| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| + Comfy, well-fitting upper + Responsive + Versatile + Stable ride + Good value for price | – None |
The Clifton gets an overhaul in a brand new model that is far superior to the regular edition. I detail my experience with the premium daily trainer through 50 miles, in this HOKA Clifton PRO review.
HOKA Clifton PRO
Why the Clifton PRO?
Well, HOKA watched Brooks produce a combined 31 variations (and counting) of their flagship Glycerin and Ghost models and said “Hold my pair” by introducing the first modification to the popular Clifton line. And BOY, you sure can tell they’re PROUD of the PRO. “HOKA” text sits smack dab in the middle of the shoe’s lateral side. It’s LOUD!
Of course, real running shoe geeks know the Clifton Pro actually isn’t the first variation of the shoe. No, that designation goes to something called the Clifton Edge. Sounds fake, right? I can assure you it was very much a real thing…for all of one edition. Chalk its short lifespan up to being introduced during the height of the COVID pandemic in mid-2020. (COVID was real too, I promise.) Sure, the timing was bad, but its ridiculous design with a gigantic extended heel didn’t help. Yeah, it looked silly. And judging by the reception, it wasn’t a shoe that was designed to be taken seriously.
A healthy smattering of Edge customer reviews noted the oversized, flared heel extension made the shoe feel “massive” underfoot, with some comparing the sensation to “wearing snowshoes or shoe boxes.” Ouch. But I’m not here to talk about the severely misguided Clifton Edge. Sure, I wasted an entire two paragraphs blabbering about it, but the Clifton PRO is no Clifton Edge.
The Clifton Pro is the best Clifton ever, and not just because they added “PRO” to the name; although, that certainly doesn’t hurt. Just don’t mistake its PRO moniker for being a super shoe like the Saucony Endorphin Pro or Adidas Adios Pro. Perhaps “PRO” wasn’t the best name? I’ll excuse the amateur mistake, because it’s easy to tell it’s not for racing; it sells for a reasonable $165, compared to the carbon-plated $250+ price tag. It also doesn’t have a plate…“Not that there’s anything wrong with that!”
Ride
This is the most responsive ride in the Clifton’s history thanks to the PROGLIDE™+ midsole made of supercritical foam, along with the aggressive MetaRocker design that efficiently rolls me through each stride. The result is a smooth ride that enables easier heel to toe transitions. No Clifton has ever felt this easy to run in. Its weight 10.4 oz (US M10) and 8.5 oz (US W8) paired with great energy return make it feel more nimble.
Underfoot, the PRO has a softer feel, much softer than the Clifton 11 which felt too firm and unforgiving. The Clifton 11 is your average run of the mill daily trainer which I found to be quite unresponsive, more so than in the 10, which I preferred.
On its cushioning scale from “responsive” to “plush,” HOKA slots the Clifton in the middle of the spectrum, as having “balanced” cushioning. But make no mistake: with a stack height of 42/34 mm (38/30 mm for women), this is essentially a max cushioned shoe. It’s also a responsive shoe, but I’ll forgive HOKA’s confusing spectrum. The 8 mm drop and more pronounced rocker geometry work well together for me as a heel/forefoot striker.
I always enjoy when I can tell after one run that I’m going to love a shoe. It makes things easier; I don’t have to think about anything. There’s no “Will he, won’t he…run in this shoe more than once?” guessing game. Editor’s note: The Size 15 Runner runs in all shoes more than once for reviews. But for some pairs he really doesn’t want to.
Uses
This shoe works well at a variety of paces and distances. I used the PRO for runs from 6-15 miles and enjoyed every run. It’s soft and cushioned enough to take it slow without sacrificing energy return, and surprisingly lively when you want to accelerate. With sidewalls and a wide enough outsole base, the ride remains stable at any pace. The Clifton PRO has served as one of my go-to long run pairs during marathon training. Ample comfort and protection last all the way through runs of 2+ hours.
Upper and Outsole
Another argument for the PRO being the best Clifton: this is among the best-fitting, most comfortable uppers in HOKA’s history. The engineered mesh is breathable and has a padded gusseted tongue and substantial heel collar that give a secure foot lockdown. The upper is noticeably more lightweight than the Clifton of old. I had no issues with fit as this pair has a wider, more accommodating toe box than traditional HOKAs which tend to run more narrow. Of note, the PRO is not available in wide widths.
On the podular outsole is a decent amount of Durabrasion rubber that’s held up well through 50 miles. I expect good durability from the pair and had no issues with traction.
Clifton PRO vs Clifton 11
At just $10 more with a far superior ride, the Clifton PRO is the clear winner between the two pairs. Despite being 0.4 oz heavier, the PRO is more versatile for a variety of paces and runs. While they share the same stack height, the PRO is much more responsive with the supercritical PROGLIDE midsole and more aggressive rocker geometry, whereas the 11 has the less resilient compression molded EVA foam. The weight difference isn’t noticeable. If anything, the 11 feels heavier at times with its dull ride.
$165 for the PRO offers good value, considering the $155 Clifton 11 pales in comparison in just about every category. It’s an easy decision: pick the PRO. In fact, you could argue there shouldn’t even be a decision to make: the Clifton PRO should just replace the Clifton.
Clifton PRO & 11
| PRO | 11 | |
|---|---|---|
| MIDSOLE | SC EVA | CM EVA |
| STACK | M: 42/34 mm W: 38/30 mm | M: 42/34 mm W: 38/30 mm |
| WEIGHT | M10: 9.4 oz/266 g W8: 8.5 oz/241 g | M10: 9.0 oz/255 g W8: 8.1 oz/229 g |
| PRICE | $165 | $155 |
Conclusion
Premium comfort and performance without paying a premium, the Clifton Pro is a stellar daily trainer that elevates the Clifton line to another level. The supercritical midsole and aggressive rocker design result in a responsive ride that will have you coming back to the shoe, unlike the stale Clifton 11.
The Clifton PRO is available now on HOKA’s website.
HOKA graciously provided this shoe to me for wear testing. I was not compensated for this HOKA Clifton PRO review and HOKA didn’t get an opportunity to see this HOKA Clifton PRO review before I published.
