As a runner, shoe fitter, and certified shoe nerd, few releases get me more curious than a new Clifton drop from Hoka. The Clifton line has become a staple in the daily trainer category — loved by runners who want plush cushion without the maxed-out bulk of something like the Bondi. And last year, the Clifton 9 absolutely dominated at my store. We couldn’t keep it on the shelves.

So when the Clifton 10 was announced, I was excited but also skeptical. Would they mess with a good thing? Would the tweaks feel forced? And more importantly — would it still feel like a Clifton?

First Impressions: Familiar, But Refined

Unboxing the Clifton 10, the design is classic Hoka: modern, clean, and functional. Hoka always nails the colorways, and this year’s are no exception. There’s something about how they combine bold and soft tones that make even a slow recovery day feel fast.

Picking the shoe up, I immediately noticed it felt slightly more structured than the 9. There’s a touch more material in the upper, especially around the heel collar and tongue, and the midsole feels subtly firmer to the squeeze. Not firm in a bad way — more like refined.

Fit & Upper: A Wider, Plusher Ride

One of the biggest wins for me in the Clifton 9 was the roomy toe box. It was one of the few Hokas that I could recommend to people with wider forefeet — and not just in the Wide version. Thankfully, Hoka kept that trend going in the 10.

The forefoot is slightly wider again, which makes a huge difference for people who often feel cramped up front. The engineered jacquard mesh upper is breathable and has a soft, almost premium feel. Around the heel and tongue, there’s more plushness than previous models, which gives the shoe a step-in comfort that’s honestly hard to beat.

Despite the added comfort and structure, the shoe doesn’t feel hot or heavy. It holds the foot well — especially important for those mid-foot strikers — without any pinching or rubbing. For my foot shape, it’s one of the best-fitting Hokas I’ve ever tried right out of the box.

Midsole & Drop: A Subtle Shift

Here’s where the Clifton 10 takes a slight departure from the 9: the drop increased from 5mm to 8mm. Stack height also got bumped up slightly, making this the highest Clifton yet. I was a bit concerned about the increased drop — I usually like lower offsets for daily trainers — but out on the run, it felt surprisingly natural.

The MetaRocker geometry does a lot of work here. It encourages smooth transitions and almost makes the shoe roll you forward, which keeps everything feeling fluid. The compression-molded EVA midsole is still soft, but not overly mushy. It’s plush, but controlled — a shoe you can trust on tired legs.

Performance on the Run: Smooth and Steady

I’ve now logged a few solid runs in the Clifton 10, and it’s lived up to the hype for me. This isn’t your tempo day shoe — it doesn’t have that snappy, aggressive toe-off you’d want for intervals or speed work. But that’s not its job.

Where the Clifton 10 shines is on daily training runs, recovery efforts, long slow miles, and even all-day wear. It’s a shoe you don’t have to think about. Just lace up and go. That “comfort without clunk” feeling is hard to find, and the Clifton 10 nails it.

The midsole absorbs impact well, and even on longer runs (8-10 miles), I didn’t feel beat up after. The shoe is stable without being stiff, and thanks to the wider base and more structured upper, there’s just enough support to keep things in check. Neutral runners will love it, but even mild overpronators could get away with it depending on their gait.

Durability & Traction: A Few Notes

I’ve seen a few folks question the durability of past Clifton models, especially when it comes to the upper. So far, I’ve had no issues — no tearing, no premature breakdown, and no blown-out mesh. The outsole rubber seems strategically placed to hold up against wear, and I appreciate the more robust feel of this version.

One critique? The grip isn’t great on loose terrain or damp gravel. It’s fine for most roads, sidewalks, and even light-packed trails, but if your routes take you through dirt paths, you might notice some slip. For those runners, I’d steer you toward the Hoka Challenger or a more trail-oriented hybrid.

Who It’s For: Just About Everyone

If you’re a beginner training for your first 5K, this shoe gives you softness and security. If you’re a seasoned half or full marathoner with high mileage weeks, it’s a perfect recovery-day workhorse. And if you’re just someone who spends a lot of time on their feet, this might be one of the most comfortable options out there.

Clifton 10 isn’t flashy. It doesn’t try to be the fastest or lightest shoe on the market. But what it does do, it does very well — and that’s give you a balanced, cushioned, and consistent ride day after day.

Final Verdict

Hoka didn’t reinvent the Clifton — they didn’t need to. What they did was refine it. With a more accommodating fit, increased stack, and smoother transitions, the Clifton 10 continues to prove why this line is so beloved.

It’s not perfect — I’d love to see better outsole grip and a less squish, more responsive feel in future versions — but it’s pretty dang good for a neutral daily trainer. For most runners, the Clifton 10 won’t blow your mind. But it will give your feet exactly what they need: soft landings, smooth rides, and just enough support to keep you moving forward.

And yes… the colorways still slap.

Overall rating

I give the Hoka Clifton 10 an overall 7/10 stars
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Hoka Clifton 10 | 2025’s New Favorite Trainer?