Hoka Cielo X1 Review: A Carbon-Plated Racer That Surprised Me in All the Best Ways
GEAR & SHOE REVIEWS
When Hoka first teased the Cielo X1 back in February at the Olympic Trials lounge in Orlando, I remember standing there, holding the shoe, staring at the layered carbon plate and those dramatic cutouts, trying to understand exactly what this shoe was meant to do. At the time, I was new to shoe-tubing, and seeing a racing model built this boldly was fascinating. Now, months later—and with well over 400 miles on my pair—I finally have a complete picture of what this shoe is and how it actually runs.
And that picture surprised me.
This is marketed as Hoka’s ultra-fast, carbon-plated road racing shoe. But in practice? It became the only shoe I packed for a month-long trip across Europe while marathon training—and somehow it handled everything from speedwork to mountain gravel without missing a beat.
Here’s the full breakdown.
Model & Purpose
The Cielo X1 was built as Hoka’s premier racing option for runners chasing PRs in marathons, tempo efforts, and long fast training sessions. It sits in the “super shoe” category: carbon plate, PEBA-based foam, aggressive rocker, and a responsive underfoot feel designed to increase efficiency at faster paces.
Hoka labels it as a neutral shoe, though in my experience it feels far more stable than that rating suggests. More on that later.
Specs at a Glance
Weight: 9.3 oz
Drop: 7 mm
Stack Height: 39 mm heel
Support: Neutral
Cushioning Category: Responsive
Midsole: Dual-layer PEBA foam + full-length carbon plate
Upper: Breathable engineered mesh
Price: $275
This is very much a super-shoe price point, lining up with Nike, adidas, and Saucony’s carbon-plated models.
Upper & Fit
The Cielo X1 upper is lightweight and extremely breathable—something I appreciate living and training in Florida. The mesh keeps the foot locked in without holding sweat or adding bulk, and it never felt soggy or heavy even in hot, humid conditions.
One notable challenge: the laces. They’re made from a slippery nylon material that required me to tighten them aggressively—almost double-knot tight—otherwise they’d come undone mid-run. After a few accidental stops to re-tie, I learned exactly how firm they need to be.
Aside from that, the lockdown and comfort are excellent.
Midsole & Carbon Plate
The midsole is built with two layers of PEBA foam, each serving a different purpose:
Top layer: soft, cushioned, but still responsive
Bottom layer: firmer adding stability for longer efforts
Between them sits the full-length carbon fiber plate, which compresses and rebounds with energy return similar to other carbon models—but paired with Hoka’s signature Meta-Rocker geometry, it encourages a quicker turnover and smooth forward roll.
The combination of rocker + plate + dual foam creates a shoe that can pivot between comfortable cruising and aggressive speed.
Ride & Performance
This is where the shoe surprised me most.
Despite being a racing shoe, the Cielo X1 behaves like a hybrid. When I’m running easy, I sink into the midfoot cushion and it feels protective, stable, and smooth. But when I pick up the pace—leaning forward, shifting onto my toes—the shoe suddenly becomes springy and energetic.
It’s one of the few shoes I’ve worn where I can start a run easy, encounter someone running much faster, and comfortably—and instantly—match their pace without wishing I’d worn a different shoe.
I’ve taken the shoe across gravel, roads, hills, and even mild trails, and it stayed impressively stable everywhere. I truly don’t agree with the “neutral” label. It feels far more secure than many high-stack supershoes.
What impressed me most: no foot fatigue, even after hours on my feet. I wore the Cielo X1 walking around Rome for six hours during my brother’s first marathon, and my feet felt great afterwards.
Durability
This is one of the most durable carbon-plated shoes I’ve tested.
I’m well past 400 miles—possibly closer to 500—and the shoe has not flattened out. The outsole rubber is worn at my usual pressure points, but the foam still feels lively, and the structure has held up better than expected for such a tall, soft, plated shoe.
For a $275 racing model, this level of durability is impressive.
Comparison to Other Shoes
Within Hoka
Bondi: far heavier, softer, and meant for slow recovery miles.
Clifton: lighter than Bondi but nowhere close in responsiveness.
Neither is truly comparable—the Cielo X1 is much more dynamic.
Other Super Shoes
Saucony Endorphin Elite
Adidas Prime X (similar cutouts but heavier)
Mizuno Wave Rebellion (similar stack and geometry, lighter)
Nike Alphafly series (lighter with forefoot Air pods)
The Cielo X1 sits somewhere between heavy-stack marathon cruisers and featherweight PR hunters—firm enough to race, soft enough to train.
Pros
Lightweight and highly responsive
Dual-layer PEBA foam adds both cushion and stability
Full-length carbon plate with excellent forward roll
Breathable, comfortable upper ideal for hot climates
Exceptionally durable for a carbon-plated shoe
Versatile: handles both fast training and long daily miles
Cons
$275 price point makes it tough to justify as an everyday trainer
Slippery laces take trial and error to secure
Slightly heavier than some pure racing shoes
Bottom Line
Hoka advertises the Cielo X1 as a lightweight, cushioned carbon racing shoe—and that’s accurate. But in reality, it ended up being far more versatile than I expected. It became my daily shoe during a month abroad, handling everything from easy aerobic runs to impromptu speedwork and long miles on mixed terrain.
Yes, it’s priced like a racer. But the durability is so strong that I’ve gotten more use out of this shoe than almost any super shoe I’ve ever owned.
For runners wanting one shoe that can handle fast workouts, long miles, and possibly race day, the Cielo X1 is one of the most compelling options Hoka has ever released. It has easily become my favorite Hoka shoe to date.