The Clifton 11 is super comfortable, but Hoka might steal its own thunder

Introduction to the Hoka Clifton 11

CHAD: Ah, yes, the Hoka Clifton. One of the shoes that, over a decade ago, threw the running world for a loop with its crazy look and (at the time) insane amount of midsole foam. Back in those days, when Hoka was still consistently rocking the One One behind it, I don’t think anyone could have predicted the impact this shoe would have on the trajectory of stack heights in the running shoe market.

But alas, while I could wax poetic about the lasting effects of the OG Clifton, this review is about the newest version of the shoe that launched 1,000 40-plus-millimeter heels: the Clifton 11. To be forthcoming, despite its immense popularity (seriously, look around you at your next run club run or local race… the Hoka Clifton is EVERYWHERE), I’ve only ever run in one prior iteration of the Clifton, the 9th. And truth be told, it can’t even be an apples-to-apples comp to the 11, because I had the GTX version of that shoe with the stiff, waterproof upper — still my go-to slushy-condition running shoe.

The Clifton 11 is back with a new engineered mesh upper, but with the thick stack of EVA midsole foam and rocker profile that has helped the everyday runner log mile after mile, and nurses/doctors/PTs and other workers on their feet all day stay comfortable hour after hour. However, the Clifton 11 comes to market at the same time as or around the same time as an alternative offering from the same brand. Of course, that’s the Hoka Clifton Pro. Man, talk about the call coming from inside the house!

What we like about the Hoka Clifton 11

CHAD: I think I can honestly say that the Hoka Clifton 11 is the most comfortable Hoka shoe I’ve put on. I can absolutely see why medical professionals consistently seem to have a version of the Clifton on their feet, because I could see myself bringing this shoe and this shoe alone on a family vacation to Disney, where 25,000+ steps per day is all but guaranteed.

In the past, I’ve always cautioned people asking for recommendations that Hoka shoes tend to fit a bit narrow, but I think they might be trending a bit wider these days, because I had no issues whatsoever with the fit. It really has that premium feel you look for in a daily trainer.

In terms of performance on the road, one word comes to mind: consistent. What you see in this shoe and on the spec sheet is exactly what you get. It’s certainly not a lightweight offering, but it also doesn’t tip the scales into the heavyweight division; it sort of threads the needle in that good, sturdy daily trainer weight class, at a smidge under 10oz for a US M10. I weighed mine (along with the Clifton Pro), and it actually was a bit lighter than the Pro version, which was a surprise. That said, daily training and easy miles are this shoe’s bread-and-butter, and it is certainly serviceable for them mile after mile.

What we don’t like about the Hoka Clifton 11

CHAD: When the looks of a shoe are a positive trait, I always start with them in my review, so why change course now when it’s a negative? The aesthetics of the Clifton 11 are boring as all get out. It certainly doesn’t help that I received the ultra-bland black-and-white colorway, but I really think the Clifton could use a style makeover, especially given that Hoka did a solid job with the Clifton Pro. The lackluster appearance certainly helps market this shoe as being “casual professional,” I guess.

Speaking of the Clifton Pro, that shoe comes in at a mere $10 more than the Clifton 11’s $155 price. Hoka may have just signed the classic Clifton’s death warrant as a competitive shoe in the running market. The Clifton Pro can do everything that the Clifton 11 can (and more), but in a better package, both aesthetically and performance-wise. Not sure why anyone would spend $155 on the Clifton 11 when $165 gets you the Clifton Pro, unless your workplace would find the Clifton Pro too ostentatious.

Final thoughts on the Hoka Clifton 11

CHAD: Sometimes it would be nice if we could simply review an individual shoe in a vacuum, avoiding comparison to other shoes in the market. If we could do that, truth be told, the Clifton 11 would probably get pretty decent grades in both value and performance (not aesthetics, those still stink). But given the number of incredibly solid offerings in the $140-170 range, including the same brand’s Clifton Pro, it’s hard to give the Clifton 11 the respect it may very well deserve for the consistent quality and performance it delivers as a daily trainer. But overall, in the current marketplace, the Hoka Clifton 11 is just a good shoe; not bad, but not great either.

You can pick up the Hoka Clifton 11 for $155 on July 16, 2026, from Running Warehouse (with free shipping and 90-day returns) using the buttons below.