The Hoka Clifton 10 is the tenth iteration of Hoka’s immensely popular Clifton series, and it stays true to its heritage as a plush, reliable daily training shoe.
Designed as a neutral road running shoe, the Clifton 10 brings subtle yet notable updates: an increased stack height and an 8 mm heel-to-toe drop (up from 5 mm in the Clifton 9), a new upper, and refined geometry. Priced around £130 (approximately $150) at launch, this shoe is built for comfort over long miles.
Runners have long loved the Clifton for its blend of cushioning and light weight, and the Clifton 10 delivers reliable, well-cushioned comfort for daily miles.
In short, the Clifton 10 remains a near-perfect daily trainer that invites you to lace up and simply enjoy the run. It’s now available instore and online, ready to be your go-to shoe for easy runs, long runs, and everything in between.
Fit and Comfort
Hoka has refined the fit of the Clifton 10 to make it accommodating and comfortable for a wide range of runners. The shoe fits true to size with a slightly roomier forefoot than before, addressing the toebox complaints some had with earlier versions.
The upper is a breathable engineered jacquard knit that feels soft on foot and has no pressure points.
Padding around the collar and heel is generous and ultra-soft, hugging the ankle without irritation. The tongue is moderately padded and features an improved lace lock design (double eyelets) to prevent any slipping. Overall lockdown is secure with no heel lift or hot spots reported.
Notably, the forefoot update gives a bit more wiggle room for the toes, which most runners appreciate for swelling during longer runs. The Clifton 10’s interior and signature plush Clifton feel make it ideal for high-mileage comfort. Even after dozens of miles, the cushioning and fit remain as cozy as day one. Whether you’re logging daily training runs or even wearing them for casual walks or long shifts on your feet, the Clifton 10’s comfort shines through.
If you have unique fitting needs or want to ensure the Clifton 10 matches your foot shape and gait, consider getting a gait analysis. This service can help confirm that the Clifton’s shape and support suit your running style, so you get the most comfort and injury-free mileage out of these shoes.
Performance
The Hoka Clifton 10 delivers a smooth, cushioned ride ideal for comfort and easy performance. Its high-stack EVA midsole (42 mm heel / 34 mm forefoot) absorbs impact exceptionally well, protecting legs during long runs or high-mileage weeks. Despite the plush feel, it remains stable and avoids the clunkiness often found in max-cushion shoes. Hoka’s Early Stage Meta-Rocker ensures a fluid heel-to-toe transition, helping maintain a steady rhythm.
Best suited for daily training, long steady runs, and recovery days, the Clifton 10 is forgiving on joints and approachable for beginners, injury returners, or anyone seeking all-day comfort. It’s not built for aggressive speedwork, but you can pick up the pace moderately when needed.
The outsole combines durable rubber in key wear zones with exposed foam to reduce weight, offering reliable traction on roads and light gravel. A widened base and Active Foot Frame enhance stability without added stiffness. Overall, it’s a dependable, high-mileage road trainer for runners prioritizing protection and comfort over speed.
Key Features
- Plush Cushioning: High-stack CMEVA midsole delivers soft, shock-absorbing comfort for long distances. With 3 mm more foam than the Clifton 9, it stays light and avoids feeling overly squishy, helping reduce joint impact during high-mileage training.
- Updated Heel-to-Toe Drop: Now an 8 mm drop (up from 5 mm), giving a slightly taller heel for added support and consistent feel as foam compresses. This change smooths transitions for heel strikers and enhances ride comfort.
- Breathable Jacquard Mesh Upper: Lightweight, breathable mesh keeps feet cool, with a roomier forefoot and padded heel collar for a secure fit. Runners report excellent comfort, no rubbing, and better durability than past versions.
- Meta-Rocker Geometry: Hoka’s signature rocker sole promotes a smooth forward roll and easy heel-to-toe transition, helping maintain cadence and efficiency on long, steady runs.
- Active Foot Frame for Stability: The midsole cradle lets the foot sit deeper for natural stability without extra weight, offering light support on uneven surfaces or late in runs while keeping a neutral feel.
- Durable Outsole: Rubber segments protect high-wear zones and improve traction, while exposed foam cuts weight. Built to last for hundreds of miles, with both outsole and midsole praised for durability.
- Weight: Men’s ~9.7 oz (275 g, size 9) / Women’s ~8.3 oz (size 7.5) – impressively light for a max-cushion shoe.
Comparison with Hoka Clifton 9
How does the Clifton 10 stack up against the beloved Clifton 9? The short answer is that Hoka made a few tweaks, but kept the soul of the shoe the same. In fact, if you enjoyed the Clifton 9, you’ll feel right at home in the Clifton 10. Both shoes deliver that trademark Clifton cushioning and comfortable ride. Here are the key differences and similarities:
- Cushion and Drop: The Clifton 10 has added more foam underfoot and increased the drop to 8 mm, versus the Clifton 9’s 5 mm drop. This means the Clifton 10 has a slightly taller heel and overall stack. Many runners won’t notice a drastic change in feel in terms of ride. However, heel strikers and slower-paced runners may find the Clifton 10 rolls through foot strikes a bit more smoothly due to the extra drop. The Clifton 9, with its lower drop, might have felt a touch more level and potentially a hair softer under the heel on initial step-in. Both use a CMEVA midsole (Clifton 9 introduced a newer foam formula that carried into the 10), so cushioning quality is similar, with the 10 being just a tad more supportive in the heel.
