Hoka Clifton 10 - Women's Review

With 38 millimeters of stack under the heel, the Hoka Clifton 10 is among the most cushioned shoes we have tested. Designed as a running shoe, these make an excellent walking shoe that can tackle very long walks or extended hours upright.

Comfort

The first time I put the Clifton 10 on, I audibly said, “Wow, it feels like I am standing on a pillow.” My feet were greeted with an obvious plush cushion, mostly noticeable under the heel. At first, I was a little skeptical about all this cushion, and this felt quite different for me on my first walk. However, on my second walk, I was sold. The cushion wasn't so obvious but more relieving. I noticed my heel hit the ground much softer, and gently rolled into the toe with ease. The plush midsole provided a light springiness and gentle rocker that helped propel me forward step by step.

The upper was also among the most comfortable in the lineup. I had no trouble with the Clifton biting down on any part of my foot, and I was able to let out enough laces to accommodate my high midfoot. The toe box is also among the more generous. My toes weren't squished, and I could still get a natural toe splay during my stride.

The Clifton is easy to get on thanks to the slick sock liner and generous heel tab. The heel tab is angled away from the Achilles, so it didn't rub my ankle as I walked - a small detail that I really appreciated. I was even able to slip these on and off without relacing them, thanks to the large heel tab.

Support

With how much cushion the Clifton 10 has, I was surprised at how stable and supportive they are. The wide base makes up for the tall cushion, and never once did I feel like I would roll an ankle. Even when I purposefully tried to oversupinate my foot, I was guided back into my natural step, though it should be noted these do not act as corrective shoes. The traditional lace system was enough for me to get a secure fit. However, the shoe has additional eyelets closer to the ankle, should you need even more security.

The shoe doesn't have the most robust arch support, but if this is something you're after, an aftermarket insole could do the trick. Even though the Clifton 10 has 38 millimeters under the heel, it has a modest 7 millimeters of drop. This, paired with the gentle rocker, had me resting in a balance across my heels, midfoot, and toes.

The Hoka Clifton 10 is among the stiffer shoes in our lineup. During my twist tests, I was able to get some bend in the toe, while the remainder of the shoe was stiff. This is great on hard flooring, especially for those spending hours upright on their feet.

Traction

Built as a road shoe, the Clifton 10 excels on some surfaces and struggles on others. I felt very secure on concrete, tile, and paths with small pebbles. I even accidentally stepped on wet tile in these shoes and was happy with how they kept me from slipping. The outsole is made from 77% rubber and 23% EVA. In the center of outsole, the lugs are constructed from EVA. Meanwhile, the heel and toe box have a light rubber layer. While it doesn't seem like much, the rubber is very sticky on tile. However, should this rubber get dirty, there isn't a deep tread to keep you sure-footed.

The only surface I struggled on was gravel with larger rocks. Gravel can be tricky to walk on, but I found the large, stiffer surface area of these shoes to cause my steps to be off. I didn't feel like I would slip necessarily, but my security in each step was lessened. If you walk primarily on gravel, you might opt for shoe that isn't so broad. Otherwise, the Clifton 10 did exceptionally well on all other surfaces.

Weight

While the Clifton has plenty of plush materials used, they aren't all that heavy. My women's size 9 weighed just 8.3 ounces per shoe. The midsole is made from CMEVA (compression molded EVA), which tends to be light. Likewise, the upper is made from a thin jacquard knit. No part of the shoe feels particularly heavy, even the heel cup that has more cushion and fabric.

At first these shoes might feel clunky, especially if you aren't used to Hoka's plush style. However, they don't feel heavy. I appreciated the vent holes in the toe box and across the upper that added a feeling of airiness.

Durability

I've walked many miles in these shoes, and I am happy with how they have held up. The midsole is still springy and doesn't show any signs of wearing down. The tip of the toe box is reinforced, which has helped avoid unnecessary damage when I accidentally scuffed across things. The heel cup is also reinforced and more rigid. The fabric and cushioning here feel secure and, after lots of use, don't appear to be losing their structural integrity.

My only concern for the Clifton 10 is with the lightweight jacquard upper. While it has held up during my tests, I am concerned about the longevity of this fabric, especially along the vented areas. Outdoor walks bring the potential of unwanted snags. However, I am still pleased with the shoe's longevity, especially considering the CMEVA midsole that remains springy walk after walk.

Should You Buy the Hoka Clifton 10?

Our testing team was impressed by the Hoka Clifton 10 for many reasons and think it is a worthy walking shoe. If you are looking for plush and comfortable, this shoe is the one for you. The Clifton is more than capable of long-distance walks or anytime you are on your feet for hours on end. Additionally, this shoe remains a favorite running shoe, should you want something to easily transition between the two.

What Other Walking Shoes Should You Consider?

The Clifton 10 is hard to beat when it comes to plush comfort. However, the Brooks Ghost Max 2 is another worth considering. These shoes thrive as a stable option that still have 37 millimeters underfoot. If you're not too thrilled about pillow-like midsoles, the On Cloud 6 is worth checking out. The Cloud 6 is one of the most supportive shoes we have tested, and though it isn't plush like the Clifton, it has its own set of aspects that make it comfortable.