Hoka Clifton 10 Review | Worth It In 2025?

Tyler Apr 28, 2025

403 People Read

Disclosure: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no cost to you if you decide to purchase. We give you the lowest possible price here!

In this article, I'm going to share my HONEST Hoka Clifton 10 review for those who are wondering whether they are still WORTH IT in 2025. As a seasoned trail runner with 12 years of experience with testing running shoes and trail runners. I recommend these for users looking for a well-cushioned, stable, walking or running shoe.

For this review, I have put in over 40+ miles of trail running, walking ,and running into testing my own personal pair of the Clifton 10 since the release in 2025.

I'm very familiar with how they feel and perform on the road and trails. I'll go over comfort, traction, stability & support , weight, durability and OVERALL value. I’ll be giving a score of each category based on OBJECTIVE testing standards and an overall score with recommendations at the end.

Released in 2025 the Clifton 10 took users by surprise with a new upgraded upper, a better stack height, and a noticeable improvement in comfort compared to the Clifton 9.

Should you buy the Hoka Clifton 10 ?

Buy if

You want one of the most COMFORTABLE walking shoes on the market

You want a versatile shoe that be used for everyday walks, runs, and trail running

You are looking for a very high stack height without compromising responsiveness

You prefer a moderate heel-to-toe drop

DON'T Buy if

You prefer lightweight, welded materials

You prefer the MAXIMUM amount of cushioning a shoe can offer

You want an aggressively stiff outsole

Clifton 10 Pros and Cons

Pros

Good stability and support

Excellent fit without areas of compression

Meta rocker geometry for a smooth, efficient stride

Excellent for running on flat pavement

Cons

Average to below average trail runner

Lack of durability for outsole

Hoka Clifton 10 Price

Right now, the Clifton 10 retails for $150. With the best deals on Hoka.com.

Get The BEST deal on the Hoka Clifton 10 at the LOWEST Price Available! (Do NOT pay retail):

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Hoka Clifton 10 Comfort : 8.5/10 (20%)

When I first tried on the Clifton 10, I felt the immediate comfort and cushioning of the previous 9 model. My feet sank very slightly into the midsole. I felt the midsole was slightly more static than the previous model with better stiffness.

The midsole is very comfortable, there were no immediate areas of compression although the Clifton tends to run slightly narrow. I felt great cushioning and impact control while going out on my first run with the 10’s. I didn’t feel I had to break in this model either, they were an excellent fit right out of the box.

While trail running, I felt the shock absorption was one of the best I have ever tested. The Compression-molded EVA midsole is one of the best, I was able to pound hard on rough terrain without feeling the impact throughout my lower body. The shock absorption while running is very comparable to the Hoka Challenger 7

With a noticeable heel-to-toe drop increase to 8mm compared to the 5mm of the Clifton 9, the Clifton 10 brings a whole new world to heel cushioning. I noticed less strain on my calves, as well as better anti-foot fatigue. Although the increased drop is not great for responsiveness, the extra heel padding is well worth it.

The toe box I measured at 2.72 in. The toe box could have been improved, If they increased the width of the toe box then it really would have added better stability for running.

The padding over the tongue is about the same as the Clifton 9, no areas of additional pressure.

Thanks to the upgraded upper, the shoe is overall more breathable than the previous models. Hoka added in some ventilation pockets which really made a difference on heavy training days.

Meta rocker

Hoka incorporates a smooth meta rocker as they do for most of their shoes and boots. The meta rocker changes the curve of the midsole, providing a forward “propelling” movement of your foot, creating a very efficient stride.

The meta rocker combined with the 3 mm increase in heel-toe-drop, makes a deadly combo - rolling you forward effortlessly while taking the strain off your heels and calves.

Overall, the comfort of the Clifton 10 is good for an everyday walking shoe, and excellent when it comes to a daily trainer and trail runner.

Traction: 8.5/10 (20%)

The Hoka Clifton 10 is equipped with the Durabrasion rubber outsole, which tends to run quite soft.

The outsole lugs are decently spaced apart, the traction on dry is excellent for flat terrain runners. While I tested the 10 on moderate wet uneven terrain while trail running, I slipped a few times due to the shallow nature of the lugs.

While running on concrete on pavement, I felt the grip was excellent. The soft outsole bites into even terrain as much as it needs to give you that extra edge while running.

The shoe overall is very flexible, which is great for pushing off on your stride propelling you forward especially with your forefoot. The flexible nature does not bode well for very uneven terrain while trail running, which is the trade off you would expect.

The Clifton really performs well ascending up even terrain, the grip holds true without any slipping, even in the rain.

Clifton 10 testing on concrete

Transitioning from gravel to pavement or asphalt is where the Clifton 10 really stands out. As an all-terrain shoe, the 10 is easily able to transition from terrain without any signs of reduced grip or traction. The Clifton transitions terrain much better than the Speedgoat 6.

The enhanced grip from the forefoot of the shoe, really helps dig into terrain when pressing off the ground with your stride. Hoka introduced more grip in the forefoot of this iteration.

Overall, the Clifton 10 has some of the best traction for EVEN terrain especially while running on pavement or asphalt. The traction is about average for trail runners.

