Hoka Clifton 11 running shoe review – verdict, price, comparison, who it’s for

Hoka Clifton 11 running shoe upper

The Hoka Clifton 11 running shoe upper is made from a comfortable, soft engineered mesh with better-than-average breathability. The breathability is not outstanding, and your feet may feel warm in it on a hot summer day, but it ventilates better than I expected.

The mesh is soft, flexible, medium-thick, and durable. It is wide enough around the toes and wider than previous versions. It holds the foot well through the midfoot; the heel area is wider, but thanks to the padding and the moderately firm heel collar, it secures the foot well. It also has reinforcement on both the medial and lateral sides, which may look like design elements, but their purpose is to hold the foot more securely. Foot lockdown is also helped by the midsole slightly wrapping up around the upper.

The tongue is thick and wraps comfortably around the foot. It is not gusseted, but it does not slide sideways while running. The laces are flat and can be tightened firmly because the thicker tongue protects the foot well from lace pressure. The insole has become noticeably softer, increasing the overall comfort of the shoe.

The upper fits true to size in length, and the standard version is wide enough, but wide and extra-wide versions are also available.

Hoka Clifton 11 running shoe midsole

The Hoka Clifton 11 running shoe midsole is still made from a type of compression-molded EVA foam, which defines the character of the shoe. The EVA foam is predictable and provides good cushioning. It is not sink-in soft, but it is less lively and not particularly bouncy, with a denser feel instead. As is typical with EVA foams, it breaks in after 2-3 runs and becomes somewhat more comfortable. Accordingly, the Clifton 11 is designed for lower, steady paces and even longer runs. It has an 8 mm drop, and the midsole is 42 mm high at the heel, so heel strikers get a high level of cushioning. The forefoot rocker starts early, which makes transitions smooth and quick. The shoe feels somewhat more aggressive here, but this still does not make it extremely fast. The midsole flexes well because the outsole does not stiffen the central section, although this also leaves it more exposed in this area. The shoe does not have high torsional rigidity either, yet its stability is particularly good. The Clifton 11 remains a neutral shoe, with good stability by neutral-shoe standards. The thicker insole noticeably adds to the comfort and contributes to the softer feel compared with its predecessors, but it remains a predictable shoe that is primarily a good choice for lower-intensity and even longer runs.

Hoka Clifton 11 running shoe outsole

The Hoka Clifton 11 running shoe outsole is made from a wear-resistant rubber compound. It is a firmer rubber compound designed to provide good durability. Because it uses a harder rubber compound, you cannot expect the same high level of grip as from faster running shoes, but it holds well through corners at lower intensities. The outsole does not have deep lugs, but its grip is entirely sufficient for the lower-intensity road running the Clifton is designed for. What helps its grip considerably is the segmented construction: it is made up of small sections that can move independently of each other, allowing the shoe to conform well to the surface you are running on. The segmentation also improves the shoe’s flexibility, and thanks to the large central cutout, the midsole flexes well relative to its volume. At the same time, the midsole is exposed around the larger central cutout, so it can wear more easily there. The Clifton 11 outsole is thick, which, combined with good wear resistance, makes for a durable outsole, although the number of kilometres it lasts also depends on the runner, running mechanics, and body weight.

What is it like to run in the Hoka Clifton 11?

Cushioning and midsole

The Hoka Clifton 11 running shoe has a high level of midsole cushioning, partly because the foam used in the midsole is a firmer compression-molded EVA and partly because the stack is sufficiently high at 42 mm in the heel. The midsole is better described as enduring than fast, so it is better suited to lower-intensity and even longer runs.

The Clifton 11 offers a high level of cushioning, but it is not a fast running shoe.

Stability and guidance

The Hoka Clifton 11 is a neutral running shoe, but it has good stability. Its stability primarily comes from the fact that the midsole is sufficiently wide relative to its height, the foam is not overly soft or wobbly, and the midsole slightly wraps up around the upper. It does not guide the foot aggressively like a stability shoe, but it does a good job of keeping the lower legs aligned vertically. The 8 mm drop and the midsole geometry suit both heel strikers and runners who land on the midfoot.

Thanks to its wide platform, the Clifton 11 provides good stability even as a neutral shoe.

Upper and comfort

The Hoka Clifton 11 running shoe upper is made from a softer mesh with a pleasant feel. The upper is padded, and the insole is comfortably soft as well. The Clifton 11 is not a maximally padded running shoe, but it is very comfortable, holds the foot well, and still leaves enough room around the toes. In addition to the standard version, it is available in wide and extra-wide versions, so if your feet are on the wider side, these are also worth trying on.

The Clifton 11’s comfortable upper holds the foot securely while leaving enough room for the toes.

Ground contact and grip

The Hoka Clifton 11 running shoe has an average 8 mm drop, which suits heel and midfoot landings. The heel is less curved, while the forefoot has a rocker that helps create a quick roll-through once you get used to the midsole geometry. The shoe’s grip is good for its intended purpose – lower-intensity runs – but you should not expect the maximum traction typical of racing shoes.

Pace and responsiveness

The Hoka Clifton 11 running shoe is primarily designed for lower-intensity and even longer runs. There is no exciting bounce in the midsole; instead, it is a predictable running shoe with good cushioning.

The Clifton 11 is for runners who value predictable comfort more than flashy responsiveness.

Long runs vs tempo vs training

The Hoka Clifton 11 running shoe can be a good choice for your long, but not extremely long, ultra runs. You can run the occasional faster section in it, but there are better shoes for fast running even within the brand (the Hoka Mach 7 in a similar price range)

Who is the Hoka Clifton 11 running shoe recommended for – and who is it not for?

The Hoka Clifton 11 running shoe is recommended for runners who are looking for a balanced daily trainer for their everyday lower-intensity runs. It is also a good choice for all-day wear and walking. It also works well as a first running shoe, as it is comfortable and offers good cushioning, and it can also be a good choice for heavier or overweight runners

The Hoka Clifton 11 running shoe is not recommended for runners looking for a fast, lightweight running shoe either for training or racing. It is not recommended for trail running because its grip is insufficient for that. If you are looking for a running shoe for longer and faster training sessions, it is also better to choose a different model.

What changed compared with the previous version? Hoka Clifton 11 running shoe vs Clifton 10.

The new Clifton 11 came out relatively soon after the Clifton 10, so I was not expecting any major changes. There is no major change in the midsole, but the upper has changed in many ways. The previous jacquard-woven material has been replaced by a softer, smoother mesh that is also slightly more flexible and more breathable. The toe box is wider even in the standard-width version. The padding of the tongue and heel collar has also improved, making the shoe feel more comfortable.

The midsole is still made from compression-molded EVA foam, with the same 42 mm stack at the heel and 34 mm at the forefoot, but the new, thicker, open-cell insole makes it more comfortable and feel softer.

There is no significant change to the outsole either.

The Clifton 10 already received a lot of criticism for Hoka sticking with EVA foam while competitors were putting more advanced foams into models similar to the Clifton. Hoka’s answer to those critics, and to runners looking for a little more responsiveness, is the Hoka Clifton Pro. It retains the Clifton’s comfort and construction, but its midsole is made from supercritical EVA foam, which is more responsive, lighter, and more durable.

Hoka Clifton 11 running shoe alternatives – comparison

Is there a difference between the men’s and women’s Hoka Clifton 11 running shoes?

There is no structural difference between the men’s and women’s Hoka Clifton 11 running shoes. The women’s Clifton 11 has a proportionally lower midsole, which also makes it lighter, but it still has the same 8 mm drop and delivers the same ride as the men’s version.