The Hoka Clifton 10 was the biggest change to Hoka’s best-selling daily trainer in years. Compared with the Clifton 9, it has a taller stack, a higher heel-to-toe drop, a softer forefoot, and a roomier fit, and it weighs about half an ounce more.
The short answer: buy the Clifton 10 if you want more cushion and a softer, more forgiving ride, and it’s easy to find for about $140 on Amazon. The Clifton 9 suits runners who prefer a lighter, firmer, lower-drop shoe, but it’s getting hard to find at a fair price. And if you’re buying new today, the Clifton 11 is the current Clifton, with the same ride as the 10 and a better upper, while the Clifton Pro is the springier upgrade for faster runs.
Clifton 9 vs. Clifton 10 specs
| Spec | Hoka Clifton 9 | Hoka Clifton 10 |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2023 | 2025 |
| Price now | Mostly resellers, often $170+ | About $140 on Amazon |
| Measured weight (men's 9) | 9.08 oz | 9.64 oz |
| Measured heel stack | 39.2 mm | 41.6 mm |
| Advertised drop | 5 mm | 8 mm |
| Measured drop | 8.3 mm | 9.9 mm |
| Feel | Firmer, nimbler | Softer, more protective |
| Fit | True to size | Runs a little long; roomier forefoot and heel |
Measured weights, stack heights, and drops come from RTINGS lab testing of a men’s US 9.
Best value clifton
Hoka Clifton 10
The softer, taller Clifton with an 8 mm drop and a roomier fit, now about $140.
Cushioning: The Clifton 10 Is Softer
The Clifton 10 has more foam and softer foam. RTINGS measured its heel stack at 41.6 mm, up from 39.2 mm on the Clifton 9, and found its forefoot noticeably softer. The 10 also scored higher for energy return, so it should feel a little bouncier rather than just mushier.
That makes the Clifton 10 the more protective shoe for long runs, recovery days, and long hours on your feet. The Clifton 9 feels firmer and closer to the ground, which some runners prefer for a more connected, responsive ride.
Drop: From 5 mm to 8 mm
Hoka raised the Clifton’s advertised heel-to-toe drop from 5 mm on the 9 to 8 mm on the 10. According to Running Shoes Guru, Hoka’s reasoning is that the heel compresses over time, so a higher starting drop keeps the shoe from flattening out as it breaks in.
A higher drop generally puts a little less load on the calves and Achilles, and it can make heel-strike landings feel smoother. If you’re used to low-drop shoes, the 9 will feel more natural. Lab measurements put both shoes higher than Hoka advertises: about 8.3 mm for the 9 and 9.9 mm for the 10.
Weight: The Clifton 9 Is Lighter
All that extra foam adds weight. RTINGS measured the Clifton 10 at 9.64 ounces in a men’s 9, about half an ounce more than the Clifton 9’s 9.08 ounces. RTINGS found the 9 nimbler on foot.
Half an ounce won’t matter much on walks or easy runs. It is more noticeable at faster paces.
Fit and Sizing
The Clifton 10 is roomier through the forefoot and heel, but it also runs noticeably longer than the Clifton 9, according to RTINGS. If you’re between sizes or wore a snug-fitting Clifton 9, try the 10 a half size down. Its toe box is also a little shallower, so tall toes may feel the upper.
The Clifton 10 is also available in Wide and X-Wide.
Stability
Neither Clifton is a stability shoe, but both are stable for neutral shoes. The Clifton 10 has a wider platform, which helps. RTINGS judged it slightly less stable than the 9 because of its taller stack, though both scored the same on its stability test. If you want a more planted Hoka for walking or standing, the Bondi is the steadier choice. See our Hoka Bondi vs. Clifton comparison.
Where the Clifton 11 Fits
Hoka released the Clifton 11 in 2026 for $155. It keeps the Clifton 10’s compression-molded EVA midsole, 8 mm drop, and stack, so the ride is very similar. The changes are in the upper. Reviewers point to a softer, more breathable engineered mesh and a softer sockliner, and RTINGS found its taller toe box fixes the Clifton 10’s shallow fit. It comes in standard, Wide, and X-Wide.
If the Clifton 10 felt tight over your toes, the 11 is the fix. If it fit well, the 10 at about $140 gives you nearly the same shoe for less.
Best current clifton
Hoka Clifton 11
The current Clifton, with the 10's ride, a softer and more breathable upper, and more toe room.
Where the Clifton Pro Fits
The Clifton Pro launched alongside the Clifton 11 for $165, and it’s the bigger upgrade. Hoka swapped the standard EVA for a supercritical foam midsole, gave it a more aggressive rocker, and added more durable rubber in high-wear areas. There is no plate.
In RTINGS’ testing, the Pro had the highest energy return and the most cushioning of the four Cliftons here. Hoka lists it at 10.44 ounces in men’s sizing, a little heavier than the Clifton 11’s 9.97 ounces, and it comes in fewer widths, standard and Wide only.
Our editor Emile owns the Clifton Pro along with older Cliftons. He found it noticeably springier and livelier than his older pairs, and it has become the Clifton he prefers for runs. It’s the one to get if you want a livelier Clifton for faster daily runs and tempo work. For walking or standing, the regular Clifton is the better value.
All Four Cliftons Compared
| Model | Measured weight (men’s 9) | Measured heel stack | Advertised drop | Foam | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clifton 9 | 9.08 oz | 39.2 mm | 5 mm | EVA | Resellers |
| Clifton 10 | 9.64 oz | 41.6 mm | 8 mm | Compression-molded EVA | About $140 |
| Clifton 11 | 9.21 oz | 41.9 mm | 8 mm | Compression-molded EVA | $155 |
| Clifton Pro | 9.49 oz | 43.4 mm | 8 mm | Supercritical foam | $165 |
Measured figures are from RTINGS lab testing. Prices are Amazon prices for the 9 and 10 and Hoka’s list prices for the 11 and Pro.
Which Should You Buy?
- Buy the Clifton 10 if you want the most Clifton for the money. At about $140, it has the same soft, tall ride as the 11.
- Buy the Clifton 11 if the Clifton 10’s toe box felt shallow, or you want the newest version with a more breathable upper and more width options.
- Buy the Clifton Pro if you run often and want a springier, livelier Clifton for faster training.
- Stick with the Clifton 9 only if you can find it at a good price and prefer a lighter, firmer, lower-drop shoe.
For more, see our Hoka Clifton 9 review, our Hoka Bondi vs. Clifton comparison, and our guide to the best shoes for standing all day.
