- Weight: 278g (M), 227g (W)
- Stack height: 42mm (heel), 34mm (forefoot)
- Heel-to-toe drop: 8mm
- Type: Neutral, road
Pros
- The best max-cushioned running shoes for 2025
- Balanced cushioning
- The 8 best Brooks running shoes for 2025
- Secure foothold and wraparound fit
Cons
- Summer running gear sale
- trail running shoe
Published: 13 May 2025 running shoes. On the trail side of things, I'm a huge fan; the Speedgoat 6 We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article trail running shoe in 2024. But on the road? That's a different story – particularly when it comes to the Clifton.
Hoka's staple daily trainer, the Clifton is famed for its signature blend of cushioning, plushness and lightness. It's one of the brand's most popular styles, alongside the Bondi, its OG road runner. The issue is, I couldn't run more than 10km in the Clifton 8 without encountering rubbing on the inside of my foot, where the upper met the footbed. It was the same story for the Clifton 9, Best September running shoe deals 2025 RW wear testers. So when I heard the Clifton 10 was coming out this year, I wasn't exactly the first to throw my hat in the ring to try it out.
So, what changed my mind? Back in January, I had a conversation with Bekah Broe, Senior Director of Performance Footwear at Hoka, around the release of the Bondi 9. She told me that the brand had been looking at feedback from runners to understand if anything hadn't worked with previous iterations of their shoes. In the case of the Bondi, and indeed the Clifton, that was the fit, with Broe explaining that they were ‘a little bit narrow and tight for some consumers’.
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As a result, the Bondi was built to be more accommodating in the midfoot and, having logged several miles in it, I couldn't fault it in terms of fit — not a smidge of rubbing or irritation. Lovely stuff. So, with similar updates promised on the 10th anniversary addition of the Clifton, could my long suffering feud with the shoe finally be over? It felt rude not to find out. Let's get into things.
Clifton 9 vs Clifton 10: What's new?
From the outset, the latest Clifton very much still looks like a Clifton, but it's had a pretty hefty overhaul. That starts with the fit. Hoka has answered my prayers and added more space to key areas of the shoe to make it more accommodating for a lot more runners (more on this later). There's also a refined heel for improved comfort, along with a new jacquard upper.
Underfoot, there's an updated midsole geometry and a bigger stack height (42mm in the heel, 34mm in the forefoot), which increases the heel-to-toe drop from 5mm to 8mm – quite unusual for a Hoka running shoe.
How does the Hoka Clifton 10 fit?
I wear a UK 8.5 in most running shoes, but have previously found I needed to go up to a UK 9 in older versions of the Clifton. This time around, however, Hoka actually advised going down half a size, sending my review sample in a UK 8. While my toes aren't exactly cramped, I'd probably like a smidge more room in the toe box than I have (we're working with around 3/4 of a thumb's space, rather than a whole thumb). The bottom line? Stick with your usual size.
When it comes to width, the Clifton 10 is undoubtably more accommodating in the forefoot and the midfoot than any version that's come before it. At last, I can run for more than 10km in these without getting the slightest hint of rubbing – hoorah! The upper has just the right balance of support and strength, providing a secure foothold, and the lacing system is simple and faff-free. The heel counter and tongue are also generously padded — not quite enough to be described as ‘plush’, but there's plenty to keep you comfortable. Hoka has also decided to retain that giant elf-ear style ankle collar – presumably to help with heel lockdown and to create that sensation of your foot being in the shoe, rather than on it. This is a Hoka-USP known as the ‘active foot frame’.
My personal rubbing issues aside, if you ever ran in a Clifton and didn't have any fit issues then the changes to the 10 won't make the shoe too big or wide for you. The updates are too subtle and focused on tweaks in the construction, rather than an out-and-out redesign, so the non-irritated fans can rest easy.
What's it like to run in the Clifton 10?
Like its predecessor, the Clifton 10's midsole is made from compression-moulded EVA foam. It's not too squishy or too firm, rather a balanced ride that finds a comfortable middle ground for easy cruising and longer mileage. When it comes to energy return, it's not got as much bounce as the Bondi 9 or the Skyflow, both of which use a supercritical foam, but it's certainly not dull and there's enough there to try your hand at the odd bit of tempo if you feel the urge. Ultimately though, the Clifton 10 is most at home as an easy daily trainer or a long run shoe.
Hoka's signature Meta Rocker also comes into play, creating a smooth and fluid ride, and despite the fact that the drop has increased from 5mm to 8mm, the change isn't hugely noticeable, with the ride still feeling natural. In short? If you're more of a mid-drop runner, don't let this change put you off.
In terms of the outsole, there's durable abrasion rubber in high impact areas, making for good grip on wet surfaces.
All in all, the Clifton 10 isn't a shoe that's going to blow you away in terms of bounce and energy return. But I don't think daily trainers need to — after all, that's what a shoe rotation is for. Instead, think of the Clifton as like a faithful friend that provides consistency and support.
RW verdict
For me, the Clifton 10 feels like a real turning point when it comes to Hoka’s road offerings. That's not because the underfoot sensation or the ride is one that's going to knock your socks off – it's the same balanced and reliable ride Clifton fans will recognise from before. It's because the more forgiving fit makes this a shoe that so many more runners will get on with.
Price wise, the Clifton 10 retails for £10 more than the Clifton 9. That's not bad for a daily trainer — and a durable one at that — but I can't help but feel like that price jump warrants a touch more liveliness for the midsole. I'd put the Clifton 10 in a similar bracket to the likes of the Health & Injuries (£130) and We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article (£135), both of which offer just as much versatility as the Clifton, if not more.
Ultimately, the Clifton 10 isn't the liveliest shoe out there, but if you’re after something that can handle easy miles and long runs in comfort, this version delivers – and for the first time in a while, I can actually see myself reaching for a pair of them by choice.
