HOKA ONE ONE Clifton Edge Review
Next-Level Clifton
Likes
- Tons of protection
- Lightweight package
- Comfortable fit
- Smooth ride
- Bouncy cushioning
Dislikes
- Bulky feeling for fast efforts
- Questionable outsole durability
What's New
The brand-new HOKA Clifton Edge takes cues from its signature cousin, the Clifton, but adds in next-level innovation. The result of this innovation is a shoe that has a somewhat familiar feel but also pushes the boundaries of running technology. Beginning with the cushioning, a unique extended heel provides an extremely soft landing and ultra-smooth transition for runners who strike the ground more heavily with their heels. The Clifton Edge also uses HOKA's new high-resiliency foam in the midsole which is designed to be lighter and springier than the classic Clifton. Combined with a Rubberized EVA outsole, this shoe offers a highly cushioned running experience with a bouncy underfoot feel. The premium materials continue into the engineered mesh upper, and this shoe provides a snug, performance-oriented fit that has enough stretch to accommodate a wide variety of feet.
The Bottom Line
The HOKA Clifton Edge is a great option for daily training, especially for runners who want plenty of underfoot cushioning. Heel-strikers and those who do a lot of downhill running will especially appreciate the added protection and smooth transition created by the extended heel cushioning. While the new midsole foam is a bit springier than that used in the regular Clifton, our testers felt the shoe was still a bit too bulky for faster workout days. That being said, the Clifton Edge is well-equipped for everyday training and longer distances.
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 | |
| Heel Width | Medium | |
| Arch Height | Medium |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | 8.9 oz (men's size 9), 7.5 oz (women's size 8) | |
| Stack Height | 33 mm (Heel), 28 mm (Forefoot) | |
| Terrain | Road | |
| Stability | Neutral | |
| Sizing | True to size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softness i
Although the Clifton Edge is not as soft as the regular Clifton model, its highly cushioned midsole still offers a very comfortable ride. Our testers enjoyed the soft landing provided by the new high resiliency foam and extended heel design.
Connor: "The Clifton Edge offers a high stack height with a soft underfoot cushioning. It’s not quite as soft as the standard Clifton, but there is a nice amount of squish that feels very protective on foot."
Liz: "I really love the softness of the Clifton Edge. Where some highly-cushioned shoes can feel too mushy, this shoe has a comfortable, sinking-in softness."
Ride/Energy Return i
Taking notes from the HOKA Fly collection, the Clifton Edge features a Rubberized EVA outsole for a bouncy and responsive ride. In combination with the new high-resiliency foam, this shoe offers a highly cushioned running experience that doesn't compromise energy return.
Connor: "The Clifton Edge features a new high-resiliency foam mixed with a rubberized foam outsole. This shoe has a little bit of bounce that provides some energy return, but compared to other highly responsive foams currently on the market, it was not as bouncy."
Liz: "Although I wouldn’t recommend the Clifton Edge for faster workouts, it is very responsive for the amount of cushioning it provides. This shoe has a fun, bouncy ride that doesn’t feel like it's holding you back in any way."
Underfoot Protection i
Designed by HOKA with the intention of creating one of the smoothest rides available, the Clifton Edge offers a flexible toe-off and rockered design to quickly transition the runner through their stride.
Connor: "The Clifton Edge’s underfoot protection is phenomenal, especially for its weight class. The large stack height provides separation from the ground and makes it an ideal option for long-distance runs on the road. This shoe has a lot of foam packed into it to increase shock absorption, and its wider base further creates an inherently stable ride."
Liz: "Although the Edge is not as soft as the standard Clifton, it offers even more underfoot protection. It's a great marathon racing option for the beginning racer or someone starting to increase their mileage."
Underfoot Flexibility i
The new engineered mesh upper features a TPU-embossed yarn for targeted areas of support and stretch. This allows for a high-performance hold on the foot while the gusseted tongue and padded heel collar guarantee a premium fit.
Connor: The strategically cut flex grooves provide the Clifton Edge with just a little bit of extra flex, but the large stack height largely limits its flexibility."
Liz: "I found that the Clifton Edge has a bit of flexibility in the forefoot. This gives the shoe a very smooth ride while the torsional rigidity and wide base help maintain stability."
Upper Feel i
The one-piece engineered mesh upper features TPU yarns that allow for designated areas of support and stretch. This gives the Clifton Edge a performance-inspired fit that provides tons of comfort thanks to the padded heel collar and flared heel tab.
Connor: "This shoe offers a fairly supportive upper in a lightweight package. It was extremely comfortable and did a good job of holding my foot securely in place."
Liz: "I usually experience fit issues with HOKAs due to their overlays and narrow toe boxes, but the Clifton Edge does a great job of holding my feet securely while offering plenty of comfort. The breathable, one-piece mesh upper adapts to the wider parts of my feet while keeping my narrow heel from sliding around."
Individual Thoughts
The Clifton Edge certainly isn't afraid to make a bold statement with its design. This shoe’s strength lies in its unique cushioning and geometries, which create the ultimate blend of protection and smooth comfort. While the cushioning is not the softest or the most responsive on the market, it does have a slight bounce paired with a nice sink-in feel. The Clifton Edge seems to excel at daily training but is also light enough to consider for tempo day. I’ll personally use it more for recovery efforts and long runs, but people looking for high amounts of protection will have no issues bringing it out when looking to pick up the pace.
Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
I usually don’t like soft and highly cushioned shoes because they tend to feel a bit sluggish underfoot, but the Clifton Edge does a great job of providing the perfect amount of sinking-in softness without losing its lively ride. Although I wouldn’t choose these shoes for uptempo workouts, they are great for anything from everyday runs to marathon distances. As a midfoot striker, I don’t really utilize the larger heel cushioning, but heel strikers may enjoy the extra soft landing that it provides. Overall, the Clifton Edge offers a very stable, versatile, and comfortable running experience.