I Tested HOKA’s Lightest Shoe Yet—and It's Built for Long-Distance Speed and Race Day PRs
Not everyone is a runner. For those of us who’ve come to love this once-torturous sport, often after a life change or new goal, the value of a reliable pair of running shoes is obvious. You may already be familiar with Hoka through popular models like the Clifton or Bondi. And while newer to the block, the Cielo line is built with speed, efficiency, and race-day performance in mind.
The first version of the Cielo made its way to runners just two years ago, with the intention of being a reliable, trustworthy shoe that athletes could feel confident stepping into on race day. Hoka seemed to hit that nail on the head with its latest iteration, the Cielo X1 3.0. Third time’s the charm, as they say. First spotted at the Chicago Marathon last fall on Alex Masai’s feet, a blacked-out prototype of the eventual Cielo X1 3.0 carried him to a third-place finish and a personal best marathon time of 2:04:37.
This third installment stays true to its athlete-first focus, with several key changes centered around reduced weight and improved stability. As Colin Ingram, HOKA’s VP of Global Product, put it, the goal was to make sure the Cielo X1 3.0 felt as "alive" as possible.
Last week, I had the chance to give the new Cielos a whirl alongside Hoka runners in Los Angeles. Celebrating the launch of the Cielo X1 3.0, which is officially on sale now, I logged a few miles on a Wahoo treadmill in my own pair. As someone who has long worn Hoka Cliftons, a noticeably heavier shoe, the Cielos felt like running in a pair of Moon Shoes. After getting home, I took them out for a couple of outdoor test runs to see how they fared, and I wasn’t disappointed.
c/o Hoka
Hoka Cielo Specs
Runners of all levels loved earlier versions of the Cielo—Spanish for "sky"—for their lightweight, bouncy feel, but stability was often complained about. The third edition builds on what made the shoe fast and "alive" in the first place with a greater focus on safety and control: a hyper-propulsive carbon fiber plate paired with Hoka's most responsive PEBA foam for explosive energy return, a compression-molded polyurethane outsole that delivers lightweight grip and durability, an ultra-breathable Leno weave upper that locks the foot in place at speed, and asymmetrical lacing that reduces pressure points for improved comfort during long runs.
Overall Impressions
I'm a casual runner, with weekly mileage ranging from 15 to 30 miles, depending on training blocks, and long runs are the norm most weeks. Still, I'm competitive, so I was excited to see how the Cielo X1 3.0 impacted my speed.
I immediately took note of how light they felt on my feet. My runs in them have been noticeably faster, and the bounce is real. Still, sometimes it can feel a bit unstable upon landing, especially if form breaks down late in a run. The shoes come in a fun and bright neon yellow colorway that I personally love, and certainly stand out from the muted whites and blues I typically opt for. While they’re definitely geared toward runners putting in consistent weekly miles, they’re a solid option if you’re looking for a lightweight shoe built for speed over longer distances.
Key Features
Light, "hardly there" running shoes are all the rage right now, and Hoka shaved nearly a half ounce off the Cielo X1 3.0 compared to the previous version, making it the brand’s lightest super shoe to date. Subtle tweaks to the MetaRocker geometry create a smoother heel-to-toe transition, helping runners stay efficient and in continuous motion. Up top, the new Leno weave upper improves breathability while keeping the foot securely locked in place.
"The foam that it's built with is very alive. Whatever you put into it, it'll deflect it—it's like a constant motion machine. We improved the CPU outsole so that it has much better traction in both dry and wet conditions," Ingram explained. "And looking at previous models, there were lots of cutouts to reduce weight in the foam, but it created instability. So a shoe like this, where the chisels of foam run from heel to the toe in linear fashion, they allow for a much more stable ride."
Pros
- Hoka's lightest super shoe to date
- Redesigned MetaRocker geometry smooths transition and keeps runners in motion
- Thin upper resists moisture
Cons
- Thick, bouncy ride may feel unstable for some runners
- Floppy tongue can bunch up when putting the shoe on
Final Verdict
For the runner who wants to feel faster over long distances, the Cielo X1 3.0 is certainly worth a try. Built with the athlete in mind, they may not make sense for occasional runners. But for consistent runners, they offer a lightweight, energetic ride made for race day PRs. And with its bold colorway, don’t be surprised if people start moving out of your way during your next half or full marathon.
"As we went into the 3.0 version, I think our commitment was to make the best possible shoe for our athletes to achieve the most they possibly can at the marathon distance," Ingram explained.
Why You Should Trust Me
I’m a health and fitness staff writer for Men’s Journal and previously wrote for Men’s Fitness, covering training trends, workouts, and gear reviews. I’m also an ACE-certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor with over five years of coaching experience. Alongside my career experience, I’ve taken up outdoor running over the past few years and tested a wide range of running shoes. I’ve also owned several pairs of Hokas, giving me firsthand familiarity with the brand. Along with personally testing every product I review, my goal is always to provide honest feedback that helps you decide what’s worth your time and money to elevate your exercise experience.
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