When seconds matter, so do your shoes. The just-released HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 mirrors the dedication of the committed runner by recognizing that race-day performance comes from getting all the little things right, from bottom to top, and making a long-term investment in the pursuit of excellence.
All photos: HOKA
The lightest and fastest super shoe in the HOKA lineup, the Cielo X1 3.0 is tuned for maximum propulsion and precision on race day. It’s already found its way onto the podium of a World Marathon Majors when Alex Masai wore a pair on his way to his third-place finish at the 2025 Chicago Marathon. When HOKA first released the Cielo X1 in 2024, its design was backed by more than half a decade of super-shoe development and experimentation, originating in the HOKA Rocket line in 2018.
In the original Cielo X1, everything was focused on performance, and the aggressive geometry and overall construction made it a race-day ally. The next iteration, the Cielo X1 2.0, shaved about an ounce off the original, received an updated carbon plate, and got a thin, engineered jacquard mesh upper, refining its ability as a racing super shoe. The Cielo X1 3.0 takes everything another step further as a shoe designed to go fast. When not racing, the shoe is also ideal for tempo runs and other fast efforts.
This all-gender shoe is significantly lighter than its predecessor. The Cielo X1 3.0 weighs 7.5 ounces for a U.S. men’s size 10, compared to the 8.1 ounces for the previous version. Meanwhile, a U.S. women’s 8 weighs 6.2 ounces, compared to the 6.8 ounces of the Cielo X1 2.0. In addition to the reduced weight, a range of new details make this the brand’s lightest and fastest super shoe yet. In the Cielo X1 3.0, you’ll find an updated upper and carbon plate design, the aggressive MetaRocker™ with slight changes to the heel geometry for stability, and an evolved, low-friction outsole.
HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 Specifications
- All-Gender Shoe
- Weight: 7.5 ounces for U.S. men’s 10, 6.2 ounces for U.S. women’s 8
- Stack Height: 38 millimeters/31 millimeters (heel/toe)
- Drop: 7 millimeters
- Upper Material: Leno weave textile
- Tongue: Regular, non-gusseted
- Midsole: Dual-layer PEBA foam sandwiching a carbon fiber plate
- Outsole: Compression-molded polyurethane
- Geometry: MetaRocker™
- Price: $275
HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 Unique Features
Updated Upper
A race-day upper needs to be light, hold the foot securely, and breathe well to keep the foot cool and dry. While the second edition of the Cielo got an upgraded engineered jacquard mesh upper from the knit upper of the original, the HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 features a leno-weave engineered mesh upper. Leno weave has a much more open structure than jacquard, leading to improved breathability.
To secure the foot, a dynamic vamp made of stretchy material wraps around the forefoot and midfoot. The newly designed asymmetric lacing system ensures a solid, locked-in feeling. Textured laces stay tied for the long run, and a minimalist lacing system of lightweight loops saves weight.
Propulsive Midsole
When it comes to maximizing energy rebound and propulsion in super shoes, it all comes down to the midsole foams and carbon plates. The dual-layer PEBA midsole foam sandwiches a redesigned carbon plate optimized for propulsion. The updated carbon plate loses its wings and some of its size, resulting in the sleekest, most streamlined plate HOKA has ever made.
Premium PEBA foam first appeared in HOKA shoes with the Rocket X 2 at the beginning of 2023. PEBA is found in nearly all super shoes and is known for its incredible rebound and low weight. With a 38-millimeter stack height under the heel, there’s plenty of foam for cushioning and rebound.
Like its predecessor, the Cielo X1 3.0 is meant to go fast. The MetaRocker™ geometry, created by the midsole foam and carbon plate, encourages fast turnover and and forward-oriented stride. A midsole cutout runs straight down the middle of the shoe from the ball of the foot to the heel. Compared to the 2.0, which had a midsole cutout from the heel to the medial midfoot, this new design offers increased lateral stability by reducing the risk of the midsole collapsing medially. The heel geometry has been ever so slightly updated to add a little extra stability. Everything about this midsole is focused on an efficient, forward, and aggressive stride, with minimal energy loss from side-to-side motion.
Low-Friction Outsole
All the details of race-day performance come down to balancing variables to maximize efficiency and speed. The Cielo X1 3.0 outsole runs the fine line with precision, knowing that with too little outsole grip, a runner loses propulsive power due to slipping, but too much outsole grip leads to speed loss from excess underfoot friction.
The HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 features a redesigned compression-molded polyurethane outsole that covers the sole’s critical areas. More coverage on the forefoot ensures grip throughout a forefoot-striking stride, and the outsole wraps up around the front of the toes for a smooth transition through the toe-off. Coverage in the heel offers additional grip, but the midfoot remains bare to minimize weight and friction. The perfect amount of outsole coverage results in an effortless ride with enough grip to stride out in confidence.
When you’re ready to fly, the HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 will be there.
[Editor’s Note: This article is sponsored by HOKA. Thank you to the brand for its sponsorship of iRunFar, which helps to make iRunFar happen and free for all to enjoy. Learn more about our sponsored articles.]
