HOKA Clifton Pro Preview: What’s Coming Your Way

Hoka is adding a new version of The Clifton, their flagship trainer, complete with new materials and a more aggressive geometry for an elevated experience. Meet the Clifton Pro.

Fear not, Hoka will still offer the original Clifton for the dedicated Clifton fans.

The All-new Clifton Pro is the next step in the evolution of the Clifton, with an updated foam, a more aggressive rocker profile, and what promises to be a different ride.

Hoka Clifton Pro Specs

Here is the information that has been released for the upcoming Clifton Pro. It’s just $10 more than the Clifton, which is interesting for all the added features…we really can’t wait to give you a full review!

• Heel Drop: 8mm
• Stack: 38mm women’s, 42mm men’s
• Weight: 8.5oz women’s, 10.4oz men’s
• Available in 7 colors and wide sizes
• Available July 9 at hoka.com for $165

Read our Clifton 11 preview here, you can also read our review of the Clifton 10.

Both shoes are currently with Coach Amanda and Coach Stacey for full reviews in the next month!

What’s New and Different in the Clifton Pro

Right off the bat we should talk about the midsole foam compound, which will get an upgrade in the Clifton Pro. For years Hoka stuck with their compression molded EVA foam (CMEVA) when other brands were moving on to the newer and more energetic foams.

There’s nothing wrong with EVA foams. For years we ran in shoes built with EVA midsoles and we liked it. But as new technology made its way into daily trainers, Hoka was slow to catch up. Their manufacturing methods also seemed to hamstring their midsoles to shorter lifespans. The scant outsole coverage in many models ate away at the midsoles and caused early retirements.

Eventually Hoka introduced newer foams. Amongst their own lineup Hoka has turned to supercritical EVA (SCEVA) in models such as the Mach (a team favorite), the Bondi, and the new Skyflow. But they stood ten toes down with the Clifton, seemingly unwilling to upgrade the midsole.

While the Clifton 11 will retain its compression molded EVA midsole the Clifton Pro will feature a supercritical EVA midsole. The supercritical foaming process results in a foam that is lighter, more responsive, and is often more durable.

As a former Clifton runner from versions 6 to 8 I can attest to the limited lifespan of Hoka’s CMEVA midsoles. From the Mach 5 to the Mach 6 I was able to get many more miles, most of which were livelier and more fun, before I moved on to a new daily trainer.

My experience in the Skyflow is similar. I’ve even referred to the Skyflow as the “shoe the Clifton should have become”. Visually it looks quite similar to the Clifton. The SCEVA midsole has a nicer feel to it. The landings are responsive while remaining subtly soft, with a ride just as smooth as the Clifton.

The stack height of the Clifton Pro will be equal to the upcoming Clifton 11 at 42 millimeters in the heel, with the same 8 millimeter drop. The Clifton Pro will feature almost full outsole coverage, veering away from the traditional exposed midfoot area.

Who is the Clifton Pro for?

• Wide feet: The Clifton Pro appears to have the same narrow midfoot, but it will be available in wide sizes
• Heavier runners: The additional of SCEVA will add to the shoe’s lifespan over the traditional Clifton
• Long runs: Yes, based on how well the Skyflow does on long runs
• Front of the pack: Might be a nice easy day option for front of the pack-ers

If you were expecting a major overhaul with the addition of PEBA foam, a nylon plate, and the lightweight and responsive feel to rip through fast 400 meter repeats, that’s not happening.

What we are getting is an elevated classic; better foam, a longer life of the shoe, a modified geometry, with the same Clifton reliability.

Understanding Hoka’s Running Shoe Lineup

Let’s take a brief look at their road offerings, each of which our team has put through the paces for a full review.

Bondi 9: CMEVA midsole with a plush feel and high stack or easy and recovery days. Also a great walking shoe.

Clifton 11: CMEVA midsole, slightly lower stack and tuned to be less plush than the Bondi. Has evolved into more of a casual running and walking shoe.

Skyflow: As I said before, this is the shoe the Clifton should have become. SCEVA midsole, with a smooth and responsive ride. It is great for daily miles, long runs, and is nimble enough for post-run strides.

Mach 7: The supercritically foamed lightweight and versatile uptempo trainer of the bunch. The Mach is also one of the shoes with a lower stack height so those looking for a ride closer to the ground.

Mach X 3: The plated workout shoe built with a PEBA and SCEVA dual-foam setup. The Mac X is also a long run specialist and budget racing shoe, when compared to the $250-$275 racers.

Skyward X 2: Another plated option with the PEBA/SCEVA dual foam build. Bigger and heavier than the Mach X but still fast enough for long tempo and threshold workouts and a good racing option for middle of the pack-ers.

Gaviota 6: Like a Bondi with stability elements. The Gaviota is a better easy and recovery day option than the next one in the lineup.

Arahi 8: The more lightweight and nimble of Hoka’s two stability offerings. More tuned for slightly faster efforts, with a lower stack.

What to read next?

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