Hoka Cielo X1 vs. Hoka Rocket X 2 | Between Two Shoes

Thomas and Meaghan lounge in the common room and talk about the differences and preferences between the Hoka Cielo X1 and Hoka Rocket X 2. Both feature Peba midsoles, both feature carbon fiber plates, both feature a heavy rocker. And yet, they're wildly different. Find out why.
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Hoka Cielo X1 ➡ believeintherun.com/shoe-revi...
Hoka Rocket X 2 ➡ believeintherun.com/shoe-revi...
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[@StefanTerndrup]

Rocket X2 is my race day shoe for my 10k and half marathons at the moment.

[@locomike102]

Me too, the X2 is probably my favorite shoe ever, but I'm going to get the Ceilo too... It's just money....

[@JeepinNation]

I was curious about these compared to the rockets and you didn't disappoint. I've never really been a Hoka fan but I've been looking at their racers lately

[@bigredactionsportsstuff1245]

I just got the Cielo’s, and they have ruined every other shoe for me. They are the softest, springiest, most “fun” shoe I’ve ever had. It’s like I’m subscribed to a premium version of running. Everything feels effortless in these, my zone 2 pace went from an 8:00min/mi to 7:40min/mi.

[@channguyen3765]

Well said, feel exactly the same 😅

[@stefaniesmith7117]

Same!!

[@danielhillshafer5456]

Same. I describe it as "like running with a cheat code."

[@ironmantooltime]

I run treadmill on an old pair of Vaporfly but may grab some of these for my easy road miles 😂

[@danielhillshafer5456]

Just a few runs in and I'm already such a fan of the Cielo X1. The bounce and rocker are out of this world. It makes runs feel effortless. No doubt I'm going to wear it for multiple marathons this year.

[@davidyangonzalez6660]

Great review guys. When I tried the Cielo last week, I honetly believe that it would make a favorite fun "all purpose" shoe for me, and most likely my next purchase will be between the new Cielo and the soon to be out Cloudmonster 2, which still reigns as my best "all around" shoe in my rotation.

[@Manuel-901]

A good comparison as ever. I am not a fast runner, I prefer the Hoka carbon x3. Like to Meaghan and Thomas from Spain 🇪🇸. Have a great day.

[@jj5249]

When I got to try the Cielo, I felt that if you have never bit the bullet and spent the money on a true race day shoe, it would be a great first time buy for a race day shoe. Great fit, feel and as you say, 'fun'. Also great if you are just a casual runner and out to have fun and focused more on just trying to challenge yourself. It's fun all around and so dang fast. I felt like I had rockets attached to my feet. I love my New Balance V3's, but if I needed a new race day shoe, I know I would be looking at the Cielo. I would be interested to try the Rocket. I tried last years version and was less than thrilled with it for me, but I would try this one.

[@mikesanders4355]

Great job on the comparison! Thanks for the info!

[@Believeintherun]

Thanks for watching!

[@Lee-mx5li]

Great job on analysis

[@MrGustavosco]

Looking sharp, Tommy! Love the outfit.

[@charliipresley]

Cielo looks great! Can’t wait for it to go on clearance so I can have a new daily trainer :)

[@markhill8590]

Rocket X2 perfect for 5k/10k Cielo X1 Half/full marathon 👌

[@witarzan]

Interesting! I heaed Rocket X2 is lighter than Cielo X1 so some people use them in longer races like half/full marathon.

[@inkysteve1967]

Brought the cielo x1 raced a 5mile and pB’d loved it and I’ve brought the rocket x2 because Hoka have smashed it! My pro 3’s feel flat in comparison and I loved them!

[@stefaniesmith7117]

I had zero issues getting my foot in. The way some of the reviews were written I thought it would be a surgical procedure lol. The tongue does take a sec to be flattened out though. I love this shoe, the upper works so well for my wide foot. It’s just comfortable. The shoe laces are weird but once they were tied and knotted like I normally do, I didn’t think of them again. I definitely want to run in the Cielo again!

[@TheHutchRuns]

Great video, I love the Rocket X2 for shorter races but would go Alphafly 3 for longer

[@canadianaviator9422]

110% agree with you. Did not like Cielo X1very much, I fount it to be a little stiff in the forefoot.

[@thejeffinvade]

"Run a marathon for fun" 😂

[@benstevens1718]

Really keen to see if anyone has managed to take the Salomon S-Lab Spectur to it's intended length yet (assuming other have not chucked it in the dryer...) & what it's rotation pairings may be.

