line":"Energy-saving transitions","_pros_4_pro_line":"field_5c16011c4fed6","cons_3_cons_line":null,"_cons_3_cons_line":null,"cons_4_cons_line":null,"_cons_4_cons_line":null,"in_page_subtitle":null,"_in_page_subtitle":null,"image":null,"_image":null,"cushioning_type":"plush","_cushioning_type":"field_594357fba24e6","cushioning_amount":"Highly cushioned","_cushioning_amount":"field_5c1a16c4d4c23","sizing":"0","_sizing":"field_59435b58fd832","heel_fit":"normal","_heel_fit":"field_59435bbc45b07","midfoot_fit":"normal","_midfoot_fit":"field_59435d1684838","toebox_fit":"normal","_toebox_fit":"field_59435d1484837","flexibility":"rigid","_flexibility":"field_59435d1284836","stability":"some stability","_stability":"field_5944aca41583c","midfoot_fit_copy":null,"_midfoot_fit_copy":null,"best_for":"","pe_timestamp":null,"ds_query":"+hoka +\"cielo x1\"","_ds_query":"field_5c1600ad01052","release_date":"","_release_date":"field_5c176d6fffe21","weight_oz":"9","_weight_oz":"field_5c176d34ffe1f","heel_drop_mm":"10","_heel_drop_mm":"field_5c176d57ffe20","intro_to_the_shoe":null,"_intro_to_the_shoe":null,"main_text":null,"_main_text":null,"protection":null,"_protection":null,"durability":"7","_durability":"field_6272de0b5fdf5","responsiveness_&_speed":null,"_responsiveness_&_speed":null,"comfort_and_fit":null,"_comfort_and_fit":null,"lugs":null,"_lugs":null,"rockplate":null,"_rockplate":null,"good_for_running":null,"_good_for_running":null,"previous_model":"","_previous_model":"field_5c1a17279c9f9","usage_these_shoes_for":null,"_usage_these_shoes_for":null,"rrp_us":"274.95","_rrp_us":"field_5c176dba632ff","rrp_au":"","_rrp_au":"field_5c176dd363300","rrp_ca":"","_rrp_ca":"field_5c176df863301","rrp_gb":"","_rrp_gb":"field_5c176dfe63302","rrp_de":"","_rrp_de":"field_5c176e0d63303","purchased_from_name":"Running Warehouse","_purchased_from_name":"field_5c374d8cdb87d","purchased_from_url":"https:\/\/www.runningwarehouse.com\/HOKA_Cielo_X1\/descpage-HO1FLU3.html?from=guru","_purchased_from_url":"field_5c374d9bdb87e","heel_mm":"46","_heel_mm":"field_630506e911fdf","toe_mm":"36","_toe_mm":"field_630506f011fe0","carbon_plate":"full","_carbon_plate":"field_63065e4848c57","360":"","_360":"field_630662fb826e3","_video":"field_63066304826e4","who_should_buy_it":"If you\u2019re looking for a soft racer and you\u2019re aiming to race a marathon in 3:30 or slower, the Cielo X1 is a good option. If you like the Rocket X2 but you find it not cushioned enough, the Cielo X1 is also a good option. \r\n","_who_should_buy_it":"field_63132fa733767","who_should_not_buy_it_":"If you\u2019re looking for a really lightweight, firm racer, the Cielo X1 is not for you. If you like a lot of ground feel, the Cielo X1 is not the shoe for you. \r\n","_who_should_not_buy_it_":"field_63132ff0865f5","build_quality":"8","_build_quality":"field_6272ddc1b33de","comfort":"8","_comfort":"field_6272dd6fa6b88","value_price":"5","_value_price":"field_6272de0a5fdf4","third_shoe":"43236","_third_shoe":"field_630bbf8341294","upper_rate":"6","_upper_rate":"field_6272de2a5fdfb","sole_unit_rate":"7","_sole_unit_rate":"field_6272de295fdfa","landing":"7","_landing":"field_6272de285fdf9","transition":"8","_transition":"field_6272de285fdf8","toe_off":"6","_toe_off":"field_6272de275fdf7","traction":"8","_traction":"field_6272de265fdf6","first_impressions":"[caption id=\"attachment_45441\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1280\"]\"Picture<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nMy first run was 23 kilometres at my steady pace. This was at the tail end of a 141 kilometre week so my legs were dead tired. That run was still really enjoyable. \r\n\r\nI liked how much cushioning it had and how soft it felt<\/strong>. I also enjoyed the high level of energy return and the forward rolling transitions. \r\n\r\nThe things I didn't like<\/strong> were the thick, warm upper and the lack of aggression<\/strong> during transitions. The ride felt very relaxed- more like a cruiser than a racer. \r\n\r\nIt reminded me of the Wave Rebellion Pro 2<\/a> which has an aggressive heel bevel. \r\n\r\nIt also reminded me of the Prime X<\/a> because of its thick massive midsole but the Prime X rocker felt a lot more aggressive. \r\n","_first_impressions":"field_6313304ba000e","sole_unit":"[caption id=\"attachment_45453\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1280\"]\"Picture<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThe Cielo X1 is Hoka's most cushioned running shoe to date<\/strong>. The double layer of dual-density PEBA in its midsole provides the most cushioning I've experienced in a racer to date and it mutes all ground feel. \r\n\r\nThe heel stack height feels more than 40 mm and the listed stack height on Running Warehouse is 46 mm but somehow Hoka managed to get it World Athletics approved for competing in<\/strong>. \r\n\r\nBouncy is the best word to describe the type of cushioning in the Cielo X1. The