The HOKA Clifton 10 revamps the legacy of the Clifton series, offering a reliable daily trainer that puts comfort and smoothness at the forefront. With its familiar compression-molded EVA midsole, it delivers the classic Clifton feel: soft, compliant, and gentle underfoot. This latest version stands out with an increased stack height and improved cushioning, creating an even more protective and forgiving ride than previously. While it still doesn't deliver the energetic pop of some modern daily trainers, it excels at soaking up impact and providing a plush, stable ride that's especially welcoming for those prioritizing easy miles or recovery runs.
Our Verdict
The HOKA Clifton 10 isn't particularly suited for marathon racing, with a performance that leans more toward comfort than efficiency. The plush EVA foam provides impressive impact protection, but at the cost of energy return. With its heavier build and relaxed geometry, it's not a great pick for runners looking to maintain faster marathon paces or those seeking a propulsive feel over long distances. However, it can still be an acceptable option for those prioritizing comfort and stability during longer, easier efforts, or who are newer to the marathon distance and not focused on racing fast.
Super protective midsole.
The midsole feels flat and dull.
Very heavy shoe.
The HOKA Clifton 10 is a sub-par option for short races, as it doesn't offer the nimble, energetic feel that faster efforts typically demand. The midsole's muted energy return and heavy overall weight make it feel a bit too sluggish for speed-focused racing. However, for casual runners doing shorter distances at more relaxed paces, where comfort and protection matter more than efficiency, it can still cover the distance.
Relatively stiff forefoot.
The midsole feels flat and dull.
Very heavy shoe.
The HOKA Clifton 10 has sub-par responsiveness. The midsole returns a poor amount of energy upon impact, as expected for a shoe focused on comfort rather than bounciness. The EVA foam feels flat and lacks the lively bounce of modern compounds. For runners looking for a daily trainer with a more propulsive feel, this shoe might feel a bit dull and uninspired.
The midsole feels flat and dull.
The HOKA Clifton 10 delivers impressive cushioning. Impact protection is a clear highlight of the updated tenth iteration, with a plush feel underfoot that excels at absorbing shocks during easy miles. The high stack height and compression-molded EVA midsole ensure plenty of protection, especially for heel strikers. Both the heel and forefoot cushioning are great, making it one of the more comfortable daily trainers in its class for short to mid-range efforts.
Super protective midsole.
Good cushioning for all foot strikes.
The HOKA Clifton 10 delivers good lateral stability, thanks to its super-wide outsole platform and semi-gusseted tongue. This makes it easier to maintain balance and feel secure during daily runs. Still, the high stack of soft foam negatively affects balance, but it's a very stable shoe overall. This can also be a plus for new runners or those who prefer a more secure ride.
Very wide base.
Semi-gusseted tongue.
Foam is quite soft, especially in the heel.
The HOKA Clifton 10 fits close to true to size. Unlike many other HOKA shoes, the arch is very accommodating. The sizing runs slightly long, so if your foot is between sizes, you should consider the smaller one.
Arch is not too narrow.
Length runs slightly long.
Performance Usages
Changelog
- Updated Jun 17, 2026: We've converted this review to Test Bench 0.12, which fixes how we measure firmness, a component of the Stability and 5K/10K Racing usages. There may be inconsistencies between the text and the scores for these usages, but the scores should still be considered valid. We've also brought back the Energy Return score and added two new usages: Daily Training and Long Run. To read more about the changes, see the changelog.
-
Updated May 29, 2026:
We've updated the Popular Comparisons section to include a link to the newly reviewed HOKA Skyward X 2.
-
Updated Apr 15, 2026:
We've replaced the Energy Return usage box with Responsiveness, which incorporates four additional tests, and updated the text accordingly.
