HOKA ONE ONE Clifton 8 Review

Published: July 17, 2021

Tried and True With a Little New

The Clifton 8 is a long-distance cruiser with a familiar feel

Likes

Impressive weight-to-cushion ratio
Improved fit
Breathable, comfy upper
Soft, protective midsole

Dislikes

Low energy return
Lacks versatility

What's New

In HOKA's own words, they "kept what you loved and updated what you didn't" in the new Clifton 8. These fan-favourite daily trainers feature a new EVA foam compound in the midsole, which is 15% lighter and more responsive than previous models. The outsole has also been updated with a new Hi-Abrasion Rubber configuration that increases the Clifton's flexibility and durability. Despite looking and feeling very similar to the previous model, the Clifton 8 is refined for more enjoyable long run or recovery run experiences.

The Bottom Line

The HOKA ONE ONE Clifton has seen many changes throughout the years, but the new Clifton 8 stays true to the original qualities that made these daily trainers one of the most popular shoes in the industry. Soft, light, and protective, the Clifton's midsole is perfect for easy training days and recovery runs. Although the midsole has been updated with a lighter EVA foam compound, the ride still feels familiar, offering incredibly smooth heel-to-toe transitions with the help of HOKA's Early Stage Meta-Rocker geometry. The Clifton 8 will not be launching anyone towards their race-day PB, but recovery runs are sure to be enjoyable when these shoes are in the rotation. Furthermore, it should come as no surprise that the Clifton 8's lightweight, breathable upper is comfortable and will have no issues keeping your feet secure. The fit is not the most spacious, but the Clifton is available in a variety of widths and can accommodate any runner.

Shop Men's Shop Women's

Shoe Performance

Shoe Softnessi

FirmSoft

Ride/Energy Returni

Less SpringyMore Springy

Underfoot Protectioni

LowHigh

Flexibilityi

RigidElastic

Upper Supporti

StructuredAdaptable

Specifications & Fit

How It Fits

Toe Box	Width: Medium \| Height: Medium
Midfoot Volume	Medium
Heel Width	Medium
Arch Height	Medium

Shoe Specs

Weight	Men's: 8.9 oz (size 9) \| Women's: 8.0 oz (size 8)
Stack Height	37 mm (Heel), 32 mm (Forefoot) – includes removable sock liner
Terrain	Road
Stability	Neutral
Sizing	True to size

HOKA ONE ONE Clifton 8 Review Left Lateral View

HOKA ONE ONE Clifton 8 Review Left Medial View

HOKA ONE ONE Clifton 8 Review Outsole View

HOKA ONE ONE Clifton 8 Review Heel Collar

Our In-Depth Look

Shoe Softnessi

The Clifton 8 continues to be the plush shoe that fans know and love. The soft midsole may lack a little bit of pop, but runners looking for a comfortable long-distance trainer will love the Clifton 8.

Becky: "The Clifton 8 has the right amount of softness for me and always feels forgiving on my legs and feet. It's the soft step-in feel and running experience I expect out of a Clifton, and it does not disappoint."

Kaleb: "The Full Compression EVA foam midsole is very soft underfoot and was comfortable every time I laced up regardless of what type of run was on the schedule for the day. Unfortunately, the Clifton flirts with being mushy, as the foam is much better at energy absorption than energy return."

Ride/Energy Returni

As our testers mentioned above, the Clifton 8's midsole does not have the most lively feel. These daily trainers are lightweight and will not weigh you down if you want to push a slightly faster pace, but the Clifton is not the shoe to go after your PB. With their smooth ride, these long-distance trainers are best for slower-paced runs.

Becky: "I wish the Clifton's midsole offered more bounce; it doesn't have the same springy feel as some other daily trainers. That said, because it is pretty lightweight, I could pick up the pace if needed."

Kaleb: "The Clifton's midsole has never been known for having a big energy return, and the Clifton 8 is no different. Even though it lacks bounce, the ride is smooth thanks to the Meta-Rocker midsole. This made for some really enjoyable long training runs and recovery jaunts."

Underfoot Protectioni

Protection is a top attribute of the Clifton 8. With 37mm in the heel, the full-compression EVA foam offers exceptionally soft landings and protection from the roads. Running long distances won't be an issue while the Clifton 8 is on foot.

Becky: "The Clifton 8 has enough cushion for any running distance. It's an easy choice for a long run day or recovery run when you want more protection from the road."

Kaleb: "I would not say that I could go forever in the Clifton 8—sadly, I am not that kind of runner (yet)—but these shoes are highly protective. My body always felt fresh and ready to go, even late in my runs, as a result of the excellent underfoot protection."

Flexibilityi

While the Clifton 8 is not the most flexible shoe, it does have a slight flex that helps the wearer roll smoothly through their stride. This flexibility is helped by the rockered midsole geometry to make the Clifton 8 ideal for coasting over long distances.

Becky: "The Clifton is not super flexible because of its high stack of midsole cushion, however, the rockered midsole makes the transition from heel to toe feel natural and unrestricted."

Kaleb: "This shoe is not very flexible due to the high stack. That said, it becomes noticeably more flexible towards the forefoot, which helps contribute to the smooth ride and minimal snap at toe-off."

Upper Supporti

The engineered mesh upper is another impressive highlight of the Clifton 8. Secure and breathable with enough space for toes to splay, the Clifton 8's upper has it all. HOKA continues to outfit its uppers with long laces, but this is a minute detail and will not affect the comfortable feel of the upper's design.

Becky: "The upper of version 7 had a better lockdown, which HOKA has seemingly opened up in version 8. Don't let that statement fool you, as I prefer the fit of the Clifton 8 because of how spacious it feels. I think it will be a more accommodating fit for a greater range of people."

Kaleb: "I have said this in other HOKA reviews, but it remains true that the uppers of most HOKA shoes work very well with the shape of my foot, and I found the upper of the Clifton 8 to be very comfortable. I was also impressed with the breathability of the engineered mesh design, which had no problems keeping my feet cool."

Men's HOKA Clifton Running Shoes

The HOKA ONE ONE Clifton has become known for its plush cushioning and lightweight design. As the brand's most popular running shoe, the Clifton is a great everyday option for anything from easy runs to marathon distances.

Women's HOKA Clifton Running Shoes

Individual Thoughts

BeckyOverall Score: 9/10

The materials used on the upper in this version of the Clifton are really nice. I think the heel collar feels premium. The fit is more spacious than the previous version, which makes it more comfortable. I'm ready to use the Clifton 8s all summer for many kilometres.

Shoe Softness

FirmSoft

Ride/Energy Return

Less SpringyMore Springy

Underfoot Protection

LowHigh

Flexibility

RigidElastic

Upper Support

StructuredAdaptable

KalebOverall Score: 8/10

I think one of the best qualities of the Clifton line is its consistency. It never fails to be a soft and protective daily trainer that is great for eating up mileage. For me, the fit of the Clifton is reliable and comfortable, and I can confidently run in them immediately out of the box. The only real issue I had with the Clifton 8 was with the midsole foam, which could have been more responsive, in my opinion. The rocker design makes for smooth transitions and an enjoyable overall ride, but in a world of soft and responsive super foams, the Clifton's EVA midsole is not very exciting. That said, if you are a Clifton or HOKA fan, then you will likely love the Clifton 8 for your easy long-distance runs or your recovery days. The Clifton also still makes for a great introductory shoe for beginner runners taking on longer runs.