Hoka Clifton 8 Review Analysis (2026)
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The Hoka Clifton 8 is a versatile lightweight running with a soft and comfortable cushioning.
The Consensus
Discover the latest update in the series: Hoka Clifton 9!
Technologies
Outsole
- Zonal rubber offers a safe grip on city terrains and enhances the durability of the sole.
- The flex grooves help runners to transition more quickly by allowing the shoe to better follow the movement of the foot.
Midsole
- CMEVA equips the midsole. It stands for compression-molded EVA, a single-density padding layer that gives comfortable cushioning.
- The Meta Rocker Geometry offers a natural rocking movement for enhanced propulsion.
- OrthoLite increases step-in comfort and helps with regulating moisture.
Upper
- The upper of the Hoka Clifton 8 is an 100% vegan engineered mesh that comfortably and securely locks in the foot in the shoe while letting it breathe, especially in the summer.
- The heel counter enhances foothold and softly craddles the Achilles for less irritation.
Facts
Technical Specs
| Terrain | Road |
| Pronation type | Neutral |
| Drop | 5 mm |
| Heel height | 29 mm |
| Forefoot height | 24 mm |
| Weight (men) | 250 g/8.8 oz |
| Weight (women) | 215 g/7.6 oz |
| Features | |
| Athletes | |
| Release year | 2021 |
| Price | Check prices |
Cushioning
| Softness | Soft |
| Responsiveness | Medium |
Technologies
| Outsole | Zonal Rubber, Flex Grooves |
| Midsole | CMEVA, Meta Rocker Geometry, OrthoLite |
| Upper | 100% Vegan Engineered Mesh |
Use
| Speed | Slow, Moderate |
| Distance | Mid, 10K, Half marathon, Long, Marathon |
| Workout | Daily running |
Did you know?
Since 2017, we have analyzed hundreds of road running shoes and every month thousands of runners trust us to find the perfect pair!
Discover our 2021 selection of the best road running shoes.
Comparisons – Hoka Clifton 8 vs.:
Hoka Clifton 7
The Clifton 8 brings some improvements over the previous model but nothing major. For example, there is a new CMEVA foam, a roomier upper with thinner mesh, and overall softer cushioning. The bounce is very similar. In other words, if you liked the C7, you should enjoy the C8!
Hoka Mach 4
View the side-by-side comparison.
Hoka Bondi 7
View the side-by-side comparison.
Hoka Elevon 2
The Hoka Clifton 8 is lighter than the Hoka Elevon 2 (36 g/1.3 oz less) with a slightly lower stack (29 mm heel stack height vs. 32 mm for the Elevon). Both shoes offer soft cushioning, but the Clifton’s has the advantage of being more springy, which is better suited if you intend to do speed workouts. Secondly, the C8’s upper is ample, which is better suited for runners with wide feet but can be tricky for thin-footed runners. In contrast, the E2 is relatively narrow. So we recommend the Hoka Clifton 8 if you’re not sure which shoe to choose.
Brooks Ghost 14
The Ghost is similar (stack, feel, and ride) but has one important difference. Check out our analysis.
Hoka Rincon 3
See the side-by-side comparison with our analysis.
Hoka Arahi 6
The Arahi is a stability shoe, which translates into more support but also more cushioning. Check out the comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
This model fits true to size. However, note that the upper is a bit loose, which can be more complicated to adjust if you have thin feet. So, ideally, try it on.
Yes, this is a neutral running shoe. Thus, it’s for all runners independently from your type of pronation. However, some testers note that the shoe is not as stable as they would like it to be, which can be a problem for people who need stability. If so, the Hoka Mach 4 is a good alternative.
This model should be suitable for all body types with their thick (29 mm heel stack height) and comfortable sole. Note that the cushioning is soft, while many heavy runners prefer to have more structure, which generally means firmer cushioning. It’s best to try it if you’re not sure.
This Hoka road shoe is excellent for different types of distances and training. So you can use it for your daily workouts, whether they focus on distance or speed. As for the marathon, it depends mainly on your experience. If you can comfortably accumulate long runs with these shoes, then there should be no problem. All in all, it’s undoubtedly a model geared towards long distances like the marathon.
Hello-
I currently wear a Hoka Clifton 8 2E, but it is not wide enough. Any recommendations for alternatives?