[@luismuro2939]

I ran the Mesa Marathon in the Hoka Cielo X1 and I would recommend it over any shoe. The upper is extremely comfortable and fits you like a sock. I feel like hoka used the extra weight to make it a better race day experience. The shoe is so energetic that you never feel the weight. I dissagree with their assessment. Also, the laces don't feel like you regualar laces but they do the job. They never get untide. I am a midfoot runner and loved the rocker feel.

[@ShrutiSVyas]

* Thomas "I have to say" Neuberger * Great vid as always!

[@JeepinNation]

I feel like New Balance, Saucony and Asics have done the best jobs putting together a comparable trainer to their race day shoe's. I mean the idea is to wear a trainer that's a little heavier with a comparable ride to what you would race in, then on race day you throw that much lighter race shoe on. Personally I think New Balance has done the best job over the past year of making a trainer that's very much close to the same as it's race day shoe.

[@nicolaibachkatoff6500]

it would be nice to see a "between two shoes" with alphafly3 versus the 1

[@ksteege]

wooo #500 like haha... I feel like the shoe that from my own feelings having it on for a super short time - and the reviews this is reminding me of a lot is NB SC Trainer V1 - bouncy and fun and a little bit crazy and unpredictable! SO I think that would be a great Between 2 Shoes!

[@jeffe.3453]

Any review on the new TYR Valkyrie elite carbon in the horizon?

[@albertgallanosa8600]

Waiting for Hoka Pebax Trail runners

[@babibakar]

Any recommendation on how to lace the cielo x1? It always loosen up every 5 mins

[@sneakergearz]

How would the Ceilo compare to the Mach X?

[@jeanlee28]

Thanks for the review, Thomas and Megan! Actually, I've been really enjoying Hoka Rocket X2 for a year and am waiting for Rocket X3. My question is if Cielo X1 is heavier than New Balance SC trainer (original version, NOT 2).

[@Believeintherun]

Lighter than the SC Trainer

[@jansmith8909]

Do a track spikes review please

[@michaeltanel3815]

When you do these comparisons (Meg)...are you checking your times or just going by feel? There have been times that I've felt a shoe didn't FEEL as fast but looking at my data it always produced better results. A "legal" Strung 2 sounds like it would be a no brainer for maintaining you late in a race. Weight can't be the only reason when the AF is right there high on the weight lists?

[@Over.40.runner]

So many comments about the Cielo x1 being similar to the prime x strung 2,… so why not a between two shoes for them, and what about big dude approved or not? I’m 220lbs and would love to know the bigger guy opinion

[@AR9ify]

Very interesting take. Great session. 👏👍

[@justin3017]

Between two shoes: Endo Soeed 4 v Rebel 4 please.

[@WalkingCaptain]

Firstly, amazing trousers Meg. I just noticed how competitive and focused Meg is. When Meg said if she laced for a PR, the screen became brighter! She stole all the awesomeness from Tomas!

[@jimoconnor8597]

I LOVE the OG Prime X/Prime X Strung for marathon training miles so I'm thinking the Cielo X will fit right into my rotation for training. Seems like there is more stability, certainly a bet fit than the OG Prime X and similar durability so has to be a winner. I will say we probably won't see the price breaks though like we did from Adidas. The 3 pairs I have were only $150 each vs $300.

[@runnin3216]

I doubt that outsole is going to hold up as well as Continental. 750 on my OG Prime X and the outsole still looks great as the midsole is finally starting to feel dead at the end of longer runs.

[@jimoconnor8597]

@@runnin3216 Luckily I have 3 pairs to rotate through with 300 or so on each rn. I'm a light, efficient runner so probably could get double that amount or more but will retire at 400. I retire my shoes prior to running into any issues with the midsole/outsole as I have the opportunity to run in 15-20 pairs at any time.

[@BrendanWise-ze6ih]

Need a Boston 12 vs speed. 4

[@soulcamper7944]

I’m a bigger guy runner. Do you think Ceilo might be a race day shoe for bigger runners? *I can’t do any of the Nike.

[@Believeintherun]

Yes

[@ianpayton3639]

Sadly the Cielo x1 is nothing more than a pricey super-daily. I hope they address the weight issue next time. Back to Saucony for me for the 26.2

[@LyJoyRuns]

If I’m paying $275 I want to take them to the start line. Alpha Fly all day everyday. There is a reason why the top elites still wear the OG’s 4 years after they were released.

[@tomekb4gin5ki]

Yeah, exactly. The price should be closer to $200 for a good trainer shoe.

