Big Clifton news: an update to the tried-and-true Clifton 11, Hoka's beloved daily trainer, and a fun new addition to the family — the Clifton Pro. Let's break down which one's right for you!

Where does the new Clifton Pro fit in?

The brand new Clifton Pro is a maximalist take on the daily trainer with a dash of speed and fun; it is designed to be the more running-focused member of the Clifton family.

Many daily trainers like the Clifton 11 feel soft, stable, and protective, but sometimes this can feel a bit flat for faster paces. Enter the responsive, performance-focused daily trainer - while still cushioned, they have a snappier, more propulsive cushioning system that elevates your workout.

Chasing the hype around faster daily trainers at a good price point like the Asics Novablast and the Adidas Adizero Evo SL, brands have started filling a hole in the market: the faster, more responsive daily trainer. Hoka jumped on this trend as well, creating the Clifton Pro to introduce a shoe meant for everyday runs that can also pick up the pace for faster workouts.

What’s New?

In its new update, the Clifton 11 has the same compression-molded EVA foam as the Clifton 10. This is a bunch of jargon that essentially means that Hoka took a big block of foam and compressed it down to make the midsole of this shoe. This type of cushioning system creates a soft, stable feel underfoot. 

The main update with the Clifton 11 from the 10 only had to do with the upper - it has the same stack height, drop, and foam type. The Clifton 11 has a new, softer insole and a more breathable mesh upper.

Meanwhile, the Clifton Pro uses their brand-new ProGLide+ foam; a supercritical EVA foam midsole. This means they took a small, dense piece of foam and expanded/puffed it up with a gas. This type of foam cushioning system allows for a soft, more springy feel underfoot, and since it uses less foam than compression molding, supercritical midsoles tend to be lighter than compression-molded ones

The Clifton Pro has the same stack height and heel drop as the Clifton 11 – where it differs is the foam type. It also has more coverage on the outsole of the shoe, so it is built to stand up to greater wear and tear from longer mileage. This can also help explain why the Clifton Pro is a little heavier than the Clifton 11 despite having a lighter cushioning system. Remember: with increased durability, you sacrifice lightness!

First Impressions & Fit 

The Clifton 11 felt very true to size when I first popped them on and when I wore them walking and to work. When I ran in them, however, I found that it fit slightly narrower than the Clifton 10 and I experienced some rubbing/blistering on the sides of my big toes when I took them out for a run that I did not experience with the Clifton 10. The 11s felt slightly shallower than the 10s, so it could be due to this. As such, if you are getting them for running or need a more generous toe box, it may be worth also trying the wider size or half a size longer.

The Clifton Pro also felt true to size, and I felt like it had a roomier toe box. I did not experience any rubbing issues while running.

The heel lockdowns both felt very nice in these shoes, and I did not have to tie the laces super tight to feel secure and comfortable while running

As for the rockers, I felt that the Clifton Pro had a more aggressive rocker, which felt nice while running. Even though the stats of the Clifton 11 to the Clifton 10 are the same cushioning-wise, the Clifton 11 felt a bit less flat to me and smoother, although this could’ve been the new-shoe placebo ;)

My Experience

Let’s Start with the Clifton 11:

I found this to be a more solid, dense-feeling shoe that was super comfortable to walk in, work in, and run errands in! Again, I found the fit to be slightly narrow, and I got blisters on the sides of my big toe within the first couple of miles I ran in them, but this is similar to my experience with the Bondi 9 (which I love!). I would try half a size up or a wide size unless you have a slimmer foot

It was very comfortable for my runs, and it feels super stable underfoot. I will say that compared to the Clifton 10, the rocker on this one feels smoother and less flat (but this could just be new shoe placebo).

Where this shoe fell short was getting that “oomph” and fast feeling for runs - it felt very protective, but not responsive. As such, I would use this shoe mainly for longer runs and easy runs. It also is a fairly substantial shoe, which again feels very protective but isn't as nimble as more responsive, faster tempo-geared runners. 

Onto the Clifton Pro:

This shoe felt nice and plush underfoot–it felt great when picking up the pace and was a super comfortable ride. To me, it felt more “fun” to run in compared to the 11s. I also felt like it had a more roomy toe box compared to the Clifton 11, which I really appreciated on my runs as my foot swelled. In my experience as a Novablast lover, which this shoe completes directly with, 

On a purely vain note, I also liked the aesthetic of the Clifton Pro compared to the Clifton 11. Hoka did a great job with the Pro design!

Where this shoe falls “short” is that it is more substantial and heavier than similar shoes by other brands. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, just different. 

This shoe definitely feels more run-focused, so I would wear my Clifton 11s to work and on walks because of their stability, and keep the Clifton Pro to use on my runs. Compared to the Clifton 11s, the Pros will feel more plush and spongy compared to the 11s because it is more running-focused.

How they measure up to similar shoes

Shoes comparable to the Clifton 11 are the Asics Cumulus, New Balance 880, Mizuno Wave Rider, and Brooks Ghost. Clifton 11 feels like a more walking-focused shoe than these other options and has more of a maximalist take on a daily trainer, but all of the brands are increasing the stack height on these types of shoes, so that gap is closing.

Similar shoes to the Clifton Pro are the Asics Novablast, New Balance Rebel, Mizuno Neo Zen, and Brooks Ghost Amp. The Clifton Pro is a little heavier than these other shoes and feels like “more shoe”, so it gives more of a security and stability feeling. Those wanting a lighter, less stacked option would want to take a look at the Ghost Amp.

In summary

While they are both phenomenal daily trainers, the more stable Clifton 11 is better for those who want a “solid” feeling shoe for their runs, and is a better fit for those who are looking for well-cushioned runners to use as walking, everyday, or travel shoes. Again, most running shoes make amazing walking shoes – this does NOT mean that they are bad for running or are not running shoes!

The Clifton Pro is the more responsive option with a running focus, for those who want a more responsive long/easy versatile daily trainer, or for runners who want one shoe that they can pick up the pace with but get the max cushion feel at a reasonable price point.

Still not sure which one's right for you? We'd love to help. Check us out at racketsandrunners.ca, or stop by the store — our shoe fitters have years of experience finding you the perfect fit.