Hoka Clifton 10 Review
By David Salas and Matthew Klein
Hoka Clifton 10Price: $150 at Running Warehouse
Weight: 9.8 oz, 278g (men's size 10), 8.0 oz, 227g (women's size 8)
Stack Height: Not Provided, but the 3 extra mm in the heel account for 8mm drop
Drop: 8 mm
Shoe Purpose: Daily Training Shoe
Pros: Nice rocker profile that is good for both standing and easy running
Cons: Volume is a bit lower and may fit too snug for some
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
The Hoka Clifton 10 is a neutral daily training shoe that uses an 8mm drop platform and a rocker geometry. This is a departure from it's typical 5mm drop, adding more height in the heel as a result. The Clifton otherwise remains classic to recent editions. For stability, the shoe continues to use popular Hoka design including sidewalls and some gentle sole flaring throughout the length of the shoe.
The Clifton series has been a long time favorite for logging easy mileage and in recent years also popular for long hours of prolonged standing and walking. The Hoka Clifton 10 continues upon this tradition and design its latest update.
SIMILAR SHOES: Saucony Ride 18, Hoka Skyflow
PAST MODEL: Hoka Clifton 9
FIT
(To learn how a shoe should fit, check out our full podcast on fit by Matt Klein.)
Matt: The Hoka Clifton 10 fits me true to size in my normal Men's US size 10. The upper is a little snug and slightly lower volume, but does break in with time. The toe box is neither wide or as tapered as other Hokas. This transitions into a normal-to-slightly snug forefoot. The midfoot is normal-to-slightly snug with a non-gusseted, moderately thick tongue. I did not have any issues with tongue slippage and only had to tighten the laces to get a secure fit. The heel is a normal width with a large amount of heel collar cushioning and a thick, stiff counter. The heel padding has cushioned my heel from the counter, but as it breaks in I am starting to notice it more. Thus, those with sensitivities should approach with caution. I would encourage the use of socks with this shoe as there are exposed seams/material transitions at the toe guard and the midfoot. Overall, the fit is still slightly snug as Cliftons tend to be, but also less tapered than prior versions.
Typical Size: Men's US Size 10
Shoes that have fit Matt well: Saucony Guide 17, ASICS Kayano 30, Hoka Gaviota 5, Saucony Endorphin Elite, Nike Ultrafly
Shoes that have fit snug: Hoka Arahi 7, Saucony Kinvara 14
Shoes that have fit large: Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2, Altra Timp 5
David: The Hoka Clifton 10 fits true to size in my Men's 9.5, though a little snug throughout. The volume is on the lower end initially, but does break in pretty quickly. The upper uses a Jacquard knit material that has a little bit of stretch to it, but does hold its structure relatively well. The width in the heel, midfoot, and forefoot are all normal throughout without being overly wide or narrow in any region. The shoe does lock down well. The lacing system is integrated with a well padded tongue and I had no issues with biting from the laces. The heel has been re-worked for improved fit, and I do feel the heel is really secure. There is a rigid heel counter, but it is padded really well. I did not have any issues with heel slippage or foot translation. The midfoot was pretty traditional and fit pretty well without encroaching on the medial longitudinal arch. The forefoot had decent width, but did taper pretty quick. I think I would like a tad more width or volume through that region, but otherwise the fit was dialed in well. The upper material does run a little on the warmer side, but still breathes well enough for running in all conditions. This was an upper that has worked pretty well for me for all of my uses.
David's Typical Size: Men's US Size 9.5
Shoes that have fit David well: Nike Vomero 17, Saucony Ride 16, Puma Velocity Nitro 3
Shoes that have fit snug: HOKA Arahi 7
Shoes that have fit large: Salomon Aero Glide
Doctors of Running Checklist
Is This a Good Shoe for Walking: Yes
Is This a Good Shoe for Standing: Yes
Is the Forefoot Flexible: Somewhat
How Flexible is the Shoe: Mild
Is This a Good Heel Bevel: Yes
Recommended for Haglunds: No
Recommended for Sockless: No
Durability Expectation: Below Average - Average
PERFORMANCE
Matt: The Hoka Clifton 10 is a daily training shoe that features some drastic changes for this line. The new versions uses a compression molded EVA midsole that runs slightly firmer. While there is plenty of cushioning underfoot, the foam is not as compliant as prior versions. The new 8mm is noticeable and took me a second to get used to in a Hoka shoe. It is not clunky and the rearfoot has a decent bevel with a large lateral crash pad that does break in after a few miles. Initially, the firmer sole and that lateral aspect of the heel was really stiff and bothered my lateral ankle (fibular muscles). As the sole broke in, this went away but know it takes some time for this shoe to break in. This transition moves into a far more stable midfoot thanks to the slightly firmer ride. The forefoot is smooth thanks to an early forefoot rocker combined with a stiffer ride. The front is also slightly firm, which makes the shoe feel a little snappy off the toes. Those with significant toe mobility issues may not find quite enough stiffness up front, but those with mild issues will do fine.
