Hoka’s premiere racing shoe gets a sequel, but is it a flop or smash? As someone who has ran in both versions walk (or run) with me as we dive into our Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 Review. 

Worthy of a Sequel? 

The Upper: 

The original Cielo X1 had a bit of trouble in the upper department. The engineered knit upper was heavy, didn’t quite mold to the foot right, and had laces couldn’t seem to say tied. That being said, it was fine. I wouldn’t say it was the worst as it seemed to disappear on the foot when running, but was nothing to brag about. Now fast forward to the Cielo X1 2.0 and I WOULD and AM going to brag about the upper. 

• The engineered jacquard mesh is ultra lightweight, breathable, and fits to a “t”. 3D printed overlays provide reinforcement in just te right spots and the toe box offers enough space to make me comfortable taking it long distances. 

• THE LACES. Riveting, right? Well, these bad boys (or girls) are some top tier laces with incredible tackiness. A new material and some texture helps the laces lock into each other. I had absolutely no issues with the laces 10/10 

• The little details: Some awesome features that deserve some love is the heel collar; I love how it has just the right amount of cushion for comfort while still retaining that race day fit. And the tongue! Normally I’m discouraged by a non-gusseted tongue, but Hoka nailed the thin tongue that stayed in place and provided comfort with zero pressure points. 

Hoka created a really solid upper ideal for race day. I loved the lightweight race fit that vanished on the foot, great job Hoka! 

The Underfoot: to the Sky? 

I made my marathon debut this past fall in the original Cielo X1, I loved the bright responsive underfoot sensation that propelled me forward with each step but did think it was on the heavier side when compared to other racers. Hoka saw that and said, “Hold my Zym.” And a year later came back with a shoe over an ounce lighter! And I know 1 singular once doesn’t seem like a lot but when holding my pairs side by side and comparing them on separate feet, it’s night and day. But how did they do it? I’m glad you asked! A completely redesigned midsole unit with strategic cutouts and a new PEBA formula that sandwiches a winged carbon fiber plate. All that to say this thing is LIGHT. 

Enough with the tech, you’re here to find out how it runs. I think the underfoot feel/ride can be described in one word “woah.” That’s what went through my mind every step I took when running in the Cielo X1 2.0. I’ve always been a sucker for a rocker and the Cielo X1 2.0 is just a chef’s kiss. It’s incredibly smooth yet aggressive for a fast, fun, and frisky feeling. Paired with the PEBA midsole and winged carbon fiber plate, the Ceilo X1 2.0 is explosive. I would describe running the Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 as how I would imagine a dolphin feels like swimming and jumping out of the water (image for reference) 

Time to get serious. With all the updates, Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 is a serious race day contender. I used this for a couple workouts and found myself nailing my paces with ease. In a race environment it’s sure to shine, and as of now it is my go-to pull. With the Baby Joseph stamp of approval, I highly recommend the Cielo X1 2.0 if you’re looking for a seriously fast and fun shoe. 

Who Is the Cielo X1 2.0 For? 

The Cielo X1 2.0 is a very specialized shoe. Whether you’re looking to take on your local 5k, Marathon PR, or some speed days I couldn’t recommend the Cielo X1 2.0 anymore. You don’t need to be in the elite field to reap the benefits and enjoy this shoe, anyone that wants to feel fast regardless of pace will love this shoe for these types of runs: 

• Race Day 

• Workouts 

• Long Runs 

Who Might the Cielo X1 2.0 Not Be Right For? 

With the Cielo X1 2.0 being Hoka’s premiere racing shoe it is meant for speed. Now I want to emphasis that speed is relative and as long as you’re putting in a harder effort you’ll love the Cielo X1 2.0. At slower efforts it can feel a tad unstable, but that is to be expected with a race shoe of this caliber. But those who are looking for a shoe for everyday wear or daily training I’d recommend some other options. The Clifton, Mach, Skyflow, and Bondi are all great options for those with a neutral gait and the Arahi is fantastic for those wanting guidance. 

Why the Cielo X1 2.0 Deserves a Spot in Your Rotation 

Easy, because this show is built for one thing and boy howdy is it dang good at it. I’ll be using this shoe for 5ks up to a marathon race. A truly unique aggressive rock and roll feeling underfoot you’ll understand the second you slip the Cielo X1 2.0 on. So the verdict is in: The Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 joins the likes of The Godfather pt. 2, Shrek 2, and Paddington 2 as the greatest sequels of all time. 

Sky’s the Limit. Visit The Running Well Store today to try the Hoka Cielo X1 2.0, or shop online at therunningwellstore.com and get it delivered straight to your door! 

Now for the Specs:  

Price: $274.95 

Drop: 7mm (39mm heel/32mm forefoot) 

Weight: 8.1 oz 

Category: Performance 

About the Author 

Joseph aka “Baby Joseph” has been with The Running Well Store since 2019. He is currently the Inventory Manager but spent 5+ years working the floor as a Guru. He may quite literally own more shoes than everyone in your contacts combined, and that doesn’t stop him from buying more (it’s only an addiction if it’s a problem). An active member of the community you can find Joseph at various group runs, races, and local breweries. If you see Joseph out and about and he’s always willing to talk shoes so feel free to pick his brain!