Highsnobiety
Double Tap to Zoom
HOKA
1 / 8

HOKA’s Cielo X1 is mighty quick — the race day running shoe featured the highest energy return of all the fast-paced footwear in HOKA’s stable when it debuted last year — but its newest version, the second generation of Cielo X1 shoes, takes things up a notch.

Progressing beyond its already-rapid predecessor, the Cielo X1 2.0 has been heavily tweaked and refined with nothing but speed in mind: it is lighter, more breathable, has enhanced cushioning, includes a more aggressive rocker profile, and features improved outsole traction. In layman's terms, it’s made to go faster.

A chunky sole unit does much of the heavy lifting in allowing the all-new Cielo X1 to go through the gears. Behind its sculpted shape, featuring cut-outs to save weight, the running shoe has a snappy carbon fiber plate sandwiched inside a dual-density PEBA midsole. 

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Instagram post.

As for the upper, the relatively simple knit finish of the past Cielo X1 is replaced with a more breathable engineered jacquard mesh and 3D screen-printed overlays.

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this YouTube video.

HOKA's hope, presumably, will be that this sneaker will be prevalent on the roads once marathon season picks up later this year. 

A trail running brand by trade, HOKA has snatched a large slice of the sporty footwear market through highly cushioned, rugged running shoes. Its position in road running is less well-established, however, so with another super shoe in tow, the brand is quickly taking strides to topple the sportswear giants on the road as well as the trails. 

The Cielo X1 2.0 is set to drop on January 27 via HOKA’s website, retailing for $275. 

We Recommend
  • Finally, a Beautiful Comeback for HOKA's Gloriously Gaudy Trail Sneaker
  • From adidas to HOKA, Browse This Week’s Best Sneaker Releases
  • HOKA's Techy Trail Shoe Has Never Been More SATISFYing
  • Nike's Super Normal Sneaker Looks Super Good in Light Leather
  • HOKA’s Trail-Ready Formal Shoe Is the Final Boss of Sneaker-Loafers (EXCLUSIVE)
What To Read Next
  • Quiksilver Is Dropping Nostalgia-Infused Relaunch Line
  • The Fashion Files: Levi's®, Linen, and the Laws of Spring Style
  • A Great "Bred" Jordan Sneaker Is Born Again (& Short Again, Too)
  • Nike's Seoul-Inspired Jordan Sneaker Is Back & Legimately Better Than Before
  • This Is the Only T-Shirt That Matters Right Now
  • Pop Quiz: Are You Ready for Luxury Fashion's Class of 2026?