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 likely one of the quickest, most energetic velocity trainers available on the market.
The Clifton shouldn’t be a type of merchandise. The Clifton is the equal of a peanut butter and jam sandwich for lunch- it can fulfill your starvation but it surely’s a boring meal that you just’ve had a whole bunch of instances earlier than. And that’s fully tremendous. Hoka understands that it’s all about having a balanced product assortment.
In 2024, HOKA skilled exceptional monetary progress, with its income surging by a formidable 28%. This substantial enhance highlights HOKA’s continuance of robust efficiency within the working footwear market.
When in comparison with its important rivals, HOKA’s progress considerably outpaced the trade. Nike noticed a modest income enhance of just one%. Adidas achieved a progress fee of 12%. Below Armour confronted a downturn, with its income dropping by 3% throughout the identical interval.
These figures underscore HOKA’s distinctive progress trajectory and its growing market share relative to its rivals. 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. After I reviewed the Clifton 9 in 2023, I felt that it was a very good every day coach but it surely was extra suited to straightforward and restoration runs.
The massive headline function of the Clifton 10 is that it has an extra 3 mm extra stack top within the heel. It’s additionally constructed on a wider final in comparison with earlier Cliftons. The Clifton has all the time been a really narrow-fitting coach. I really helpful that runners get the huge model of the Clifton as a result of the common is just appropriate for very slim ft.
The Clifton 10 sees yet one more value enhance to $150. It has now elevated by $20 during the last 2 variations. The Clifton 8’s value was $130. As of late, the typical value for a mid-range every 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 huge) in my regular measurement, 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 an excellent gentle 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 much like the Clifton 8, which was a firmer, extra versatile iteration than the 9. The Clifton 10 felt prefer it may choose up the tempo should you wanted it to, like a textual content ebook every day coach and never a max-cushioned coach for less than straightforward runs.
Hoka One One Clifton 10 Higher
That is probably the most comfy Clifton higher so far due to its wider forefoot and toe field. You now not want to purchase the huge model or purchase a half measurement up except you will have very huge ft.
The Clifton 10’s jacquard knit higher is a bit softer and a bit smoother than its predecessor however breathability continues 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 shouldn’t be 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 aspect was a significantly 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 each day for the previous week, generally 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 ft damage due to the firmness.
The Clifton 10 is now considerably firmer than different current every day trainers just like the ASICS Novablast 5, Nike Vomero 18, Saucony Experience 18 and New Stability 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 continues 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 by way of power return or bounce. What the Clifton’s midsole does very properly is that it gives a number of assist. It’s a really steady trip as a result of the froth isn’t squishy.
Because of its firmer trip, the Clifton 10 now feels extra like a every 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 continues 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 all the time 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 perimeters of the midsole on the rearfoot are raised up (like boundaries) to create steerage as your heels strike the bottom.
Primarily, the Clifton 10 is a lightweight 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 aspect of my rearfoot that overpronates. Throughout runs longer than 10 kilometres, the within of my rearfoot will get sore.
Outsole sturdiness shouldn’t be one of many Clifton 10’s strengths. The rubber (and uncovered midsole foam) are very gentle they usually put on down quicker than your common outsole. I’ve completed 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 shouldn’t be my sort of every day coach. It’s comparatively light-weight (for its excessive stack top) but it surely’s not gentle or plush like HOKA advertises. I desire my every day trainers to be squishier and extra energetic so it received’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 prompted me some points throughout longer runs.
The ten will probably be higher for you if in case you have wider ft otherwise you want extra stability however I desire the plusher, extra impartial Clifton 9. The Clifton 10 is nevertheless 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 rivals (Adidas Supernova Rise, ASICS Novablast, Saucony Experience, Brooks Ghost) are all cheaper and extra comfy than the Clifton. In addition they present extra power return and have extra participating rides.
Most runners and walkers will desire the HOKA Bondi 9 over the Clifton 10. The Bondi is $20 extra but it surely has an excellent 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.
