Shoe Review: Hoka One One Clifton

This is not a sponsored post. I purchased these shoes at New York Running Company’s 3rd Avenue location in NYC. 

Several weeks ago after being online friends for quite some time, I finally got to meet the lovely and speedy Kristy aka DressySweats. Over brunch on the Upper West Side I got the inside scoop on why she loves Hoka One One and how they’ve been a game changer for her. I immediately went home and ordered the Hoka Huaka for both myself and my husband.

It turns out the Huaka has been a game changer for my husband who is seemingly always plagued by injuries. They weren’t a good fit for me and since run specialty stores in NYC didn’t have them in stock, so I ended up buying the Clifton instead.

Since going for my first run in them, I’m asked more about my Hokas than any other shoe I’ve ever worn. If people in real life are that curious about them, I thought people here might be as well.

Hoka One One Clifton Details

• Price: $130
• Weight: 6.6 ounces  (my size 7 weigh 6.55 ounces according to my scale)
• Heel to toe drop: 5mm
• Category: Neutral Cushioned

Why I chose this shoe

At the time of purchase I was primarily running in the Saucony Zealot and occasionally in the  Saucony Kinvara 5 (I ran the Chicago Marathon in these in 2014). Both shoes are neutral, have a 4mm drop and weigh in at 7.2 and 6.4 ounces, respectively. When comparing shoe stats you can see these are very similar shoes with different heel heights that are easy to spot just by looking at all three shoes.

Traditionally, I’ve been a heel-striker (except the one year I unsuccessfully tried to transition to a mid-foot strike) but after running in the Brooks Pure Flows on and off for a few years before transitioning to lower drop shoes for all of my runs, I’ve naturally and somewhat unconsciously made the switch to from heel-striker to mid-foot striker. However, I was landing a little too much mid-foot and having mild pain because of my poor form. I needed a shoe that had a little more support, but without a huge heel to toe drop.

The third reason I chose the Clifton, is because of age. As you might know I’ve been running since I was 13 and am 39 now. I want to preserve my ability to run for as long as possible. If running in a hugely cushioned shoe can potentially keep me running longer with less impact, I’m certainly game for trying it out.

Running in the Hoka Clifton

They were a bit scary to run in at first. The possibility of rolling my ankle because of the heel height of the shoe seemed high. However, after 5 or 6 wears I no longer fear spraining my ankle. And I never actually rolled an ankle.

At this point I’ve ran a number of short easy-paced runs, a few 8-milers, one tempo run and completed several strides while wearing them. On slow paced runs they do somehow make me feel as though I’m running slower than I really am, but I’m also really out of shape right now so that could be a factor. They felt better and more responsive during tempo miles. I actually like the feel of them while running a bit faster than while plodding along.

The shoes come with two different insole options and it’s taken me a little while to figure out which one works best for me. I’ve also had to play around with the laces a bit because the shoes are slightly tight (too narrow) for my left foot.

What I Like Best

These shoes are helping correct my running form. If I wear the Clifton one day and the Zealots the next, I notice my foot strike is improving and I’m making ground contact in a more desirable way. The bottom of the shoe is designed with “Meta-Rocker Geometry.” It sounds like a strange edition to the sole of a running shoe, but I only notice it when I’m walking and not when I’m running. However, I believe this technology is why I’m improving my running form.

The cushion in the shoes is an outrageous amount compared to what I’m used to, but it’s kind of amazing and I’ve really started to embrace it. My feet no longer bother me like they were prior to running in these shoes.

What I Like Least

These are a bit too narrow for me. My foot is slightly wide, but not so wide that I normally need a shoe in a wide width. Because they are a little tight, I don’t think I can run more than 8 miles in them.

The tongue doesn’t stay in place and slips down into the shoe, making them a bit uncomfortable at the top of my foot. I’m not sure if I need to try a different lacing system or the if it’s a design issue. Regardless it’s not a huge deal, but it is slightly annoying. My husband has the same issue with the Huaka.

Conclusion

Overall, I like these shoes but they will not be taking the place of my current favorite shoe, the Saucony Zealot. I will continue to wear them on a weekly basis and might wear them more often once mileage starts to ramp up this summer.

I’d recommend the Hoka Clifton to:

1. Anyone who currently runs in a lower-drop shoe who is looking for more cushion or is looking to up their mileage without having as much impact on their body.
2. Anyone who is working on improving their foot strike from either heel to mid-foot or forefoot to mid-foot.
3. Anyone who is dealing with nagging injuries and wants to try something new.