HOKA ONE ONE Clifton 6
The "Goldilocks" Clifton
Likes
- Balanced feel
- Plush cushioning
- More accommodating upper
- Durable
Dislikes
- Not great for narrow feet
- Not a race shoe
What's New
The HOKA ONE ONE Clifton has become an iconic shoe, but for some, the cushioning in past models has veered from too soft to too firm. Listening to consumer demands, HOKA ONE ONE worked to find that "just right" feel when it comes to the cushioning, fit, and overall comfort of the Clifton 6.
To do that, they redesigned the full-length EVA midsole for a softer, smoother ride. The shoe is now more flexible to allow for a faster transition through the rocker design. To improve the fit, designers made the engineered mesh upper more accommodating and adaptable, while new embroidery across the midfoot helps to lock down the foot without adding weight.
The Bottom Line
Our testers found the Clifton 6 to be the best version of the shoe yet. This iteration of the iconic model offers pillowy softness without sucking all the energy out of the runner's stride. The redesigned upper now fits a wide variety of feet, and the structured midfoot allows for a snug wrap of the foot. Overall, our testers agree that fans of the original Clifton and runners looking to try a highly cushioned shoe will love this newest version.
Shoe Performance
Softness i
Ride/Energy Return i
Underfoot Protection i
Flexibility i
Upper Support i
Specifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Width: Medium | Height: Medium | |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium to Low | |
| Heel Width | Medium | |
| Arch Height | Medium |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 9.1 oz (size 9) | Women's: 8.0 oz (size 8) | |
| Stack Height | 33mm (Heel), 28mm (Forefoot) | 5 mm Heel-Toe Offset | |
| Terrain | Road | |
| Stability | Neutral | |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softness i
Our team found that the Clifton 6 had the perfect amount of softness without feeling too mushy. Those that want plush cushioning without feeling like they are being sapped of forward motion will appreciate the Clifton 6.
Jonathan: "This shoe feels quite soft to me. There is definitely a sense of sinking into the shoe; it feels really good. There are softer shoes out there, but I would argue they might be too soft."
Ben: "The Clifton 6 felt neither too firm, nor did it feel like I was running on a pillow. It had a perfect balance."
Ride/Energy Return i
Though the energy return will be low in comparison to a racing shoe, the Clifton 6 offers a good sense of rebound. Our testers felt that it made going from step to step easier than other highly-cushioned shoes.
Jonathan: "Here is where the Clifton 6 really shines. Often highly-cushioned shoes feel sluggish, as my feet keep sinking into the shoe on every step. With this shoe, there is an initial compression, but then the shoe has a fairly good sense of energy return."
Liz: "I was pleasantly surprised by the responsiveness that I experienced in this shoe, especially for how soft it felt underfoot. The Clifton 6 really maintains a smooth forward motion through your stride."
Underfoot Protection i
In classic HOKA ONE ONE style, the Clifton 6 offers plenty of underfoot protection with its highly cushioned midsole. Your joints will thank you for the barrier against the harsh impacts of running on the road.
Jonathan: "There's no doubt this shoe delivers a ton of cushioning. It feels great when the miles add up. It keeps my body feeling fresh."
Ben: "There are other HOKA shoes, like the Bondi, which provide more protection than this shoe. However, I could not feel the road much while running in these Cliftons, and my joints definitely appreciated them."
Underfoot Flexibility i
Where other highly cushioned shoes can feel stiff and inflexible, the Clifton 6 has a gentle flex that works with the shoe's Meta-Rocker design to create a natural transition through the stride.
Jonathan: "The Clifton 6 has a decent amount of flexibility for such a high-stack shoe. It created a smooth ride when combined with the shoe's natural rocker."
Ben: "For a HOKA shoe, the Clifton 6 felt pretty flexible. I actually felt the shoe bend while running, which in some HOKAs I never do."
Upper Feel i
The Clifton 6's new, engineered mesh upper is softer and more accommodating than the previous model, and the embroidery over the midfoot helps to create structure and secure the foot in place.
Jonathan: "There is some midfoot support through the upper and a good heel fit. The lacing can be snugged up to provide a secure feel even on my narrow feet."
Liz: "I have a wide foot and bunions, so I usually have issues wearing HOKA shoes due to their narrow fit, but the Clifton 6 fit my feet very well. The mesh upper was soft around my wide forefoot while also feeling very supportive."
Individual Thoughts
The Clifton 6 strikes a near-perfect balance between providing a ton of cushioning and having a feeling of returning some energy as well. It's the shoe I choose when I want to simply go out and log miles. When running a bit faster, it does feel like the shoe has a bit too much girth underfoot, but I do not have this sensation at slower paces.
The fit of the early versions was not ideal for me, as those shoes had too much volume. With the Clifton 6, the fit is really dialed in. It fits my narrow foot well, but I would describe the fit as a true medium.
Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
The Clifton 6 is a run-of-the-mill standard trainer. It is worth a try if you like HOKA shoes or are looking to check out the brand for the first time. For those who want to run fast on some days, you may want to have this in addition to other, faster shoes in your running rotation. I really enjoyed the cushioning, especially on slower recovery runs after a harder day, and the shoe seems to have a fair amount of durability.
Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
I loved this new iteration of the Clifton! HOKA shoes generally run too narrow for my feet, and the overlays usually aggravate my bunions. This was not the case with the Clifton 6. The engineered mesh had enough space for my foot and wrapped softly around my bunions. Despite this, the embroidered midfoot still provided a secure lockdown of my foot. Those with wider feet will love this update.
I was also very impressed with the midsole. It feels soft underfoot and has the perfect amount of squish, yet it doesn't feel like I lose any energy. I feel like that is a rare find when it comes to highly-cushioned shoes.