Hoka Cielo X 1: An Unconventional Supershoe

The Hoka Cielo X 1 has been available to the public for about a week, and it has stirred rhetoric pot on social media among running shoe enthusiasts. Can it be a race day consideration with the weight specs it touts? Does the ride and the fun factor outweigh the weight? I put it through its paces (all of them) to give my opinion.
0:00 Intro
1:00 Road Test
2:09: Shoe Off
6:00 Road test (continued)
11:00 Shoe Talk
As always, please LSD: Like Subscribe, and Ding the 🔔 for notifications. Thanks!
Strava runs in the Cielo X 1:
21 mile LSD: strava.app.link/OHnbV1Gt2Gb
Marathon Pace Testing: strava.app.link/EvmfJfMt2Gb
Ladder/Ladder Workout: strava.app.link/rKECANQt2Gb

[@gregruns]

I just got mine yesterday, I had doubts when opened the box, as they looked huge! They are fitting me just perfectly and I cannot wait to take them our for a spin. Thank you for you videos as always.

[@thecaptainchas2820]

I hope you enjoy them! The shoes, I mean. Thanks for tuning into the channel!

[@manueltan8962]

Great review...

[@thecaptainchas2820]

Thanks for watching!

[@thewildonions]

Well done!

[@thecaptainchas2820]

Thanks!

[@rmsrmsrmsrms]

Sounds like you love it! Far out of my price range, I'll keep an eye out for sales

[@thecaptainchas2820]

Some shoes are tools. Some shoes are toys. Both are good to have. This one’s definitely a toy!

[@stefaniesmith7117]

I’m going to run in mine this morning. So excited ❤

[@thecaptainchas2820]

I’d love to hear what you think about them!

[@stefaniesmith7117]

@@thecaptainchas2820 some of the previous reviews had me worried I wouldn’t be able to get my foot in the shoe, they said it had a tight heel collar. ZERO issues! I don’t know if I love the tongue being so loose, it moves around at the top of the foot easy. That said, I never noticed it during the run. I did intervals of harder effort then a super slow jog to see them at various paces, and they were great for all of them. Up and down on some sidewalks, hit a little gravel, had no issues. I agree with you, it could be a training shoe not just a race shoe. It felt really comfortable.

[@jeremygreenwood2668]

The key usp for me in purchasing this over the Metaspeed Sky Paris is versatility. This shoe feels incredible to run in, I could use it for any race from 10k upwards on the road to using it for track intervals or long easy runs, despite its high cost outlay its probably the best bang for buck supershoe out there right now. Its 3 shoes's in 1.

[@Deluxbreakful]

New subscriber here! Nice Review! Thank you❤

[@thecaptainchas2820]

Thanks for the sub!

[@i.p2088]

Did first 10 k Tempo run in them. I have wide feet and they feel perfect. First Hoka that fits me TTS. They feel very bouncy but they actually reminded me of the Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro V1. Same ride.. Heavier.. More stable.. Like a training partner for the Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro V1. Fist I thought its like Alphafly but the longer I run it felt like a chubby brother of the Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro V1. Definitely not a racing shoe for me. By the way.. I ❤ the laces 🎉.

[@thecaptainchas2820]

The laces might be more polarizing than the actual weight of the shoe.

[@i.p2088]

@@thecaptainchas2820 Absolutely 😎. By the way my run was slower than in the Endorphin Pro 3 etc but now a couple of hours after the run my legs feel like new. My calfs and Achilles tendon discomfort gone 🙏🏻which being over 60 often a bit of a worry.

[@deanb61]

First, I'm a 62 year old Ironman and to be honest, more of a cyclist than a runner, so I'm nowhere near your pace. In the past I've run in the Rocket X2 so I got this to try. First I thought it would be more of a trainer than race day, it's heavier, and more roomy (bigger volume for the same length), but the more I run in it, the less the extra weight bothers me. I think the added springiness cancels out the extra weight. Next, it feels more stable than the Rocket X2, so certainly for Barcelona Ironman, where a lot of the ground is uneven, this wins. Finally, it's a lot easier to get on. The rocket X2 has a really 'sticky' gusset. The Cielo slips on much easier/faster, I'm probably talking 30 seconds saved in T2. oh, and yeah, the laces got binned before I even put it on. As a triathlete I run in elastic laces and they work fine in these.

[@thecaptainchas2820]

Thanks for the feedback! I was thinking it would be a possibly good choice for long course triathletes, but since that’s not my wheelhouse, I couldn’t speculate with as much authority. Glad to have your perspective!