[@RNeden]

"Getting your foot in there is a whole situation" = my feeling each time I put my Vibram 5 Fingers on...

[@starelamparo1212]

How does Cielo X1 compare to Alphafly3

[@witarzan]

I've tried both of those. Alphafly is much narrower. I personally prefer Cielo x1.

[@bananadude9642]

Experimental is 💯

[@Ginguredrunner]

Sounds like the Ceilo X1 is a perfect shoe for a marathon for most of us average runners.

[@TolunayOrkun]

Soucony Endorphin Pro 4 and Adidas Adios Pro 3 are also perfect for average runners at $60 to $35 dollars less. You are not actually getting anything more for that price.

[@charlesjolley700]

I am not sure the Cielo X1 is worth the price tag

[@Fozzee.1970]

Is any trainer?

[@charlesjolley700]

Some are, but thanks!

[@rodela2213]

I still prefer the Rocket X2

[@marrlo121]

Put your thumb over Thomas's face and he looks like Bob Saget (RIP). Thomas mustve been dressed for a special occasion/event lol

[@Brandonlcosta]

If Jim Walmsley did another 100k WR attempt he would definitely be wearing these

[@TolunayOrkun]

He would probably pick a lighter shoe. The additional weight adds up, especially at the Ultra distances. Unlike HOKA positioning Rocket X1 as a short range 10K/HM shoe, Rocket X1 is still a better shoe for racing a marathon.

[@Brandonlcosta]

@@TolunayOrkun They would both work for the 100k distance. I have done 35+ mile long runs in my pair of Cielo X and the weight is made up for by the efficiency of the geometry and foam.

[@JaySizz]

Between two shoes I'll never be able to afford....... thank you.

[@JaySizz]

Gotta love how Hoka doesn't allow discounts on their shoes at major retailers, even during the big sales while everything else in the store can be had at 20% off... They aren't nearly that special 🤣 Truly the most overpriced shoes out there for what you're getting.

[@alb.1911]

Apparently Meaghan don't know how to loosen the laces before wear the shoes... 🤣🤷‍♂️

[@normanzielke6108]

Looks to me like Glideride on steroids... Could be a valid option for Ironman.

[@OneTouch1980]

Shouldn't race day feel fun? The big issue today is all "programming" we are being hit with from all the brands and reviews about what IS a race day shoe. I don't think weight should be a major sticking point. How many people race with their phone on them? There's close to 7oz of weight. How about a watch? Another 2-4oz. Any guys with metal rings? Another 0.5oz. If it really is about weight then run with no tech and super light clothes and then you can run with any shoe because you just dropped almost 12oz of weight, now you can fly out there. Run in what is fun not what the brands say is the only shoe for "race day".

[@JeepinNation]

I like racing in good gear and light gear. I don't carry my phone or wear my wedding ring during a race. I race in Half tights and racing tanks and shedding weight was one of the reasons I switched back to the Garmin Forerunner 955 and stopped wearing my Garmin Fenix pro 7. Weight matters but you also need to know your pace. An ounce of weight heavier on race day is a huge difference

[@taylorsmith6143]

All the elites are running nude these days

[@Feanaro5503]

I don't wear my watch on my feet.

[@jimoconnor8597]

Agree but also weight on your feet makes a difference vs weight on your body. Plenty of scientific studies out there showing the efficiency "cost" for ounces on the feet. Swinging them back and forth with more weight comes at a big cost. That said, unless you are an elite, running for your career, maybe fun should be the biggest focus.

[@ChrisLoudon-xs9lj]

​@@JeepinNationcame here to make the same points. If you're not bothered about weight or what the brands tell you about race shoes then you probably don't need race shoes and that marketing is not aimed at you - so save your money!

[@m.topfer]

I don't get it - who would spend 275$ on Cielo X? All that "if you have just a single shoe" or "all purpose fun shoe" stops making sense when you start thinking about the price. Anyone spending that much on a shoe has probably some much cheaper shoe for majority of their runs (otherwise they are just throwing money out of the window). If the arguments would be "more stable for heavier runners" or "better suited for the mechanics of ~4h marathoners" - than there is a market. Basically similar to where Saucony Kinvara Pro or Salomon S/lab Spectur. But already Asics Superblast is ridiculously expensive at 200$ and asking for 275$ for a shoe from that category is simply too much.

[@samuelrice7684]

*off topic* Wouldn’t mind an updated Big Dude approved race day shoe as we enter into spring marathon season + who doesn’t love some @herm.runs