The Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 is back with a big promise: lighter, bouncier, and faster than before. After the debut of the original version, I was curious to see if Hoka had delivered something that felt like a true race day shoe. I liked the original but it felt more like a fast trainer versus an elite marathon racing shoe.
I’ve been running in Hoka for over a decade, so I was excited. At $275, it needs to bring something special to the table. Is it worth the price? Is it finally fast enough to compete with top-tier super shoes? I laced up for some workouts to find out.
I digress. Before trying the Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 I had a few questions:
- Is the Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 fast? Yes, it’s been updated to be the fastest shoe from Hoka
- Is the Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 worth the price? That’s tough. At $275, it’s one of the more expensive carbon plated shoes but it has gotten a lot faster.
- Does the Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 fit true to size? It’s more narrow than most people expect. It’s a good idea to either size up or try it on beforehand.
- Is the Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 stable like the original version? No, it’s actually lost the stability that many people came to know and love.
Now, let’s get into an honest review of the Hoka Cielo X1 2.0.
Quick Facts
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Weight: 7.4 oz (210 g)
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Stack Height: 46 mm heel / 39 mm forefoot
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Price: $275
Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 Upper and Fit
The upper on the Cielo X1 2.0 is one of the best upgrades from version 1. It’s now a thinner, lighter engineered jacquard mesh that breathes better and keeps the foot locked in without excess bulk. I was a little bit worried that the tongue isn’t gusseted, but it stays in place thanks to a lace loop. Padding at the heel and collar adds some comfort, though the fit is noticeably narrower than the previous version.
The best running shoes disappear off your feet, and the Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 does just that.
As mentioned, I was concerned with the width of the Hoka Cielo X1 2.0. It’s not narrow, but the fit is way more narrow than previous versions. I bounce between needing a wide and not, and I think if my feet were any wider, I wouldn’t be able to fit into it. Other than that, it’s comfortable and it fits and feels good.
In running shoes, I wear between a women’s size 10–11 wide and have found the size 11 to be the best fit. If a wide option was available, I would do that. If you have wider feet, you may find you need to size a full size up from your running shoe size (no it won’t look like clown shoes).
Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 Ride
The midsole is where the magic happens, and Hoka has made some big changes to the Cielo. Version 2 gets a softer PEBA foam that feels more responsive and bouncy, especially at faster paces. It feels a lot more bouncy than the previous versions. What is the cost? There is less stability.
The original Cielo was one of the more stable carbon-plated shoes out there, but that isn’t the case with the Hoka Cielo X1 2.0. Hoka shifted the midsole cutout from the lateral to the medial side, and paired with a narrow midfoot and heel, the shoe becomes far less forgiving for anyone who needs support. If you relied on the original Cielo for a bit of stability, you can’t do that with the new one. Is the lack of stability a dealbreaker? No, because there are very few carbon-plated shoes that are stable (but that’s also the reason many runners who needed stability looked towards the original Cielo). I don’t think the Cielo owed anyone anything to be stable, but the fact is many runners who needed support found the original Cielo to be the most stable.
Off the stability tangent, the early-stage rocker starts sooner and feels more aggressive. That, combined with a softer midsole, creates a springier ride. I’ve felt it’s much more responsive.
Where does the Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 fit into my rotation? Like any carbon-plated running shoe, it’s a workout and race day shoe. I don’t want to use it for anything else. I’ve found it to respond well to faster paces, and it feels a lot faster to me. I appreciate that! I think it’s a lot more competitive in the carbon plated shoe market now. It’s fast and responsive and it feels more like a race day shoe then a fast trainer. Thank you Hoka!
Outsole
The outsole uses a sticky rubber that performs well in dry conditions but doesn’t have the best traction when wet. Overall, it’s fine, but if you were running on a slick surface, it may not be my first pick.
There’s decent coverage for durability, and the overall build quality is solid. You could feasibly use this shoe for racing and some faster training runs without worrying too much about wear. Most carbon-plated shoes last between 50 and 100 miles, and I think the Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 will be closer to 100.
Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 Conclusion
After several runs, I can say the Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 is a big step forward but it’s not for everyone. It’s softer, lighter, and feels way more like a race shoe than version 1. But that comes with a trade-off: it’s unstable, especially for anyone who needs support or rolls inward even slightly. If you’re an efficient, neutral runner looking for a responsive, rockered ride on race day, this could be a fun option. If not, there are better choices out there. For me, it’s been a good shoe and I appreciate that it’s faster.
Who Should Buy the Hoka Cielo X1 2.0?
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Runners with a neutral gait and strong lower-leg mechanics
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Athletes looking for a lighter, more responsive update from the original Cielo X1
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Elite or sub-elite racers who prefer softer, aggressive rockered rides
Who Should Not Buy the Hoka Cielo X1 2.0?
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Overpronators or runners who need any kind of stability
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Anyone looking for maximum propulsion or value at this price point
My Current Shoe Rotation:
Easy/Daily Runs: Salomon Aero Glide 3, Mizuno Neo Zen, Topo Magnifly 5, Antepes Muscle Runners, adidas Adizero Evo SL, Newton Gravity 12, ASICS Superblast 2
Long Runs: Topo Specter 2, 361 Degrees Eleos Shoe Review
Trail Running/Hiking: 361 Futura, Speedland SL: PDX, Hoka Tecton X 3
Races/Speedwork: Adidas adizero adios pro 4, 361 Degrees Furious Future 2.0, ASICS Metaspeed Edge Paris, Puma Fast-R Elite 3, Nike Streakfly 2, Nike Vaporfly 4
Curious about how I do gear reviews? You can read about that here.
You Can See All Current Shoe Reviews Here.
Looking to learn more about running shoes? In my ebook, I talk about why you need a good running shoe, a shoe’s anatomy, neutral vs. stable, and even myths of running shoes.
Questions for you:
Have you tried Hoka?
What is your favorite race day shoe?