Hoka Clifton Pro review: the Clifton gets the upgrades we've been waiting for
Supercritical ProGlide+ foam and a smoother rocker turn the Clifton into a daily trainer with real energy!
Hoka has given its most famous daily trainer the Pro treatment, and for once the badge actually means something. The Clifton Pro takes the familiar high-stack Clifton platform and swaps in a new supercritical ProGlide+ midsole and a more aggressive MetaRocker transforming the traditional daily trainer, into a more elevated form.
The result is an elevated high performance daily trainer: same protective Clifton DNA, noticeably more energy and a smoother transition underfoot.
The Clifton Pro now competes with the likes of the Evo SL, Endorphin Azura, Megablast et al (other relatively affordable plateless cushioned daily trainers with real pace range), which could also be classified as plateless super trainers...
I've been testing the Clifton Pro on my usual hot, humid Florida road runs, and it lines up directly against my miles in the Hoka Clifton 11, which shares the same 42/34mm platform but provides a totally different ride experience.
Hoka Clifton 11 Review: Smoother, Lighter Daily Trainer
The Hoka Clifton 11 refines the Clifton 10 with a lighter build, softer sockliner, and a smoother ride. My take after testing them for easy miles.
Alastair Dixon
Here's how the Pro feels on the run, and who it's going to be best for.
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Key specifications
- Price: $165 at Hoka.com (placeholder shortlink, swap in your affiliate URL)
- Weight: 9.4 oz (266g), US men's 9 (my measured pair)
- Drop: 8mm
- Stack height: 42mm heel / 34mm forefoot
- Upper: Engineered mesh with gusseted tongue, plush collar padding, and flat stretch laces
- Midsole: ProGlide+ supercritical EVA with an aggressive MetaRocker geometry
- Outsole: Durabrasion rubber in a podular pattern with significantly more coverage than the Clifton 11
- Extra attributes: J-Frame technology and a wide base platform for inherent, non-corrective stability
- Best for: Daily training, long runs, and uptempo pickups in one versatile package
Sizing and fit
The Clifton Pro runs true to size with nice space in the toe box: accommodating without being sloppy. I took my usual Hoka US size 9 and got a spot-on fit which is often the case with Hoka running shoes.
The engineered mesh upper delivers a plush step-in feel, and the gusseted tongue and flat stretch laces keep everything centered without pressure points.
Lockdown through the midfoot is secure, and the padded collar is comfortable around the Achilles.
If you liked the fit of the recent Cliftons, nothing here will throw you off. The last carries over the familiar Clifton shape with generous room for natural toe splay on longer runs.
Performance review
ProGlide+ is the upgrade the Clifton has been waiting for
This midsole is the star of the show here.
Hoka replaced the standard Clifton's CMEVA foam with the new ProGlide+ geometry, featuring a more responsive supercritical EVA foam that comes with better longevity, and the difference is obvious from the first run.
I love how this midsole feels. It's a lot more responsive and energetic underfoot, with a genuine sense of rebound that the regular Clifton has never really had (it hasn't needed it for daily trainer requirements).
The foam threads a clever needle; it's soft enough to stay protective over a full run, resilient enough to give something back when you load it. It never feels dead or mushy, and turnover comes noticeably easier at moderate paces.
Two honest caveats; out of the box it feels a touch firmer than the plusher Clifton 11, so give it a short break-in. And on the longest, hottest efforts the initial bounce can settle into a more traditional cushioned feel, though it stays comfortable throughout.
The aggressive rocker makes the whole ride smoother
Clifton Pro (left), Clifton 11 (right)
The second half of the equation is geometry. The Clifton Pro runs a more aggressive MetaRocker than the standard Clifton, and the whole ride is smoother for it.
Transitions from heel to toe feel fluid and propulsive rather than clunky, which is not a given at 42mm of stack. The rocker does a lot of quiet work here: it mitigates the 8mm drop nicely (feels more like a 5mm/6mm drop), and takes the sting out of heel striking on tired legs.
