Hoka Clifton 10 Review: Even More of the Comfort We Love

Introduction to the Hoka Clifton 10

MEAGHAN: The Hoka Clifton and I have been through a lot. I started running a couple of years before the original came out, but it quickly became my favorite trainer and, surprisingly, racing shoe. I raced my first Boston Marathon in the Clifton 1, and then I toed the line of the Marine Corps Marathon in the Clifton 2. It was the first time I experienced a high-stack shoe that was lightweight and bouncy. Sure, I thought it looked a little crazy, but it made running more fun, and is there anything better than more fun? I think not. Outside of the Nike Alphafly, it’s the only shoe that I’ve purchased multiple pairs of.

But let’s be real, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing with the Hoka Clifton. Each iteration changed a little — it got heavier, then firmer, and eventually lost its fun factor. Then, bam, carbon-plated shoes entered the arena, and the excitement of the Clifton for race day faded entirely. But as technology improved and Hoka started using new EVA compounds and lighter upper materials, the Clifton started to regain its spark.

All of that brings us to the 10th iteration, which now has more stack, a higher drop (from 5 mm to 8 mm), and a brand new last. It jumped up in price (by five bucks), but it looks and feels like a true Clifton. You won’t find me racing in this model anymore, but is it still a favorite for daily training? Let’s find out.

THOMAS: As Meg mentioned, the Hoka Clifton and Believe in the Run have a long, intertwined history. It’s been a real one, a relationship with ups and downs like all do, but through it all, the Clifton has remained a familiar companion.

Despite the familiarity, though, one piece of the Clifton 10 caught our attention above all else — the new 8 mm drop. See, if you know Hoka, then you know it’s rocked with 5 mm drops just about every year since forever, so jumping by 3 mm is pretty significant. To me, it even raised a few questions, so I reached out to a contact at Hoka to find out just what was going on.

As she put it, “Clifton users tend to put a lot of mileage on their shoes, and we noticed especially with the heel area that the mechanical cushioning (heel cavity) and lower stack was actually leading to a lot of heel compression over time. Pair that with softer foams now than in the past, and it can lead to a “weighted drop” that feels more like a super low/minimal drop. The goal behind the increase was to allow for a tiny bit more cushioning in the heel and to ensure that over time and under the impact, the weighted drop still feels more true to Hoka.”

So basically, Hoka made the Clifton taller so that it could compress into the classic Clifton feel that so many people loved. Now the question was, could I love it again, too?

CARYN: The Clifton has historically been my favorite Hoka shoe. I can’t remember exactly how I was introduced, but I know I’ve had a pair in my closet for the last decade. Hoka has certainly innovated well in its lineup outside of the Clifton, but its simple brilliance can’t be denied. My various pairs of the Clifton have been used on the run, for miles of dog walks, over 14-hour shifts, and, yes, as an integral part of my gen-Z-inspired fits (much to the chagrin of my family).

Outside of some unfortunate issues with the narrowing of the toe box in the Clifton 8, I’ve generally gotten along with every version of the shoe. There’s something to be said for leaving well enough alone — especially in a crowd-pleaser like the Clifton, so when I saw that Hoka had shifted the drop in the Clifton 10 to 8 mm and adopted a completely new last, I was worried that the low-drop fan club would be shaking in its boots (er, trainers?). As an 8 mm drop super-fan, I was admittedly pumped. Will the Clifton stay Clifton-y? Let’s try it out.

What we like about the Hoka Clifton 10

MEAGHAN: I couldn’t have picked a more gorgeous colorway for the Clifton 10. The all-white upper with Tiffany Blue accents might just be my favorite design of all time. When I slip it on, I’m immediately greeted by that signature plush Clifton feel. The padding around the collar and heel is incredibly soft, and the upper materials are smooth.

Even though this update features a new last, the fit is still true to size, with the bonus of a slightly roomier forefoot. I didn’t experience any rubbing or hot spots except for a slight discomfort on my big toe (more on that later). The upper is decently breathable, though I’ve only really been able to test this in cooler weather here in Baltimore, so we’ll see how it holds up when it gets warmer. The laces are nothing too exciting — the standard flat and stretchy — but they do a great job of keeping my foot securely in place.

The midsole features a compression-molded EVA that’s lightweight and fairly responsive. It’s firmer than the New Balance 1080 but not quite as rigid as the 880, I’d call it a good balance of comfort without feeling too squishy. I’ve been using the Clifton 10 for my everyday miles and even casual walks. After about 40 miles, it still feels just as fresh as when I first put it on. The midsole is holding up well, and even with the added 3 mm of foam, the Clifton 10 has stayed light on my feet — my US W7.5 weighs in at just 8.3 oz.

