HOKA Clifton 10 Review – More of the Same?

Design

In terms of technology, it’s more the stack and geometry of the shoes midsole rather than its foam that makes the difference.

The midsole is a compression moulded EVA (CM-EVA) and as such remains similar to that of the previous model and all those before it.

The difference here is the stack height. It’s up 3mm to 42mm in the heel of the Clifton 10 and as a result increases the heel drop to 8mm. This makes the Clifton the only shoe in the HOKA lineup with more than a 5mm drop.

The heel and toe rockers are still present and even with the new, increased heel drop, the overall roll of the shoe feels very similar to the previous model.

Fit

The fit of the Clifton 10 is true to size in terms of other HOKA models. Both length and width are consistent, with the toe box feeling just a little roomier. It’s not baggy or wide by any means, but there’s just a little bit more wiggle room and a little bit more volume.

The midfoot feels similar to the previous Clifton and with that in mind, some runners may want to consider the wide fit option to avoid any irritation under the arch of the foot.

It is worth noting that in the UK, HOKA convert sizes down just half a size from the US equivalent, whereas most brands use a full-size conversion. So, where brands such as Brooks, Nike and Saucony would equate a US10 to a UK9, HOKA (like New Balance) makes a US10 a UK9.5.

The engineered mesh upper is plush and holds the foot well, and there’s plenty of padding in the newly designed ankle collar, which although appears rather large, curves away from the Achilles to avoid irritation and help the foot slide easily into the shoe.

When explaining the pros and cons of differing heel drops to runners most are unaware of the HOKA being a low-drop shoe. It’s with this in mind that I think the higher drop of the Clifton 10 will make it a more suitable option to a wider range of runners.

The step-in fit and feel of the Clifton 10 is great. The upper is very well made and hugs the foot well. The foot slides easily into the shoe via that new heel tab.

The cushioning feels instantly soft and runs smoothly. The ride is good, but ultimately, it’s not the most engaging or premium feel. CM-EVA is essentially a pretty old midsole foam and is now showing its age when compared to PEBA or nitro-foams.

Let’s be honest, this midsole is perfectly acceptable and given the price, the Clifton 10 is a good, everyday trainer. It’s a simple, no-nonsense type of shoe and does the job very well.

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Shoes Similar to Clifton 10

It’s when we compare the Clifton 10 with other competitor models in the same price bracket that we can more fully understand the shoe’s performance.

The $150 / £140 price point is a very competitive part of the running shoe market and has some of the best value shoes sitting in it.

Saucony Ride 18

One such shoe is the new Saucony Ride 18. With its PEBA-based PWRRUN+ midsole it offers an entertaining ride with an energised feel. Taking a foam from racing and performance shoes and placing it in a great value training model makes the Ride 18 an excellent option.

The 8mm heel drop in the Ride 18 makes it the same as the new Clifton 10, but the foam makes the biggest difference. Ther CM-EVA of the Clifton, while on its own feels ok, next to the Ride 18 is a little ‘flat’ with no significant feel of ‘energy-return’.

HOKA Bondi 9

The HOKA Bondi 9 now becomes a significant challenger to its ‘little brother’ the Clifton 10. While the Bondi 9 costs approximately 10% more than the Clifton, it now offers so much more.

With the new super-critical midsole foam used in the Bondi 9, it has become elevated to offer more cushioning, more feedback and more energy return. The lower drop is negligible and for me, the Bondi 9 is the much better option.

New Balance 880v15

From New Balance, the Fresh Foam X 880v15 is another great competitor. The 880v15 has a slightly lower drop at 6mm, but as such sits closer to the previous model, the Clifton 9. This said, the Fresh Foam X cushioning in the New Balance doesn’t compress as easily on impact as that of the Clifton 10’s CM-EVA, so the lower drop is less noticeable!

At the same price, both the 880v15 and Clifton 10 offer great value for money and it will come down to personal preference with regards to the feel of the shoe as to which you opt for.

My Verdict

The new Clifton 10 looks good and feels good on the feet. The Clifton is one of the brand’s most popular shoes and there is no doubt that it will be a great selling shoe. The shoe continues to offer good value for money and is competitively priced.

The new, 8mm heel drop and increased cushioning will give it enough of an update to maintain its momentum throughout 2025, but the brand needs to be mindful of the competition.

With super-critical foams being introduced across the brand’s line up, the Clifton 10 would have been a perfect candidate for this treatment and I can’t help feeling it was a missed opportunity.

With the brand tending to keep models in line for 18 to 24 months, the Clifton 10 needs to sit at the lower end of the product lifecycle to keep pace with other brands’ competitor models in the future.

For now and for fans of the shoe the Clifton 10 is a reasonable update, so let’s enjoy it and keep our fingers crossed for a significant update in a year’s time!