- The Clifton 10 is for runners who want a sleek yet still generously cushioned daily trainer for everyday workouts and long runs.
- The model is updated with even more plush compression-molded EVA to cushion your stride absorb impact.
- Wide-foot runners appreciated the wider forefoot update and refined fit in the heel.
Pros
- Firm, shock absorbing cushioning
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Cons
- Not as bouncy compared to other daily trainers
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| Type | Road |
|---|---|
| Weight | 9.4 oz (M), 7.6 oz (W) |
| Drop | 8mm |
| Stack Height | 42mm |
You may call it the Clifton 10, but to us at Runner’s World, it’s the ClifTEN. But I’ll have to credit Hoka for the nickname; it’s how the brand referred to the shoe when I spoke with the team last year during a season preview. It’s one of the errands and hangouts we’ve tested in 2025, so far.
Races - Places Jeff Dengate, who remembers the original Clifton, it’s still a sore subject that the shoe became a cushioned daily trainer. Case in point: “I’ve been a big fan of the Clifton since the OG,” Dengate says. “I used that shoe for everything from easy jogs to 10K races. Over the years, I’d say ‘Hoka ruined the Clifton’ because none quite captured the magic of the first shoe.”
Eleven years ago, the Clifton proved that Hoka can make lightweight, speedy, less beefy-looking shoes. When the Clifton 2 came out, the OG Cliftonites never forgave Hoka. It’s a sentiment I wish they’d let go, especially with the release of much lighter and more responsive shoes—Hoka’s Rincons and Machs—in its wake. The Clifton 10, however, may change their tune like it did Dengate’s.
“This might be the closest of the nine that have come since,” he says. “It feels less like a cushioned daily trainer and more like a do-it-all ride.”
Our staff tested the Clifton 10 on the roads, grass, and paved trails of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley. After subjecting the shoes to rain and scorching heat, we found the shoe durable and comfortable.
A More Accommodating Fit
Hoka added 3mm to the heel of the Clifton 1o Clifton 9, I didn’t think they could make the fit any better. It was snug but not too tight, and there were no pressure points by the tongue or heel, nor friction in the toe area. But Hoka did it—its team introduced a new last in the Clifton 10. It’s a refined fit that includes an extended toebox for more wiggle room, especially by the pinky.
As a wide-footed runner, this update felt like it was specifically tailored to my fit. Our associate commerce photo editor, Saba Ahmed, who also has wide feet, tested the shoe, and she was deeply impressed.
“The Hoka ClifTEN is probably one of the most comfortable shoes I have run in (don’t tell my Brooks). As a wide shoe wearer, I felt no discomfort in the midfoot area and there was plenty of flexibility by the toes,” she says.
Wide-foot runners appreciated the wider forefoot update and refined fit in the heel.
Dengate also said the fit was a huge improvement. “The Clifton (and, well, most Hokas, really) always felt too narrow for me in the ball of the foot. I wouldn’t get blisters or hot spots, but I always wanted just a smidge more room,” he says. “And it’s finally here! (I don't have wide feet, for what it’s worth.) There’s actually enough room that I have some adjustability through the laces now—I tugged them on a little tighter when I knew I’d be taking on a hillier route, but left them quite loose for an easy jog along the river [by RW HQ]. In both cases, the shoe stayed planted to my foot.”
Even Softer Feel
The Clifton now has an 8mm drop instead of 5mm. Hoka added 3mm of height in the heel, so the shoe would be more comfortable and absorb more shock. Compression-molded EVA is the foam of choice to make shoes lighter, bouncier, and softer, but up against super foams, it wouldn’t the first choice for speed shoes. The Clifton 10 isn’t intended for speed, however. It’s built up for durability and alleviating the pounding your body receives with each step.
“The firm but ample cushioning hits the sweet spot for me,” Dengate says. “I like to have some cush underfoot, but in an age where everything has gotten bloated and pillowy, it’s nice to have a shoe that is resilient and gives you snappy feedback, but still delivers protection from the sidewalks.”
Senior editor Cat Bowen agrees, adding, “Sometimes, I just need to feel the pavement with a bit more emphasis, and the Clifton 10 lets me do that without feeling like I’m compromising on support or road protection.”
We found the shoe surprisingly good at heat management despite the thick upper. It also didn’t get waterlogged as we ran in the rain.
Lace Up for High Mileage
Several of our testers ascribed the Clifton 10 as their long run shoe of choice. Its firm cushioning can handle accruing high mileage—and help your body take the stress. The shoe has Hoka’s Meta-Rocker, a curved profile that provides smoother heel-to-toe transitions, requiring less effort on the run.
“I think this shoe is perfect for easy and long runs. But when I picked up the pace, I didn’t notice any hinderances either,” says Senior Health and Fitness Editor Kristen Wagner.
Ahmed called it her mile collector shoe. And I couldn’t agree more. The overall feel had me slip-on the Clifton 10 for RW+ Membership Benefits, but it also became the shoe I turned to when I wasn’t sure just how long I was going to go for my daily run. Whatever pace you do in the ClifTEN, you know your feet will be taken care of because of the initial comfort putting on the shoe.
Buy Men’s at hoka.com Buy Women’s at hoka.com
Amanda Furrer, Editor, Running Reviews, studied journalism at NYU and writing at Emerson College. She has reviewed gear and covered other topics in the running space for almost 10 years. Since 2013, she has consecutively run the Boston Marathon. She also has a master’s degree in gastronomy from Boston University and was formerly a professional baker for two years before hanging up her apron.