Purpose-wise, this shoe is best for daily miles although it can do some uptempo work due to the slightly firmer midsole. It is not the fastest shoe and has certainly deviated from its lighter predecessors. This has differentiated it from models like the Mach and other series meant to go faster. It will do far better as a daily trainer alongside other shoes like the Saucony Ride, Asics Cumulus, etc.
Traction-wise, the outsole does well on road and mild trail. The outsole durability has not been good as I am already ripping through both the exposed midsole and outsole reinforcements after 30 miles. The midsole durability is decent as it has broken in and is mostly holding its slightly firmer ride without getting mushy. Overall, the new Clifton 10 has filled the roll of a standard daily neutral training shoe with some Hoka/maximal tendencies still preserved.
David: Hoka has always done a good job of creating rockered platforms. The theme continues with the Hoka Clifton 10. The Hoka Clifton 10 uses a compress molded EVA midsole that gives you plenty of cushioning underfoot, but still feels a tad on the firmer side. The increased stack height in the heel is noticeable and the 8mm drop ratio does feel a tad higher from previous Clifton models. The general feeling of the Clifton is similar, but I actually did appreciate having a higher drop in this model. The shoe feels like you are dropping into the forefoot a little bit more. Because the foam is a little bit firmer, it does feel like you are carrying a little more forward inertia from the heel down the larger drop ratio. The heel does have some sidewalls that are integrated in the medial and lateral aspects.
Though these are present through the midfoot, they do simmer down a decent amount in involvement. I think the upper security is good enough to where I actually like the reduced sidewalls through the midfoot. The shoe feels very neutral with some gentle guidance. The forefoot rocker is pronounced and is accompanied with mild flexibility. Because of this you do feel like you are consistently rolling forward. The outsole traction underfoot is decent and you should be able to take this shoe into a decent variety of footing. The weight certainly makes this shoe a daily training shoe, but the natural firmness and stiffness of the sole allow the Clifton 10 to pick the pace up a little bit. For me, this is a good neutral workhorse.
STABILITY
(Learn more about stability in our full guide)
Matt: The Hoka Clifton 10 is a stable neutral shoe. The ride is slightly firmer and not soft like prior versions. There are solid, although smaller but more potent sidewalls in the anterior heel that keep the foot aggressively centered until they break in. The width of the sole is wider with plenty of sole flare and a filled in midfoot. This creates a stable neutral ride through but especially in the midfoot / anterior heel.
David: The Hoka Clifton 10 is definitely a neutral shoe, but does have some components that help with stability. The shoe does run on the firmer side of midsoles, which still gives you a grounded experience despite how much foam there is. The upper lockdown is good throughout and gives you a predictable and secure experience on the platform. The shoe does also use noticeable sidewalls and guidance through the heel region as well. The width of the platform is consistent with most neutral shoes, but there is some gentle sole flaring that creates a decently stable environment as well.
Thoughts as a DPT: Why Are Maximal Shoes Often Lower Drop?
By Matthew Klein
This is the first time (to my knowledge) that the Clifton has moved from its 5mm drop. Most of the Hoka line up also sit in that range, with only a rare shoe like the Cielo X1 moving to a 7mm drop shoe. Many maximal shoes tend to be at a more moderate to lower drop. This is changing as traditional trainers in the 8-10mm range start to add stack height, but even some of those are starting to lower their drops. For Hoka, much of the lower drop aspect may come from the original designs but there are some biomechanical reasons for this. As stack heights get taller, shoes inherently become more unstable. There are ways around this, such as raising the sides of the shoe up (sidewalls) so the foot sits inside the shoe, widening the base of the shoe and adding additional sole flare throughout the length of the shoe. The other thing that can be done is lower the drop so the ankle sits in a more level position. For those with adequate ankle mobility, being in great dorsiflexion adds additional muscular tension in certain parts of the foot and for heel strikers does not provide as early an initial contact (which with a higher heel drop, maximal shoe may cause additional torque at the ankle side to side).