- Weight: Clifton 9 was known for trimming weight, coming in around 8.7 oz (men’s 9). The Clifton 10 is about an ounce heavier at roughly 9.7 oz in the same size. While the Clifton 10 adds a bit of weight, it’s still lightweight for a max-cushion trainer. Most runners likely won’t feel much difference here, but weight-conscious athletes might note the Clifton 9 felt slightly more airy underfoot.
- Fit: Both versions run true to size, but the Clifton 10 has addressed one of the main critiques of the 9 (and the 8 before it) by slightly widening the forefoot. The Clifton 9 had a somewhat narrow toebox that could feel snug for some; the 10 gives your toes more space to splay, enhancing comfort on long runs. This is a welcome change for those who found the 9 tight. Otherwise, the lockdown, heel fit, and overall step-in feel remain similarly plush and secure in both models.
- Ride and Stability: The overall ride character is very much alike: smooth, stable, and geared toward easy miles. The Clifton 10’s higher drop might make it feel a bit different on downhill segments or if you’re very attuned to drop, but the Meta-Rocker ensures both shoes maintain that Clifton rolling sensation. One notable addition in the 10 is an emphasis on stability via the Active Foot Frame and slightly broader base. The Clifton 9 was purely a neutral shoe with a soft ride; the 10 introduces a hint of stability (without going into true stability shoe territory). This could make the Clifton 10 feel a touch firmer or more structured than the soft, sometimes almost too soft, Clifton 9. Some long-time Clifton wearers who found the 9 to be on the softer side might appreciate the 10’s ever-so-slightly firmer, more balanced cushioning. On the other hand, if you adored the ultra-light, plush feel of the 9, rest assured the 10 isn’t a dramatic departure – it’s more of a fine-tuning.
In summary, the Clifton 10 versus Clifton 9 debate comes down to minor improvements. Hoka kept what worked (the cushioning, the rocker, the light weight) and fixed a few things (added heel support, a roomier forefoot).
The result is that Clifton 10 continues the legacy without rocking the boat. Fans of the Clifton 9 can confidently upgrade knowing they’re getting an evolution, not a revolution, and newcomers will simply find the Clifton 10 a well-rounded, modern daily trainer.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Supreme Comfort on Every Run: The Clifton 10 offers a plush, cushioned ride that makes it ideal for high-mileage training or recovery days. Runners praise its ability to keep your legs feeling fresh even after long runs.
- Improved Fit and Roomier Toebox: True-to-size fit with a slightly wider forefoot provides better comfort, especially for those with wider feet or who found previous Cliftons too narrow. The padded heel collar and secure midfoot wrap ensure a locked-in feel without irritation.
- Lightweight for a Max-Cushion Shoe: Despite the added foam, the Clifton 10 remains lightweight (approx 275 g men’s) and never feels clunky.
- Smooth, Stable Ride: Hoka’s Meta-Rocker geometry and the new 8 mm drop work together for effortless transitions. The shoe feels balanced and stable, with the foam cradle supporting the foot. It handles easy runs and long runs with equal aplomb, delivering consistent, reliable performance.
- Durability: Both the outsole and upper materials are built to last. Testers reported minimal wear on the soles after many miles, and the upper’s knit showed no tearing or premature breakdown. This shoe should easily hold up to months of heavy training.
Cons:
- Not Very Responsive for Speed: The EVA midsole prioritizes comfort over explosive energy return. The Clifton 10 lacks the bouncy, high-rebound feel that some newer foam technologies offer. It’s “firmer” and doesn’t have much snap, so it’s not the top choice for fast intervals or racing.
- Slight Weight Increase: Runners coming from the Clifton 9 might notice the 10 is a bit heavier. While it’s still light overall, that extra ounce could be perceptible to some speed-focused runners. It’s a minor trade-off for the added cushioning and durability, but worth noting for weight purists.
- Conservative Updates (Still EVA Foam): Hoka played it safe with the Clifton 10’s midsole formula. It’s still an EVA-based foam, not one of the new supercritical foams many competitors (and other Hoka models) use. Some may have hoped for a more energetic foam upgrade in this 10th edition. The ride is comfortable but not “next-gen” in terms of material innovation.
- Minor Fit Quirks for Some: While most will love the new fit, a few runners with very specific foot shapes experienced slight rubbing in the toebox (e.g., against a big toe) until they adjusted the lacing. This isn’t a widespread issue, but if you have big bunions or very large toes, you might need to fine-tune the lacing or wear thin socks.
- Bland Color Choices: A purely aesthetic gripe – the initial colorways are serviceable but not the most exciting. Of course, looks are subjective and more colorways will likely arrive over time.
Final Verdict
The Hoka Clifton 10 is a winner, carrying forward the Clifton legacy as one of the best everyday running shoes you can buy. It may not be a radical overhaul, but all the small improvements add up to a highly polished daily trainer. In this shoe, Hoka delivers on the promise of making running feel easier on your body.
The Clifton 10 is equally welcoming to a newbie tackling their first 5K as it is to a seasoned marathoner logging 50+ mile weeks, striking a Goldilocks balance that appeals to a broad range of runners. If you need a dependable neutral trainer for your rotation – one that you can trust for any distance short of an all-out race – the Clifton 10 should be high on your list.
In a market flooded with flashy foams and carbon plates, the Clifton 10 stands out by staying true to what it’s always been: a comfortable workhorse. It’s the kind of shoe that you forget you’re wearing, so you can focus on enjoying the miles.
The final word: Hoka’s Clifton 10 is a fantastic choice for runners seeking plush comfort, reliable performance, and all-around versatility in a daily running shoe. Lace up a pair from our running shoes collection and you’ll understand why the Clifton has such a devoted following. Happy running!
Grab yourself a pair at alexandrasports.com or head instore and try some one and take them for a test run