Hoka One One Clifton 10 Introduction
Generally HOKA can shock us with actually thrilling sneakers just like the wild-riding Cielo X1, or the explosive Mach X 2, which is without doubt one of the quickest, most energetic velocity trainers in the marketplace.
The Clifton just isn’t a type of merchandise. The Clifton is the equal of a peanut butter and jam sandwich for lunch- it is going to fulfill your starvation but it surely’s a boring meal that you just’ve had a whole lot of instances earlier than. And that’s utterly nice. Hoka understands that it’s all about having a balanced product assortment.
In 2024, HOKA skilled outstanding monetary development, with its income surging by a powerful 28%. This substantial enhance highlights HOKA’s continuance of sturdy efficiency within the operating footwear market.
When in comparison with its important opponents, HOKA’s development considerably outpaced the business. Nike noticed a modest income enhance of just one%. Adidas achieved a development charge of 12%. Underneath Armour confronted a downturn, with its income dropping by 3% throughout the identical interval.
These figures underscore HOKA’s distinctive development 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. Once I reviewed the Clifton 9 in 2023, I felt that it was an excellent each day coach but it surely was extra suited to simple and restoration runs.
The large headline function of the Clifton 10 is that it has a further 3 mm extra stack top 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 advisable that runners get the large model of the Clifton as a result of the common is barely appropriate for very slim toes.
The Clifton 10 sees one more worth enhance to $150. It has now elevated by $20 during the last 2 variations. The Clifton 8’s worth was $130. Lately, the typical worth for a mid-range each 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 large) in my regular dimension, and the forefoot and toe field felt much more spacious than earlier variations.
My first run was a simple one and I used to be shocked how agency the trip felt. The Clifton has by no means been a brilliant comfortable trip however I used to be anticipating the tenth model to be plusher because it has extra stack top within the heel. It felt firmer than model 9 to me.
It felt just 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 for those who wanted it to, like a textual content ebook each day coach and never a max-cushioned coach for under simple runs.
Hoka One One Clifton 10 Higher
That is essentially the most comfy Clifton higher up to now due to its wider forefoot and toe field. You not want to purchase the large model or purchase a half dimension up until you could have very large toes.
The Clifton 10’s jacquard knit higher is a bit softer and a bit smoother than its predecessor however breathability remains 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 just isn’t gusseted so there’s a bit little bit of downward tongue slide throughout runs, though it has 2 lace loops on the tongue. The Clifton 9’s tongue, which was hooked up on one facet was a a lot better design. Foot lockdown is nice 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 daily for the previous week, typically even twice a day for my doubles. What I’ve discovered is that the midsole is just too agency for me. After some runs, I’ll discover that my toes harm due to the firmness.
The Clifton 10 is now considerably firmer than different latest each day trainers just like the ASICS Novablast 5, Nike Vomero 18, Saucony Experience 18 and New Steadiness 1080 v14. It’s additionally price 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 remains to be fabricated from CMEVA (compression-molded EVA), identical to the 9 variations that got here earlier than it. It’s a really gentle, ethereal foam but it surely doesn’t supply a lot when it comes to power return or bounce. What the Clifton’s midsole does very effectively is that it gives numerous assist. It’s a really secure trip as a result of the froth isn’t squishy.
Attributable to its firmer trip, the Clifton 10 now feels extra like a each 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 remains 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 top 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 lively foot body. Which means 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 light-weight stability coach. I don’t get pleasure from this steerage function as a result of the raised midsole edges create a stress 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 just isn’t one of many Clifton 10’s strengths. The rubber (and uncovered midsole foam) are very comfortable and so they put on down sooner than your common outsole. I’ve accomplished over 110 km in my pair, and there’s vital put on on the outer lateral heel areas.
Hoka One One Clifton 10 Conclusions
The Clifton 10 just isn’t my form of each day coach. It’s comparatively light-weight (for its excessive stack top) but it surely’s not comfortable or plush like HOKA advertises. I choose my each 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 precipitated me some points throughout longer runs.
The ten shall be higher for you when you’ve got wider toes otherwise you want extra stability however I choose the plusher, extra impartial Clifton 9. The Clifton 10 is nonetheless 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 Experience, Brooks Ghost) are all cheaper and extra comfy than the Clifton. Additionally they present extra power return and have extra participating rides.
Most runners and walkers will choose the HOKA Bondi 9 over the Clifton 10. The Bondi is $20 extra but it surely has a brilliant 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.
