2025 Boston Marathon Strava Data Gives a Glimpse of Age-Group Runner Success
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Before we get into the pros and cons of the Hoka Clifton 10, let’s review a quick history lesson. When Hoka burst on the scene 15 years ago with the first maximally cushioned running shoes, they were immediately well-received in trail running, but it was a bit of a slow-burn trend among road runners. It wasn’t until the launch of the original Clifton shoe in 2014 that Hoka and its exorbitantly cushy shoes really exploded in the zeitgeist of the post-minimalist revolution.
Fast forward back to right now, and the 10th edition of the Clifton has just hit running stores, and it’s probably the shoe it was always meant to be. The first one was light and well-cushioned, but it seemed extraordinary at the time because it was an outlier compared to the traditional running shoes and minimalist shoes that had been popular in the early 2010s. But the Hoka Clifton 10 — which is the mostly thickly cushioned version ever and still relatively light — comes out at a time when most training shoes are maximally cushioned with advanced midsole materials.
So how does it stack up? We put the Clifton 10 to the test and found it to be a relatively light, soft, smooth, and very cushy everyday trainer. Here the rundown of what wear-testers Rebecca Trachsel and Brian Metzler discovered while running in it for the past two weeks.
What’s New: The Hoka Clifton 10 is a neutral everyday trainer that is considerably more cushioned than the previous edition, thanks to a much thicker midsole (a 10mm increase in the heel height), a wider footprint, and a more traditional heel-toe drop (now 8mm). Although the midsole is the same compression-molded EVA material used in the Clifton 9, the changes in geometry and dimensions make it feel like an entirely different shoe. The new edition weighs a tad bit more than last year and costs $5 more, but it also includes an updated Jacquard knit upper, a slightly wider forefoot volume, and much more inherent stability.
Fit/Feel/Ride: The Hoka Clifton 10 fits true to size with a medium interior volume and bit more wiggle room in the toe box than with previous editions. It has a soft and plush step-in feel with a comfortable wrap-like fit highlighted by a padded heel collar and a thickly cushioned tongue. (The tongue isn’t gusseted but it is uniquely integrated with the laces to keep it from migrating.) There is enough interior volume to remove the thin sockliner and insert an after-market footbed, if that’s your preference.
Rebecca: This shoe fits my foot like a glove. I have a wider left foot due to a bunion and need more space in the toe box in all my shoes. The Hoka Clifton 10 I tested was a 7.5 Wide, so there is more room in the toes but not too much, which often happens when brands make a wide model of a traditional shoe. I often struggle with too much room in the right foot, which is not wide but these are just the right width to work for for both my feet. My foot is snug inside once I lace up the shoe and does not move around at all when I’m running. My first impression: What a smooth ride! I honestly feel like I’m gliding in these. They are supportive but also light. They kind of feel like I’m running on clouds. And they get better with every run.
Brian: I have narrow feet, long toes, and a high arch and found the regular width of the Clifton 10 to be a bit spacious but very comfortable (especially after lacing them up a bit tighter after my initial run). I found them to be relatively light and moderately soft with a very smooth, rolling ride from heel to toe. The proprioceptive feel for the ground is bit muted because of the thicker amount of foam in the forefoot, but that’s common to most max-cushioned shoes.
Why It’s Great: It’s great because it retains some of the best qualities of the light, cushy, easy-running Clifton while embracing the qualities of more modern everyday trainers. Hoka ditched its traditional 5mm heel-toe drop for a slightly steeper 8mm ramp angle because the thick, soft midsole foam decompresses quite a bit while running slow to moderate paces with a heel-striking gait. That allows it to serve up a soft, shock-absorbing ride with loads of long-haul comfort and a lot of inherent stability. The increased heel-toe drop can put an ever-so-slight spring in your step if you push it, but this shoe is mostly about comfy cushion and a smooth rolling ride and not lively energy return that more advanced midsole foams provide.
Price: $150
Approximate Weights: 8.0 oz. (women’s size 8), 9.3 oz. (men’s size 9)
Heel-Toe Offset: 8mm; 42mm (heel), 34mm (forefoot)
Why You’ll Love It: If you love everyday trainers with relatively soft, high-stack midsoles, you’ll enjoy the Hoka Clifton 10, even though it lacks the energetic pop of shoes with supercritical midsoles The fit, comfort, and cushion are comparable to many other shoes in this genre of trainers, and the ride is buttery smooth.
Why You Might Not Love It: The Hoka Clifton 10 seems to lack a full set of gears. It’s great for easy runs, moderately paced runs, and slow to moderate long runs, but it’s not a shoe that can run faster workouts or peppier running — except perhaps spontaneous fartlek intervals or post-run strides.
Rebecca: I love that I can put on the Hoka Clifton 10 and notice nothing — meaning, nothing stands out or bothers me. This is really rare for me. I put them on out of the box and rolled right into a 6 miler. It’s like I’d been wearing them for 200 miles. I would definitely add these to my list of the best everyday trainers for a wider foot. In this case, less is more. I’m very happy with them.
Brian: I have really liked this shoe for “easy day” runs from 5 to 10 miles or so. I didn’t mind it for longer runs (my longest was about 13 or 14 miles) but the longer I ran in it, the more I wished it had a more of an energetic vibe. I pushed it to tempo pace and did strides after most of my wear-testing runs, but I found it a bit difficult to rev it up to faster paces. The midsole is consistent, but not very energetic.
Pro: The new double Jacquard mesh is an improvement over the engineered mesh of the previous version. It’s breathable and supportive, but not very stretchy and accommodating. However, it does seem to contribute to the more stable fit and feel of this new edition.
Con: The midsole foam of the Hoka Clifton 10 lacks the energetic bouncy pop of supercritical midsoles found in other everyday trainers like the Saucony Endorphin Trainer, Saucony Ride 18, Nike Vomero 18, ASICS Superblast 2, and Adidas Adizero EVO SL. Also, the Clifton 10 is about a half of an ounce heavier than it was last year, and while that’s barely noticeable, it would be even better if it was slightly lighter.