Hoka One One Clifton Edge
98/100
Our Score
General Impression
Marketed as the ‘smoothest ride on the road’, the Clifton Edge are Hoka’s pride and joy when it comes to comfort.
A recent addition to the French brand’s road running range, these lightweight shoes have caused quite a stir since they burst onto the scene.
Frequently making best running shoe lists, this Hoka One One Clifton Edge review will assess whether these kicks are worthy of the hype.
We’ll dive into all the specs and features before neatly summing up everything we’ve learnt at the end. So, without further ado, let’s check out the Hoka Clifton Edge.
Hoka One One Clifton Edge Pros and Cons
Pros
- Comfortable road running over long distances
- True to size
- Unique and eye-catching design
- Stable running shoe
- Breathable
Cons
- Not suitable for wide feet
- Expensive
- The outsole is not as durable as other Hoka shoes
- Requires breaking-in
- Bulky looking
Hoka One One Clifton Edge Style
Based on style alone, the Hoka Clifton Edge might not be the first pair of running shoes that you gravitate towards. The extended heel section protrudes from the end of the shoe, giving it a bulky appearance. Even though this is more of a feature choice than a design element, it may still put some runners off at first glance.
Despite the blocky rear-end of these shoes, the overall appearance of them is pretty nice. There are a variety of colourways available and the reflective elements work well. These can be found on the tongue and the back of the heel.
The reflective materials fulfil their purpose, providing extra visibility and the resulting peace of mind for night runners. The layered outsole with multi-colour inserts and textured mesh make for a bold choice even when sporting a casual look.
Hoka One One Clifton Edge Price
As one of the leading running shoe brands, Hoka shoes are rarely cheap.
Although we all know that you don’t want to skimp on an essential piece of kit, you probably don’t have a bottomless budget to spend on shoes either.
Clocking in around $160USD for a pair, the Hoka One One Clifton Edge are an expensive pair of shoes.
Although there can be some flexibility with price depending on where you buy them, the Clifton Edge is still more expensive than many of its direct competitors.
Hoka One One Clifton Edge Fit
For most runners, the Hoka One One Clifton Edge will fit true to size. However, for those with wide feet, they may not be the best choice.
The upper allows for very little stretch and wider feet may feel a bit cramped inside the shoe. While there is always the option to go up half a size, Hoka does not offer a wide-fitting version of this shoe.
The padded heel counter helps to support your Achilles tendon and stabilise your foot in motion.
Hoka One One Clifton Edge Upper
The mesh upper on these shoes is made from a hydrophobic material with a surface polyurethane coating. The material used for the upper gives the shoes an element of water resistance, while the PU coating adds durability, helping them to stand the test of time.
The upper wraps comfortably around your foot, providing a snug fit. This means that those with wide feet may need to look elsewhere or consider sizing up half a size.
The tongue has been affixed using an elasticated band which also helps to keep the foot in place. There is also a padded ankle collar which provides additional support and stability around the heel. It also features a pull tab for easy entry into the shoes.
These shoes are surprisingly breathable even on hot and humid days and moisture doesn’t build up, keeping your feet dry and friction-free.
Compared to Hoka’s original Clifton model, the Clifton Edge has seen improvements in the durability of materials, breathability and stability.
Hoka One One Clifton Edge Midsole
The midsole is one of the primary components which has been upgraded in the Clifton Edge. It features Hoka’s new high resiliency foam, around 15% lighter than the foam used in the original Cliftons.
This improvement to the midsole means that wearers will benefit from enhanced cushioning which delivers a more bouncy step. This foam midsole has also contributed to keeping the overall weight of these running shoes down.
Clocking in at approx 200-250g (female model and male model respectively), these are a light pair of running shoes. This is fairly surprising when you consider how the extended heel makes them look bulky.
The lightweight nature of the Clifton Edge makes them highly manoeuvrable and nimble making it easier for runners to get that final burst of speed.
The Meta-Rocker complements your natural stride and uses responsive technology to help propel you forward. This makes these shoes ideal for longer distances, however, you may find the cushioning falls short when considering ultramarathons and the like.
The Clifton Edge utilises a wraparound midsole which offers enhanced stability. As a result, runners who suffer from weakness in the ankles may find that these are a good choice because of the extra support.
Hoka One One Clifton Edge Outsole
The outsole is where the Hoka One One Clifton Edge garners most of its criticism.
The outsole is made from rubberized EVA but wearers report that it isn’t all that durable. Wear and tear on the outsole can appear quite quickly after relatively little use, which raises questions as to the overall lifespan of this product.
This is very disappointing because, from a comfort point of view, the outsole and midsole work perfectly in tandem to deliver a springy and responsive ride. Despite the durability concerns, the outsole offers good grip and traction on roads and trails alike.
The stack height of the heel is 33mm whereas the forefoot is 28mm. The 5mm heel-toe drop has a positive effect on the comfort and fit of the shoes. The most eye-catching feature of these running shoes is the extended heel.
It works to create absorb shock from the ground to simulate a softer landing. For heel strikers, it will also work to create a sleeker transition from heel to toe, helping you to run further for longer.
Hoka One One Clifton Edge FAQs
What is the difference between Clifton and Clifton Edge?
The Clifton was the first of these shoes to be made and basically acted as the blueprint for the Clifton Edge. The most notable difference can be seen with the heel. The Edge uses a flared heel collar to add support around the Achilles and also make the shoe easier to get on.
The Clifton Edge also uses a new type of foam in its midsole, making the shoe lighter and more bouncy than its earlier counterpart.
What is Hoka Clifton Edge good for?
Designed for use on tarmac streets, the Hoka Clifton Edge is ideal for daily training, recovery runs and long races. The Meta-Rocker utilises responsive foot tech to help push runners to achieve their goals. These running shoes are good for heel strikers who want lots of underfoot cushioning.
Is the Hoka Clifton Edge good for marathons?
This lightweight running shoe is best known for its high degree of underfoot cushioning. This level of comfort, combined with a very durable upper make it ideal for running long distances such as half marathons and marathons. However, because of durability concerns with the outsole, the Clifton Edge would be less suited to ultramarathons.
Final Thoughts on Hoka One One Clifton Edge
The Hoka One One Clifton Edge was created for comfort across some of the most fatiguing and monotonous terrains. It succeeds in providing plenty of underfoot cushioning which takes much of the impact out of running on hard roads over long distances.
Perfect for heel strikers, the extended heel cushioning allows for smooth transitions from heel to toe, creating a responsive and sleek running experience. The shoes offer an incredibly comfortable fit too with a breathable upper that grips feet snugly without feeling too constrained.
The main downsides of the Hoka One One Clifton Edge come with the hefty price tag and the durability of the outsole, which begins to show wear and tear after little use. Despite this, the running tech makes it easy and comfortable to traverse long distances. Put simply, the Clifton Edge are a dream to run in.