Hoka One One Clifton 8 Review

The Hoka One One Clifton 8 has maximum cushioning in a wide platform. We enjoyed using this shoe for our long runs where we could count on the cushioning to leave us feeling fresh towards the later miles. We found the cushioning to be a tad overkill on shorter runs and lessened the responsiveness. The upper was comfortable and did not give us any issues, and we appreciated the breathability and durability. There is ample arch support and stability without feeling overkill or constricting.

Providing these features in such a light package is also a plus, and there is durable outsole rubber which we think will last for quite a while. We believe this is a great pick if you are looking for a high cushioning model with a lower 5-millimeter heel-to-toe drop. This drop allows for all of your lower leg muscles to stay engaged while the cushioning reduces fatigue and long-term strain.

Performance Comparison

Cushioning and Landing Comfort

Maximum cushioning is the Clifton 8 design, which we loved on longer efforts. We were impressed with the ability to provide such ample cushioning in a model with such an overall low weight. There is a slight heel-to-toe rocker that helps roll your forefoot into a great take-off position, providing excellent landing comfort if you are a heel striker. The supportive heel did not feel too cushioned and still had enough compaction to provide stability while maintaining its comfort. If you are looking for the highest level of cushion, we think this is a great model to look into.

Responsiveness

Due to a high amount of luxurious cushioning, the responsiveness was not as instant as some other models. The 5-millimeter drop helps maintain some ground feel and allows for your lower legs to be more engaged, which is a design that we prefer. The responsiveness at the start of a run sometimes feels a bit bouncy, but we appreciated the level of cushion towards the end of a longer effort once fatigue sets in. We preferred the balance of cushioning and responsiveness in some other models, but this is probably the better route to take if you are interested in maximum comfort.

Upper Comfort

A plush upper helps round out an all-around comfortable trainer. This model has great ventilation, which breaths and dries pretty quickly. This fabric is a good mixture of thin and breathable but also has a bit of weight to it, so it'll last longer than some other models in this weight class. We found the toe-box to feel wide but snug with no signs of blisters or hotspots. The padded tongue helped lock down the midfoot, and the heel cup is well designed with no Achilles irritation. The arch support felt a little off at times but dulled down once we ran more miles in the shoe.

Lateral Stability and Support

This model feels surprisingly stable, even given the higher stack height. There is ample arch support that helps stabilize the heel and midfoot, and the width of the platform helps reduce some of the instability created by the high cushion. While we wouldn't recommend this to users that desire maximum stability and support, we are impressed with the support of this model. We would not recommend this model for uneven natural surfaces, but for well-maintained gravel paths or roads, we think this version is plenty stable to have a confident and surefooted stride.

Weight

Coming in at 9.1 ounces in a men's size 9.5, we loved the lighter overall design, which continues to implement durable materials. There is a rubber outsole that should hold up better than some of the lighter competitors. Low weight improved the turnover experience and reduced the feeling of slow cushioning.

Should You Buy the Hoka One One Clifton 8?

The combination of top-of-the-line cushioning and durability make this model a great value. You can use this shoe on various running adventures, from daily jogs on the beach to long weekend runs, and we think the solid construction provides durability as good as anything on the market. Hoka has done a great job of providing a well-rounded model for such a price, and we think this is one of the better all-around training models at this price point.

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