- Updated Apr 15, 2026: We've converted this review to Test Bench 0.11, adding two new rocker measurements to the Design section, and three new responsiveness tests to the Performance section. The Energy Return usage score has been replaced with Responsiveness. Check out the details in our changelog.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the HOKA Clifton 10 in men's US size 9, as indicated on the label of our unit. The colorway shown here is Black/White. This model is also available in numerous other colorways, including Blue Spark/White, White/White, Black/Black, Vanilla/Birch, and HOKA Blue/Skyward Blue. HOKA offers both wide and extra wide versions for men and women, with multiple color options available even in the wide fittings, which is rare. The design section applies specifically to the version we tested, but we expect other sizes and gender variants to perform similarly.
Popular Running Shoe Comparisons
The HOKA Clifton 10 serves as a classic max-cushioned daily trainer in a market increasingly dominated by bouncier compounds. While many modern trainers chase energy return for added versatility or simply to deliver a more engaging ride, the Clifton 10 doubles down on delivering a plush but grounded ride with a focus on impact absorption over responsiveness. Its compression-molded EVA midsole provides a smooth, cushioned feel that excels during easy runs, walks, and lifestyle wear, but offers little in the way of bounce. Meanwhile, other brands have begun to move past the idea that it has to be one or the other: models like the Mizuno Neo Zen and ASICS NOVABLAST 5 show that it's possible to pair a deeply cushioned experience with a fun, lively bounce, often through more premium or modern midsole foams. Still, with a new, higher stack and improved cushioning, the Clifton 10 feels way more protective than the HOKA Clifton 9 and takes the model in a new direction.
Within HOKA's lineup, the Clifton 10 sits as the brand's classic, no-frills daily trainer, offering reliable cushioning and an accommodating fit for a broad audience. Its closely discussed partner, the HOKA Bondi 9, utilized for similar rides, gives the runner a more protective ride and bounce to create an exciting take on easy, long miles that the Clifton shies away from. Both are more cushioned but less lively than the HOKA Mach 7, their lightweight daily trainer. The brand also offers the HOKA Gaviota 6, a premium support trainer that actively keeps your foot centered, and the HOKA Skyward X 2, an ultra-high-stack plated cruiser designed for high-mileage with maximum protection. The Clifton 10 may not be the most exciting option in HOKA's lineup, but it remains a safe, dependable choice for relaxed runs, long walks, or all-day wear.
For more options, check out our recommendations for the best running shoes, as well as the best running shoes for men and the best running shoes for women.
The HOKA Clifton 10 and HOKA Bondi 9 are both daily trainers, but they deliver noticeably different ride experiences. The Clifton 10 remains lighter and more versatile, offering a firmer and more structured ride that works well across a variety of different mileage. The Bondi 9, however, leans further into max-cushion comfort, and, thanks to its updated supercritical EVA midsole, has a more forgiving ride with better long-run protection and slightly more energetic transitions. While both shoes handle daily training comfortably, runners looking for a lighter and more versatile option will likely prefer the Clifton 10, while those prioritizing cushioning and protection over longer distances will prefer the Bondi 9.
The HOKA Arahi 8 and HOKA Clifton 10 are two daily trainers that serve different runners. The Clifton 10 is a neutral running shoe with an accommodating fit and an impressive amount of cushioning underfoot. It's a good all-around shoe that's suitable for running or walking. The Arahi 8 is a dedicated stability shoe that uses an H-frame of firmer foam around the outer edges of the midsole to counter over- or under-pronation. It has less cushioning than the Clifton 10, but still has good impact absorption. If you know that you have pronation issues, the Arahi 8 is a safer choice, but for runners with a neutral stride, the Clifton 10 is a more enjoyable ride.
The HOKA Clifton 9 and the HOKA Clifton 10 share the same DNA, but the 10 refines the formula in ways that make it a better daily trainer for runners who prioritize softness and protection. The Clifton 10 has a higher stack height and is more cushioned. However, the added stack means it's less stable than the Clifton 9 despite its wider platform. It also runs longer and offers a softer underfoot feel, perfect for easy daily runs. In contrast, the Clifton 9 is lighter and a bit more compact, giving it a more nimble feel that may suit runners who prefer a firmer ride. While both shoes are fine at relaxed paces, the Clifton 10 feels like a clear upgrade for those seeking a plush, forgiving trainer with more protection for everyday mileage.
