Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 Review
The Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 is built purely for road racing and faster sessions—think race-day efforts or key workouts leading up to one. With a stack height of 39/32mm, it just slips under the World Athletics limit, making it a legal option for competition.
At first glance—or rather, first step—the shoe feels unstable. The soft Peba midsole, stiff carbon plate, and aggressive rocker create a wobbly sensation when standing still. But that’s the point: these shoes aren’t made for standing. Once you start running, everything clicks into place. The design works with your stride, and the ride feels soft yet energetic. Despite being built for speed, the cushioning is generous enough to protect your legs during long races or workouts.
The standout feature is the curve of the midsole. It’s steep enough that heel striking becomes difficult, encouraging a midfoot landing under your centre of mass. That helps reduce braking forces and promotes a quicker cadence and lower ground contact time. As you move through your stride, the carbon plate loads on landing and then releases energy as you push off, giving you that signature springboard effect.
The shoe naturally encourages a more efficient gait, activating the glutes and hamstrings to help pull the leg back. To really get the most from the Cielo X1 2.0, some basic strength and mobility work—particularly for the hips and posterior chain—will help you stay upright and efficient longer, allowing the shoe to do what it’s designed for.
What’s New in the 2.0?
This update is 20% lighter than the original. That weight saving likely comes from the ultra-light jacquard mesh upper, which is paper-thin in low-stress areas and reinforced where needed. It’s so thin in parts you can see your socks through it. The padding around the heel collar and cup is minimal but improved from version one, giving a bit more comfort and structure.
The heel locks down well once laced, and while the tongue is thin, it’s just padded enough to stop lace pressure. It isn’t gusseted, but a lace loop holds it in place.
Hoka’s also moved the midsole cut-out from the lateral side to the medial side, improving the shoe’s transition from landing to toe-off. The carbon plate still has its winged design through the midfoot, helping guide your foot along the rocker path and making the stride feel smoother.
The drop is technically 7mm, but with the curved shape of the shoe, it doesn’t feel like a traditional drop. You’re always perched forward, ready to roll.
At 228g for a UK men’s size 8, the Cielo X1 2.0 is light—but again, that number doesn’t tell the whole story. Once up to speed, the shoe feels even lighter and actively helps you hold pace. Jogging or running slow? Not its strong suit. But the faster you go, the better it feels. There’s a brief adjustment phase as you speed up or slow down—like the shoe wants to keep you moving.
How It Runs
Best suited to flat courses and straight lines, the Cielo X1 2.0 isn’t particularly agile. Tight corners and wet roads can feel a bit sketchy due to the soft foam and limited ground feel. But the sticky rubber outsole does a solid job of keeping traction. The feel reminds me of the New Balance FuelCell SC Elite v4—soft, bouncy, and a bit detached from the road, but grippy enough once you trust it.
Is It the Right Shoe for You?
That depends on your running style. If you’re a midfoot striker with decent hip extension and a bit of a back-kick, you’ll get the most out of the rocker and plate combo. If your stride is flatter or more shuffle-like, shoes like the Hoka Skyward X or New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v3 might suit you better.
In terms of sizing, Hoka run similar in length to New Balance, Karhu, and Inov-8. If you’re used to Brooks, Saucony, 361, Topo, or Altra, consider going up half a UK size—for example, a UK 11.5 in Hoka is roughly equivalent in length to a UK 11 in Brooks.
Final Thoughts
The Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 is a lighter, more aggressive evolution of the original. It’s a purebred racing shoe designed to feel awkward when you’re not moving—and brilliant when you are. Best reserved for race day and speed-focused efforts, this is a shoe that rewards forward motion.
Other Considerations
New Balance Pacer v2: These feel like a spike with a bit of cushioning and some spring. They are designed as a 5km/10km racing shoe and have some ground feel. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/new-balance-fuelcell-supercomp-pacer-v2-review/
New Balance Supercomp Trainer v3: If you’re not aiming to break three hours for your next marathon then these might be the stable race shoe that gives a bit of propulsion that you are looking for. They are more stable than the really fast carbon plated shoes and don’t require a perfect running gait in order or help you run faster. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/new-balance-fuelcell-supercomp-trainer-v3-review/
Hoka Skyward X: These are similar to the New Balance Supercomp Trainer v3 in that they are made to help the slower runners run fast. They are very stable with a firm and responsive feel to the cushioning. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/hoka-skyward-x-review/
Altra Vanish Carbon 2: Carbon Plated running shoes are designed to replace your feet. Altra have tried to give runners the propulsion of a carbon plated shoe but, also allow for foot function. The Vanish Carbon 2 has a broad rounded toe box to give the feet the space to spread on impact. The carbon plate is flexible to allow for a more natural foot flexion and the midsole isn’t too soft so the foot knows it has touched the floor and therefore gets the message to spread on impact. I found these less strange to run in and they felt like the promoted good running posture. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/altra-vanish-carbon-2-review/
New Balance SC Elite v4: The feel is very similar to the Hoka Cielo x1 2.0 in that the midsole is very soft and the shoes are very bouncy. Like the Cielo the more you can load the plate the more you get back in return. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/new-balance-fuelcell-sc-elite-v4-review/
Brooks Hyperion Elite v4: A firm responsive feel that feels more normal to me. They feel good up and down hills. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/brooks-hyperion-elite-v4-review/
Topo Athletic Specter 2: These are an ‘un-plated’ road racing or faster training runs shoe. They have a broad rounded toe box designed to give the feet the room to function inside the shoes. The fit is broad and roomy. As there is no plate they all the feet to function more than a plated running shoe and they are surprisingly fast. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/topo-athletic-specter-2-review/
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