Overview
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
On the road, the Hoka Clifton 10 offers a smooth and consistent ride tailored for comfort and easy performance. The midsole is a thick slab of Hoka’s compression-molded EVA foam, which provides a soft yet slightly springy cushioning underfoot. With an even higher stack than its predecessor (42 mm heel / 34 mm forefoot for men), the Clifton 10 soaks up impact on pavement, protecting your legs during long runs or back-to-back training days.
Despite the maximal cushioning, the shoe manages to avoid feeling mushy or unstable. In fact, customers found that the Clifton 10 runs a lot less clunky than other max-cushion shoes and maintains an efficient and responsive ride. Hoka’s Early Stage Meta-Rocker geometry is hard at work here, facilitating a gentle roll from heel strike to toe-off. The transition is notably smooth, helping you maintain an easy rhythm mile after mile.
Where the Clifton 10 truly excels is in daily training runs: from recovery jogs to moderate-pace efforts and long steady outings. The shoe’s cushioning and support shine when you’re cruising comfortably.
Our tester described it as a “go-to when I just want to be outside, loving the run”, highlighting how the shoe lets you forget about your feet and simply enjoy running.
It’s also a forgiving shoe for runners with high mileage on their legs or those prone to joint pain – the generous foam works to dampen impact and reduce fatigue on the body. Even runners returning from injury or beginners building up distance will find the Clifton 10 approachable and gentle on the legs.
That said, the Clifton 10 is not built for aggressive speedwork or racing – and it doesn’t pretend to be. The EVA foam, while comfortable, doesn’t have the bouncy energy return of some newer superfoams.
The ride is more cushioned-cloud than springy-trampoline. For interval workouts or setting PRs, you might prefer a lighter, more responsive trainer or a carbon-plated racer. But for its intended purpose – daily miles – the Clifton 10 hits the sweet spot. You can pick up the pace moderately in these shoes, but they truly shine at relaxed paces.
Think of the Clifton 10 as your steady cruiser: it’s happiest on everyday runs, long slow distance, and recovery days when protection and comfort trump speed.
The outsole of the Clifton 10 features durable rubber in high-wear areas (like the heel and lateral forefoot) and exposed foam elsewhere to save weight. Traction on roads and well-groomed paths is dependable, even on wet pavement.
The widened base and Hoka’s Active Foot Frame (which cups the heel within the midsole) contribute to a stable ride, keeping you centered without the need for any posting or rigid stability features. While primarily a road shoe, the Clifton 10 can handle light gravel or well-maintained trails in a pinch, but expect some sliding on looser terrain.
Overall, its performance is optimized for road running comfort and high-mileage reliability, making it a trustworthy daily trainer in your rotation.
Key Features
- Plush Cushioning: High-stack CMEVA midsole provides ample shock absorption and a soft ride for long distances. Despite 3 mm more foam than the Clifton 9, the shoe remains relatively light and avoids feeling overly squishy. This cushioning helps reduce impact on joints during high mileage training.
- Updated Heel-to-Toe Drop: The Clifton 10 now has an 8 mm drop (was 5 mm in the Clifton 9), which means a slightly taller heel. This change was made to add a bit more support under the heel and maintain a consistent feel as the foam compresses over time. The higher drop creates a smoother ride for heel strikers and contributes to the shoe’s easy transitions.
- Breathable Jacquard Mesh Upper: The engineered mesh upper is lightweight and breathable, keeping your feet cool. It has a roomier forefoot for improved comfort, and a padded heel collar that secures the ankle. Runners found the upper comfortable with no rubbing and even more durable than past versions.
- Meta-Rocker Geometry: Like all Cliftons, the 10 features Hoka’s signature Meta-Rocker (rocker-shaped sole) to encourage a smooth forward roll. This design, combined with the shoe’s balanced cushioning, results in an effortless heel-to-toe transition that helps maintain your running cadence. It makes the Clifton 10 feel efficient, especially during long, steady runs.
- Active Foot Frame for Stability: The midsole cradle (Active Foot Frame) allows your foot to sit deeper in the shoe, enhancing stability without adding weight. This gives the Clifton 10 a gentle light stability effect – your foot feels supported on uneven pavement or as you tire late in a run, even though the shoe is officially neutral.
- Durable Outsole: Strategically placed durable rubber segments on the outsole protect high-impact zones and provide traction, while un-covered foam areas keep weight down. This outsole design has proven to wear well; it’s built to handle hundreds of miles of pounding. Runners have praised the excellent durability of both the outsole and midsole over many miles.
- Weight: Men’s approx 9.7 oz (275 g in size 9) / Women’s ~8.3 oz (size 7.5) – impressively light given the max cushioning.
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