I feel like a total jackass wearing $300 shoes as a solid mid pack runner - the old guy wearing new balance 880’s is still going to smoke my a*s….

Hoka getting narrower and narrower is such a disappointment.

I had the opposite experience. I'm also a middle-pack, heavier runner and I feel like this shoe was designed exactly for runners like us. The last word I would ever use to describe the Cielo X1 is "meh." It's super fun to run in. The combination of the foams, plate, and geometry really launch you down the road. However, I do agree that the upper material is not as breathable as it could be. Also, the laces are questionable at best and MUST be double-knotted. But I find they stay locked in extremely well. Otherwise, it may just come down to your stride. For me, the Cielo X1 currently stands as my favorite running shoe of all time. It's more like the New Balance SC Trainer or the Adidas Prime X - that can also do racing - than a pure racer. To each their own.

I love these shoes. I'm a (barely) sub 2-hour half marathon runner (200 pounds, 49 years old) and I love these shoes to train in. I race in the Rocket X2 and for me, these are the perfect trainer to go along with them. I don't care much about their weight (as heavy as I am) and they feel great at my pace. More structure than the X2 and almost as fast. For me, they're perfect.

Definitely too much hype. I didn't buy it. Literally the heaviest legal stack so-called supershoe. There are better options at lower price points or some other models are available even cheaper at sale. The new Endorphin Pro 4 is still $225. The older version Pro 3 is now available around $160-170. More or less they will do and perform about the same for mid-pack runners.

Not falling for anymore Hoka hype. I’ve tried a bunch and don’t like any of them. Just not fun to run in. Plenty of other shoes out there that make you feel faster.

Finally, a realistic review, specially taking into account middle-of-the-pack runner like me who's not into PBs in race. Thanks for "keeping it real".

Did my first half in these, a few weeks earlier I did 15k in Nike vapor fly. Prefered the Hoka over the Nikes and I am sure there are other factors but my time was better in the Hoka’s and I seemed to need less recovery time after the race. Plan on using them in an upcoming marathon over the Vapor flys and save the Nikes for shorter distances and speed work

Mid pack marathon runners should just buy the Endorphin Speed 4 for at least $100 less...

This is currently my shoe of the year, the Cielo is what the Super comp V4 thinks it is.

Appreciate the honest review. I’m a mid-pack runner and I love these shoes. They are so much fun to run in; the most fun I have had in a shoe in a long time. They are bouncy and propulsive which make me faster, but there are certainly other race shoes out there that would make me faster, but these are just so much fun to run in I prefer these.

I appreciate your detail and always honest reviews.

I appreciate your truthfulness.

Your color grading here is beautiful, props! This is the first video I've seen where these don't look like a Lisa Frank notebook.

I absolutely love this shoe - so much fun to run in! The bounce is insane and the rocker just keeps you moving. Nothing but good things to say about it.

Good to have varied opinions. Thomas from Believe in the Run has said after 100 miles it could be one of his shoes of the year, as a mid packer. Great review

Absolutely love the unfiltered and real take on these shoes. It was super clear that Hoka was going hard on the marketing front for these and I really appreciate a review like this that helps cut through that noise and get a clear picture. Great work!!

Hoka clifton 9, 229 grams.

Thanks for the honest review. I’m a mid pack runner and was considering these for a Marathon in the fall. My current race shoe is the Rocket x 2 and based on your review I will probably stick with them and save a few $$

Thank you for honest account, yesterday watched Thomas believe in the run saying he likes it as a daily trainer- some of us are taken off reality- or to much freebies make some 😅