HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 review

We found in the lab that the HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 is a very good pick for:

• Runners who want a race-day shoe with massive cushioning and extremely high impact protection.
• Those who prefer a very snug and secure fit and do not need much room for toe movement.
• Marathoners looking for an aggressive rocker that constantly pushes them forward while running.
• Fans of the Cielo X1 series ready to move to the lightest and most refined version yet.

The aggressive rocker of the Cielo X1 3.0 may not suit runners who prefer a less intrusive ride. In our testing, we found that this forward-driving design constantly pushes you ahead. We think runners wanting a calmer experience should consider the PUMA Deviate Nitro Elite 3 or the Nike Vaporfly 4 instead.

We also believe the tapered toebox may become restrictive for some runners, especially during long races or road ultras. Our lab measurements confirmed a super-tight fit that limits toe splay. In our opinion, runners needing a bit more of room may prefer the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5 or the On Cloudboom Strike.

Our lab test starts very strong. The HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 really pushed the limits of our shock absorption test with an outstanding 170 SA in the heel, followed by another impressive 137 SA in the forefoot.

For context, this is almost the same result as the Nike Vomero Premium, a shoe that is much bulkier, taller, and specifically designed to ace this test.

The Cielo X1 3.0 features a slightly updated formulation of the PEBA foam, and in our testing we found a small step down compared to its predecessor. Version 3 still delivers super shoe level performance with 75.3% in the heel and 70.4% in the forefoot, yet we have to admit that we hoped this update would land closer to the 80% range.

However, considering how long it took HOKA to reach the top tier of super shoes, we can’t complain.

Until now, every super shoe we measured in the lab following World Athletics standards stayed below 40 mm in the heel, but not this time. We triple-checked the measurement (and asked World Athletics about it as well, but we're still waiting for an answer), yet we consistently recorded a much higher figure, always landing at 44.5 mm.

Therefore, in this case our measurement does not match the World Athletics result or the HOKA specification of 38 mm, even though the shoe has been approved for legal use in races so they measured it below 40 mm. We decided to stick to our standard method and publish exactly what we measured in the lab.

To be fair with our findings, the shoe also feels clearly taller than 40 mm while landing on the heel, and the experience aligns much more with something around 45 mm. We will update this section if we ever receive a response from World Athletics.

As expected, the forefoot is not an issue. In fact, we measured it almost exactly at the height stated by HOKA, with only a 0.1 mm difference, reaching 31.1 mm. This delivers serious cushioning for midfoot and forefoot strikers as well, making it a strong super shoe for the marathon distance.

The discrepancy in the heel stack height also leads to a large difference in the drop. The stated 7 mm increases to 13.4 mm in our measurements, although this relates more to the official measuring method and the shoe’s pronounced rocker than anything else.

While running, the Cielo X1 3.0 perceived drop changes noticeably depending on where you land. You may feel a very high drop or a more moderate one, depending on your style.

Although it features two foam layers, the Cielo X1 3.0 uses a single formulation that we measured at 32.9 AC with our Asker C durometer.

This delivers a plush ride for heel strikers given the massive stack, while midfoot and forefoot strikers may perceive the shoe as slightly firmer due to the lower placement of the plate in that area. Don't worry, we'll check the plate in a minute!

The rocker of the HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 is massive, which hardly comes as a surprise since it has been the defining feature of the Cielo series since its inception.

Therefore, we strongly advise against choosing this super shoe if you prefer a more classic or lightly assisted ride, because this design constantly pushes you to roll forward and there is no way to resist it.

One of the best things about cutting shoes in half is uncovering the true shape of the plate. In this case, it is clear that HOKA chose a spoon-shaped design, although the visible gaps still raise a few questions.

As usual, we went a step further and carefully removed part of the foam to fully expose the plate and reveal its real structure. We found that it features several cutouts which help the Cielo X1 3.0 reduce weight while also adding a bit more flex compared to the usual behavior of a carbon plate.

We cannot be surprised to find a tight fit in a HOKA shoe, as the brand has long been one of the less wide-foot-friendly options among mainstream running shoe companies. After trying the Cielo X1 3.0, it was clear to us that this model follows the usual design direction from HOKA. However, let’s put numbers to our impressions and see how it compares.

In our first measurement, we recorded 91.4 mm of width. It clearly points to a snug fit, but let’s continue with additional readings.

The second reading returned only 70.4 mm, confirming that room for toe splay is limited. Since this shoe is primarily designed for marathon racing, this is something to consider, as the foot tends to expand and swell during a full marathon.

We are not saying this is a deal-breaker at all, as many runners enjoy this kind of snug fit. However, it may become a potential concern for some.

To complete the usual three measurements we perform for fit, we measured the toebox height.

At 25.1 mm, it again falls below the average. However, this is very common in competition shoes where a secure fit is preferred.

One of the aspects that left us slightly unconvinced in the previous Cielo X1 was the outsole, which showed limited grip, especially in wet conditions.

