If you’ve tried HOKA ONE ONE, you know that they either work for you or they don’t. There’s really not any in between, but if they are right for you, they really knock it out of the park. HOKA shoes have been my favorite for running since the very first time I slipped on my first pair. They will forever be a go-to for me and I was really excited to try the Clifton 8.
The Clifton 8 has a new midsole compound which offers one of their lightest foams and leaves enough spring in your step to go those extra miles. The new version of the award-winning Clifton franchise manages to keep the ride that makes them superior to many other shoes and yet still improves on fit and weight. The midsole is more responsive and lighter and the upper has been updated with an engineered mesh. Somehow, HOKA has done it again.
The Clifton 8 is a neutral stability shoe, with a ton of support for the middle-of-the-road runner. The weight of the latest and greatest is 7.20 oz with a heel to toe drop of 5.0mm. There’s an extended crash pad for a softer landing, an early state Meta-Rocker, and an upgraded heel and tongue.
Okay, enough with the stats, and let’s get down to the good stuff – the look and the feel. If I’m being perfectly honest, my favorite thing about receiving shoes to review is opening the box and seeing what color was sent. HOKA did not disappoint, sending me the Summer Song / Ice Flow model of the Clifton 8. They are gorgeous in person and I’ve gotten several compliments on them already. As a runner and a coach, I tell everyone that what the shoes look like DOES NOT matter, but let’s be honest – we like a sharp looking shoe. HOKA always fits the bill there. Even if this isn’t your ideal colorway – there are upwards of 20 others to choose from.
I took the Clifton 8’s for a spin less than 24 hours after they arrived on my doorstep. I had just run 10 miles the day before, so I wasn’t looking for a long ride, but I wanted to move. They did feel good on my feet, and I met a friend at the track and walked a lap in them first. As soon as I took the next lap at a slow jog, I immediately felt the “cush” that I’ve come to expect from HOKA. Truly, it was an immediate reaction to the shoes. I felt springy, like I was running on a track made out of recycled tires (which I wasn’t, BTW – this track is just pavement). After 6 miles of running, my feet felt just as fresh at the end of the run as they did at the beginning. After this, I wore them to a client’s house and then to an exercise class. I was in them for almost 5 hours and never did they cause pain or discomfort.
HOKA ONE ONE
Women’s Clifton 8 ($140)
Specs (from website):
- Breathable mesh upper
- Early stage Meta-Rocker
- Extended pull tab
- Flat-waisted geometry
- High-abrasion rubber
- Gusseted tongue
- EVA foam
Thank you to HOKA for providing us with a sample pair. Please read our transparency page for info on how we do our reviews.
