Hoka Clifton 8 Review

Hoka Clifton 8

Overall Rating:  92/100

Ratings (out of 10)

 

Comfort:                        10             

Fit:                                 9.5             

Responsiveness:          8.5     

Speed:                          8.5                    

Ride Quality:                 9.5                         

 

OVERALL IMPRESSION

 

The Clifton is a great all-around shoe. I have worn many different versions of the Clifton and it is one of my favourite shoes. I preferred the Hoka Clifton 8 over the Hoka Rincon 3. I reached for the Clifton 8 more than any other shoe I am wearing right now. I really like the ride quality and comfort of the Hoka Clifton 8. It is a fantastic shoe that has stood the test of time. I am glad that Hoka has not changed a lot with the Clifton over the years. Why change a winning recipe?

I would definitely buy this shoe.

 

FULL REVIEW

 

Comfort

 

The tongue is super padded and extremely comfortable. It is significantly more padded than any other tongue I’ve seen. I really like this.

The engineered mesh upper is thin and very breathable.

The compression molded EVA midsole foam is comfortable.

It is easily one of the most comfortable running shoes I have worn and has similar comfort to the Hoka Bondi.

This shoe is great for easy runs and doing long miles.

 

Fit

 

The shoe fits true to size. The toe box is very roomy in terms of both height and width.

 

The gussets on either side of the tongue are a really nice feature. They seem to keep the tongue centered and since they are so thin, they keep the upper really breathable. They also help to lock down the midfoot, which is okay but could be a little better.

 

The engineered mesh upper could be more secure.

 

The “elf” heel is a nice feature and helps to easily slide your foot in the shoe.

 

The heel cup keeps my heel nicely in place and the cut outs on each side of the heel are a perfect fit to prevent rubbing against my ankle bones.

 

Responsiveness

 

Fairly responsive but the midsole foam seems a little softer than previous versions.

 

Speed

 

They are not designed to be a fast shoe.

Although they are lightweight and it is fairly easy to move fast in these shoes, I would not wear these for a tempo or interval session.

Certainly not a racing flat but a really nice comfortable shoe for medium to long runs.

 

Ride Quality

 

The ride quality was excellent. 

The soft midsole foam makes you feel like you’re running on a marshmallow.

I like the diagonal pattern of the outsole rubber because it aligns with the “hinge-line” of your toes and forefoot, which makes it comfortable.

The transition from heel strike to toe off is very smooth.

There is a lot of rubber in the heel outsole area, which I believe will make the shoe more durable over time. Overall, this is a very durable shoe that will last for many miles of running.

 

Miscellaneous

 

I like that Hoka has printed the shoe model name on the tongue.