Hoka Clifton 10 Review

The Hoka Clifton 10 has been updated from the 9th edition with a larger heel drop (up to 8mm from 5mm), a breathable jacquard knit upper, a widened toe box, and a double-lace lock. These refinements improve the shoe's fit, stability, and ventilation over the previous version — yet the Clifton 10 still retains that supremely cushioned landing and padded upper that loyalists have come to expect.

Comfort

Walkers in search of a shoe that'll protect their joints will find comfort in the Hoka Clifton 10. These shoes provide an abundance of squishy CMEVA foam underfoot that thoroughly absorbs the impact from every step you take. Each step we took in these Cliftons, from the first to the 10,000th, felt like we were walking on a pile of marshmallows. The 8mm heel drop encouraged heel striking for a smooth footfall, and the padded heel and tongue kept our feet comfortable in place.

Shoe Interior Shoe Exterior

These shoes fit true to size. The widened toe box left plenty of room for toes to splay, but the midfoot and heel were held firmly in place. An extended heel collar provides a solid grab point to help with sliding the shoes on and off, and it also acts as a chute for your heel to slide up and down, further easing the process. What's more, the heel area has a pinched design that helps lock your Achilles tendon in place for less rubbing. This design choice worked for us, but those with wider ankles may find this a bit restrictive.

Support

For a shoe with as much squish as the Clifton 10, it does feel surprisingly supportive and stable. The widened toe box allows your foot to spread out over more surface area, and the cozy fit of the jacquard upper, with the help of the double-lace lock, does well to keep your foot securely in place.

That said, over the course of our walks, we did notice a lack of support at the sides of the shoe. That soft foam is lovely to walk on when all is straight and even, but once you're thrown off balance, the sides start to collapse under the resulting pressure and stress. Likewise, those who pronate or supinate when walking will find this a considerable issue.

Traction

Walking over various terrains and in variable conditions, we were impressed with the Hoka Clifton's solid grip. This latest version of the Clifton has been equipped with durabrasion rubber at all common ground contact points along the heel and forefoot. That rubber has been cut with a suitable texture for multiple types of terrain, both dry and wet.

Midfoot, the outsole retains its softer EVA foam all the way through to where the shoe meets the road. Though not nearly as textured or grippy as the rubber portion of the outsole, this softer midfoot allows for more give when stepping over big rocks or sticks. With more give, the softer foam can wrap around larger objects, increasing the surface area in contact with them for enhanced traction.

Though these shoes do not have the deep lugs required for looser trails, they have plenty of traction for flat surfaces and hard-packed gravel paths. There are grooves that will channel water and liquid mud away from the shoe for better wet-weather grip.

Weight

Weighing 10.59 ounces per shoe in a men's size 10.5, the Clifton 10 is decently lightweight, though it is ever so slightly heavier than its previous incarnation. That extra weight comes from the increased heel stack and wider toe box — which are the spots where more material was added. But it's still light enough not to feel heavy in use, at least as a walking shoe — runners doing speed work may think differently.

The lightweight jacquard-kit uppers are well-padded, adding a touch of weight to enhance overall comfort and fit. The ventilation helps keep the shoe feeling airy and light, while the softness of the foam adds a cloud-like feel to the entire experience.

Durability

As we walked day after day in the Hoka Clifton 10 shoes, we realized that, regarding durability, it's a tale of two stories. The uppers are amazing. The exterior is tough and abrasion-resistant — it would take a significant impact with an exceptionally sharp stick or jagged rock to leave a mark. Plus, the toe box is suitably reinforced and features a bit of outsole rubber to protect your tootsies from any head-on root or rock collisions. And inside, the heel padding is stout and unlikely to suffer any premature wear.

We have some issues with the outsole, however. The fact that rubber has only been strategically placed at certain contact points means that other areas (the midfoot) are destined to wear faster. And further, the tread patterns on the rubber bits don't have much depth, and we can see them wearing rather quickly themselves at the points where your foot most commonly hits the pavement. It's still a capable outsole, but it'll certainly wear out faster than the uppers.

Should You Buy the Hoka Clifton 10?

Those seeking comfort in a walking shoe will find a lot to like about the Hoka Clifton 10. The thick CMEVA foam absorbs nearly all impact, cushioning and cradling your foot with each and every step. They're excellent on even surfaces, so anyone who frequently walks indoors or along well-maintained pavement will appreciate them even more. The Cliftons are a bit unstable on uneven terrain, and if you often find yourself on such paths, you may want to consider more stable alternatives.

What Other Men's Walking Shoes Should You Consider?

If you're interested in a pair of Hokas but need a shoe that's more rugged and supportive, consider the Hoka Transport. With a deep-lugged Vibram EcoStep Natural outsole, the Transport is more of an all-terrain shoe than the Clifton 10. Alternatively, the Altra Experience Flow 2 has a mesh upper and foam midsole similar in ways to the Clifton, but provides much better stability and durability.