Hoka Clifton 10 - Women's Review

With 38 millimeters of stack under the heel, the Hoka Clifton 10 is among the most cushioned shoes we have tested. Designed as a running shoe, these double as an excellent walking shoe that can tackle very long walks or extended hours upright.

Comfort

In the words of our lead tester, “The first time I put on the Clifton 10, I felt like I was standing on a pillow.” These shoes greet your feet with an obvious plush cushion, mostly noticeable under the heel. At first, all this cushioning might seem a bit like overkill, or maybe even unstable. However, this changed after our first walk in them. By the second walk, we were sold. The cushion wasn't so obvious, but it was relieving. It allows the heel to hit the ground much more softly and then gently roll into the toe with ease. The plush midsole provided a light springiness and gentle rocker that helps propel you forward step by step.

The upper is among the most comfortable in the lineup. The Clifton doesn't bite down on any part of the foot, and our tester reported that she was able to let out enough laces to accommodate her high midfoot. The toe box is also among the more generous, allowing for a natural toe splay.

The Clifton is easy to get on thanks to the slick sock liner and generous heel tab. The heel tab is angled away from the Achilles, so it doesn't rub the ankle as you walk. And if you don't like to take the time to tie your shoes, we were even able to slip these on and off without relacing them, thanks to the large heel tab.

Support

Given the substantial cushioning of the Clifton 10, we were surprised at how stable and supportive they are. The wide base makes up for the tall cushion, and we never once felt like we would roll an ankle. Even when we purposefully tried to oversupinate, the shoe guided us back into a natural step; however, it should be noted that these do not act as corrective shoes. The traditional lace system was enough for us to get a secure fit. However, the shoe features additional eyelets closer to the ankle, providing even more security if needed.

The shoe doesn't have the most robust arch support, but if this is something you're after, an aftermarket insole could do the trick. Although the Clifton 10 has 38 millimeters under the heel, it features a modest 7 millimeters of drop. Paired with the gentle rocker, this had us resting in an easy balance across my heels, midfoot, and toes.

The Hoka Clifton 10 is among the stiffer shoes in our lineup, which is great for hard flooring, and especially for those who spend hours on their feet. Off the foot, we were able to get some bend in the toe, but the remainder of the shoe was stiff.

Traction

Built as a road shoe, the traction on the Clifton 10 reflects this. It excels on some surfaces and struggles on others. They feel very secure on concrete, tile, and paths with small pebbles. Even on wet tile, these shoes provide enough traction to keep you from slipping. The outsole is made from 77% rubber and 23% EVA. In the center of the outsole, the lugs are constructed from EVA. The heel and toe box have a light rubber layer. Although it may not seem like much, the rubber is very sticky on tile. However, should this rubber get dirty, there isn't a deep tread to keep you sure-footed.

The only surface these don't do well on is gravel with larger rocks. Gravel can be tricky to walk on, and the large, stiffer surface area of these shoes doesn't help. We didn't feel like we would slip necessarily, but we felt less secure in each step. If you often walk on gravel paths, you might opt for a shoe that isn't so broad. The Clifton 10 did exceptionally well on all other surfaces.

Weight

While the Clifton uses plenty of plush material, the shoes aren't all that heavy. A single woman's size 9 shoe weighs just 8.3 ounces. The midsole is made from CMEVA (compression-molded EVA), which tends to be lightweight. Likewise, the upper is made from a thin jacquard knit. No part of the shoe feels particularly heavy, even the heel cup, which has more cushion and fabric.

They're not heavy, but these shoes might feel clunky, especially if you aren't used to Hoka's plush style. They still manage to feel airy, though, largely thanks to the vent holes in the toe box and across the upper.

Durability

We've walked many miles in these shoes, and we're happy with how they've held up. The midsole remains springy and shows no signs of wear. The tip of the toe box is reinforced, which has helped avoid unnecessary damage and toe scuffs. The heel cup is also reinforced and more rigid than the rest of the shoe. The fabric and cushioning here feel secure, and after extensive use, they don't appear to be losing their structural integrity.

Our only concern with the Clifton 10 is the lightweight jacquard upper. While it has held up during our tests, we aren't confident in the fabric's longevity, especially in the vented areas. Outdoor walks invite unwanted snags from bushes, grass, or sticks. However, we are pleased with the shoe's underfoot longevity, especially the CMEVA midsole, which remains springy walk after walk.

Should You Buy the Hoka Clifton 10?

Our testing team was impressed by the Hoka Clifton 10 for many reasons, and we think it is a worthy walking shoe. If you're looking for plush and comfortable shoes, this is the one for you. The Clifton is more than capable of long-distance walks or anytime you are on your feet for hours on end. Additionally, this shoe remains a favorite running shoe, should you want something to easily transition between the two.

What Other Walking Shoes Should You Consider?

The Clifton 10 is hard to beat when it comes to plush comfort. However, the Brooks Ghost Max 2 is another worth considering. These shoes thrive as a stable option that still have 37 millimeters underfoot. If you're not too thrilled about pillow-like midsoles, the On Cloud 6 is worth checking out. The Cloud 6 is one of the most supportive shoes we have tested, and though it isn't plush like the Clifton, it has its own set of aspects that make it comfortable.