Hoka Clifton 10 Review

Comfort and Fit

The Clifton's fit and finish may not be for everyone. They feel snug, which provides a great lockdown, but can also feel uncomfortable during longer efforts. The Clifton features a lightweight, engineered mesh upper material with a finer weave on the interior. We don't think it's the most comfortable, as the materials are a little rough. The tongue is padded, but we did run into issues with it moving during runs. The heel features an extended pull tab, which is helpful for putting the shoe on, and also does a good job of preventing rubbing on the back of the Achilles.

The Clifton fits snugly. The toe box is to be tighter than average and relatively low volume. The outside of the toe box tapers fairly aggressively, which contributed to some pressure on the lateral edge of our feet. Our average width feet had less space for toe wiggling and spread or splay on impact than some of the competition. This narrow design continues through the midfoot.

The lockdown is excellent, but there isn't much space for feet to expand into. The shape of the midsole, particularly through the arch of the foot, contributes significantly to this, providing substantial support in this area. Some runners may find this very comfortable, but others will find it creates pressure points; we thought it was a little too aggressive towards the end of runs when good running mechanics start to break down, and feet collapse a little more than when legs are fresh.

The Clifton heel is also narrow to average width, but is reasonably deep and supportive. There are some sidewalls along the heel, which provide support, but can feel restrictive if you prefer a more flexible fit. The Clifton 10 is offered in a wide fit, and runners with wide feet should absolutely size up without hesitation, as some runners with even average to narrow feet feel they are the most comfortable.

Cushioning

The Clifton became popular because it provided solid cushioning in a relatively nimble, do-it-all package. Unfortunately, we're not sure this iteration really improved any of those features. The choice to use a compression-molded EVA foam is disappointing. There's quite a bit of it underfoot (39mm with a 7mm heel-toe drop), but it feels flat. There's no noticeable pop or bounce. While smooth rolling shoes typically aren't the bounciest, those with premium midsole foams feel noticeably more engaging and protective underfoot. We're disappointed Hoka didn't match the competition in this area. As a result, the Clifton feels nimble but unresponsive. You can run fast in these shoes, but it isn't as easy or enjoyable as shoes with more energy return.

The Clifton running experience is smooth, but not soft. The foam provides a good amount of support underfoot, with a consistent feel. For runners who want a predictable feeling shoe with every single step, this might be a good choice. It's also a pretty stable shoe. While it is not a dedicated stability shoe, it provides plenty of support, especially medially, which some runners may appreciate. On the other hand, our legs felt a little more abused after a long run in these shoes compared to other options. Particularly on routes with a lot of downhill, we definitely noticed more soreness.

Breathability

The Clifton 10 doesn't feel remarkably breathable. In fact, we regularly noticed warm and humid feet during summer testing. As a result, it scores a little below average for breathability. We're actually a little surprised by the lack of breathability, as the mesh is somewhat airy and should provide better airflow.

Traction

The Clifton features chunks of rubber in its outsole to provide traction in key contact patches and is grooved in multiple directions. We believe the outsole performs well on pavement, and we experienced no issues with wet, cold, or dry pavement conditions. Unfortunately, the rubber outsole showed premature wear during testing, and we worry the longevity could be lacking given the higher price of the Cliftons; we had higher expectations.

Should You Buy the Hoka Clifton 10?

If you value a smooth and predictable ride with good support, the Clifton 10 is a solid option. However, we think the lack of a more energetic midsole foam really holds it back from being a truly impressive all-around running shoe. The Clifton doesn't offer the engaging running experience we've come to expect from a daily trainer. It's still a good shoe, but we believe there are better options available for all but the most casual runner.

What Other Running Shoes Should You Consider?