formulation of PEBA that Hoka uses is softer than other brands, even Nike's ZoomX. \r\n\r\nHoka\u2019s PEBA has a slower rebound than ZoomX or Lightstrike Pro so it feels more bouncy rather than explosive<\/strong>. It has a softer, more compressive layer of foam on the top with a firmer foam at the bottom for stability. This is the opposite of the Alphafly<\/a> and it creates a plusher step-in feel. \r\n\r\nThe Cielo X1 doesn\u2019t feel as fast as the top-tier racers. The 2 main reasons are its carbon fibre plate and its hefty weight. \r\n\r\nThe winged plate in the Cielo X1 is more flexible than the plates in other racers. For example, the Saucony Endorphin Elite<\/a>- it also has a high toe-spring but its forefoot rocker feels a lot more aggressive due to its stiffer plate. This translates to punchier toe-offs and a faster ride. \r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_45448\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1280\"]\"Picture<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nTo me, the Cielo X1 feels more like a long-distance cruiser than a racer.<\/strong> I did a 32 kilometre training run in the X1: 20 kilometres steady, 12 kilometres tempo. The steady section felt comfortable but in the last 12 kilometres I had to put a lot of effort into increasing my pace. It feels the most comfortable doing easy runs, steady runs, and long, relaxed runs exceeding 25 kilometres<\/strong>.\r\n\r\nFor tempo and threshold runs, it feels too bulky and boat-like. For runners targeting 3 hours 30 or slower for a full marathon, the Cielo X1 will be a great choice. For anything faster, a firmer, lighter racer is required. \r\n\r\nAs a heel striker, the Cielo X1\u2019s geometry works really well for me<\/strong>. The full-length, heel-to-toe rocker makes transitions feel super smooth and it makes it easy to get into a rhythm. This is what makes it such a great long run shoe. \r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_45447\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1280\"]\"Picture<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nStability is decent considering how tall the midsole is and how many cutouts there are in it. The lateral midsole cutout of the Cielo X1 works a lot better for me than the medial cutout like in the Prime X Strung version 1. I tend to roll inwards, so it\u2019s better that there\u2019s more support on the medial side. It feels more stable than the Prime X version 1 and the Wave Rebellion Pro 2.<\/strong>\r\n\r\nCielo X1 is average for a racer when it comes to durability. The soft outsole rubber is thick and it covers all the high wear areas however it does wear down quite fast and there\u2019s a lot of smooth rubber on the lateral heel of my pair after 80 kilometres. This shoe is still durable enough for training and racing though. I didn\u2019t test it in wet conditions but I don\u2019t think traction will be an issue because the outsole rubber has a ribbed pattern on it. \r\n","_sole_unit":"field_6313305d53bc4","custom_fields":{"model":"Cielo X1","cons":[{"cons_line":"Not as propulsive as top-tier racers"},{"cons_line":"Thick and warm knitted upper"},{"cons_line":"Way too expensive"}],"pros":[{"pro_line":"High level of bounce from dual PEBA layers"},{"pro_line":"Good outsole rubber coverage"},{"pro_line":"Bottomless, plush cushioning"},{"pro_line":"Reflective upper for safety"},{"pro_line":"Energy-saving transitions"}],"vote":"7","weight_oz":"9","heel_drop_mm":"10","heel_mm":"46","toe_mm":"36","purchased_from_name":"Running Warehouse","purchased_from_url":"https:\/\/www.runningwarehouse.com\/HOKA_Cielo_X1\/descpage-HO1FLU3.html?from=guru","comfort":"8","build_quality":"8","upper_rate":"6","sole_unit_rate":"7","landing":"7","transition":"8","toe_off":"6","traction":"8","durability":"7","value_price":"5","who_is_it_for":"If you\u2019re looking for a soft racer and you\u2019re aiming to race a marathon in 3:30 or slower, the Cielo X1 is a good option. If you like the Rocket X2 but you find it not cushioned enough, the Cielo X1 is also a good option. \r\n","verdict":"The Hoka Cielo X1 is a heavy racer which feels more like a long run trainer. It has incredibly deep, soft cushioning and a high toe-spring but its flexible carbon plate makes it feel too relaxed and not aggressive enough. While it feels very comfortable and efficient on long runs, it\u2019s not a top-tier racer and at $275, it\u2019s heavily overpriced","who_should_buy_it":"

If you\u2019re looking for a soft racer and you\u2019re aiming to race a marathon in 3:30 or slower, the Cielo X1 is a good option. If you like the Rocket X2 but you find it not cushioned enough, the Cielo X1 is also a good option. <\/p>\n","who_should_not_buy_it_":"

If you\u2019re looking for a really lightweight, firm racer, the Cielo X1 is not for you. If you like a lot of ground feel, the Cielo X1 is not the shoe for you. <\/p>\n","introduction":"

\"Picture