Hoka One One Clifton 10 Introduction
Typically HOKA can shock us with actually thrilling sneakers just like the wild-riding Cielo X1, or the explosive Mach X 2, which is among the quickest, most energetic pace trainers available on the market.
The Clifton shouldn’t be a kind of merchandise. The Clifton is the equal of a peanut butter and jam sandwich for lunch- it’ll fulfill your starvation nevertheless it’s a boring meal that you just’ve had a whole bunch of instances earlier than. And that’s fully high-quality. Hoka understands that it’s all about having a balanced product assortment.
In 2024, HOKA skilled outstanding monetary progress, with its income surging by a powerful 28%. This substantial improve highlights HOKA’s continuance of robust efficiency within the operating footwear market.
When in comparison with its important opponents, HOKA’s progress considerably outpaced the trade. Nike noticed a modest income improve of only one%. Adidas achieved a progress fee of 12%. Below Armour confronted a downturn, with its income dropping by 3% throughout the identical interval.
These figures underscore HOKA’s distinctive progress trajectory and its growing market share relative to its opponents. HOKA’s 2 important bestsellers are the Clifton and the Bondi.
Each of those trainers have new variations launched each 2 years. In 2025, we get new variations of each the Clifton and the Bondi. After I reviewed the Clifton 9 in 2023, I felt that it was a great every day coach nevertheless it was extra suited to straightforward and restoration runs.
The massive headline function of the Clifton 10 is that it has an extra 3 mm extra stack peak within the heel. It’s additionally constructed on a wider final in comparison with earlier Cliftons. The Clifton has at all times been a really narrow-fitting coach. I beneficial that runners get the extensive model of the Clifton as a result of the common is barely appropriate for very slender ft.
The Clifton 10 sees yet one more value improve to $150. It has now elevated by $20 during the last 2 variations. The Clifton 8’s value was $130. Nowadays, the common value for a mid-range every day coach is $140.
Hoka One One Clifton 10 First Impressions
The primary time I put the Clifton 10 on, I used to be impressed with the brand new final. I ordered the common model (not the extensive) in my regular dimension, and the forefoot and toe field felt much more spacious than earlier variations.
My first run was a straightforward one and I used to be shocked how agency the trip felt. The Clifton has by no means been an excellent tender trip however I used to be anticipating the tenth model to be plusher because it has extra stack peak within the heel. It felt firmer than model 9 to me.
It felt much like the Clifton 8, which was a firmer, extra versatile iteration than the 9. The Clifton 10 felt prefer it might choose up the tempo in the event you wanted it to, like a textual content ebook every day coach and never a max-cushioned coach for under straightforward runs.
Hoka One One Clifton 10 Higher
That is essentially the most snug Clifton higher to this point due to its wider forefoot and toe field. You now not want to purchase the extensive model or purchase a half dimension up except you have got very extensive ft.
The Clifton 10’s jacquard knit higher is a bit softer and a bit smoother than its predecessor however breathability continues to be not that nice. It additionally has a generously padded tongue and collar so it’s extra suited to chill climates than heat ones.
The tongue shouldn’t be gusseted so there’s slightly little bit of downward tongue slide throughout runs, regardless that it has 2 lace loops on the tongue. The Clifton 9’s tongue, which was hooked up on one facet was a significantly better design. Foot lockdown is sweet and there’s no heel slippage when utilizing a runner’s knot.
Hoka One One Clifton 10 Sole Unit
I’ve been utilizing the Clifton 10 on daily basis for the previous week, generally even twice a day for my doubles. What I’ve discovered is that the midsole is simply too agency for me. After some runs, I’ll discover that my ft damage due to the firmness.
The Clifton 10 is now considerably firmer than different current every day trainers just like the ASICS Novablast 5, Nike Vomero 18, Saucony Journey 18 and New Stability 1080 v14. It’s additionally value noting that the Bondi 9 is now softer than the Clifton 10. In earlier years, the Clifton was the softer of the two maximalist HOKA trainers.
The Clifton 10 midsole continues to be made from CMEVA (compression-molded EVA), similar to the 9 variations that got here earlier than it. It’s a really gentle, ethereal foam nevertheless it doesn’t provide a lot when it comes to power return or bounce. What the Clifton’s midsole does very nicely is that it offers numerous help. It’s a really steady trip as a result of the froth isn’t squishy.
Attributable to its firmer trip, the Clifton 10 now feels extra like a every day coach than a max-cushioned coach like its predecessor. It’s simpler to choose up the tempo within the Clifton 10 so you are able to do regular runs and even brief, quick bursts in it.
The MetaRocker midsole form continues to be one of many Clifton’s signature options. It gently assists you thru transitions so it feels extra environment friendly and simpler to run within the Clifton than in different trainers with flat midsoles.
The Clifton 10 has an additional 3 mm stack peak in its heel and it’s now an 8 mm drop for the primary time within the franchise history- it has at all times been 5 mm. HOKA stated that they did this as a result of over the lifetime of the shoe, the heel compresses and this makes the drop even decrease. With an 8 mm drop, the geometry holds up higher over time.
One other new function is the rearfoot energetic foot body. Because of this the edges of the midsole on the rearfoot are raised up (like limitations) to create steerage as your heels strike the bottom.
Basically, the Clifton 10 is a lightweight stability coach. I don’t get pleasure from this steerage function as a result of the raised midsole edges create a strain level on the medial facet of my rearfoot that overpronates. Throughout runs longer than 10 kilometres, the within of my rearfoot will get sore.
Outsole sturdiness shouldn’t be one of many Clifton 10’s strengths. The rubber (and uncovered midsole foam) are very tender they usually put on down quicker than your common outsole. I’ve executed over 110 km in my pair, and there’s important put on on the outer lateral heel areas.
Hoka One One Clifton 10 Conclusions
The Clifton 10 shouldn’t be my type of every day coach. It’s comparatively light-weight (for its excessive stack peak) nevertheless it’s not tender or plush like HOKA advertises. I want my every day trainers to be squishier and extra energetic so it gained’t be staying in my rotation.
Model 10 is a disappointing replace for me and it’s a much less enjoyable model than 9. It has a firmer trip and it tries to information your rearfoot throughout transitions which triggered me some points throughout longer runs.
The ten shall be higher for you in case you have wider ft otherwise you want extra stability however I want the plusher, extra impartial Clifton 9. The Clifton 10 is nevertheless extra versatile since its firmer trip makes it simpler to choose up the tempo.
At $150, the Clifton 10 is overpriced, particularly contemplating it solely has an EVA midsole that’s not even tremendous critically foamed. Its opponents (Adidas Supernova Rise, ASICS Novablast, Saucony Journey, Brooks Ghost) are all cheaper and extra snug than the Clifton. Additionally they present extra power return and have extra participating rides.
Most runners and walkers will want the HOKA Bondi 9 over the Clifton 10. The Bondi is $20 extra nevertheless it has an excellent critically foamed EVA midsole which feels plusher and has a extra full of life trip. It additionally has extra rockered transitions and an outsole with higher sturdiness.