THOMAS: Meaghan loved her colorway. I, on the other hand, found myself once again staring at another bright royal blue upper — a color that Hoka seems determined to keep in rotation. This is where I remind everyone, yet again, that my favorite Hoka designs come from its collaborations. The standard colorways rarely do it for me. (I’ll save this thought for the “Things We Didn’t Like” section.)

That said, Meaghan and I agree on the fit. The shoe runs true to size, and the upper is comfortable, free of hotspots or heel lift. I was concerned about the unusual bulbous heel counter, but it works well enough to lock in the heel without any discomfort. Moving down, the CMEVA midsole strikes a fine balance between softness and firmness, carving out a clear distinction from the Bondi. If you want pure cushioning and comfort, the Bondi is your shoe. But if you want cushioning with a touch of responsiveness, the Clifton delivers.

Did I notice the change in drop? At first, maybe. But as I settled into my run, any difference faded away. The Clifton’s signature smooth transition remains intact, and we’ll see whether or not it really compresses over time. Down below, no news is good news for the outsole. Hoka’s Durabrasion rubber keeps you sure-footed and hits all the right spots for durability.

When I don’t love a shoe’s color but still enjoy running in it, I know the design is solid, and that’s exactly the case here. Last up, my US M10.5 weights 10.7 oz. (3o3 g), which isn’t light but is fine in a cruiser like the Clifton.

CARYN: When I opened up the Clifton, I actually immediately texted Meg to see if she was alive. This is Meg’s dream colorway — bright white with some Tiffany Blue accents. I, too, loved the crisp color combo of the shoe and the jacquard upper, especially after putting it on. The Clifton fits true to size with no gapping or challenges on lockdown in the heel. I was tempted to go for a run immediately, but I actually had to head to a night shift, so the Clifton came with me. It stood up to 14 hours of pain-free night shift nursing — a dream!

On the run the next day, the Clifton felt classic and comfortable. I had a hard time differentiating this version from the prior, which is amazing in my book. I had a bit of big toe rubbing (I might be the problem), but overall the fit was near-perfect. The Clifton is a true daily trainer — you won’t find me picking up the pace in this one — but the foam isn’t mushy or especially soft. As an avid user of the New Balance 1080 (Meg and I have so much in common), the Clifton is a nice option. The ride offers more structure due to its slightly firmer, more responsive CMEVA midsole.

I didn’t really notice much about the new 8 mm drop other than the transition feeling smooth and natural. I’ve put 50 miles on the shoe, and it feels like the day I pulled it out of the box, so it’s pretty, pretty good.

What we don’t like about the Hoka Clifton 10

MEAGHAN: Honestly, there’s not much to complain about with the Clifton 10. Sure, I’d love to see some foam wizardry here, but I think Clifton fans will be happy with this update.

The only tiny hiccup I had was some rubbing on my big toe (shoutout to my adorable bunions). I think the wider forefoot gave my foot a little too much room to do the cha-cha, so I’ve been tightening the laces a bit and haven’t had much of a problem since. Just a heads-up for anyone else with feet that are, let’s say, uniquely shaped.

THOMAS: If my only complaint is the color, then Hoka is doing something right. But seriously, Hoka, can we get some trendier colorways? If you want to borrow a page from someone else’s playbook, take a look at New Balance, Satisfy, or Norda — they’re getting it right.

CARYN: I thought the slight big toe rubbing I experienced with this shoe was just my, um, unique big toes, but after seeing Meg had a similar experience, I felt a little less crazy. A Band-Aid solved the problem immediately, and ultimately, I think anyone with normal-sized toes will be just fine with this update.

Also, it’s not a knock, but I’m always surprised Hoka hasn’t done something to jazz this shoe up a touch. So many other brands have added supercritical foams to their daily trainers, so I figured the Clifton would eventually get an upgrade. So far, it’s still EVA.

Final thoughts on the Hoka Clifton 10

MEAGHAN: The Hoka Clifton 10 looks and feels exactly like what you’d expect from a true Clifton. It’s the trusty go-to for everything from casual strolls to logging those everyday miles. If you enjoyed version nine, you’ll feel right at home with this one.

THOMAS: The on-again, off-again relationship with the Clifton? It’s back on. This shoe won’t blow you away, but it does exactly what a Clifton should — provides reliable, well-cushioned comfort for daily miles. Lastly, I will say I miss the pull tabs and am not a fan of the pointy thing poking off the back of the collar. Save the elf ears for Santa’s workshop, please.

CARYN: The Clifton is Clifton-ing! I love this update and will certainly be piling on the miles as the weather continues to improve here in Baltimore. My calves enjoy the new 8 mm drop and lightweight simplicity of this true daily trainer that can do it all. And yes, it’ll still continue to be a stylish wardrobe addition outside of the run.

You can pick up the Hoka Clifton 10 for $150 on April 15, 2025, from Running Warehouse (featuring free shipping and 90-day returns) by using the buttons below.