Hoka One One Cielo X1 Introduction
Hoka is a model that’s been constructed on large cushioning. The Clifton and Bondi, their two hottest trainers are bestsellers as a result of their thick, rockered midsoles present deep cushioning and good consolation for each strolling and operating. On a latest journey to the States, I used to be shocked by the sheer variety of folks sporting Hokas for informal put on.
The Cielo X1 is one other Hoka operating shoe which follows the Hoka template of a mega-thick sole with a rocker. It’s nevertheless one of many few Hokas to make use of PEBA foam- most of them use EVA.
The Cielo X1 doesn’t substitute the Rocket X sequence. It’s one other long-distance racing choice within the Hoka vary. The Rocket X 2 was considered one of my favorite top-tier racers of the previous 2 years so I’ve excessive hopes for the Cielo X1.
The Cielo X1 seems to be just like the sort of operating shoe I’d have designed if I had carte blanche. It has the maxed-out stack top midsole, the aggressive forefoot rocker, and the outsole protection to make it sturdy sufficient for coaching.
It’s on the heavy aspect for a racer at 9.3 oz (264 g) for a males’s US9. The Rocket X2 is just 8.3 oz (236 g). It has a drop of seven mm, which is increased than most Hokas- the usual for Hoka is 5 mm. It additionally is available in at a sky excessive worth of $275, the similar worth because the Endorphin Elite.
Hoka One One Cielo X1 First Impressions
My first run was 23 kilometres at my regular tempo. This was on the tail finish of a 141 kilometre week so my legs have been useless drained. That run was nonetheless actually pleasant.
I preferred how a lot cushioning it had and the way comfortable it felt. I additionally loved the excessive degree of power return and the ahead rolling transitions.
The issues I didn’t like have been the thick, heat higher and the dearth of aggression throughout transitions. The trip felt very relaxed- extra like a cruiser than a racer.
It jogged my memory of the Wave Insurrection Professional 2 which has an aggressive heel bevel.
It additionally jogged my memory of the Prime X due to its thick large midsole however the Prime X rocker felt much more aggressive.
Hoka One One Cielo X1 Higher
The Cielo X1’s relaxed higher feels extra like a coaching higher than a racing one. The fabric that the higher is comprised of appears like a thick knit. Throughout my long term, my toes felt actually heat they usually began sweating profusely so breathability just isn’t good.
There are double first row eyelets to make use of a runner’s knot and an additional row of eyelets to customize the match. I had to make use of a runner’s knot and cinch the laces actually tight to get lockdown. I additionally used the second row of eyelets (the outer rows) to get a greater match as a result of my toes are slender.
The laces are paying homage to thick ribbons that you just use to wrap a gift. I didn’t have any points with them they usually by no means got here undone throughout any of my runs. They’re a bit unorthodox however no less than they don’t fray after a pair runs like some racing laces.
There are massive reflective panels on the heel for security and there’s additionally a tongue pull tab to make it simpler to place the shoe on.
It has a very accommodating match with a roomy forefoot. Runners preferring a cosy racing match can go down a half measurement however I acquired it true to measurement and it suits effectively with medium or thick socks. It’s appropriate for vast toes.
Hoka One One Cielo X1 Sole Unit
The Cielo X1 is Hoka’s most cushioned operating shoe thus far. The double layer of dual-density PEBA in its midsole offers essentially the most cushioning I’ve skilled in a racer thus far and it mutes all floor really feel.
The heel stack top feels greater than 40 mm and the listed stack top on Working Warehouse is 46 mm however by some means Hoka managed to get it World Athletics accepted for competing in.
Bouncy is the very best phrase to explain the kind of cushioning within the Cielo X1. The formulation of PEBA that Hoka makes use of is softer than different manufacturers, even Nike’s ZoomX.
Hoka’s PEBA has a slower rebound than ZoomX or Lightstrike Professional so it feels extra bouncy quite than explosive. It has a softer, extra compressive layer of froth on the highest with a firmer foam on the backside for stability. That is the other of the Alphafly and it creates a plusher step-in really feel.
The Cielo X1 doesn’t really feel as quick because the top-tier racers. The two major causes are its carbon fibre plate and its hefty weight.
The winged plate within the Cielo X1 is extra versatile than the plates in different racers. For instance, the Saucony Endorphin Elite– it additionally has a excessive toe-spring however its forefoot rocker feels much more aggressive attributable to its stiffer plate. This interprets to punchier toe-offs and a sooner trip.
To me, the Cielo X1 feels extra like a long-distance cruiser than a racer. I did a 32 kilometre coaching run within the X1: 20 kilometres regular, 12 kilometres tempo. The regular part felt comfy however within the final 12 kilometres I needed to put a variety of effort into growing my tempo. It feels essentially the most comfy doing simple runs, regular runs, and lengthy, relaxed runs exceeding 25 kilometres.
For tempo and threshold runs, it feels too cumbersome and boat-like. For runners concentrating on 3 hours 30 or slower for a full marathon, the Cielo X1 will likely be an awesome alternative. For something sooner, a firmer, lighter racer is required.
As a heel striker, the Cielo X1’s geometry works rather well for me. The complete-length, heel-to-toe rocker makes transitions really feel tremendous clean and it makes it simple to get right into a rhythm. That is what makes it such an awesome long term shoe.
Stability is first rate contemplating how tall the midsole is and what number of cutouts there are in it. The lateral midsole cutout of the Cielo X1 works so much higher for me than the medial cutout like within the Prime X Strung model 1. I are likely to roll inwards, so it’s higher that there’s extra help on the medial aspect. It feels extra steady than the Prime X model 1 and the Wave Insurrection Professional 2.
Cielo X1 is common for a racer on the subject of sturdiness. The comfortable outsole rubber is thick and it covers all of the excessive put on areas nevertheless it does put on down fairly quick and there’s a variety of clean rubber on the lateral heel of my pair after 80 kilometres. This shoe remains to be sturdy sufficient for coaching and racing although. I didn’t check it in moist circumstances however I don’t assume traction will likely be a difficulty as a result of the outsole rubber has a ribbed sample on it.
Hoka One One Cielo X1 Conclusions
On the 2024 US Olympic Trials for the marathon, 6 Hoka NAZ Elite athletes participated. 5 of them wore the Rocket X2, and just one selected to put on the Cielo X1. I’d additionally choose the Rocket X2 over the Cielo to race a marathon in.
I’m a bit disillusioned with the Cielo X1 as a result of on paper, it has the potential to be an impressive racer. It’s simply too heavy and too comfortable for racing. A few of the cushioning will be eliminated to make it lighter; this a lot cushioning feels overkill for the marathon distance.
You may clearly see that the Adidas Prime X impressed the Cielo X1. The Adidas tremendous shoe feels sooner although attributable to its firmer trip, its tremendous stiff forefoot and its aggressive rocker. The Cielo X1 is over an oz lighter than the Prime X 2 nevertheless it doesn’t really feel as “particular”.
I’ll proceed utilizing the Cielo X1 for lengthy coaching runs so it’s going to keep in my rotation. It has a design that retains my legs feeling contemporary throughout lengthy runs and helps me get well a lot sooner afterwards. I gained’t be racing in it as a result of I desire firmer, lighter and stiffer footwear for racing.
Then there’s the worth. $275 is method an excessive amount of for a shoe that fits long-distance coaching runs greater than races so I wouldn’t advocate it except you’re aiming for a 3:30 marathon time or slower and you want uber-soft cushioning.