However, this completely changes for those with limited ankle mobility in dorsiflexion. Those individuals may find lower drop shoes more unstable as they will typically compensate with other joints (subtalar joint) for the lack of motion at their ankle. Lower drop shoes may also put additional stress through the Achilles tendon and ankle joint in some people, so not everyone does well in a lower drop shoe (and not everyone does well in a higher drop one either!). A 7-8mm drop is a more accommodating level for those coming from more traditional 9-10mm drop shoes (which are actually becoming more rare) and is far more common among running shoes. Thus, as Hoka tries to keep consumers on the Clifton train, it is not surprising that the newest version has moved to a heel drop more consistent with the rest of the market.
Check out our Hoka Clifton 10 and Bondi 9 comparison.
 |
| Hoka Clifton 10 and Bondi 9 |
RECOMMENDATIONS
Matt: Like many shoes now, I appreciate the upgrades but am slightly conflicted based on their history. The Hoka Clifton 10 seems to finally be finding its place, although it is different from where it started. Hoka has differentiated it from others like the Skyflow (different drop, feel, function), Mach and other shoes, finally putting it in the standard training spot. It isn't mushy anymore, and is stable neutral and as aggressively tapered as other Hokas, making it a great entry point into the brand for many. My minor suggestion would be to move the bevel slightly lateral rather than having such a large crash pad. This may ease the transitions in without having the shoe take time to really break in. My major suggestion is to use a more dense outsole material. This may require softening the midsole foam to compensate for the increased firmness but I have torn up the outsole far quicker than any other daily trainer (recently). This will help the shoe last longer as the midsole is holding up well.
David: I really enjoyed my time in the Hoka Clifton 10, but I do have a recommendation. The update in the upper material was nice, but I would like for a little more room in the forefoot. I found that the lower volume broke in pretty well, but a little bit more width through that region would be appreciated.
WHO IS THIS SHOE FOR?
Matt: The Hoka Clifton 10 is the brand's standard daily training shoe for those who want a slightly firmer maximal training shoe. The fit will work best for those with normal to narrow feet who want a slightly lower volume but more width than many Hokas up front. The ride will work best for those who want a stable neutral ride with an 8mm drop. The heel drop is rare among maximal shoes like these, so those who have had Achilles issues despite the geometry may do better in something like this.
The Clifton series has worn a few different hats during its time, from racer to workout shoe to daily trainer, which it has settled more and more into over the past few editions. It slightly more expensive at $150, which puts it above its competitors which mostly sit at $140. While I think this is one of the best versions in a while, those wanting to spend that money should make sure they are not shufflers like me so that outsole holds up. The upper and midsole certainly will, so those looking to log solid training miles with a slightly firmer ride and higher drop than the previous version will enjoy the new Clifton 10.
David: The Hoka Clifton 10 is a neutral daily training shoe for those looking to have a protective and firmly rockered training shoe. The Clifton 10 now has an 8mm drop platform, and though it is noticeable, it does not change the experience so much that Clifton fans will need to find a new shoe. The higher drop ratio does give you a dropping sensation that rolls you quickly through the forefoot. The fit is a little more snug at first as well. The Clifton 10 is a protective but firm riding workhorse for logging big training miles.
GRADES
Matt
Fit: B+/A- (Takes some time to break in but wider than most Hokas without being sloppy. Still slightly snug/normal fit)
Performance: B+ (Slightly firm ride with 8mm drop and decent ride that takes time to break in. Best for daily miles with less versatility into faster stuff now)
Stability: A- [Stable Neutral] (Stable neutral midfoot and heel with sidewalls, firmer ride and wider shape)
Value: B- (Good update but subpar outsole durability despite being more expensive than competitors)
Personal: B+/A- (Although I had a rough start with this shoe, the slightly firmer and stable neutral ride is working really well for me. A consistent mileage shoe that is comfortable but I wish the outsole would last longer)
Overall Design: B+
David
Fit: B (The upper is very secure throughout, but could be a little wider through the forefoot with a touch more volume)
Performance: A- (Weight makes for a true trainer, but the firm rockered ride is done well and this shoe can eat up big miles)
Stability: B+/A- (Great stability through the heel, good upper security, very neutral through the midfoot and forefoot)
Value: A- (Pricing is climbing and slowly approaching premium trainer prices, but I think most people will find their value in this model)
Personal: A- (A nice rockered ride for easy days and long runs.)
Overall Design: A-
SHOP | SUPPORT DORHoka Clifton 10Price: $150 at Running Warehouse
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FURTHER READING
Last year's update gets a little more structured.
Higher stacked than ever before.
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