The HOKA Clifton 10 and the HOKA Mach 7 are two popular daily trainers, but they target different types of runs. The Clifton 10 is the more traditional option, with a higher stack, a heavier build, and a more accommodating fit that makes it feel comfortable and plush at step-in. The Mach 7 is the lighter, more nimble trainer, with a more efficient and streamlined feel that makes it easier to pick up the pace and handle a wider range of runs. In terms of cushioning, the Clifton feels plusher initially, but as the run goes on, that sensation levels out, and the cushioning can feel similar and even less consistent than the Mach 7 after a few kilometers.
We buy and test running shoes with a very data-oriented approach. While we're just getting started, our methodology already has dozens of tests to help you make the right purchasing decision for your needs. Not only do we use high-end equipment to gather objective data, but we also order multiple sizes of the same shoes so team members can log in miles. This real-world testing is conducted at various paces and conditions, across different types of workouts, to cover all the bases. This allows us to verify our results and ensure they align with what you might feel with a specific pair.
Test Results
The HOKA Clifton 10 is on the heavier side for a daily trainer. It also weighs notably more than the HOKA Clifton 9, which felt nimbler on foot but offered less protection. That said, this added weight is the tradeoff for a more cushioned, max-stack platform. For runners prioritizing impact absorption over speed or efficiency, the weight is unlikely to be a dealbreaker.
This version introduces a significantly higher stack in both the heel and forefoot, pushing the Clifton 10 towards max-cushion territory. This makes it similar in height to other shoes in the same category, such as the Kiprun KS900 2. This new geometry also increases the drop, which slightly alters the feel when transitioning from heel to toe.
The HOKA Clifton 10 has a wider platform than the HOKA Clifton 9, adding confidence during landings and transitions. This helps offset the higher stack height and limits the overall loss of stability in this iteration a bit.
Fit is more generous in the Clifton 10, with extra width at both the forefoot and heel providing a more accommodating feel compared to the HOKA Clifton 9. However, the shoe also runs noticeably longer than the Clifton 9, which might require sizing adjustments.
This model has poor heel energy return, with the compression-molded EVA midsole prioritizing absorption over rebound. It doesn’t snap back in a way that propels you forward; this is a shoe that soaks up impact rather than giving much back, which limits its performance at higher speeds.
The forefoot performs similarly to the heel in terms of rebound and still falls short of offering any real pop. The ride feels flat under load, especially compared to bouncier daily trainers like the ASICS NOVABLAST 5. If you’re looking for a fun, energetic trainer, this isn’t it.
Heel cushioning is one of the shoe's standout strengths. The added stack height and EVA foam deliver a protective landing, which is ideal for recovery days and suitable for runners with a heel strike pattern. This level of impact absorption firmly places the shoe within the max-cushioned category.
While it's a bit less plush than the heel, the forefoot still delivers very good underfoot protection. The forefoot provides a forgiving feel that holds up well over shorter, slower efforts, making it a solid choice for easy cruising. That said, runners who apply a lot of force when running will find it a bit less plush than less powerful runners.
The heel is soft, contributing to the forgiving ride but also reducing stability. This helps soften landings, but may not be ideal for runners who prefer a firmer base.
In contrast to the heel, the forefoot is firmer. This adds some structure to the toe-off phase and helps balance out the overall ride. It also gives the shoe a slightly more stable feel up front, which helps offset the squishier heel and high stack. That said, it still feels noticeably softer than firmer models like the Nike Vomero 17 and the HOKA Clifton 9, particularly when more force is applied.
The HOKA Clifton 10 feels plush and well-cushioned initially, such as when trying it on, but its basic EVA midsole quickly shows its limits over distance. The shoe’s energy absorption drops sharply early in a long run, meaning that while it still provides acceptable protection up to about 20 km, it becomes noticeably less cushioned beyond that point. Despite its high stack height, the midsole compresses heavily and loses much of its initial cushioning, resulting in a harsher feel reminiscent of earlier Clifton versions on longer efforts.
