Hoka One One Cielo X1 2.0 Introduction
The unique Cielo X1 was a flop. It was designed to be the tip of the Hoka racing spear, the flagship Hoka tremendous racer- their model of the Alphafly. Nevertheless, most Hoka elite runners nonetheless selected the cheaper Rocket X 2 to race in, which was lighter, smoother and felt sooner than the Cielo X1.
The issue with the Cielo X1 was its weight, 9.3 oz (264 g) for a males’s US9. To place this right into a perspective, the Nike Alphafly 3 and the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 each weigh a mere 7 oz (198 g). This makes a giant distinction over the marathon distance.
Once I reviewed the Cielo X1 final yr, I mentioned that it felt extra like a long-run coach than a racer. I additionally felt that its carbon plate was too versatile for a racer. It didn’t really feel like a particular shoe, contemplating its $275 value.
Hoka usually takes their time with new variations, updating their widespread footwear each 2 years as an alternative of yearly which is usually the trade customary. The Clifton, Bondi and Rocket X get updates roughly each 2 years. It’s solely been a yr for the reason that Cielo X1 has been out so I feel they knew that the primary model wasn’t adequate.
This yr’s Cielo X1 2.0 weighs 8.1 oz (230 g), a major lower. It has the identical stack top as its predecessor, which Operating Warehouse lists as 46 mm/39 mm nonetheless the way in which that World Athletics measures stack heights clears it for official World Athletics races. Its value remains to be $275.
Hoka One One Cielo X1 2.0 First Impressions
I put the Cielo X1 2.0 by its paces on the primary run. I did a 42 kilometre coaching run starting from regular effort all the way in which to marathon effort. It wanted no break-in interval and the higher was supremely comfy for the whole run.
I used to be stunned how totally different it felt to its predecessor. It felt like a racer and never a coach anymore. I felt extra vitality return from the midsole foam and it was straightforward to extend my tempo.
The opposite factor that I seen was how unstable the slim midfoot and heel made the trip really feel. It was much more unstable in comparison with the primary model. I discovered myself having to decelerate considerably when going round corners.
The shoe that it jogged my memory of was the Mizuno Wave Rebel Professional 3, one other very unstable racer with a slim midfoot/rearfoot and aggressive heel bevel. The Cielo X1 2.0 was barely extra secure and simpler to run in.
Hoka One One Cielo X1 2.0 Higher
The brand new higher is likely one of the the reason why the Cielo X1 2.0 feels extra like a racer than a coach. It’s fabricated from a brand new engineered jacquard mesh which is way thinner, lighter and extra breathable.
The flat tongue is just not gusseted however it doesn’t slide round due to the lace loop on it. There’s additionally padding on the within of the heel tab and collar to forestall any chafing or heel slippage. General, it’s a really comfy racing higher.
On the subject of match, the Cielo X1 2.0 is true to dimension however it’s designed for slim ft. It’s not as roomy and accommodating as model 1 so runners with large ft might want to go up a half dimension.
Hoka One One Cielo X1 2.0 Sole Unit
Except the Wave Rebel Professional 1/2/3, the Cielo X1 2.0 is essentially the most unstable racer I’ve ever run in. The design of it simply doesn’t go well with my working mechanics.
One of many large adjustments they’ve made is that they’ve moved the midsole cutout from the lateral facet to the medial facet. This leads to much less help on the medial facet and it encourages my ankles to roll excessively inward. It has additionally turn into much less heel-strike pleasant as a result of the rearfoot is a lot narrower.
The opposite motive it feels so unstable is its aggressive meta-rocker. Each the heel and the forefoot curve upwards. The only real is formed like a “U” and there’s a little or no portion of the outsole that’s involved with the bottom. With model 2, the forefoot rocker begins even sooner than its predecessor.
Runners underestimate how a lot vitality is used to stabilise the ft all through the whole thing of a marathon. Once you’re working in an unstable shoe just like the Cielo X1 2.0, it places a ton of additional stress on the decrease legs. That’s why I really feel Saucony additionally made a mistake with the tremendous mushy Endorphin Elite 2.
The Cielo X1 2.0 is now geared extra in the direction of elite runners than informal runners due to the decrease leg power and glorious working type required to run in it. Should you require even a tiny little bit of help, it’s worthwhile to keep far-off from the Cielo X1 2.0.
The Cielo X1 2.0 is greatest suited to quick paces under 4 minutes per kilometre (6:26 per mile). For me, that’s threshold tempo or sooner so it really works greatest for intervals and threshold exercises after I’m up on my toes.
The trip of the X1 2.0 is softer than the primary model. It feels just like the PEBA foam is a decrease density; it compresses extra simply. I additionally discover extra rebound in comparison with the midsole of v1. That is a side of the Cielo that Hoka has improved.
The carbon plate within the Cielo X1 2.0 has some flexibility. It’s extra versatile than the plates within the Rocket X 2, Alphafly 3 and Wave Rebel Professional 3. This leads to a forefoot rocker which isn’t as punchy as in different racers, regardless that its rocker begins early and its toe-spring is excessive.
The Cielo X1 2.0 has a sticky rubber outsole that gives respectable grip in dry situations however struggles with traction on easy, moist surfaces. It’s the rain season right here in Malaysia and it wasn’t enjoyable to make use of whereas it was raining.
The construct high quality and sturdiness are higher than the typical racer so you should use the Cielo X1 2.0 for racing in addition to coaching. The midsole foam doesn’t puncture or chip as simply as different racing midsoles. There’s additionally good rubber protection on the outsole.
Hoka One One Cielo X1 2.0 Conclusions
The Cielo X1 2.0 is lighter and extra energetic for positive however would I decide it over the primary model? No, I don’t assume so. With a purpose to reduce weight, they’ve sacrificed plenty of stability and the X1 2.0 is now one of the vital unstable racers in the marketplace.
The Cielo X1 2.0 feels prefer it was designed for elite or sub elite runners with distinctive working type. The slower you run, the extra unstable it feels. The Rocket X 3, which is popping out later this yr could possibly be the Hoka racer for the lots with the Cielo X1 2.0 the choice for the quick runners.
In comparison with the competitors, the Cielo X1 2.0 doesn’t really feel as quick. Whereas the PEBA midsole foam is excellent, it loses pace by its instability and its versatile carbon plate. I received’t be racing in it as a result of I overpronate an excessive amount of. I additionally favor a late stage forefoot rocker, just like the one within the Rocket X 2 as a result of it creates extra of a springboard impact.
At $275, it’s one of the vital costly racers in the marketplace; nonetheless, its efficiency doesn’t warrant its excessive value. It doesn’t present as a lot pace help because the top-tier racers. I might nonetheless decide the Rocket X 2 over the Cielo X1 2.0 due to its larger degree of stability and its stiffer, extra propulsive carbon plate.