HOKA Clifton 10 vs HOKA Clifton 11
A side-by-side comparison grounded in verdicts from 4 reviewers with every source linked. We don't invent quotes; every claim below is attributed.
Specs at a glance
Reviewers who wore both
Direct paired observations — reviewers who actually ran in both of these and wrote the contrast. This is the strongest comparative signal on the page.
v10 is stiffer, has more midfoot volume and rear padding, and runs hotter; v11 is smoother, better fitting, and softer underfoot
Fundamentally the same shoe; buy v10 instead since it's much cheaper with negligible difference
Reviewer ran a side-by-side mile against the Clifton 10 ("throwback") in a separate video, referenced but not detailed in this one
Very similar in most specs; new upper and a slightly different weight, but same midsole and very similar performance
Essentially identical shoe — same foam, stack, drop, and outsole, just $5 more expensive
v11 has a better fitting upper with more secure midfoot, slightly more forefoot room, less rear padding, a smoother and more flexible midsole transition, softer feel underfoot, and slightly better outsole durability; v10 is stiffer, has more midfoot volume and rear padding, and may suit runners who want more structure
HOKA Clifton 10 — what reviewers say
Ride profile: maximal cushion , neutral stability .
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The Clifton 10 is a decent daily trainer with a stable neutral ride but suffers from a stiff, uncomfortable transition and a baggy, poorly locking upper that made it a frustrating experience for the reviewer.
Ride:Stiff midsole transition caused peroneal tendon pain for the reviewer despite the early meta-rocker. Forefoot transition particularly stiff. More structured feel than v11.
Fit:More midfoot volume and rear padding than v11, causing heel slip and foot push-forward issues for the reviewer. Ran hot. Better for higher-volume feet.
In their words: "so stiff for me that I actually had some peroneal tendon pain" · "didn't loosen up"
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Hoka's flagship daily trainer, but this version feels slightly stabilized and is not the reviewer's favorite Clifton — he would drop it first from his Hoka rotation.
Ride:Tall stack height, low heel drop, and front rocker yield a comfy, chill ride. This version skews slightly stabilized, which the reviewer prefers less than the Clifton 9's livelier feel.
In their words: "isn't my favorite Clifton" · "comfy and chill" · "slightly stabilized side"
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A reliable, comfortable and stable daily trainer that's a good general crowd-pleaser for easy and long runs, even if the EVA midsole lacks excitement.
Ride:Smooth, stable, well-cushioned ride with a mild rocker; EVA foam is flat and not particularly lively but reliable; wider base gives better stability than the Puma
Fit:True to size with multiple width options available; padded tongue and well-padded upper; good heel and midfoot hold; roomier toe box than the Puma
In their words: "fairly flat and dull foam" · "very assured and very reliable" · "easy run end of the spectrum"
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An essential, Swiss Army knife style shoe — super comfortable and stable for all-day wear plus easy runs, though not an exciting out-and-out running shoe.
Ride:Very comfortable and stable with a wide platform; CMEVA foam is reliable but uninspiring, missing the excitement of shoes like the Vomero 18.
Fit:Chris prefers to go half a size up in Hoka; lockdown is typical Clifton.
In their words: "really boring CME EVA foam" · "always up half a size in Hoker shoes" · "does all the basics very well"
HOKA Clifton 11 — what reviewers say
Ride profile: maximal cushion , neutral stability .
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A comfortable, reliable, smooth-riding daily trainer that's fine on its own merits but clearly the less lively and less modern-feeling of the two Cliftons this year.
Ride:A smooth, firmer compression-molded EVA ride that leans on the rocker to drive transitions; comfortable and protective but absorbs energy rather than returning it, feeling less lively than the Clifton Pro, especially when legs are fresh.
Fit:True to size with a snugger fit across the top of the toe box than the Clifton Pro; good midfoot lockdown and heel hold. Testers who sized up half a size found the extra length worked well.
In their words: "cushions the body really nicely" · "sucks that energy in" · "not too soft and sinky"
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FORDY RUNS says the Clifton 11 is basically the same shoe as v10 with marginal upper and comfort tweaks — stable and versatile, but not worth the premium over the much cheaper v10, and the Brooks Ghost Max 4 edges it out on running capability.
