HOKA Clifton running shoes

Clifton running shoes

HOKA’s athletic footwear is built around large, max-cushioned midsoles that provide superior comfort without compromising on speed. The ultimate expression of this is the brand’s flagship, the HOKA Clifton, whose award-winning blend of support, stability and durability has made it a modern-day sporting icon.

Originally released in 2014, the Clifton launched with a breathable mesh upper featuring sturdy yet lightweight overlays. Right from the start, it contained innovations like the Active Foot Frame, whose high sidewalls cradle the foot, offering an adaptive fit and good stability. Over time, the fit has been fine-tuned, with 2025’s Clifton 10 adding a jacquard knit upper with minimal no-sew panelling, a refined heel and a wider toe box that accommodates a broad range of foot types. The series is known for its supportive design, which consists of an Achilles-protecting scooped heel alongside ample tongue and collar padding and a moulded EVA sockliner for enhanced comfort. Lastly, reflective accents keep the wearer visible in low light conditions.

The HOKA Clifton has always been founded upon a maximalist midsole, but the impressive stack of compression-moulded EVA foam has only grown over time to the point where the Clifton 10 stands at over 40mm in the heel. This shock-absorbing material reduces impact on the feet and joints, thus preventing injury and limiting fatigue over long distances. Another hallmark of the Clifton series is its early-stage MetaRocker midsole geometry, which encourages smooth, efficient transitions for an effortless and enjoyable running sensation. On the outsole, abrasion-resistant rubber tread pads with grippy ridges offer durable traction over roads and dirt tracks in both dry and rainy conditions, while strategically placed flex grooves provide flexibility and its wide platform stability.

Highly comfortable and supportive, the Clifton is suitable for everything from walking and jogging to daily distance runs. It is also boldly stylish as its stacked midsole features flowing design lines, and its stripped back upper displays eye-catching HOKA lettering together with the brand’s distinctive Bird logo. Released in a range of striking and subdued colourways, it allows runners to remain expressive during exercise and has even been worn as an everyday lifestyle sneaker by celebrities like Natalie Portman and Chris Rock. The Clifton’s fashion credentials have been established through collaborations with technical running apparel label SATISFY, wellness brand FP Movement and innovative creative house Supervsn, who in 2025 crafted an artistic version of HOKA’s Clifton One9 – a captivating silhouette designed to capture the beloved style of the original running shoe.

For over a decade, the HOKA Clifton series has been at the centre of the shift from minimalist to maximalist running shoes. During this time, it has established itself as a reliable daily trainer that is extremely comfortable, wonderfully supportive and boldly stylish.