Stability & Support 8.5/10 (20%)

The Clifton 10 is marketed as a neutral daily runner, I really put it as a stable daily trainer. The Rearfoot-focused active foot frame improves the stability of the hindfoot especially during impact.

I felt my foot was cradled well in the shoe without overcompression around the upper, the upper really held my foot in place to prevent any overpronation.

I tested the Clifton 10 while heel striking, midfoot striking, and forefoot striking. While heel striking and midfoot striking I felt excellent stability.

With the upgraded cushioning and increased heel-to-toe drop, I noticed that forefoot striking felt slightly less stable compared to landing on my midfoot or rearfoot. The added stack in the heel shifts the balance just enough to favor more traditional striking patterns.

The torsional stability of the Clifton 10 aligns more with a neutral runner. The shoe itself is quite flexible, hence why the stability and support is not as great on uneven terrain.

I measured the heel-to-toe drop at 8 mm which was a little disappointing, the 5mm heel-to-toe drop was great on the Clifton 9 aiding in better responsiveness. However, with the increased cushioning especially in the heel the Clifton is less responsive for feedback training.

The wide platform of the Clifton is really what separates itself from the pack. The roomy toe box gives your toes plenty of space to naturally splay out, creating a wider, more stable platform for better balance and control.

Weight 8.5/10 (15%)

Clifton 10 weighing 10 ounces on scale

I weighed the Clifton 10 at 11 oz (Hoka claims they are 9.8 oz) which is not an ultralight shoe, however for the amount of cushioning and stack height it has the weight is pretty impressive.

Add in the Meta Rocker and the “forward propulsion” you get with this shoe, and it feels much lighter than it actually is.

As a frame of reference the Speedgoat 5 weighs in at 11 oz which is approximately 22% heavier than the Clifton 10!

How Does The Hoka Clifton 10 Fit?

I purchased a men’s 10.5 and it fit perfectly. They fit true to size, I didn’t necessarily have to size up to the wide size either. The toe box is an upgrade, it is much wider than the Clfiton 9’s, which users complained about.

I didn’t have any heel slippage,my heel was nice and locked in. One of the best features of the Clifton 10 is the flexibility, the upper is so flexible it allows for a nice voluminous fit without compression in any areas.

There was virtually no need for a break in period. I was able to run for 3 miles after unboxing the shoes without the need to break them in further.

Overall, the Clifton 10 fit true to size. They also come in wide and Extra-wide sizes as well.

Hoka Clifton 10 Fit 9/10 (15%)

Is the Hoka Clifton 10 worth it?

If you are looking for a running or walking shoe that has the versatility of a trail runner, then the Clifton 10 is definitely worth it.

Don’t forget the unmatched plushness, underrated support and stability, and impressive value for the performance.

As an all-day walking shoe, or running shoe the Clifton 10 is at the top of the list. We named it one of the most versatile shoes of 2025 — comfortable enough for all-day wear, yet rugged enough for mixed terrain.

For under $150, it's tough to match the Clifton 10’s versatility and value.

The strengths of this shoe is the comfort, support, versatility, and performance!

The drawbacks to consider would be there are more performance based models if you are looking for a trail runner only such as the Hoka Challenger 7 or the Altra Lone Peak 9+ for more technical terrain.

The value you get out of the Clifton 10 is unbeatable.

Value: 4.5/5 (10%)

Scoring Breakdown

Comfort & Fit (20%): 8.5/10

Traction (20%) : 8.5/10

Stability & Support (20%): 8.5/10

Weight (15%) : 8.5/10

Fit (15%) : 9/10

Value (10%) : 4.5 / 5

Total Weighted Score:
2.125 + 1.275 + 1.7 + 1.275 + 1.35 + 0.9 = 8.625 / 10

Our Rating: 8.6 / 10

At the time of this writing, the Clifton 10 are priced at $150, the Clifton offers premium upgrades without the premium price tag you usually see in max-cushion models.

Get the Best Deal on the Hoka Clifton 10 — No Need to Overpay!

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s The Difference Between The Clifton 10 and 9?

The Clifton 10 offers an increased stack height of 8mm compared to 5mm the Clifton 9 offered. The Clifton 10 also offers an upgraded upper, reduced weight, and upgraded stability features.

Should you size up for the Hoka Clifton?

No, there is no need to size up for the Clifton, they fit true to size. There are available wide and extra-wide sizes as well.

What Is The Clifton 10 Best For?

The Clifton 10 is best for all-day walking, running, as well as trail running making it a truly versatile shoe.

Is The Hoka Clifton Good For Walking?

Yes! The Hoka Clifton 10’s are excellent for walking, they have unmatched comfort and cushioning.

How We Tested and Our Methodology

I personally tested the Hoka Clifton 10 since its early release in 2025. I also tested the previous Iteration Clifton 9 for over 3 years with the sole intent of giving you the most unbiased review possible. Mountaineer Journey is a 100% independent publisher with years of testing and reviewing outdoor equipment.

Over the past 15+ years, I’ve logged thousands of trail miles across everything from smooth single-file roads to steep, technical singletrack. Few testers can match the real-world experience I bring in evaluating both trail runners and running shoes for true versatility and performance.

We currently pay for the products we test ourselves; no company or manufacturer pays us to sway our opinions or decisions.