ASICS Metaspeed Edge Tokyo vs HOKA Cielo X1 v3

Ride profile: maximal cushion , neutral stability .

• A top-tier carbon racing shoe that improves on its predecessor with better stability, lighter weight, and bouncier cushioning from the FF Leap foam layer. All testers found it fast and efficient, with one placing it in his top three to five carbon racers, though one tester still preferred the Sky Tokyo's snappier ride feel.

  Ride:Springy and bouncy with a compress-and-bounce trampoline feel rather than a snappy slingshot. The FF Leap top layer provides soft cushioning and energy return while the FF Blast Turbo Plus bottom layer adds stability and control. More controlled and stable than previous Edge versions. Smooth heel-to-toe transition with good energy at the midfoot. Felt fast at lower heart rates than expected. More forgiving than the Sky Tokyo at slower paces and deeper into longer races.

  Fit:True to size across all testers. Narrow around the heel collar and midfoot but opens up well in the forefoot. Very light and breathable racing upper with thin tongue and minimal heel padding. Laces require a bit of work to get good lockdown but hold well once set. Heel counter is one of the more structured areas of the upper.

  In their words: "It almost vanishes on the foot" · "highly cushioned with lots of bounce and energy" · "save for race day"

  — The Run Testers , 62 mi tested , source

• After a slow start requiring 40-50 miles of break-in, the Metaspeed Edge Tokyo became one of the reviewer's top racing shoes of 2025. The midsole gets bouncier and more responsive with wear, outsole durability is excellent at 100 miles, but the upper lacks security and can be harsh on skin without proper socks. Best suited for 5K to half marathon distances.

  Ride:Midsole takes 40-50 miles to break in but becomes significantly bouncier and more responsive afterward. FlyteFoam Leap layer compresses over time making the drop feel slightly higher and improving stability. Forefoot rocker is excellent once broken in. Snaps off the forefoot nicely at faster paces. More stable than expected after break-in due to heel flare in the Turbo Plus layer. Not the most comfortable at very slow paces but excels at tempo and faster.

  Fit:High volume but slightly snug upper with thin tongue. Not very secure and can cause blisters without good socks. Harsh knit material against bare skin. Needs careful lacing to avoid pinching the top of the foot. Heel counter is flexible. Upper durability has been good over 100 miles.

  In their words: "stupidly light" · "took a while to break in" · "max out this shoe at a half marathon"

  — Doctors of Running , 100 mi tested , source

• #7. Softer/more forgiving ride, less dependent on foot strike. Works for both cadence and stride runners. Upper is a bit generous — could lose weight there.

  In their words: "a slightly softer, more forgiving ride" · "the upper is really quite generous"

  — EDDBUD , source

• A still-very-fast racer that the reviewer currently favors as his Chicago Marathon shoe because the Turbo Plus heel feels more stable and forgiving as fatigue sets in, pending half marathon heat-spot testing.

  Ride:Has only a sliver of the new Leap foam on top and a bigger slab of Turbo Plus in the heel, making it feel less racy than the Sky but more stable and forgiving when the runner moves back onto the heel late in a marathon. Marketed for cadence runners with a more curved plate situated lower in the midsole.

  Fit:On the previous version the reviewer developed a heat spot under the forefoot before the London Marathon due to toe curling; needs half marathon testing to see if it recurs in this model

  In their words: "more going to be marathon focused" · "still a very fast shoe"

  — FORDY RUNS , source

Ride profile: maximal cushion , neutral stability .

• The Cielo X1 3.0 is a top-tier race shoe with a wild, squishy, and explosive ride that edges out the Fast R3 on bounce and cushioning; both reviewers would reach for it for races up to the half marathon.

  Ride:Soft, highly compressive and bouncy midsole with an aggressive rocker that throws you forward; more cushioned and forgiving than the Fast R3 but slightly less stable

  Fit:Snug race-hugging fit, narrow toe box with limited clearance at the front; true to size recommended, possibly half size up for marathon distance

  — The Run Testers , 62 mi tested , source

• A lightweight, fully-kitted racer with PEBA and a carbon plate, optimal for midfoot/forefoot strikers.

  Fit:Stripped down, snug upper designed for racing

  — Kofuzi , source

• A pure race-day shoe now (v1 was a fun super-trainer), lighter at 7.5oz and bouncier than ever. Thomas A / Robbie B → green grade. Robbie misses the trainer-ish feel of the original.

  Ride:Both PEBA layers are now the same softness/durometer (vs. soft-over-firm in v2), making this softer and bouncier. Bounce is the magic — feels higher-stacked than 38mm because of the rebound. New plate has cutouts but no wings; less stable than v2 despite removed cutout — fun at faster paces, dicey on slick conditions. Aggressive midfoot/forefoot rocker, no longer fun at easy pace like the original.

  Fit:Offset/asymmetrical sawtooth laces give a secure lockdown. Snug through the midfoot/throat but enough toe space for toe spread. Heel has minimal padding — little nubs don't lock in great. Thomas felt between sizes. Good for triathletes due to hydrophobic upper.

  In their words: "it's a straight racer now" · "rewards you for going out there and having fun" · "like a tennis racket"

  — Believe in the Run , source

• Massively improved over the v2 (which Fordy couldn't run in due to the medial cutout). Bounce, rhythm, and outsole grip all delivered a 7-minute PB. Heel instability and lateral lace pinch are real concerns for the marathon distance.

  Ride:Rode to a 7-minute course PB at a hilly half marathon (1:36) on a muddy, slippery, hilly course. Foam + plate combo gives a great rhythm at marathon goal pace (7:20–7:30/mi). Outsole grip exceeded expectations on terrible road conditions. Heel section is unstable — the cutout/bevel at the back means heel strikers feel unsupported, especially on downhills.

  Fit:Anatomical/angled lacing pinches across the foot — hard to dial in over a marathon distance. Loosen for comfort and it feels too baggy; cinch and it pinches the lateral side. Avoid if wide-footed.

  In their words: "nice rhythm with the shoe" · "took everything that I threw at it" · "incredibly unstable in this heel section"

  — FORDY RUNS , source