However, HOKA invested in research and development here and introduced a compression-molded polyurethane material, which is becoming increasingly common in premium shoes for good reason. In our test, this update almost doubled the grip score, reaching 0.72.

The strong grip from the outsole allowed HOKA to reduce the rubber coverage, going very minimal here and possibly offering too little for some runners. If durability is your main concern and you prefer shoes with solid coverage, this may not look like your ideal option.

It was also interesting to see the large central cutout in the lower foam layer, which features a beautiful design that also should make the ride slightly less harsh by reducing torsional rigidity.

Thanks to the new outsole design and the redesigned plate with its cutouts, the Cielo X1 3.0 feels a bit more forgiving underfoot than its predecessor and also compared to many competitors. We measured 16.8N in our 30-degree bend test, which may also be good news for the marathon distance.

HOKA keeps trimming weight from this series, now placing the Cielo X1 3.0 at only 6.8 oz or 193g. That's a 0.5 oz or 15g improvement over the Cielo X1 2.0. It is not groundbreaking, but it is welcomed and also needed given that most competitors are also reducing weight in their super shoes.

From our perspective, we believe that HOKA has done a serious job here. The shoe has more foam than most rivals, yet still delivers a weight that, for example, improves the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4.

The leno weave upper of the HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 already looked promising in terms of breathability to the naked eye, but we still ran our usual tests to confirm it.

Ventilation did not appear to be an issue once we used our smoke machine and examined the upper with our light. It earned a solid 4/5 in our breathability test, which should be more than enough given that most marathons take place in low or moderate temperatures.

Under the microscope, the material looks striking and clearly different from most shoes that arrive at our lab. The structure reveals large openings that allow air to move freely through the material.

This design confirms that ventilation is a clear focus here, as the open weave leaves plenty of room for heat and moisture to escape during fast efforts.

After the controversial upper of the first generation, HOKA clearly moved toward a more performance-oriented design in the midfoot and forefoot. However, the heel has more structure than what we usually see in super shoes, which makes it a good option for runners who want a secure and locked-in feel on race day.

Those looking for a stable super shoe will not find that with the Cielo X1 3.0. The experience is closer to the opposite, as the platform is extra tall, narrow, and very bouncy. But... get ready to have some fun!

The outsole and the plate both feature cutouts that allow the Cielo X1 3.0 to feel a bit more forgiving than most super shoes. It scored 4/5 in our test despite the carbon plate, whereas we usually record a 5.

The heel counter features generous padding but collapses easily, creating a very natural running feel with almost no support in the heel.

The Cielo X1 3.0 continues the trend of many modern super shoes by using a relatively narrow platform. We measured 107.6 mm in the forefoot, clearly below the category average of 114.4 mm. As we already noted, this slimmer design prioritizes weight savings and agility over stability.

The heel width follows the same narrow philosophy. Our calipers showed only 78.1 mm, which is far below the average in our lab. As a result, the shoe feels quick and race-focused, but runners who prefer a broader landing platform may notice the difference. In that case, get the Nike Alphafly 3 instead.

The upper is extremely thin in the toebox, so we were fully expecting to record a 1/5 in our lab test. And indeed, that is exactly what we found after evaluating the damage.

We also found significant damage in the heel padding, which unfortunately resulted in another 1 out of 5. While limited durability is not unusual in race shoes, this result is still somewhat concerning.

The outsole also performed below average, with 1.3 mm of rubber worn away as our Dremel went to work. Not ideal, but again, not unexpected.

The outsole thickness, at 1.9 mm, slightly offsets that. However, given these results, we see the Cielo X1 3.0 less as a training partner for demanding long runs and tempo workouts and more as an exclusive race-day weapon.

The insole adds 3.7 mm of thickness to the shoe’s total cushioning.

Some super shoes have the insole glued to the last, but this trend seems to be fading lately. We found that the Cielo X1 3.0 allows it to be removed without any issue.

Thanks to the use of PEBA foam, the Cielo X1 3.0 remains mostly unaffected by cold temperatures. We recorded only a small change of 12% after 20 minutes in our freezer.

We didn’t find any reflective elements from heel to toe, although we were not expecting them either.

We usually expect toothed laces in every modern super shoe, yet some brands still skip them. That was the case with HOKA in the Cielo X1 2.0, but the Cielo X1 3.0 finally includes them in a beautiful three-tone design.

We also liked that the lockdown allows a good level of pressure adjustment, as the lace loops help distribute tension more evenly than standard eyelets.

The tongue is very thin, as expected in a racing shoe, measuring just 1.8 mm thick. Therefore, be careful not to tighten the laces too much before a race.

As expected in a modern super shoe, the tongue is not attached to the sides. However, this is far from an issue thanks to the ultra-snug fit of the Cielo X1 3.0.

The heel features the usual HOKA design that makes it easy to grab when needed.

HOKA is asking slightly more than some competitors in the super shoe category, and whether it is worth paying for this model will mostly depend on how much value you place on shock absorption. This is where the shoe truly stands out and where it can justify its premium price above everything else.