The HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 is a ultra-cushioned super shoe, built around a plush dual-layer PEBA midsole and a winged carbon plate to deliver a super soft but efficient ride. Compared to the previous version, it trims a lot of weight and feels even more purpose-built for racing. HOKA got rid of the midsole cutout and the banana-shaped rocker that made the previous version feel overly aggressive, making for a more cohesive platform that helps dial back some of the instability concerns tied to earlier versions. Even so, the geometry remains unapologetically aggressive, using a pronounced rocker that rewards efficient runners who stay up on their toes. Some key updates include proper racing laces and an updated outsole grip layout. This iteration cements the Cielo as the plusher super shoe with a more extreme design, while the HOKA Rocket X 3 remains the snappiest but more predicable racing option.
Our Verdict
The HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 is a great option for marathon racing if you want a super shoe that prioritizes protection and a light, efficient feel. Its towering stack and extremely plush cushioning keep your legs fresher deep into long efforts, while the winged carbon plate and lively midsole still provide plenty of propulsion when you stay efficient and push the pace. That said, its platform feels noticeably less stable than some other race shoes, so it rewards runners with good mechanics but can feel punishing for runners unable to utilize the pronounced rocker to its full potential.
Excellent protection underfoot.
Highly cushioned heel and forefoot feel.
Lightweight build for a high-stack shoe.
Bouncy, PEBA-based midsole.
Winged carbon plate adds stiffness.
Can feel less stable for heel strikers and when fatigued.
The HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 is a very capable 5K and 10K racer for runners who prefer a bouncy but softer super shoe that still feels efficient. It combines a lightweight build with a stiff, propulsive plate and a lively ride that helps you roll quickly through toe-off without feeling overly harsh underfoot. It's not the most snappy option for short racing, though, since the forefoot feels quite soft, so runners who want a firm, aggressive punch may prefer a more responsive super shoe.
Lightweight build for a high-stack shoe.
Bouncy, PEBA-based midsole.
Winged carbon plate adds stiffness.
Forefoot feels too soft to be truly snappy.
The HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 offers great energy return, with a bouncy, race-ready feel that helps you maintain momentum as you load the midsole and transition onto the rocker. It feels particularly lively when you're running efficiently and putting consistent force into the shoe. While it's clearly energetic, it doesn't feel like the most explosive super shoe on the market, leaning a bit more toward bounce than outright snap.
Bouncy, PEBA-based midsole.
The HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 delivers outstanding cushioning, with a deeply protective feel under both the heel and forefoot that's built for long races and hard training blocks. It soaks up impact extremely well and feels comfortably plush even at faster paces, making it a great match for runners who want a soft, premium underfoot experience on race day.
Excellent protection underfoot.
Highly cushioned heel and forefoot feel.
The HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 isn't a very stable super shoe, even though the removal of the midsole cutouts helps the platform feel more cohesive than in previous iterations. Its narrow base and very soft, high-stack midsole still make it quite unstable, especially at slower paces, on tired legs, or for runners who land heavily at the heel. The good news is that this instability is less noticeable when you're running at speed, since the geometry and winged plate keep you moving forward and help the shoe feel controlled once you're up on pace.
Winged carbon plate adds stiffness.
Can feel less stable for heel strikers and when fatigued.
Narrow platform.
Very soft foam can make things wobbly.
Performance Usages
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We bought and tested the ASICS MAGIC SPEED in men's US size 9, as noted on the label for our pair. The pair we purchased is the Neon Yuzu/Thyme colorway, but you can also buy the shoe in other colors, depending on the region, such as Alabaster/Yellow Gold. This shoe is only available in a regular width, with no wide options. The design section applies only to the exact pair we tested, but we expect other sizes to perform similarly.
Popular Running Shoe Comparisons
The HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 is a max-cushioned carbon race shoe built around an extremely soft, highly compliant ride. It's a much cleaner execution than the previous version, mainly because it trims weight and pairs that lighter build with a more coherent geometry. It gives up the infamous banana-shaped rocker that made the older model feel overly aggressive, like the Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 3. Underfoot, it's unapologetically plush, even softer than the famously squishy Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 and not far off the ASICS METASPEED RAY in terms of pure softness, which makes it a strong pick if you want top-tier impact absorption and a sinky, cushioned feel at race pace. However, that same softness and the still-narrow, race-first platform mean it's not the safest choice if you prioritize stability, you tend to get sloppy late in a marathon, or you simply prefer a firmer, more structured toe-off.
Within HOKA's race lineup, it essentially comes down to the HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 or the HOKA Rocket X 3, but HOKA blurs the usual short-distance vs long-distance roles. The Cielo is simultaneously the lightest and the most aggressive option, with a softer feel. The Rocket X 3 is the more stable, more predictable choice with a snappier, more classic-plated feel, but it doesn't feel as deeply cushioned over long miles. If you want a trainer for your faster sessions that isn't a race shoe, the HOKA Mach X 3 makes more sense as the dedicated uptempo option. For a lightweight daily trainer, check out the HOKA Mach 6. Curiously, HOKA didn't use the A-TPU foam from the HOKA Rocket X Trail, which feels like a missed opportunity, but one it can hopefully address in the next version.
