What happens when you add Gore-Tex to the road-tested Clifton 11?

Introduction to the Hoka Clifton 11 GTX

JON: Hoka adds some weather-focused upgrades to the Clifton 11, the latest edition of its staple daily trainer that was released this past summer. As you might guess, the enhancements are for when the weather gets nasty. This includes an upper Gore-Tex Invisible Fit membrane for waterproofing, a fancy lacing system, and extra traction in the outsole.

Aesthetically, this is the best-looking colorway of what’s out there. The maroon and black looks sharp with the speed laces, and the reflective silver accents are subtle. It breaks the typecast of hospital chic that the Clifton is sometimes referred to as.

This is my first time running in the tried-and-true daily workhorse, so I was excited to see if the hype is true. I was especially excited about the enhancements that the GTX version brings.

What we like about the Hoka Clifton 11 GTX

JON: Things were incredibly comfortable both on and off the run. The upper held my feet in place with no moving around or hot spots, while the elf ear heel locked the back of my foot in place and didn’t cut into me. The speed laces made it easy to put these on and off with the pull of a cord, with things staying in place the entire time.

The ride was pleasant and versatile and is about as middle of the road as you can get from a daily trainer. From the 8mm drop to the midsole compound to a rocker that wasn’t overly aggressive. It wasn't excessively soft (think New Balance 1080) nor did it feel too bouncy (à la Asics Novablast). It allowed me to keep things easy when I wanted with great shock absorption on impact. If I wanted to pick up the pace, I could easily shift gears into something faster.

The outsole was top-notch and gave great control in all types of weather and conditions. After over 50 miles of testing, I had very minimal wear, and I can see the shoe lasting a very long time.

Shop The Shoe - Men Shop The Shoe - Women 

What we don't like about the Hoka Clifton 11 GTX

JON: I’m skeptical about nonconventional lacing systems. The speed lacing looks cool and is great when I wear these casually. Functionally, it isn't much better than traditional lacing. I like to tie my shoes as tight as possible for support. The speed laces achieved that, but I constantly had to stop to readjust. The elastic strap under the laces and loop in the tongue helped give a home for the extra slack, but I had to thread it through them 2-3 times to prevent a tripping hazard. There is a second pair of normal traditional laces that are included, but if you decide to switch to them, this is an irreversible decision since you would need to cut the speed laces to remove them.

The trade-off for a weatherproof shoe will always be extra weight and extra insulation. The shoe is a full ounce heavier than the regular Clifton. Personally, I didn’t have any issues with the extra weight, but it’s something to consider if you have already been running in the Clifton and are looking for a second pair.

It was also incredibly HOT. There were days my feet were drenched in sweat after 45 minutes because the Gore-Tex trapped all the heat inside.

Shop The Shoe - Men Shop The Shoe - Women 

Final thoughts on the Hoka Clifton 11 GTX

JON: This shoe came during a weekend-long rainstorm. Wet pavement and leaves starting to fall made it a perfect testing scenario. I took it to the harbor promenade to see how it would handle sharp corners and slick composite wood planks. The traction was top-notch. I stayed in control in slick areas and never felt like I was going to slip and fall.

I was incredibly impressed by how dry it felt for the first 30 minutes. I loved that my feet were dry and was embracing my inner child of running through puddles. Sadly, the infatuation went away at the 45-minute mark when my feet were burning up. When I finished, the outside of the shoe was completely dry... on the outside. Inside, it was soaked due to how much my feet sweat while on the run. Even on colder days, things just got way too hot.

This begs the question: do you need to spend extra money for something that has great form but mediocre function? I’d rather save some money and go for the regular Clifton or get a road-to-trail shoe. On days it wasn’t hot, it performed great! I can see why this is such a popular shoe and can see myself getting the regular version.

You can pick up the Hoka Clifton 11 GTX for $175 at Hoka by using the shop link below.

Shop The Shoe - Men Shop The Shoe - Women