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HOKA Cielo X1 3.0: the lightest and fastest super shoe ever made by the brand
With the HOKA Cielo X1 3.0, the American brand shifts into a higher gear. The French-born equipment manufacturer pushes its vision of road performance even further. Lighter, more aggressive, and more dynamic, this third iteration stands as the lightest carbon-plated shoe ever developed by HOKA, built with one clear goal: go fast on race day. Since 2024, the Cielo X1 line has embodied HOKA’s competitive ambitions. After an original first version that laid the groundwork but was held back by weight, followed by a V2 focused more squarely on propulsion, the Cielo X1 3.0 marks a true turning point: remarkable lightness, an ultra-reactive foam, and a highly propulsive carbon plate. Marathons.com takes a closer look at this new rocket, already validated by the brand’s elite athletes.
| Lighter than ever: the Cielo X1 3.0 rivals the very best
The numbers speak for themselves. While the first two generations weighed 264 g and 230 g respectively, the Cielo X1 3.0 drops to 213 g (men) and 175 g (women). A significant weight reduction that places the shoe among the lightest on the market.
This featherweight design is immediately noticeable on the run:
✔ Improved muscular freshness
✔ Reduced inertia
✔ Easier maintenance of high speeds over time
This evolution confirms HOKA’s ambition: make the Cielo X1 its ultimate performance model, a pure racing weapon.
| A blend of HOKA’s best technologies underfoot
At the core of the Cielo X1 3.0 sits a highly propulsive carbon fiber plate, still featuring lateral wings for added stability. It’s paired with a more aggressive MetaRocker geometry, true to the Cielo X1 DNA. The ride is clearly forward-oriented, promoting fast transitions and powerful toe-offs with every stride—a characteristic runners appreciated in previous versions.
Cushioning is built around PEBA foam, now even more reactive. This is the most dynamic foam HOKA has ever designed. Firmer than before, it delivers:
✔ More immediate energy return
✔ A heightened sense of responsiveness
✔ A sharper feel at race pace
There’s also an important structural change: the removal of the lateral cutout in the foam seen in earlier versions. The result is a more visually uniform midsole, with only a central cutout remaining to save weight.
HOKA lists a 38 mm stack height with a 7 mm drop. Visually, the shoe appears to exceed World Athletics’ 40 mm limit—but this is explained by HOKA’s Active Foot Frame technology, where the foam rises along the sides to cradle and stabilize the foot. Official stack height is measured at the center, so the lateral foam does not count toward the regulated height.
Technical specs – CIELO X1 3.0
- Category: Super shoe, carbon-plated racing shoe
- Use: Competition, from 5K to marathon
- Cushioning: Dual PEBA foam
- Technologies: MetaRocker, Active Foot Frame
- Plate: Carbon fiber plate with lateral wings
- Surface: Road
- Level: Experienced runners
- Weight: 175 g (women) / 213 g (men)
- Stack height: 44 mm total, World Athletics approved at 38 mm / 31 mm (center)
- Drop: 7 mm
- Available: January 29, 2026
- Price: €275
| A race-ready upper
The new ultra-breathable Leno-weave textile upper plays a major role in the weight savings. Thin, light, yet supportive, it wraps the foot securely without restriction.
An asymmetrical lacing system reduces pressure on the instep and improves ergonomics, while the compression-molded polyurethane outsole delivers reliable traction on all road surfaces at minimal weight—exactly what you expect from a top-tier racing shoe.
| Tested and validated at the highest level
The Cielo X1 3.0 didn’t take long to prove itself in real race conditions. On the biggest stages, it has already made a strong impression:
✔ Alex Masai finished third at the 2025 Chicago Marathon in 2:04:37, a personal best
✔ Alessia Zarbo set a new French half-marathon record in Valencia last October with 1:08:20
Elite-level performances that confirm the Cielo X1 3.0’s place among the very best racing shoes available.
“The Cielo X1 3.0 delivers the lightest and most propulsive stride in the HOKA lineup. It’s designed to help runners chasing speed perform at their best. At HOKA, we constantly innovate in our racing products to give athletes a decisive edge in speed and efficiency—helping them run faster and achieve new personal bests and podiums.”
Colin Ingram, Global Vice President of Product at HOKA
| Who is it for?
The Cielo X1 3.0 is a performance shoe—but it’s not for everyone. It’s clearly aimed at:
➜ Experienced runners
➜ Those seeking a very aggressive, dynamic racing shoe
➜ Runners of all strike patterns (the PEBA layers keep transitions smooth)
Ideal uses include:
➜ Racing from 5K to marathon
➜ Fast track workouts
➜ Specific 10K, half-marathon, and marathon sessions
This is not a forgiving daily trainer. It’s aggressive, ultra-dynamic, and demanding—built for race day. If your running mechanics deteriorate significantly late in races, the HOKA Rocket X 3 may be a better choice, offering more stability while remaining highly dynamic.
| Cielo X1 vs Rocket X 3: two visions of racing at HOKA
HOKA’s racing lineup is now clearly defined:
➜ Rocket X 3: a more accessible carbon shoe for runners of all levels, suitable for fast training and racing
➜ Cielo X1 3.0: the flagship model—lighter, more aggressive, and more performance-oriented—built to maximize race-day potential
Two complementary shoes for two distinct runner profiles.
| What really matters
With the Cielo X1 3.0, HOKA delivers on a bold, uncompromising vision. Firmer, more dynamic, and more stable than previous versions, this third generation targets runners who want to turn every race into a personal best. In 2026, shoe weight is widely recognized as a key performance lever—and this update is a perfect illustration. With 15 grams shaved off, the Cielo X1 3.0 is a demanding but brutally effective super shoe, confirming HOKA’s rise in the most competitive segment of running. The only downside? Its €275 price tag, placing it among the most expensive shoes on the market.
The HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 embodies HOKA’s purest vision of performance: absolute lightness, maximum propulsion, and proven efficiency. A shoe built to chase fast times, personal records—and above all, speed on the road.
✔ The HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 is available in Neon Yuzu / Thyme and Alabaster / Yellow Gold for €275 at HOKA.com.
Clément LABORIEUX
Journalist
