HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 vs ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo

Cielo X1 3.0 or Metaspeed Sky Tokyo? Here’s how they compare on feel, fit, brand specs and price, from the fitting team at The Run House.

The short answer

Want HOKA’s fastest marathon racer? Get the Cielo X1 3.0.

Want a featherlight, bouncy marathon racer? Get the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo.

Get the Cielo X1 3.0 if

You like a higher heel-to-toe drop (7mm vs 5mm)

Get the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo if

You want the lighter shoe, by about 1.8 oz
You prefer a lower drop (5mm vs 7mm)

These two are close. Fit will decide it, so try both on.

On the run

Cielo X1 3.0: HOKA’s fastest, most aggressive racer. Incredibly bouncy, with dual-layer PEBA foam, a new carbon plate and a big rocker that rolls you forward. Best from 10K to the marathon at quick paces; the heel can feel tippy when you’re tired.

Metaspeed Sky Tokyo: The featherweight bounce racer. Super light and explosive, with plush FF Leap foam and fantastic energy return over a carbon plate. Unstable for heel strikers.

Specs side by side

	Cielo X1 3.0	Metaspeed Sky Tokyo
Price	$275	$269.95
Stack height (heel / forefoot)	38 / 31mm*	39.5 / 34.5mm*
Drop	7mm	5mm
Weight, men’s	7.52 oz	5.7 oz*
Weight, women’s	Not listed by HOKA	Not listed by ASICS
Support	Neutral	Neutral
Plate	Carbon plate	Carbon plate
Widths	Standard	Standard
Built for	Race day, Tempo & workouts	Race day, Tempo & workouts
Expected life	200–300 miles	150–250 miles

Stack, drop and weight come from each brand’s own website. Numbers marked * aren’t published by the brand and come from other published specs. Weights are for the size each brand quotes. Expected life is our estimate.

Fit

Cielo X1 3.0. Many testers found it a touch short, so consider a half size up. Snug, tapered toebox with a well-padded heel.

Metaspeed Sky Tokyo. True to size with a secure lockdown and lots of toe height, but the toebox is narrow.

Try them on

Come try on both at The Run House in Walpole, Needham or Falmouth. Gait analysis is always free.