The verdict · Hoka Clifton 10
The Clifton 10 is my favorite road trainer yet. Its knit upper holds my foot more securely than the Clifton 8 or 9, and the updated ride feels quick without giving up the soft cushioning. On rocks, roots, and loose gravel, the tall stack feels unstable.
What works
- More secure fit and quicker ride than the Clifton 8 and 9
- Light enough to turn over quickly
- EVA midsole takes the sting out of long pavement runs
- Jacquard knit upper and double-lace lock keep my foot in place
- Walkers with plantar fasciitis and people on their feet all day often praise the thick cushioning
What doesn't
- Tall stack takes time to adjust to and feels less stable on sharp turns
- Unstable on rocks, roots, and loose gravel
- Not enough structure for heavy overpronators
Hoka Clifton 10 — key specs
| Primary use | Road running, daily training, walking |
|---|---|
| Midsole | Next-generation compression-molded EVA |
| Heel-to-toe drop | 8mm, up 3mm from previous Cliftons |
| Upper | Engineered jacquard knit with breathable textile lining |
| Lacing | Double-lace lock that keeps the tongue from sliding |
| Support | Neutral |
| Widths | Standard, Wide, X-Wide, 3X-Wide |
| List price | $150 |
On this page
I ask a lot of a daily trainer. It needs enough cushioning for long runs, enough response for faster workouts, and the durability to make it through a full training block. I've tried plenty of brands and models over the years, but after more than 200 miles in the Hoka Clifton 10, I keep reaching for this pair first.
I logged hundreds of miles in the Clifton 8 and 9, too. The tenth version looks like a modest update on paper, but the new upper and ride make it the best Clifton I've worn.
Where I Put the Miles
At 200 miles, the foam has had time to compress, the upper has had time to stretch, and the outsole has taken plenty of pavement. Here's where those miles went:
- Roads: I logged 200+ miles on my Apple Watch Ultra 2, mostly on asphalt, concrete sidewalks, and paved greenway paths.
- Pace and distance: I wore them for Zone 2 recovery jogs, tempo sessions, and long endurance runs.
After 200 miles, the foam still has some spring, the upper has held together, and the pair has worn well.
How the Clifton 10 Rides
Hoka built its name on thick cushioning. The Clifton works for me because all that softness doesn't make the shoe feel clumsy.
Hoka raised the heel-to-toe drop by 3mm over previous Cliftons. Even with the taller heel, the shoe feels light, and it turns over easily when I pick up the pace. The rocker rolls each footstrike forward while the EVA midsole takes some of the sting out of long runs on hard pavement.
The upper fits me better than the Clifton 9's. The breathable jacquard knit wraps my foot more closely, and the double-lace lock keeps the tongue from wandering as it sometimes did in older models. Once I tie the shoe, my foot doesn't move around inside it.
Where the Clifton 10 Falls Short
Most of my complaints come from the same feature that makes the Clifton so comfortable: its height.
It Sits High Off the Ground
The thick EVA midsole and higher drop put your foot well above the pavement, adding roughly an inch and a half to two inches to your height. If you're coming from a minimalist or lower-stack shoe, give yourself a few outings to adjust. You lose some ground feel, and the height is hard to ignore around sharp corners where ankle stability matters.
Keep It on Pavement
The Clifton 10 isn't a trail shoe. I use my Saucony Peregrines on dirt because the Clifton's tall stack and road outsole feel unstable across rocks, roots, and loose gravel. I reserve this pair for roads and tracks.
Feedback From Other Runners
Other runners keep bringing up four of the same things I've noticed:
- Soft cushioning: People who spend all day on their feet often call them "walking on pillows." One traveler walked 25,000 steps a day around Japan without getting a blister.
- Relief while walking: Reviewers with plantar fasciitis or neuropathy often say the thick EVA cushioning makes walking more manageable.
- Toe room: The toe box gives your toes space to splay, and Hoka sells widths through 3X-Wide.
- Limited support: Some heavy overpronators say their feet roll inward on the soft, tall platform. This is a neutral shoe; if you need medial support, look at Hoka's Arahi or Gaviota.
Verdict After 200+ Miles
The Clifton 10 has replaced the 8 and 9 as the road shoe I grab first. The upper fits closer, the tongue stays put, and I can pick up the pace without losing the soft ride I want for long pavement miles. It's the best road shoe I've run in yet.
I leave it home when I'm heading to a technical trail, and heavy overpronators may need a more supportive model. At $150, I'd buy it for road marathon training or long days on my feet. The roomy fit and thick cushioning also explain why so many walkers with plantar fasciitis like it.
