Hoka Just Released Two New Sneakers. Which One Should I Get?
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I’ve just about worn my pair of Hoka Clifton 10’s into the ground. They are my go-to supportive sneaker for almost any activity I can name, from walking and running to traveling to trips to the farmers’ market and grocery store. I’m pretty sure I’m not alone in feeling this way about the Cliftons, considering they’re one of the most recommended shoes on this site — we wrote about them in our guide to thebest running shoesand thebest workout shoes for women, plus they’re featured in thebest running shoes for beginners. The Clifton 10’s were Hoka’s most current model up until earlier this month, when it dropped the Clifton 11, and just last week the brand released its first-ever pro shoe, the Clifton Pro. I knew I needed to put the new models to the test and see if they lived up to my old beloved 10’s.
The Clifton 11 is still solid for all-around wear
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The Clifton 11 has a lot in common with the Clifton 10. It has the same compression-molded EVA foam in the midsole and the eight-milimeter heel-to-toe drop (there’s a heel-stack height of 42 mm. for men and 38 mm. for women) as the Clifton 10. The biggest difference — which isn’t groundbreaking by any means but is a nice revision — is that the Clifton 11 features a softer open-cell sock liner and a new mesh upper. It delivers a similar super-cushy yet secure feel as the Clifton 10, which I appreciate in an everyday pair of sneakers. If you’re looking for a purely plush ride with neutral stability for walking and daily running, then I’d consider the Clifton 11 — but given how similar it is to the Clifton 10, I think you can get an almost equivalent cushy trainer for a little less by sticking with the older model.
If you’re a runner looking for a bouncy ride, I’d go for the Clifton Pro
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As a longtime runner, I was super-eager to test out the Clifton Pro. It’s much bouncier in the midsole than the Clifton 11 and has a steeper rocker for a nice push off the ground while still feeling stable. The midsole has Hoka’s PROGLIDE+ technology, which is basically the combination of supercritical (SCF) EVA foam — a more durable material than the foam used in the 11’s — plus the meta-rocker. Because of these upgrades, the Pro would be my pick for longer runs when I want a more responsive ride without sacrificing on cushioning.Also, I liked that the bottom of the Pro has sturdy rubber that covers the entire outsole, which I can guess will extend the lifespan of the Pro (for comparison, the 11’s only have rubber on the heel and forefoot).
While the Clifton Pro is slightly heavier than the Clifton 11 — the men’s Clifton Pro is 10.44 oz., and the men’s Clifton 11 is 9.97 oz. — I can hardly say I noticed the difference on my runs or even when I wore one model on each foot around my house. I’ve also worn my Clifton Pro on day-to-day walks, and they didn’t feel overly heavy. I like that they’re easy to slip on for daily wear but also have the bounciness that I crave on road runs.
And what about the price?
What surprised me the most is the price difference: Between the Clifton 11 and Clifton Pro, you’re only spending $10 more, which isn’t necessarily going to make or break your decision. It’s interesting to see such a small difference in price points, given the Clifton Pro has some substantial and energetic foam compared to the 11’s standard EVA. Personally, I’ll be wearing my Clifton 11’s for easy runs, to the airport, and on walks with my two dogs, but when I want to complete a longer run, or maybe even just for more pop in my stride, I’ll switch to my Clifton Pros.
More Hoka running shoes we love
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The old Clifton 10 model (which is nicely discounted right now).
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The Hoka model I swear by for overpronation or plantar fasciitis.
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