Doctors of Running Podcast · Doctors of Running

#283 Breaking Down the Cielo X1 with Hoka

·52 min·3 clips

Becca says Cielo X1 3.0 is the result of learnings from the 1.0 and 2.0.

1. Doctors of Running Podcast #283 breaks down the Hoka Cielo X1 3.0 with Becca from HOKA. 2. Becca from HOKA joins as the product person explaining the Cielo line, and the hosts bring a physical-therapy and running-biomechanics lens. 3. The episode asks what HOKA changed in Cielo X1 3.0 and why those changes matter for race-day running. 4. Becca says Cielo has been HOKA's collection synonymous with speed, and the Cielo X1 was the brand's first super shoe in the market. 5. The hosts note that each Cielo version has changed drastically, especially in weight, geometry, and sole design. 6. Becca says HOKA started thinking about the next version immediately after finalizing the Cielo X1 2.0. 7. She says inline innovation can move on an 18-to-24-month cycle, while some compound projects take three-plus years. 8. The discussion covers how HOKA tested different durometers of PEBA, different plate stiffnesses, and different outsole compounds. 9. Becca explains that the 2.0 used a lateral cutout first, then a medial cutout, while the 3.0 removes the cutouts on both sides. 10. She says the 3.0 uses a longer forefoot rocker and a more canoe-like heel rocker to support control later in a race. 11. Becca says the 3.0 still uses PEBA foam, but the top and bottom layers are now closer together in feel. 12. She explains that HOKA found a softer double-stack setup made the shoe feel more responsive and helped athletes engage the plate more. 13. She says the bridge between the medial and lateral pods is much thicker in the 3.0 than in the 2.0. 14. That thicker bridge reduces the sensation of decoupling and creates more stability under the heel. 15. Becca says the plate design kept the perimeter for control but carved out material to reduce weight. 16. She says the plate alone lost about eight grams while still scoring well on propulsion and athlete perception. 17. The tone is technical and collaborative, with the hosts testing the shoe's feel against their own biomechanics during the conversation. 18. The format is an interview with frequent back-and-forth detail on foam, plate shape, and race-day use cases. 19. Listeners who like shoe design, racing geometry, and biomechanics will get the most out of this episode. 20. Listeners who want a simple product announcement without technical detail may skip it.

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