The combination of new foam and increased rocker is what makes this shoe feel like a step up in fun factor, not just a spec bump.
A real pace range, not just easy miles
Here's where the Pro earns its elevated high performance daily trainer billing, in the same way that the amazing Endorphin Azura does...
Saucony Endorphin Azura review: meet the new super trainer to beat
Move over Megablast, there’s a new king, in town. The Azura is a high-stack, non-plated PWRRUN PB trainer built for consistent mileage, and fast sessions, for those who want one shoe to do nearly everything.
Alastair Dixon
I've just given myself an idea! I need to make an elevated daily trainer running shoes roundup, for daily trainers with extended pace ranges but aren't specifically super trainers OR tempo running shoes... what do you think?!!
This shoe handles easy miles and recovery days comfortably, but it doesn't check out when you pick things up.
Perceived effort at moderate paces is low, and the shoe responds willingly to tempo segments and fartlek work at the end of easy runs. It wants to go a little faster than the standard Clifton ever did.
To be clear about what it is not: there's no plate here and no PEBA-level snap, so don't expect race-day performance from the Pro badge. If that's what you're after, my best super trainers roundup is the better shopping list, and within Hoka's own lineup the Hoka Mach 7 remains the pick for dedicated speedwork, even though that line got a downgrade in this years version, to a more daily trainer feel...
The Best Super Trainers, Right Now
The max-cushioned, high-stack, yet responsive daily trainers, that actually make you want to run longer AND faster.
Alastair Dixon
What the Clifton Pro nails is the wide middle of the week runs: the daily miles where you want protection and a bit of life underfoot at the same time, an elevated daily training experience, if you will.
Breathability that survives Florida summers
The engineered mesh upper is excellent in the heat. On hot, humid Florida runs my feet stay comfortable throughout, with airflow that genuinely works rather than just looking porous.
Stability deserves a mention too; the wide base and J-Frame geometry keep the tall stack planted and predictable, without crossing into corrective territory. Many neutral runners will find this supportive enough on tired legs.
The outsole is the quiet upgrade (and it squeaks to me)
Outsole durability has been my longest-running gripe with the Clifton line, and the Pro finally addresses it.
Coverage is much better than the Clifton 11, with a podular Durabrasion rubber pattern spread across the forefoot, midfoot, and heel. Traction is confident on varied road surfaces, including lightly wet pavement, and long-term durability expectations are far higher than the exposed-foam standard Clifton.
The extra rubber adds a little weight and a slightly firmer underfoot feel, but it's a trade I'd make every time on a shoe built for high mileage.
One fun detail: the rubber compound gives off serious squeaky squash court vibes when you scuff your feet. Oddly satisfying, lol.
Where it sits in your rotation
My pair weighs 9.4 oz (266g) in a US men's 9, which is slightly heavier than my Clifton 11 pair at 9.1 oz. On the run it doesn't feel it; the rocker and livelier foam mask the extra weight well. I'll dig into that trade-off properly in an upcoming Clifton Pro vs Clifton 11 comparison.
The short version for rotation planning: the standard Clifton 11 stays the pure plush easy-day option, while the Pro is the more versatile pick if you want one Clifton that covers daily miles, long runs, and some pace.
For where it fits alongside the Bondi, Mach, and Gaviota, my best Hoka running shoes guide has the full picture.
If you're comparing beyond Hoka, I'm going to put together a roundup of what I'm terming 'elevated daily trainers', as the category is evolving fast, subscribe to the newsletter to get that roundup as soon as it drops.
My verdict
The Clifton Pro is the most fun the Clifton platform has ever been.
The ProGlide+ foam brings real energy, the aggressive rocker makes the ride smoother than the Clifton 11, breathability is excellent for hot climates, and the beefed-up outsole finally answers the durability question. At $165, only $10 over the standard Clifton, the value story is easy.
Buy it if you want one excellent daily trainer that isn't boring: protective enough for recovery days, lively enough for pace pickups.
Skip it if you want maximum plushness for pure easy miles (that's still the Clifton 11's job) or a true plated speed shoe.
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