Hoka Clifton UTL Preview: Bringing Classic Clifton Comfort to Daily Life

The Hoka Clifton UTL is built on a midsole from the Clifton 8; the new Clifton UTL — short for “Utility” — ushers in the newest, most relaxed and casual member of the Clifton family.

The Hoka Clifton, in addition to being the spark that ignited a max cushion wildfire, was the dependable daily trainer for nigh on a decade. With its (at the time) giant midsole and colorful upper, runners gravitated towards it. It became so popular that other brands put some of their flagship trainers on the same bulking program.

Only the last two versions (10th and 11th) have seen interest in the Clifton start to wane.

At one point, Hoka’s marketing tagline for the Clifton was “The runner’s running shoe.”

But the times, they are ‘a changin’, as the old song tells us. 

Hoka has even leaned into the change and recently introduced the Clifton Pro, marketed to runners looking for a more performance-oriented trainer, while marketing the classic Clifton more to the walker and casual-wear customer.

The Hoka Clifton UTL is geared toward the lifestyle sneaker buyer, with more focus on city walking, daily commuting, and travel. 

Let’s take a look at what’s in store.

Hoka Clifton UTL Specs

• Heel Drop: 5 mm
• Usage: Walking, Commuting, Casual Wear
• Midsole: CMEVA (from the Clifton 8)
• Outsole: Durabrasion outsole rubber
• Available in Wide Sizes? No
• Available in 3 Colors for Men’s Sizes and 4 Colors for Women’s Sizes
• Available on hoka.com for $155

Buy Hoka Clifton UTL

The Hoka Clifton UTL is a good fit for walking, commuting, travel, and everyday wear, especially if you want the cushioned feel of a running shoe in a more casual package.

What the Hoka Clifton UTL Brings to the Table

The biggest surprise here is the revival of an older, and in my opinion, better version of Hoka’s compression molded midsole.

The Clifton 8 was the last version that had the plush yet responsive feel to it. I felt the Clifton 9 had a firmer underfoot feel while walking and standing, but got really spongy on the run, and was thus relegated to a shoe I wore for errands and occasional walks. 

The molding of the midsole is clearly the same as the 8 (and I believe the Clifton 7, as well); the durometer could possibly be different. It may not make much of a difference, however, as considerable distance running isn’t the intended use case with the Clifton UTL. 

The upper is a thick mesh with polyurethane overlays, forming an exoskeleton. Hoka added reflective elements to the lacing and webbing of the Clifton UTL for increased visibility during low-light hours.

And for reliable traction and durability while traversing your urban adventures, Hoka’s Durabrasion outsole protects the midsole. 

Who is the Hoka Clifton UTL For?

• Wide Feet: If it’s on the same last as the Clifton 8, it will likely run fairly narrow.
• Heavier Wearers & Walkers: Yes, it’s supportive, comfortable, and sturdy enough.
• Long Walks: Yes, the cushion should be great for long walks and commutes.

Where Does Each Hoka Shoe Fit In Its Lineup?

Not sure where all the different models fit into their lineup? Here’s a quick breakdown.

• Hoka Clifton 11 – Dependable daily trainer that’s comfortable for running and even better for long days on your feet.
• Hoka Clifton Pro – Upgraded daily trainer with softer cushioning and a little more bounce and roll for runners.
• Hoka Transport 2 – The do-everything walking and lifestyle shoe that can handle errands, travel, and light trails.
• Hoka Skyward X2 – Carbon-plated super trainer built for long miles and race day, especially for middle and back-of-the-pack runners.
• Hoka Mach 7 – Lightweight, lower-drop trainer with enough cushion for daily miles and plenty of speed for workouts.

Buy Hoka Clifton UTL

Like other brands have started to do, Hoka is joining the tiered system used for some models. Similar to what Nike did with the Pegasus line when they added the Pegasus Plus and Pegasus Premium, Hoka is adding another tier to their Clifton line. Not only will runners have the fun and responsive option for daily training and long runs in the Clifton Pro, but they’ll also have that easy walking day shoe in the Clifton and now the lifestyle sneaker in the Clifton UTL.