The Hoka Clifton Pro is a model that takes the well-known concept of the comfortable Clifton and gives it a more dynamic character. The thick sole still provides plenty of cushioning, but the new foam and a more pronounced rocker make the Pro respond much better when you pick up the pace. However, this isn’t just another super trainer or race shoe. It’s a comfortable training shoe designed to help you run faster. It’s an interesting choice for runners who expect more from the Clifton than just comfort.
Basic Info
Tech Specs
Best For
The Hoka Clifton Pro is a well-cushioned training shoe designed for running on hard surfaces, but it has a slightly more athletic feel. The thick sole provides plenty of comfort, and the foam and rocker geometry help you take advantage of that comfort even during faster runs. It performs best on asphalt and other paved surfaces. It’s ideal for both daily workouts and longer runs, especially when you want to run at a brisk pace. It’s a neutral model that combines plenty of cushioning with more pronounced dynamism than a typical shoe for relaxed running.
Pros
- very good cushioning while maintaining a dynamic feel
- a pronounced rocker that facilitates a smooth foot roll
- a spacious toe box and good midfoot support
- versatility – from daily workouts to faster long runs
Cons
- relatively heavy for a shoe with a more dynamic profile
- limited performance on surfaces other than hard ones
Hoka Running Shoes – Lineup
In Hoka’s lineup, the Clifton Pro occupies a spot between classic training shoes and more dynamic models designed for faster running. It’s a great option for runners who want to combine plenty of cushioning with a more responsive ride. The Clifton Pro is therefore an interesting addition to the rotation for runners who enjoy the comfort of a high-profile sole but don’t want it to mean a sluggish run.
Want to check out the other models? Take a look at the Hoka running shoe roundup.
| NEUTRAL & BOUNCY | NEUTRAL SHOES | STABILITY SHOES | |
|---|---|---|---|
| maximum cushioning |  Skyward X  Bondi 9 |  Gaviota 6 | |
| very high cushioning |  Clifton Pro |  Clifton 11  Skyflow |  Arahi 9 |
| high cushioning |  Rincon 5 |
Role in the Running Shoe Rotation
The Clifton Pro fits well into a rotation as a shoe for daily workouts that can pick up the pace when you need it. It isn’t as specialized as a typical race shoe or super trainer, but thanks to its springy foam and pronounced rocker geometry, it handles faster sections, tempo runs, and long runs well.
In your rotation, it plays the same role as the well-known Clifton 11. So it can be an interesting complement to a very laid-back model like the Bondi 9. It can also serve as a slower, everyday option for the Mach X 3.
| BONDI 9 | CLIFTON PRO | MACH X3 |
|---|---|---|
| |  |
| easy, long runs; recovery | daily running | short training sessions, races |
Similar to Hoka Clifton Pro
The Clifton Pro is designed for runners who want to combine high cushioning with a more dynamic feel. It’s not a typical race shoe, nor is it a highly specialized training shoe for “pro” runners. It’s primarily a shoe for everyday running, and that’s how it should be treated. Recently, more and more training-oriented models with a clear focus on greater dynamism have been appearing on the market. The Clifton Pro is exactly that.
Looking for more well-cushioned training shoes? Check out this shoe guide.
| MODEL | STACK HEIGHT (mm) | DROP (mm) | WEIGHT MEN'S (grams) | WEIGHT WOMEN'S (grams) | REGULAR PRICE (€) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| adidas Supernova Rise 3 | 35/28 | 7 | 272 | 230 | 150 |
| Asics Gel-Cumulus 28 | 37/30 | 8 | 259 | 223 | 160 |
| Asics Novablast 6 | 41.5/33.5 | 8 | 253 | 215 | 150 |
| Brooks Ghost 18 | 36/26 | 10 | 289 | 260 | 150 |
| Brooks Ghost Max 4 | 40/34 | 6 | 292 | 261 | 160 |
| Diadora Equipe Nucleo 2 | 38/32 | 6 | 280 | 210 | 150 |
| Hoka Clifton 11 | 41/33 | 8 | 283 | 236 | 150 |
| Hoka Clifton Pro | 42/34 | 8 | 294 | 244 | 170 |
| Mizuno Wave Rider 30 | 42.5/34.5 | 8 | 265 | 230 | 160 |
| New Balance 880 v15 | 38/32 | 6 | 304 | 238 | 160 |
| Nike Pegasus 42 | n/a | 10 | 300 | 243 | 140 |
| Nike Vomero 18 | n/a | 10 | 325 | 263 | 150 |
| On Cloudsurfer 7 | 32/22 | 10 | 245 | 205 | 170 |
| Puma Magnify Nitro 2 | 40/30 | 10 | 275 | 245 | 150 |
| Saucony Ride 19 | 36/30 | 8 | 270 | 220 | 150 |
A Sole Designed for Faster Running
In the Clifton Pro, Hoka has significantly changed the nature of the midsole. Instead of the classic CMEVA, it uses PROGLIDE+, a supercritical foamed EVA. This is one of the key elements that distinguishes the Pro from the classic Clifton. However, this isn’t about a radical increase in cushioning – the cushioning levels of the Clifton 11 and the Clifton Pro are comparable. The goal was to achieve a more springy and dynamic push-off while maintaining a high-profile sole and a high level of comfort.