For more options, check out our recommendations for the best running shoes, as well as the best long-distance running shoes and the best shoes for running a marathon.
The HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 and the HOKA Cielo X1 2.0 are both soft, aggressive carbon racers, but the third iteration updates a few key aspects. The Cielo X1 2.0 is the more extreme shoe, with an exaggerated geometry and a medial cutout that can feel noticeably unstable, especially at slower paces or late in a race when your mechanics start to fade. The Cielo X1 3.0 keeps the same general identity, but it tightens the execution in the ways that matter most for racing. The biggest change is the weight reduction, which makes the shoe feel more efficient and less bottom-heavy over marathon distance, but the update also tones down some of the overbuilt, overly aggressive heel shaping and removes the cutout. The laces and outsole grip were also refined in the third version, making for a more complete and cohesive product overall
The HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 and the HOKA Rocket X 3 sit in HOKA's race lineup, but they approach performance from very different angles. The Cielo X1 3.0 is the more extreme shoe. It's very soft, lighter, and heavily geometry-driven, with an exaggerated rocker that makes it feel fast and exciting when everything lines up, but also noticeably unstable, especially at slower paces or late in a race when form fades. It rewards efficient forefoot mechanics, but the narrow platform and highly compliant foam make it a riskier choice for long distances. The Rocket X 3, by contrast, is the more conservative and predictable racer. Its platform is more grounded and stable, with a firmer, snappier toe-off and a more traditional plated feel that relies less on extreme rocker or ultra-soft foam.
The ASICS METASPEED RAY and the HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 both sit on the soft end of the super shoe spectrum, so they deliver that deep, forgiving feel that keeps racing impact under control. The big difference is the weight: the ASICS is dramatically lighter and feels like a more efficiency-first design, so it stays protective without the shoe feeling like it's taking up extra space underfoot. The HOKA is still light for its category and stays very cushioned, but it feels more substantial in comparison. Plate-wise, the Ray uses a partial carbon setup, which keeps it a bit more compliant and natural through the stride, while the Cielo uses a full carbon plate, so it feels more structured.
We buy and test running shoes with a very data-oriented approach. While we're just getting started, our methodology already has dozens of tests to help you make the right purchasing decision for your needs. Not only do we use high-end equipment to gather objective data, but we also order multiple sizes of the same shoes for team members to be able to log in miles. This real-world testing is done at various paces and conditions, and with different types of workouts, to cover all the bases. This allows us to verify our results and ensure they align with what you might feel with a specific pair.
Test Results
The HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 feels impressively light for such a tall cushioned super shoe, and the weight reduction is one of the key reasons it comes across as more efficient and cohesive than the previous HOKA Cielo X1 2.0.
This third iteration removes the midsole cutout that contributed to the unstable feel of earlier versions, so the platform is more continuous underfoot. Even so, the shoe remains quite narrow at the heel and forefoot, and the foam is still very soft, so it doesn't magically turn into a stable option either, especially for heel strikers or anyone running at slower paces where the geometry isn't working as actively for you.
This shoe feels very bouncy in the heel, which makes it a great match for efficient runners who don't spend too much time at the heel and naturally transition towards the front of the shoe.
The HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 delivers a very energetic forefoot that feels race-ready when you load the shoe and drive through toe-off. It's not quite as springy as the previous version up front, but it still provides a strong rebound that supports sustained fast running. However, it's not as dramatically bouncy as most other super shoes like the ASICS METASPEED RAY or the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4.
The HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 offers outstanding heel cushioning, delivering a deeply protective landing that soaks up impact exceptionally well.
This shoe is equally outstanding in the forefoot, with a highly protective feel that keeps fast running from feeling punishing. It provides a premium level of impact absorption for a super shoe, more so than the previous HOKA Cielo X1 2.0 or the HOKA Rocket X 3, the brand's other racing option.
The HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 has a very soft heel that emphasizes comfort and impact absorption over a firm landing. That plushness feels great when you are moving well and letting the rocker do its job, but it can feel less supportive if you are running slowly or landing quite heavily.
The HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 has a forefoot that's on the softer side for a super shoe, which puts it in the same plush racer camp as models like the ASICS METASPEED RAY rather than firmer, snappier options. In contrast, shoes like the HOKA Rocket X 3 or the PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 3 tend to use a firmer forefoot to deliver that classic, crisp snap that many runners prefer for shorter races. Ultimately, it comes down to preference, but this softer tuning favors a smoother, more forgiving toe-off over an ultra-punchy feel.
The midsole performs excellently for long-distance protection in the forefoot, maintaining a highly cushioned feel as the miles add up, more so than the HOKA Rocket X 3. It stays comfortable and protective deep into extended efforts, making it a strong choice for runners who want a super shoe that still feels forgiving late in a race.