HOKA - Cielo X1

Hey, which shoe did you end up choosing? I'm also targeting 3:20-15 for my next marathon and have to replace my old Cielo X1 (V1). They're great, but thrash my legs and I always end the race with mild cramps in the last 2 km. I was looking at the Hyperion Max 3, Rocket X2, Mach 2X and Edge Tokyo...

So, it seems I have quite different opinion. Just finished my first run with 3.0 and... it feels a completely different shoe vs the previous versions. Main differences vs 1.0: 3.0 is really narrow. Because of this 3.0 is really unstable. 3.0 is softer. And this adds additional unstability. 3.0 is more "untamed". 1.0 was quite similar to Alphafly 2 with its "on rails" feeling. 1.0 was good for long runs, 3.0 feels too unstable for those. Some of that unstable feeling is lost when running faster. Closest comparison for me is Sky Tokyo. I didn't find 2.0 that different from the 1.0. Ok, the cut added some unstability but otherwise it felt similar. 3.0 is the least stable. Too early to say if I like the shoe or not.

So, it seems I have quite different opinion. Just finished my first run with 3.0 and... it feels a completely different shoe vs the previous versions. Main differences vs 1.0: 3.0 is really narrow. Because of this 3.0 is really unstable. 3.0 is softer. And this adds additional unstability. 3.0 is more "untamed". 1.0 was quite similar to Alphafly 2 with its "on rails" feeling. 1.0 was good for long runs, 3.0 feels too unstable for those. Some of that unstable feeling is lost when running faster. Closest comparison for me is Sky Tokyo. I didn't find 2.0 that different from the 1.0. Ok, the cut added some unstability but otherwise it felt similar. 3.0 is the least stable. Too early to say if I like the shoe or not.

I have the Hoka Cielo x1 (1st version) and like them. On a chart showing plate placement, they were in between, like the Adios Pro 3.

First time I heard Rebellion Flash 3 helps over pronation... Don't go back to that store. I don't think there are any stability racing shoes in the market right now, but if you are looking for more stable race shoes, Endorphin Pros, Supercomp Elite v4, Hoka Cielo X1 (v1 only) and Rocket X 3 are "relatively stable". Other options to consider are Asics Superblast 2, Puma Magmax both are not plated. Stability shoes like Kayano and Brooks GTS maybe a bit too heavy to replace your Vaporfly and Rebellion Flash

As a note, the Cielo x1 2.0 has a massive cutout on the medial side of the mid/outsole. It’s a great shoe with an aggressive rocker, but it’s likely going to be more squirrelly than the EVO SL and Neo Vista. If you want something more firm/stable and in line with the SB2, the Cielo x1 2.0 is not that at all. If you can find v1, it’s closer. And v3 might be an option, but I wouldn’t choose v2 for your use case. If you want to try Hoka, rocket x2 or 3 would be closer (3 has a more aggressive rocker). If you’re looking for something on sale, endorphin pro 4 is on markdown and it’s fairly stable (and not particularly soft). Megablast may also work - although it’s not “poppy” and it’s not cheap.

As a note, the Cielo x1 2.0 has a massive cutout on the medial side of the mid/outsole. It’s a great shoe with an aggressive rocker, but it’s likely going to be more squirrelly than the EVO SL and Neo Vista. If you want something more firm/stable and in line with the SB2, the Cielo x1 2.0 is not that at all. If you can find v1, it’s closer. And v3 might be an option, but I wouldn’t choose v2 for your use case. If you want to try Hoka, rocket x2 or 3 would be closer (3 has a more aggressive rocker). If you’re looking for something on sale, endorphin pro 4 is on markdown and it’s fairly stable (and not particularly soft). Megablast may also work - although it’s not “poppy” and it’s not cheap.

Cielo x1 og helped me for my first marathon at sub 3.45.

I am much slower with a 20.50 5km timing but I ran my debut marathon in 3.36 in hoka cielo x1. Thought u may like it since u seems to be using Hoka. I choose them not because they are the fastest but rather I find them protective of my legs without killing my calf etc.

The Pro EVO 1/2 is a $500 shoe. Almost nobody needs that, but it’s the best race shoe money can buy. The Adios Pro 4 is the counterpart to the Alphafly. As to preference, that’s what it is. Tons of people love the Alphafly, but they gave me arch blisters, so I sold them and I race in the Adios Pro 3/4. You could also get the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris, the Hoka Cielo X1 2.0, the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3, or the New Balance SC Elite v4/5.

Original Hoka Cielo X1 So much bounce Really comfortable Great rocker Protective over long runs Ridiculously versatile (great for easy through race paces)

So, I think I am uniquely qualified to speak on this since I actually have the exact same time, goal, am only sligtly heavier, and I have raced in both the Superblast 2 and Hoka Cielo X1 2.0: -Superblast 2 will not hold you back, it’s a solid shoe to race in that will give you honest return depending on what you put into your training. Plus if you get tired or cramp up it’s probably the best shoe to walk in. -Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 gives you a crazy assist— like :30-:45 seconds faster per mile then you think you’re going, so you need to be mindful about that, or you’ll blow out both legs. Amazing rocker and good bounce. You can get away with heel striking with them when you get tired (ask me how I know). Stability is not *as bad* as people say, though I did find myself pronating on mile 24-26 as someone who does not usually pronate. Overall I’d actually argue they’re not that forgiving, they just have good cushion. If it’s up to me, I’d lean towards the Cielos, but honestly, I think there are better shoes out there. New Balance SC Elite v5 was pretty widely acclaimed across all the running blogs. If I can get a chance to try them on, these are the ones I’m thinking for my next racing shoe. I also would consider the Alphafly 3s or the Adios Pro 4s which are both more stable than the Cielos.  Alternatively, depending on when your marathon is, it might be worth it to wait for the 2026 drops. Alphafly 4 and Adios Pro 5 are both scheduled for early this year. I believe the same with the Cielo X1 3.0 which appears to have added stability according to the leaked pictures

I use Adios Pro 3, Hoka Cielo X1 and Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3. NB SC Elite 5 should be good too.