Hoka Clifton 10 Shoe Review

Buckle up, because this updated shoe is awesome…but very different. When I first saw a photo of the new Clifton, I was shook because it looks like a baby Bondi. So where does that put the Mach (what I thought was a baby Bondi)? Like I have so many questions.

Enter the Hoka Clifton 10, a high-stack daily trainer with more cushion than ever before and a few tweaks that might surprise longtime fans. While the core identity of the Clifton remains, the added height and changed drop give it a new feel underfoot. It really does feel so different.

If you’re looking for an easy-day companion with a familiar, rockered ride and more underfoot plush, the Clifton 10 might be exactly what your rotation needs. If you’re a seasoned Clifton user, it is best to try the shoe on before diving into the Clifton 10.

Before trying the Hoka Clifton 10, I had some questions:

• Has the Hoka Clifton 10 gone through a big change? Yes, and we will get into it.

• Does the Hoka Clifton 10 fit true to size? Yes, it now has an 8 mm stack height and the foam does feel different than previous versions. I think it’s a bit more responsive and reminds me of a baby Mach.

• Does the Hoka Clifton 10 fit true to size? Mostly yes. It does run on the more narrow side, so just keep that in mind.

Now let’s get into an honest Hoka Clifton 10 shoe review.

Quick Facts

Price: $150
Men’s Weight: 9.8 oz / Women’s: 8.0 oz
Heel-to-Toe Drop: 8mm (42mm heel / 34mm forefoot)

Hoka Clifton 10 Fit

The upper on the Clifton 10 sticks with a breathable vegan jacquard knit. It’s comfortable and lightweight but won’t win any awards for innovation. Unlike the Clifton 9, the tongue is now non-gusseted. Usually, brands go from non-gusseted to gusseted, so this was certainly an interesting choice. But really, I haven’t had any issues with the tongue, so that’s good news. Honestly, you don’t really need a glamorous upper; you need a shoe that fits and feels good.

Fit-wise, it leans narrow through the midfoot and forefoot, which may not suit everyone. Fortunately, Hoka offers wide and extra-wide options, which should help most runners find the right fit.

The best running shoes disappear off your feet, and the Hoka Clifton 10 does just that. It felt comfortable the moment I tried it on, and I was able to go out the door with no issues. It may not be glamorous or have a ton of social media hype, but it does what you need in a daily trainer. To be honest though, I’m always amazed with how Hoka is able to hype the Clifton.

In running shoes, I tend to wear between a women’s size 10–11 wide and have the women’s size 11 to fit the best. There was a time that Hoka fit on the wider side, but that really isn’t now. So if your feet lean on the wider side, it’s best to get a wide or extra wide.

Hoka Clifton 10 Ride

The midsole is where the magic happens, and boy is there magic in the new Clifton. The biggest change with the Clifton 10 is the increased stack height and new 8mm drop. Hoka added 3mm of foam and moved away from their traditional 5mm offset. On foot, it still feels like a Hoka thanks to the MetaRocker geometry, but the higher stack gives it a slightly more modern, max-cushion vibe. I’m shookith that Hoka has gone into an 8mm stack height shoe. It feels wrong after so many years of 4–5mm. But hey, I also appreciate brands pushing the envelope.

The CMEVA foam is the same as in the Clifton 9… plush and a little springy, great for easy and recovery runs. It’s not explosive or overly bouncy, but it’s forgiving and smooth. Some runners may miss the slightly more responsive feel of previous Cliftons, but the extra cushioning makes up for it on long days. It almost feels like a baby Bondi.

Where does the Hoka Clifton 10 fit into my rotation? The Clifton has always been an easy run or daily run trainer and it still is. In fact, it’s more of a daily or recovery run shoe than ever before. I think it’s a lot better for recovery runs than it once was. I do find it more responsive than previous versions, so that is a nice perk.

Outsole

The Durabrasion rubber outsole layout mirrors what we’ve seen on models like the Bondi 9. It offers decent grip on dry pavement and wet roads, but if you’re running in slushy or inclement weather, you’ll want to be cautious. I’ve used mine on the Mojave Desert trails with no real issues.

The Clifton has gone through a wide variety of durability throughout the years. The first version barely lasted 200 miles, but the recent versions last more towards 400. I have 50 miles on mine so far, and I expect this version to last about 400 miles too.

Conclusion

The Clifton 10 is still the Clifton at heart… smooth, soft, and easygoing. But it also reflects Hoka’s shift toward max-stack geometry and a more traditional drop. (Honestly, I am still shookith they strayed from their traditional 5mm drop). For others, it might take some adjustment. If you’ve worn previous versions, the Hoka Clifton 10 is not a shoe I would buy unless I’m trying it on and getting a feel. It’s going to feel a lot more traditional.

Who Should Buy the Hoka Clifton 10

• Runners looking for a highly cushioned daily trainer

• Fans of the Clifton series who are open to a new feel

• Anyone needing a reliable shoe for easy and recovery runs

• Runners who prioritize comfort and stack height over speed

Who Should Not Buy the Hoka Clifton 10

• Forefoot or midfoot strikers who wear through exposed foam quickly

• Runners with very wide feet who prefer a naturally roomy fit

• Speed-seekers who want a fast shoe

• Fans of low-drop shoes who might not enjoy the move to 8mm

My Current Shoe Rotation:

Easy/Daily Runs: Salomon Aero Glide 3, Mizuno Neo Zen, Topo Magnifly 5, Antepes Muscle Runners, adidas Adizero Evo SL, Newton Gravity 12, ASICS Superblast 2

Long Runs: Topo Specter 2, 361 Degrees Eleos Shoe Review

Trail Running/Hiking: 361 Futura,  Speedland SL: PDX, Hoka Tecton X 3 

Races/Speedwork: Adidas adizero adios pro 4, 361 Degrees Furious Future 2.0, ASICS Metaspeed Edge Paris, Puma Fast-R Elite 3, Nike Streakfly, Nike Vaporfly 4

Curious about how I do gear reviews? You can read about that here.

You Can See All Current Shoe Reviews Here.

Looking to learn more about running shoes? In my ebook, I talk about why you need a good running shoe, a shoe’s anatomy, neutral vs. stable, and even myths of running shoes.

Questions for you:

Have you tried the Clifton?

What is your favorite daily trainer?