Ride:Same 42/34mm stack and 8mm drop as v10 on the same compression-molded EVA; feels marginally lighter and more premium thanks to a new mesh upper and sock liner, but ride performance is essentially unchanged from v10.
Fit:True to size in UK 10; wide-fitting like previous Clifton versions, with good stability.
In their words: "left me a little bit on the fence" · "old and a bit boring" · "no reason to go out and buy"
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An unchanged, dependable, Goldilocks-balanced daily trainer that works well for daily runs, walking, and all-day standing, but the reviewer finds it's grown a bit boring and slightly overpriced at $155 for a shoe nearly identical to the Clifton 10.
Ride:Soft but not too soft, stable but not too stiff — an inoffensive, dependable ride identical to the Clifton 10.
Fit:Not a generous fit — stick with your usual Hoka size, don't expect extra room.
In their words: "a running industry Goldilocks" · "the shoe has gotten a bit boring" · "very inoffensive"
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Won all five rounds of the Doctors of Running flagship-trainer bracket to take the title; the panel's consensus pick as the most improved, smoothest-transitioning Clifton in years despite durability concerns.
Ride:Smooth transition praised repeatedly, attributed partly to a redesigned rear-foot frame/crash pad; foam has some spring but is tuned for easy days, not workouts.
Fit:Upper and sock liner upgrades were called out specifically; foot doesn't slide around despite a slightly more spacious fit than the 10.
In their words: "the Clifton's back, baby" · "such a strong transition"
Who should buy which
Use cases the reviewers above actually call out — one bullet per distinct take, attributed. Where reviewers converge (e.g. "5K to half marathon" appearing across multiple takes) the agreement is a stronger buying signal than any single voice.
Consider the HOKA Clifton 10 if
- Cushioned daily training and easy miles for a wide range of runners, including newer runners. — The Run Testers
- Walkers, run-walkers and runners who prefer a lower-stack, firmer, higher-drop traditional daily trainer — Kofuzi
- Runners who want a single cushioned daily trainer that can handle easy miles, progression runs, and mild tempo efforts — The Run Testers
- Cruising daily miles and walking for Clifton fans who want a cushioned, comfortable, mildly bouncy daily trainer. — Believe in the Run
- Middle-paced cruising, junk miles, and recovery days; good for supinators who want cushion with lateral support. — Run Moore
- Neutral runners wanting a balanced, protective daily trainer and long-run shoe with a touch of softness and bounce — The Run Testers
Consider the HOKA Clifton 11 if
- An everyday, live-in daily trainer for easy-to-marathon-pace miles and casual all-day wear. — FORDY RUNS
- Easy and long runs, big weekly mileage, and beginners wanting a protective, comfortable daily trainer. — The Run Testers
- Easy days, recovery runs, comfort-focused long mileage, and base-building volume; reviewer suggests it could also suit beginners. — The Run Testers
- Everyday comfort, walking, and casual all-day wear, or existing Clifton 10 owners who want a very similar, low-risk update. — Run Moore
- Easy days, long runs, standing/walking — not intended for workouts. — Doctors of Running
- Runners who want a comfortable, familiar daily shoe that also works for all-day casual wear. — Believe in the Run
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between the HOKA Clifton 10 and the HOKA Clifton 11?
The HOKA Clifton 10 is a daily trainer and the HOKA Clifton 11 is a daily trainer. By the numbers, the HOKA Clifton 10 weighs 258g, has a 43mm heel stack and an 8mm drop, while the HOKA Clifton 11 weighs 261g, has a 43mm heel stack and an 8mm drop. MSRP is $150 for the HOKA Clifton 10 and $155 for the HOKA Clifton 11.
Should I buy the HOKA Clifton 10 or the HOKA Clifton 11?
The Run Testers on the HOKA Clifton 10: Cushioned daily training and easy miles for a wide range of runners, including newer runners. FORDY RUNS on the HOKA Clifton 11: An everyday, live-in daily trainer for easy-to-marathon-pace miles and casual all-day wear.
Per The Run Testers, FORDY RUNS.
Has anyone reviewed both the HOKA Clifton 10 and the HOKA Clifton 11?
Yes — Doctors of Running, FORDY RUNS, The Run Testers, Run Moore, and Kofuzi directly compared the HOKA Clifton 10 and the HOKA Clifton 11 in their reviews.
Per Doctors of Running, FORDY RUNS, The Run Testers, Run Moore, Kofuzi.