Take off in the Hoka Cielo X1 2.0

HOKA is a gamechanger in the shoe world. Love them or hate them, you’ll see them everywhere and there are so many different styles now that you’re bound to find something that works for your stride.

The Cielo X1 2.0 is something very different than your average Hoka. It’s not like the Clifton, the Mach, the Bondi, or any of the others. This shoe is meant to be light and fast and to take you on an adventure.

Looks:

The Cielo X1 2.0 currently comes in two colorways, the frost/black and the frost/lava. Both look pretty slick, but I was happy to get them in the frost/black. As soon as I opened the box, my husband remarked on how awesome they looked. They are eye-catching for sure, with an iridescent sheen and sparkly shoelaces. These are what one of my kids would probably call “mermaid” shoes, except that they don’t just look pretty – they are some real players in the running game.

Function:

The Cielo X1 2.0 are made for a neutral runner’s stride and is considered an all-gender shoe. They are best for racing. Per the website, this shoe is “a propulsive ride for pure speed.” These are not a slow jog shoe but an ultra-responsive racer. One only needs to see the structure of these to see that they are meant to be lightweight so that nothing holds you back (but more on that in the construction portion of the review.)

I promise you that when you put these on, you will feel the difference between these and an “everyday slow, easy run” shoe based on the heel alone. You will want to bounce around in these. If you’re looking for a tempo shoe, this is it.

Construction:

Hoka is a shoe with a reputation for being cushy, which equates to heavy in runner-speak, but that has changed in more recent years. I’ve tested a few now that are anything but, and the Cielo is constructed to be very light. You can literally see the pattern of your socks through the walls of the shoe. If you want a breathable upper, you’ve got it here.

However, the heels of the Hoka Cielo X1 is where we get down to serious business. The soles, like those on other Hoka shoe types, are thick and cushy. These are engineered with an aggressive forefoot rocker and a dual-density PEBA midsole with a carbon fiber plate. There’s a sticky rubber outsole to help with traction too.

Fit:

I received the Cielo in a size 9 women’s/8 men’s. This is my typical true-to-size in running shoes (a full size up from my regular everyday shoe.) Sometimes Hokas feel a bit bigger on my feet than other brands, but this size was perfect in the Cielo.

What I liked immediately about the Cielo is the cushioned collar. Many other speed shoes with thin wall structures also have a super thin heel in the back, which makes getting them on a bit more difficult. These are solid in the back, and they aren’t hard to slide into. This also ensures a secure foot lockdown so you’re ready to go as soon as your foot hits the bottom.

If I’m being honest, the first time I laced these up in my stairwell to try them on, I had to hang onto the handrail after I stood. The heel was so springy that it felt a little unstable. It took a few minutes for me to get used to them, as there is a noticeable difference from the Cielo X1 and an everyday shoe. I wore them around the house for a while before I took them for a spin outside so I could get used to the feeling.

The first run I took the Cielo on was an early morning run at 5AM. This is, not surprisingly, a time of day where I am the most tired and unmotivated, but it’s also the best time for me to fit a run into my busy schedule. Often I feel like my legs are made of concrete this early, but these shoes helped tremendously.

There is simply no way you can not feel more pep in your step as soon as you start running in the Cielo. I did not break any speed records in these but I also felt motivated to keep going despite being tired. I think these would be amazing if you were to use these as intended for some speedwork. Bring these to a flat track and you’ll get up and GO!

Overall/For Consideration

Now that I’ve gotten used to the Cielo, I find these are my new not-so-secret weapon. These have tremendous bounce and comfort, but they serve a purpose too. These shoes do more than look pretty, though they are really cute too. Though I’m not currently working all that hard on improving my speed, the Cielo will for sure improve my shorter weekday runs.

I wouldn’t wear these for double digit runs, as they aren’t really made for hours of running, but they will serve you well for days you just need that extra edge.

If you’ve never tried a pair of Hokas because you’re worried they will be too heavy, you have to try these ones. Heavy is definitely not the name of the game for the Cielo X1.