The Hoka Clifton 10 is a comfortable and reasonably versatile daily trainer that also offers a lot of natural stability. While it lacks some of the verve and fun of the best running shoes including the Asics Novablast 5 as a direct rival, it’s a solid option that will suit a wide range of runners well.
Compared with the previous model the Clifton 10 has a higher stack height and drop, but it retains the classic rockered ride of Hoka trainers, and sits in the brand’s line-up as a cheaper cushioned option than the Skyflow and Bondi 9.
Design & Key Stats
- Price: $150
- Weight: 285g/10oz (men’s UK 9 / US 9.5)
- Drop: 8mm
- Upper: Jacquard knit upper
- Midsole: Compression-moulded EVA foam
- Outsole: Durabrasion rubber
Hoka Clifton 10 review
How’s The Fit
Nick tested the Hoka Clifton 10 out for our review and found that it fit well in his normal running shoe size, the same size he uses across Hoka’s range. It’s not the widest shoe, as is often the case with Hoka shoes, but Wide and X-Wide versions of the shoe are available.
Check out more of the best Hoka running shoes
The Run Test: Likes
The Hoka Clifton 10 is a very balanced shoe that offers a ride that’s neither too firm nor overly squishy, and we found it to be comfortable over long distances, with the rockered midsole helping us to roll along at easy or steady paces.
Despite the high stack height, it’s a fairly lightweight shoe, and this makes it more versatile than many cushioned options, including the Hoka Bondi 9. While it works best in rotation with faster shoes, the Clifton 10 can handle speedier runs and could be a good all-rounder option for newer runners in particular.
The upper is also comfortable, and the outsole has gripped well during testing with no signs of wear and tear yet.
Although the 8mm drop is different from most Hoka shoes, with the brand usually sticking to a 5mm offset with its cushioned trainers, the difference wasn’t that noticeable on the run for us, and the Clifton 10 retains the comfortable, smooth ride of the Clifton 9.
The Run Test: Dislikes
While the rocker on the Clifton 10 works well and it’s quite a light shoe, the CMEVA midsole has a dull feel and doesn’t deliver a lot of energy return, especially at faster paces.
Hoka has moved to a supercritical EVA for most of its cushioned shoes now, with the Bondi 9, Mach 6 and Skyflow all using this lighter, poppier material. While the Clifton 10’s foam isn’t much worse, the Skyflow in particular now offers a more responsive cushioned option with a similar design at a similar price.
The small price rise on the Clifton 9 moves the Clifton 10 to $150, which is reasonable value but more expensive than many rivals in its category, including the Asics Novablast 5, Puma Velocity Nitro 3 and Nike Pegasus 41.
Verdict And Alternatives
The Hoka Clifton 10 is a solid daily trainer that you can pick up knowing it will do a good job of carrying you through a lot of easy and steady miles in comfort. However, we think there are better options in the Hoka range, as well as outside it.
While we prefer the Clifton 10 to the Bondi 9, the Hoka Skyflow is a similar shoe with a more versatile ride thanks to the supercritical midsole foam, while the Mach 6 is a lighter all-rounder for those who prefer less cushioned shoes.
The Asics Novablast 5 offers a softer and slightly more bouncy ride, while the Puma Velocity Nitro 3 is considerably cheaper and a little livelier as well. Both are great options for runners who want a cushioned shoe to tackle everything, or those who have a rotation and want a daily trainer for easy miles in particular.