[@NeillyVille]

How do these compare to the Prime X Strung v1? I absolutely loved my pair (750km) fit and lockdown is great with the Strung upper although I had to change the laces cause it was giving me lacebite. Midsole was so fun and bouncy. Is the CX1s midsole the same or even better? For $275 its an expensive super trainer but for the fun you get I hope it's worth it

[@thecaptainchas2820]

I personally think they are way more fun than the Prime X Strung v1. More stable-or I should say less unstable. More bouncy. Better lockdown (after I replaced the original laces). This is a great marathon shoe that would appeal to the people who like the Prime X series.

[@briansleepylee]

Appreciate your thoughts and comments! I am going to run my first road ultra (60km) and this shoes sits high on my list. I think between this and the next version of the Superblast (if one is coming out)

[@thecaptainchas2820]

I’ve heard rumors about the Superblast 2, but no idea on the timeline. Or on whether the Flytefoam Turbo will be softer as is rumored. But if it were between the Cielo X 1 and the current Superblast, I personally would go with the Cielo. Both are solid options though.

[@DaviCupra]

Hi, would they be good for 10km races? I mostly do short races. Thanks!

[@thecaptainchas2820]

Depends. For some people, sure. They can handle faster race paces, but I would probably reach for something a little lighter for a 10k. What do you use for 10k now?

[@DaviCupra]

@@thecaptainchas2820 i have been mostly using Saucony Endorphin Speed 2, but i have also used my Nike Vaporfly 2 and Saucony Endorphin Pro 3. I just asked because i really like the look of those Cielo X 1, might get them :) Thanks!

[@McLeod573]

Great shoe comparison 👌 I don’t think that I’m gonna buy the CieloX1 because I ve already got the primeXstrung V1 that I like but really unstable on the heel and my superblast that I really like too for cruising ..I still have 3 pairs of AfV2 lol which are my best shoes for training now since I got the V3. I d really like to get a pair of RocketX2 … cheers from 🇫🇷😜 what are your sunglasses ? They look great …Ockley? 🤔

[@thecaptainchas2820]

Thanks! They are GOODR Wrap-G frames. Several different colors and styles in that frame type here: goodr.com/collections/wrap-gs

[@i.p2088]

If wide forefoot possible to go down half a size?

[@thecaptainchas2820]

I don’t think the forefoot is all that wide. I’d be careful about sizing down in this one.

[@NateCrail]

How does it compare to the Adios Pro 3?

[@thecaptainchas2820]

They are quite different as far as supershoes go. The Cielo X 1 feels much bouncier and like it’s one big rocker. The Adios Pro 3 feels more like you’re landing on a stable platform and then rolling off the forefoot. In the Hoka, I feel like the foam is the energetic element and the plate adds stability. In the adidas, I feel like the energy rods are the springy element and the Lightstrike Pro foam augments them. Both are shoes for the marathon or half marathon, but I’d probably reach for the adidas for something flat and fast and the Hoka for something hillier and/or longer.

[@fidelbanuelos9601]

Which do you think is the most stable? The Cielo or adidas adios pro 3? Thanks.

[@thecaptainchas2820]

Probably the adios Pro 3. If you don’t mind those geometric cutouts in the midsole to see the energy rods.

[@fidelbanuelos9601]

@thecaptainchas2820 thanks for the quick reply. I have the adidas pro 3 and like it a lot and was wondering how the Hoka compared to it.

[@thecaptainchas2820]

@@fidelbanuelos9601 the Cielo is definitely more energetic, but the rocker effect is totally different. And the midsole foams have different properties, as well as the carbon stiffening agents. If the adios pro 3 works well for you, the Cielo X 1 might be more of a novelty.

[@fidelbanuelos9601]

@thecaptainchas2820 thanks, again!

[@tritwinsmom4024]

Can you remove the insole?

[@thecaptainchas2820]

Just checked. Yes you can indeed remove the insole. It appears that the top of the softer layer of peba foam is directly beneath the insole.

[@toogoodtobeshoe1748]

How are these with mild pronators? Are they manageable?

[@thecaptainchas2820]

I over pronate a good bit and I have not had any problems with them. The high midsole and rockered geometry don’t really lend themselves to stability, but the winged carbon fiber plate is pretty rigid (more so than other CF plates) and helps keep things in control.

[@toogoodtobeshoe1748]

@@thecaptainchas2820awesome thanks for letting me know.

[@i.p2088]

Same size as endorphin Pro 3?

[@thecaptainchas2820]

Yes. Same as EP3 and same as all the other shows in this video.

[@13lars]

Prime x or cielo?

[@thecaptainchas2820]

For me, Cielo X 1 all day. Prime X is fun though.

[@cleric1220]

Do you have wide feet?

[@thecaptainchas2820]

Nope. Regular sized feet.