Hoka® Clifton 10

Evolutionary Leap: Clifton 10 Blurs the Line Between Trainer and Maximalist

While other product lines evolve gradually, the Hoka Clifton 10 has undergone a complete overhaul. It looks almost identical to its predecessor, but technically, it shares almost nothing with it. The brand skipped the model in 2024 and launched directly into a version in 2025 that fundamentally changes stack height, drop, and upper construction. The result is a shoe that transforms a moderate daily trainer into a full-fledged maximalist. Yet, it remains at the core of the legendary line that defined the cushioned shoe segment over a decade ago.

History: The Most Significant Update in the Line's History

The Clifton was born in 2014 as a model that earned the nickname "the shoe that changed running" thanks to its combination of pronounced cushioning and surprisingly low weight. The tenth generation, launched in 2025, represents the most radical intervention in the construction after years of gradual tweaks – Hoka claims to have responded to the fact that runners log enormous amounts of kilometers in the Clifton, and the lower stack, with gradual compression of the heel, began to behave like an even lower drop than originally designed.

Technology: Significant Increase in Stack and New Upper

What makes the Clifton 10 so different from its predecessor are these key changes:

• Stack Height 44.4 mm: Compared to 32.7 mm in the Clifton 9, this is a significant increase that shifts the shoe from the category of moderately cushioned daily trainers straight into the realm of full-fledged maximalist models.
• Drop Increased to 8 mm: The increase from the original 5 mm aims to compensate for the gradual compression of the foam in the heel during high mileage, keeping the drop feeling closer to traditional Hoka geometry.
• New Last and Jacquard Upper: A completely redesigned shoe shape and the transition from knitted mesh to finer jacquard knitting have significantly improved foot placement, complemented by double lacing for better fixation.
• Compression-Molded EVA Foam (CMEVA): Despite all the other changes, the midsole remains with the proven, durable, but less "superfoam" material – while competitors are moving to more performance-oriented compounds.

Durability

The upper, midsole, and outsole typically last 480–800 km, depending on running style, runner's weight, and terrain. However, real-world tests vary significantly – some reviewers report minimal wear even after 160 km, while others noted noticeable wear on the lateral side of the toe after just 100 km, so durability for this model should be considered more as a guideline.

Who This Model Is For

The Clifton 10 is a sports shoe for you if you seek maximum cushioning for regular daily kilometers and prefer a higher stack and more secure foot lockdown over a lighter, minimalist ride – also ideal as a comfortable shoe for all-day wear outside of training.