The Clifton is one of the shoes that elevated Hoka’s popularity. It has undergone significant changes since its introduction as a cushioned-yet-light shoe in 2014, gradually evolving into a more mainstream daily trainer that gracing the shelves of running shops around the county.
Clifton 6.
Last year, the Rincon embodied many of the qualities of the original Clifton: light and fast with a thick slab of EVA foam. The new shoe, and the changes to the sixth generation of the Clifton, was probably inspired by complaints the the Clifton had gained weight and lost some of the qualities that endeared the first few generations to so many runners.
Technical Information
At 18.6 ounces per pair in a men’s size 10, the Hoka Clifton 6 is a comparatively light daily trainer with a plush but responsive ride. The shoe has a 29mm stock height at the heel and a 24mm stack height at the toe, giving the shoe a 5mm drop. Like many Hokas, the Cliftons feature a comparatively wide sole that lends some stability in spite of the shoe’s tall profile.
Clifton 6 profile.
The midsole consists of EVA foam and employs Hoka’s Active Foot Frame, which partially surrounds the runner’s foot, and an early stage Meta Rocker. The latter assists the runner in rolling through a step, as the thick foam makes for a very stiff shoe. This gives the shoe a “propulsive” feel, as if each step was being gently guided forward.
Clifton 5s, showing the extensive printed overlays.
The upper does away with most of the Clifton 5’s printed overlays, replacing them with stitched reinforcements in the mesh for more breathability and reduced weight. The Clifton 6 also has considerably more toe room than the 5.
The Clifton saved weight through the use of strategically placed sections of hard rubber, a practice that left much of the midsole foam exposed. The Clifton 6 continues the the practice, albeit with some significant changes to the placement of the hard-rubber compared to the Clifton 5.
The changes created a shoe with a cleaner profile, the potential for greater durability, and a weight savings of 1.2 ounces per pair compared to the previous generation.
Impressions and Application
If a runner were to own a single pair of shoes, the Clifton should be toward the top of the list. The shoes are light enough for to pick up the pace, soft enough for recovery runs, and propulsive enough for long distances. They are true allrounders that can serve many functions well, albeit not as well as more specialized shoes.
Compared to the 5, the Clifton 6 is roomier, lighter, and slightly softer; the latter quality has elicited a range of opinions, but I’ve used the Cliftons in 5Ks and a half marathon to good effect, and neither shoe feels excessively “mushy” to me due to the meta rocker. There’s enough cushion for recovery and tempo runs, but the Cliftons are responsive enough for faster paces, in spite of the show’s significant stack height. The midsole is soft, but it returns enough energy to keep things moving along without sapping energy from every step.
That said, if we stick with the Hoka range, the Cavu is a better candidate for speed work and shorter races, though they have a considerably firmer ride. The Rincons are lighter and come close to matching the Clifton’s cushioning, making them better candidates for races and speed work compared to the Cliftons, but the Cliftons best the Rincons in durability.
The Cliftons (and Bondis) offer another benefit. My right big toe seized up recently, and the Clifton’s combination of ample foam, stiff sole, generous toe box, and rocker shape allowed me to get back to running after a few days of rest, something that might not have been possible with a firmer or more flexible shoe.
Clifton 5s showing wear on the heel and forefoot. There is still a considerable amount of rubber left despite the wear. The shoes have around 230 miles on them.
One area where the Cliftons appear to suffer a bit compared to other daily trainers is durability, which is part of the price we pay for light, highly cushioned shoes. The rubber segments on my Clifton 5s wore quickly at first; then the wear seemed to slow down. Though portions of the patterns wore off, there’s still a considerable amount of rubber left on the high-wear areas.
Clifton 6 outsole after 120 miles. Some wear, but the additional rubber under the forefoot is holding up well.
The Clifton 6s have slightly less rubber on the heels but more under the forefoot, which is where I usually experience the most wear. There’s some wear, but in general, it has been lighter than what I experienced with the Clifton 5. Both shoes remain in my rotation, and I estimate that they should last 300-400 miles (for reference, I weigh around 175 pounds, so I’m no flyweight). Traction is good on asphalt and light gravel trails, though I wouldn’t suggest taking there on more technical paths.
Breathability for both is quite good, with the 6’s mesh upper giving it the edge over the older model. I’ve also worn both in colder weather with wool socks and didn’t suffer from cold feet.
The shoe’s low drop might take some getting used to, especially from runners transitioning from shoes with 10-12mm drops. The standard advice is to gradually rotate low/no drop shoes into a regimen to get the runner’s legs accustomed to the change in toe-heel drop. Once that adaptation occurs, runners should be able to transition between a variety of drops without a problem. I used shoes with 5, 6, 8, and 10mm drops without heel or hamstring issues, but it took some time to get there.
Runners accustomed to shoes with lower stack heights might find the Clifton’s thick midsoles cumbersome, but the shoe’s wide base and the fact that the foot sits in the midsole lends a measure of stability. The sewn upper allows for a sung fit without feeling too tight, giving the shows a solid, locks-down feel.
Future
The Clifton 7 sports a raised heel collar similar to those seen on Nikes and has a few changes to the mesh upper. The heel loop is gone, presumably to save weight. The midsole and outsole are largely the same.
Type: Daily trainer, racing, half marathons
Uses: Recovery, tempo, longer races
Weight: (men’s size 10): 18.6 ounces per pair
Drop: 5mm
Cost: $130 originally; $103.99 on sale.
Product Site: https://www.hokaoneone.com/sale/clifton-6/1102872.html