The Clifton Pro retains a high platform with an 8-millimeter drop, so it still delivers that Hoka-signature feeling of running on a thick layer of foam. However, the high sole doesn’t mean the shoe feels soft and sluggish. PROGLIDE+ is slightly more responsive, which you can feel when you pick up the pace. When running very slowly, this shoe behaves like a typical relaxed training shoe. As you slightly increase your pace, you feel the support. This is where the Pro demonstrates its advantage over typical relaxed running shoes.
Geometry also plays a major role. Hoka has incorporated a more pronounced MetaRocker profile, which smoothly guides the foot from landing to push-off. Combined with a stiffer sole construction, this provides a distinct sense of foot roll. However, it is not an aggressive rocker that forces a specific running style. At a relaxed pace, the Pro feels relatively natural, but when you pick up the pace, the geometry starts to make itself more noticeable.
The result is a construction that combines plenty of cushioning with a distinctly more dynamic character. The Clifton Pro doesn’t try to be just another soft “max-cushioned shoe.” Nor, despite its name, is it a shoe for “pros.” It’s more of an advanced version of the classic Clifton 11, allowing you to run smoothly and comfortably while also accelerating with ease.
An Outsole With Greater Grip
The Clifton Pro features a more complex outsole than the typical Clifton, though it’s still definitely a sole designed primarily for road surfaces. The outsole remains relatively flat and has no trail ambitions. Its primary purpose is to ensure secure contact with the ground during faster runs.
Hoka has used more rubber here, which covers most of the sole’s surface. This design increases the sole’s durability and provides greater grip on hard surfaces. The Pro therefore performs well not only on smooth roads but also on cobblestones or compacted gravel roads.
However, this isn’t a shoe whose outsole should encourage you to venture off-road. On wet roads or loose terrain, its capabilities are determined more by the nature of the overall construction than by the aggressiveness of the rubber elements. The Clifton Pro remains a shoe for hard surfaces, and its elaborate outsole is designed primarily to withstand many kilometers and provide adequate traction during more dynamic workouts.
An Upper That Offers Both Roominess and a Secure Fit
The Clifton Pro features a lightweight Engineered Mesh upper that effectively combines a snug fit with excellent breathability. In this regard, it’s definitely a shoe with above-average ventilation, especially in the forefoot. It should keep your feet cool enough even on warm days.
In terms of space, the Pro performs surprisingly well. The forefoot is relatively spacious, measuring 107 mm wide at its widest point, and offers more room for the toes than you’d expect from a shoe with a more dynamic profile. Unless you have exceptionally wide feet, you’ll likely have plenty of freedom to wiggle your toes. The relationship between the forefoot and midfoot is also interestingly designed. In the midfoot area, the Clifton Pro holds the foot more firmly, in a more “sporty” way. As a result, there’s no feeling of looseness during acceleration, and the foot has more control over the shoe. This is especially useful during those slightly faster workouts when the foot starts working more intensely.
The rear of the shoe and the heel counter are designed in a way typical of everyday running shoes. Beneath the soft foam, it’s sturdily reinforced and effectively locks the heel in place, yet it doesn’t feel overly stiff. Combined with a stable platform, this provides good support for the entire foot.
Overall, the Clifton Pro’s upper is therefore more comfortable than a typical racing shoe. The toes have plenty of room to move, the midfoot is well supported, and the heel remains stable. This is exactly the setup I expect from a shoe designed for daily running, including faster runs.
Weight Under Control
The Clifton Pro isn’t the lightest shoe in its category, but its weight shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. The high sole, plenty of foam, and a more elaborate outsole all add up. According to the producer’s data, the men’s version weighs about 294 grams, and the women’s version about 244 grams.
In my size (US 12), the Clifton Pro weighs 318 grams. That’s a bit more than the classic Clifton, but it doesn’t detract from its character while running. This is largely thanks to the sole’s geometry and pronounced rocker, which help guide the foot smoothly through the various phases of the stride. So the Clifton Pro isn’t trying to top the weight charts. You could even say that among training shoes with a distinctly faster profile, it’s one of the heavier ones.
Conclusion
The Hoka Clifton Pro is an interesting step in the evolution of the Clifton family. It isn’t simply a more cushioned version of the classic model. Hoka has clearly changed its character. This is a shoe for runners who enjoy the comfort of a high midsole but want the ability to play with their pace and easily transition from a jog to a faster run. So the Clifton Pro doesn’t replace the Clifton 11. It offers an interesting alternative – one that’s more dynamic, springy, and geared toward a faster pace. If the classic Clifton is a shoe that’s simply a pleasure to run in over long distances, the Pro is the one that lets you cover those same distances a little faster.
