Welcome to Flawless Shoe Reviews. If you’ve been a fan of the Hoka Clifton series, you’ll be interested to hear that the Clifton 10 brings five major updates over the Clifton 9. Whether you’re wondering if it’s worth upgrading or just curious about how it performs for walking and running, I’ve tested it so you don’t have to. Let’s break down everything that’s new.
1. Increased Stack Height & Heel Drop
The most obvious change is the chunkier midsole. The Clifton 10 now features:
- 42 mm of cushioning in the rearfoot
- 34 mm in the forefoot
- 8 mm drop, up from the classic 5 mm in the Clifton 9
That’s an extra 10 mm of heel stack, and you’ll feel the difference. Underfoot, it offers significantly more plushness, especially in the heel. Hoka says this extra foam helps reduce the “bottoming out” sensation that many runners experience around the 300-mile mark. In short, it’s designed for greater durability and a more protective ride.
2. More Aggressive Heel Bevel
To help with that added stack, Hoka introduced a more aggressive heel bevel. As a heel striker, I noticed a smoother, faster transition from heel to midfoot. Combined with the brand’s signature meta-rocker, the Clifton 10 rolls through each step comfortably, just like its predecessors but with added support.
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3. Slight Weight Gain
With all that extra foam comes a slight weight increase:
- 278g (Men’s US 9) in the Clifton 10
- Compared to 249g in the Clifton 9
It’s not a dealbreaker, but if you’re coming from lighter shoes like the Hoka Mach 6, you may notice it on uptempo efforts. Still, for easy miles, long runs, and recovery sessions, the weight feels well balanced by the comfort.
4. Same Midsole Material
Despite the big stack upgrade, Hoka hasn’t changed the foam compound. It’s still the trusty CMEVA foam, not the newer supercritical foam seen in models like the Bondi 9. That’s worth noting because, even though the Clifton 10 has only 1mm less stack than the Bondi, they feel very different underfoot. The Clifton remains more responsive and a little less sink-in soft, while the Bondi offers more of that max-cushion feel ideal for walking and standing all day.
5. Fit and Upper Tweaks
Two key changes here:
- Wider forefoot in the standard fit: If you found the Clifton 9 a bit snug across the toes, this update will feel more accommodating.
- Non-gusseted tongue: Unlike the semi-gusseted version in the Clifton 9, this is a fully non-attached tongue—but it still offers plenty of padding and holds well in place.
You also get a moderately flexible heel counter, great for comfort, especially for those with Achilles sensitivity or heel bursitis.
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Final Thoughts: Is the Clifton 10 Worth It?
If you loved the Clifton 9 and want a bit more cushioning and comfort without losing that signature ride feel, the Clifton 10 is a solid upgrade. It’s softer, roomier, and better suited for long runs, easy miles, and everyday walking. While the extra stack may not be for everyone visually, underfoot it offers a plush-yet-responsive ride that’s hard to fault.
If you’re after a Hoka with a little more firmness and snap, you might also enjoy the Hoka Arahi 7 for mild stability or the Hoka Mach 6 for faster efforts. And for a max-cushion feel, the Bondi 9 remains a top choice for long-distance walking or recovery runs.
