Shoe Review: HOKA ONE ONE Clifton 8

By the Fleet Feet Review Team. With over 80 years of combined experience, our review team is dedicated to providing in-depth gear and shoe reviews to help you find the best shoes and gear for your next run.

The HOKA ONE ONE Clifton 8 is a lightweight update to a signature HOKA shoe.

A long-time favorite of Fleet Feet reviewers, the HOKA Clifton offers an ideal blend of plush cushioning and feather light responsiveness that makes it great for long runs, uptempo workouts and almost everything in between.

The update uses a new midsole formulation for an even smoother ride than before (we didn’t think it was possible either, but it is), while still featuring some of HOKA’s most popular technologies.

Fleet Feet testers laced up and put some miles on the HOKA Clifton 8. It’s safe to say we loved it.

“I think each new version is perfect, and that there is no way to make it better. Then HOKA goes and does it,” says one reviewer. “Every year it has me wondering where exactly the Clifton ceiling is?”

We hope HOKA never finds the ceiling on the Clifton, because we can’t get enough. Check out our full buyers guide for more HOKA shoes reviews. Here’s everything you need to know about the Clifton 8.

While not much has changed about the classic Clifton design, the Clifton 8 features an updated EVA foam midsole that provides super-soft cushioning and a gently responsive kick.

The compression-molded midsole foam is designed to absorb shock while gently supporting your foot throughout your gait to create the softest ride ever.

HOKA designers extended the heel crash pad to dissipate impact forces away from your joints. While the heel counter is not nearly as exaggerated as models like the Mach 4, there is enough foam to work with the early stage meta-rocker shape of the shoe to promote smooth transitions.

Our reviewers loved the accommodating toe box, which feels wider in this model of the Clifton.

“My feet are slightly wider than average, but the Clifton 8 is roomy enough to be comfortable for me,” says one reviewer. “I feel like it has slightly more room in the forefoot than the previous version—that one felt a little too tapered toward the toe.”

While the Clifton will be available in wide sizing, it could be helpful to try them on first to see how well the normal width fits your foot. Having enough toe room is key for a comfortable fit, but too much space can lead to uncomfortable rubbing on the run.

One hiccup reviewers ran into was the extra long laces. This is a consistent feature of HOKA shoes, and while it does provide the extra leeway some runners need to really cinch down the fit of their shoes, it can also be distracting.

The Clifton does feature an extra set of eyelets that work with the padded tongue to create a very personalized fit. One reviewer found herself using the eyelets to keep the laces from getting in her way.

If the Clifton 8 update proves anything, it’s that little tweaks can go a long way.

Whether you’ve been running in the Cliftons since HOKA’s early days or are just hearing about them now, the Clifton 8 keeps all the best features of the 7.

“I think HOKA and Clifton fans will be really happy with this update. They aren’t rocking the boat in a big way with this shoe, but the tweaks they made really improve the comfort and dial in the fit,” says a reviewer who has been running in the HOKA Clifton for years.

It’s hard to find a shoe that works well for so many people. It’s probably even harder to design one. However, HOKA continues to meet and surpass our expectations with each iteration of the Clifton.

The Clifton 8 is a neutral runner that accommodates a wide range of foot shapes and arch heights, even in normal sizing. The padded tongue and long laces lead to a cinched, dialed in fit whether you’re running or walking in them.

Though the Clifton 8 isn’t a huge jump from the 7, the updated midsole foam creates a much more responsive feel underfoot and keeps runners engaged even over long distances. Designers were able to shave a few ounces off the Clifton 8 by creating a super-lightweight foam blend that absorbs impact like a champ.

As one reviewer put it, “I think the Clifton loyalists will love the 8. It keeps everything that's great about previous iterations and addresses the previous shortcomings with improved fit and materials.”

We can’t help but agree. The HOKA Clifton 8 pushes the ceiling of our expectations and keeps us coming back for more.