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Hoka launched two versions of its popular Clifton daily trainer in 2026, with the Hoka Clifton Pro sitting just above the Clifton 11 in the brand’s line-up and introducing a new supercritical EVA midsole foam called PROGLIDE+.
We loved our runs in the Hoka Clifton Pro, which is one of the best cushioned running shoes available, but the Pro in the title is a little odd, because it’s not a highly-versatile super-trainer. We’re also not shoe both new versions of the Clifton need to exist, because the Clifton Pro feels like a natural upgrade on the Hoka Clifton 10.
If you just want a comfortable, smooth-riding cushioned shoe for your easy and steady daily runs, however, you can ignore these complaints and enjoy the Clifton Pro, because it’s one of the best running shoes available for that job.
Design & Key Stats
- Price: £150/$165
- Weight: 270g/9.5oz (UK 9/US 9.5)
- Drop: 8mm
- Upper: Mesh with padding around collar
- Midsole: PROGLIDE+ nitrogen-infused EVA
- Outsole: Durabrasion rubber
Hoka Clifton Pro review
How’s The Fit
Nick, Mike, Tom and Kieran all tested the Hoka Clifton Pro for our review and found the fit to be good in their normal running shoe size. A wide model of the shoe is available, which could be worth looking at if you tend to struggle with Hoka’s typically-narrow designs.
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The Run Test: Likes
The Clifton Pro’s PROGLIDE+ midsole foam is the key upgrade on the shoe compared with the Clifton 11, and it is a noticeable upgrade. It’s a supercritical EVA that offers a bouncier ride than the compression-moulded EVA on the Clifton, and the extra energy return from the midsole is welcomed.
We also enjoyed the smooth ride of the Clifton Pro, which has Hoka’s usual rocker geometry. In combination with the soft but resilient midsole foam, this rocker creates a mellow ride that makes the miles tick by nicely at slow and steady paces, and for such a big shoe the Clifton Pro disappears on the foot well.
Even when severely hungover following England’s win over Norway in the World Cup, Nick found the Clifton Pro made his Sunday long run more enjoyable.
It’s not a very versatile shoe with regards to its performance at higher speeds, but there’s enough pep in the midsole for steady and even tempo runs, and if you feel the need to up your pace during a long run the Clifton Pro will go with you.
The rubber coverage on the outsole is also good, even if it’s placed in pods rather than more traditional segments. We expect this to be a durable shoe, and had no concerns with grip in our testing.
The Run Test: Dislikes
The Pro in the name of the shoe might suggest you’re getting a highly versatile super-trainer here, in the mould of shoes like the Adidas Hyperboost Edge or Asics Megablast, but that’s not the case. The Clifton Pro is a cushioned daily trainer built for easy runs, and a bit big and bulky at faster paces.
Many will also scoff at the use of EVA in the midsole, even if it is a supercritical blend. We don’t care what foam is used in shoes as long as they run well, and the Clifton Pro certainly does run well, but EVA is viewed by some as outdated compared with the PEBA and aliphatic TPU midsoles available in many daily trainers.
We do think that there is some Clifton confusion to overcome though. For our money, this should be the Clifton 11, since it is a natural upgrade on the Clifton 10 in being a similar type of daily trainer with an improved ride. Having both the Clifton Pro and Clifton 11 in the line-up at similar prices seems unnecessary.
Verdict And Alternatives
The Hoka Clifton Pro might not be all that ‘pro’, but it’s an excellent cushioned daily trainer that ranks among our absolute favourite options in this category. It’s comfortable, smooth and makes your daily miles roll by more enjoyably.
It’s the top cushioned shoe in Hoka’s line-up, with a bit more pep than the Clifton 11 and a smoother ride and lighter design than the Hoka Bondi 11. The Hoka Mach 7 is a more versatile, lightweight daily trainer for those who prefer a bit less cushioning underfoot.
There are some great alternatives available from other brands though, most notably the bouncier Nike Vomero Plus, and the cheaper, similarly-impressive Kiprun Kipride Max. The R.A.D UFO is another max-stack cushioned shoe to consider if you love bouncy rides, and gravel shoes like the Salomon Aero Glide 4 GRVL perform similarly well while offering more durable outsoles for light trails.
If the Pro in the name did draw you in looking for a true super-trainer, we’d recommend looking at lighter, faster max-stack shoes like the Kiprun Kipstorm Tempo and Asics Superblast 3.