Hoka® Clifton 10

Evolving the Game: Clifton 10 Blurs the Line Between Trainer and Maximalist

While other lines evolve gradually, the Hoka Clifton 10 has undergone a complete overhaul, looking almost identical to its predecessor but technically having little in common. The brand skipped a model in 2024 and launched a version in 2025 that fundamentally changes stack height, drop, and upper construction. The result is a shoe that transforms a moderate daily trainer into a true maximalist. Yet, it remains at the core of the legendary line that defined the cushioned shoe segment over a decade ago.

History: The Most Significant Update in the Line's History

The Clifton was born in 2014 as a model that earned the nickname "the shoe that changed running" due to its combination of pronounced cushioning and surprisingly low weight. The tenth generation, released in 2025, represents the most radical intervention in its construction after years of gradual tweaks – Hoka has stated that they responded to the fact that runners rack up enormous mileage in the Clifton, and the lower stack began to behave like an even lower drop over time due to the gradual compression of the heel.

Technology: Significant Increase in Stack Height and New Upper

What makes the Clifton 10 so different from the previous generation are these key changes:

• Stack Height of 44.4 mm: Compared to 32.7 mm in the Clifton 9, this is a significant increase that has moved the shoe from the category of moderately cushioned daily trainers straight into the realm of full-fledged maximalist models.
• Drop Increased to 8 mm: The increase from the original 5 mm aims to compensate for the gradual compression of the foam in the heel during high mileage and maintain a drop feel closer to traditional Hoka geometry.
• New Last and Jacquard Upper: A completely redesigned shoe shape and the transition from knitted mesh to finer jacquard knit have significantly improved foot placement, complemented by double lace-locking for better security.
• Compression-Molded EVA Foam (CMEVA): Despite all the other changes, the midsole remains with the proven, durable, but less "superfoam" material – while competitors are moving to more performance-oriented compounds.

Durability

The upper, midsole, and outsole typically last 480–800 km, depending on foot strike style, runner weight, and terrain. However, real-world tests vary significantly – some reviewers report minimal wear even after 160 km, while others noted noticeable wear on the lateral side of the toe after just 100 km, so durability should be viewed as a general range for this model.

Who This Model Is For

The Clifton 10 is a performance shoe for you if you’re looking for maximum cushioning for regular daily miles and prefer a higher stack and more secure foot lockdown over a lighter, minimalist ride – also ideal as a comfortable shoe for all-day wear outside of training.