HOKA Cielo X1 2.0: two-minute review

When I got the chance to try the HOKA Cielo X1 2.0, I was ecstatic. It looked plush and had a rocker design, known to alleviate pain and stress in feet and ankles. This sounded like a shoe I needed to test: two years ago, I was dealing with constant pain in my toes, upper foot, and hips when I ran, so often that I had to stop running for weeks at a time. Finally, I found the HOKA Stinson 7, a trail running shoe that was plusher and relieved my pain when nothing else (stretching, doctor visits, etc.) would. That said, most of the time I run on the road, and that trail running shoe was heavier and bulkier than I liked. HOKA may have started out with a trail running shoe, but since then, they’ve been putting out impressive road running shoes year after year and regularly feature in our best running shoes roundup. The HOKA Cielo X1 2.0 launched in February 2025, the second iteration of the Cielo X1 which launched a year before in February 2024. The Cielo X1 2.0 has a more breathable upper made of engineered jacquard mesh – so breathable and clear that I could see my socked toes and feel the wind and some light rain when I ran on a drizzly day.

HOKA also enhanced the forefoot cushioning and improved the outsole traction. During my testing period, it was particularly rainy in Texas and so I had to run on light rain days or after the rain had stopped. I always felt secure and never slipped, not even when I had to run over slick brick roads in my city’s historic downtown.

The biggest improvement to the Cielo X1 2.0 has to be in the weight and more aggressive rocker profile. Where the Cielo X1 is 9.3 ounces, the Cielo X1 2.0 has dropped to 8.10 ounces. For those who race, an extra 1.2 ounces can go a long way. To achieve the weight reduction, HOKA utilized significant cutouts on the bottom of the shoe.

Perhaps the most noticeable change is the more pronounced rocker design. Running shoes used to be flat with a slight uptilt near the toe, but rocker shoes changed the game when they came on the scene. They get their name from the pronounced curve on the underside of the shoe, which looks like a rocking chair base. The idea behind the design is that once the runner’s foot hits the ground, they’ll naturally and effortlessly rock forward, resulting in more speed. They’re not only designed to make you run faster and without your feet or legs having to do much work, but rocker shoes may alleviate toe, forefoot, and Achilles heel pain, and reduce stress on your ankles and calves.

I had never tried a rocker shoe before, so I felt like a newborn wobbly colt the first time I stood while wearing the Hoka Cielo X1 2.0. That wobbly feeling disappears when you start to run in the shoes.

I initially found the shoe to be springy and quite plush. HOKA notes that this shoe has a “low profile cushion bed that keeps your foot closer to the ground,” but I have to disagree. It doesn’t feel low profile, especially considering that the thickest part of the footbed is two inches; this shoe is lower in profile compared to HOKA’s other – notoriously – thick shoes.

My feet are not narrow by any means but they’re not quite ‘wide-wide’ either. I was able to comfortably run in these shoes, but I can see the toebox being a problem for wide-footed runners who might feel more comfortable with more space.

From the very first run, I really enjoyed the HOKA Cielo X1 2.0. The instability I felt when I first put them on almost immediately disappeared when I started to run. Right away, I felt stable and confident, and I noticed that I was moving faster than normal but without the usual strain or heavy weight of my previous running shoes. I didn’t have to put much effort into running faster, because my ankle and foot worked seamlessly with the rocker profile to propel me forward. There’s a bounce and springiness to the shoe that felt nice on my stride.

To be fair, my ankles felt a bit shaky during the first few runs. I think this had to do with the cutouts on the bottom of the shoe and how I naturally pronate with one foot and supinate with the other. I’ve rolled my ankles so many times in my life that I’ve lost count, so I don’t have the strongest ankles to begin with, but because the cutouts near the arch are prominent, I could feel my ankles trying to prevent my foot from pronating too much and the other from supinating. It was awkward at first, but after each run, I noticed that my ankles felt stronger, and my feet were pronating and supinating far less than before.

The way I ran also shifted during testing. I realized that with my previous running shoe, I had been effectively “clomping,” and striking with my midfoot and forefoot as I ran. With the HOKA Cielo X1 2.0, more often than not, I struck with my heel or midfoot and then rocked forward on my toes. This new running style felt more natural and resulted in less strain on my feet and legs. If you naturally strike with your forefoot, you can absolutely run in these shoes, but I think you might be missing out on the benefits of the rocker design.

This is definitely a shoe for long-distance runners who run a variety of distances (especially those training for marathons), as it offers a low-effort and speedy running experience. Sure, there may be an adjustment period with the HOKA Cielo X1 2.0, but it’s well worth it in the long run (pun not intended).

HOKA Cielo X1 2.0: price & availability

• $275/£250/AU$399
• Available in Frost/Black

The Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 is not cheap by any means. At $275/£250/AU$399, they’re on the pricier end for rocker running shoes, though this isn’t surprising for a brand like HOKA that aims to provide the best type of running shoe for marathon runners. Currently, the Cielo X1 2.0 is only available in a single color option – Frost/Black – and is sold through HOKA and running stores like Road Runner Sports, Marathon Sports, and Paragon Sports. HOKA offers free delivery and free 30-day returns.

HOKA Cielo X1 2.0: specifications

HOKA Cielo X1 2.0: scorecard

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How I tested

I tested the Cielo X1 2.0 over the course of a week and a half, by running a variety of distances on the road, paved trails, and on an indoor track. During the testing period, I was able to gauge the shoe’s effectiveness in various weather conditions – sunny, dry days, and during light rain – and how well they did in terms of comfort and foot and joint relief. Everything from the shoe’s weight to the materials and design were considered during testing.

First reviewed: February 2025