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. Nonetheless, 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.
After 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 worth.
Hoka usually takes their time with new variations, updating their well-liked footwear each 2 years as a substitute of yearly which is often the business customary. The Clifton, Bondi and Rocket X get updates roughly each 2 years. It’s solely been a yr because the Cielo X1 has been out so I believe they knew that the primary model wasn’t ok.
This yr’s Cielo X1 2.0 weighs 8.1 oz (230 g), a big lower. It has the identical stack peak as its predecessor, which Operating Warehouse lists as 46 mm/39 mm nonetheless the best way that World Athletics measures stack heights clears it for official World Athletics races. Its worth remains to be $275.
Hoka One One Cielo X1 2.0 First Impressions
I put the Cielo X1 2.0 by means of its paces on the primary run. I did a 42 kilometre coaching run starting from regular effort all the best way to marathon effort. It wanted no break-in interval and the higher was supremely comfy for the whole run.
I used to be shocked how completely 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 Riot 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 made from a brand new engineered jacquard mesh which is far thinner, lighter and extra breathable.
The flat tongue will not be gusseted nevertheless 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 nevertheless 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
Excluding the Wave Riot Professional 1/2/3, the Cielo X1 2.0 is probably the most unstable racer I’ve ever run in. The design of it simply doesn’t go well with my operating mechanics.
One of many huge adjustments they’ve made is that they’ve moved the midsole cutout from the lateral aspect to the medial aspect. This leads to much less assist on the medial aspect and it encourages my ankles to roll excessively inward. It has additionally grow to be much less heel-strike pleasant as a result of the rearfoot is a lot narrower.
The opposite purpose 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. If you’re operating 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 tender Endorphin Elite 2.
The Cielo X1 2.0 is now geared extra in direction of elite runners than informal runners due to the decrease leg power and wonderful operating kind required to run in it. For those who require even a tiny little bit of assist, you might want to keep distant from the Cielo X1 2.0.
The Cielo X1 2.0 is greatest suited to quick paces beneath 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 facet 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 Riot 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 circumstances however struggles with traction on clean, 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 need to 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 view to minimize weight, they’ve sacrificed lots of stability and the X1 2.0 is now one of the vital unstable racers available on the market.
The Cielo X1 2.0 feels prefer it was designed for elite or sub elite runners with distinctive operating kind. The slower you run, the extra unstable it feels. The Rocket X 3, which is popping out later this yr might be the Hoka racer for the plenty 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 superb, it loses velocity by means of 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 want 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 available on the market; nonetheless, its efficiency doesn’t warrant its excessive worth. It doesn’t present as a lot velocity help because the top-tier racers. I might nonetheless decide the Rocket X 2 over the Cielo X1 2.0 due to its larger stage of stability and its stiffer, extra propulsive carbon plate.