Hoka Cielo X1 3.0 Review
- FORDY RUNS
- Feb 3
- 3 min read
I’ve just run a 7-minute course PB over the half-marathon distance in the Hoka Cielo X1 3.0, on a very hilly, very wet, very messy course. That alone tells you this shoe can perform. But this isn’t a blind love letter — because while the Cielo X1 3.0 is a massive improvement over version 2, it’s not perfect.
What’s changed?
Straight away, this is a completely different beast to the Cielo X1 v2. The biggest fix — and the most important one for me — is stability. Version 2 had a huge medial cut-out paired with very soft PEBA foam, and for my mechanics it was unusably unstable. That’s now gone, and it’s a game-changer.
Key updates include:
38mm heel stack with a 7mm drop
Dual-density PEBA foam, tweaked to feel softer and more responsive
New carbon plate design aimed at improving propulsion
New Leno-weave textile upper
Improved outsole rubber coverage
Reworked heel bevel geometry
Weight reduction – mine comes in at 222g (UK 10), around 13g lighter than before
On foot, it looks fast, aggressive, and purposeful. Mud aside… it’s a cracking-looking shoe.
Ride & performance
This is where the Cielo X1 3.0 really shines. On race day, I found an effortless rhythm at around 7:20–7:30 per mile, right in that marathon-goal-pace zone. The combination of the PEBA foam and carbon plate works brilliantly together, creating a smooth, bouncy ride that encourages you to keep rolling forward. It’s a soft shoe — not marshmallow-soft, but definitely on the plusher end of the super-shoe spectrum — and that softness helped me feel comfortable and efficient over a demanding half marathon.
To be clear: the PB isn’t because of the shoe alone — fitness matters more — but the shoe absolutely played its part. Everything worked together on the day, and I felt strong, fluid, and in control.
Outsole & upper: surprisingly excellent
Conditions were awful: heavy rain, mud, slick roads, lumps, bumps, climbs, and fast descents. The outsole was outstanding. Genuinely one of the biggest positives. Grip was rock-solid, even on steep downhills, and I never felt close to losing traction — impressive for a shoe clearly designed for smooth race-day tarmac. The upper is breathable, secure enough once dialled in, and did a good job of keeping excess water out. My feet never overheated, never felt soaked, and I had zero rubbing or hot spots during the race.
Fit & lockdown: the main frustration
This is where things get a bit fiddly.
The angled “anatomical” lacing system is my biggest gripe. It’s very hard to get the tension just right:
Tighten it too much and it pinches across the midfoot
Loosen it slightly and it can feel too baggy
I had to do a lot of pre-race and post-warm-up adjustment to get it right. Once locked in, it held fine, and the sawtooth laces themselves are excellent — but the design makes it harder than it should be. If you have a wider foot, I’d be cautious. The upper pulls in noticeably when cinched down, and I could feel pressure on the lateral side of my foot during the run.
Heel stability: the big question mark
While the shoe is far more stable than v2 overall, the heel bevel and rear cut-out create a noticeable issue when fatigue sets in. On downhills — when I started landing more on my heel — the shoe felt unstable and under-supported at the back. There simply isn’t enough foam or width there to fully control those late-race mechanics. For half marathon racing, it was manageable.For a full marathon, this becomes the trade-off. If you’re still strong and efficient late in the race, you’ll probably be fine. But if you tend to heel-strike when tired (like most of us do at mile 22+), this could become a problem.
Marathon potential?
Despite the concerns, this shoe has earned a spot on my marathon contender shelf.
Why? Because that long, rolling rhythm — that “lope” you want for marathon pace — is absolutely there. The foam, plate, and geometry work beautifully together when everything clicks. It’s a calculated gamble, but one I’m seriously considering.
Final verdict
The Hoka Cielo X1 3.0 is:
✅ Massively improved over version 2
✅ Fast, bouncy, and rhythm-friendly
✅ Outstanding grip, even in awful conditions
⚠️ Fiddly lockdown
⚠️ Rear-heel instability late in the run