Shoes are expensive, and I have a very particular taste in running shoes. However, all the reviewers said that it didn’t feel the same as the original, so I skipped it again.īuying a new running shoe from a brand you haven’t used before is a scary thing. I was excited last year with news that the Clifton 1 would be re-released. The next four versions of the shoe were not as widely acclaimed as the first version.
The Clifton 1 was one of the highest-rated shoes ever amongst the running community. The rubber looks unsullied.Ĭlifton 6 is my first pair of Hokas, and boy, have I been missing out. The exposed EVA midsole shows slight wear after 50 miles. Traction is great on dry road and pavement, and on wet surfaces. Overall, I estimate I will get 800km of use out of the Clifton 6 before the midsole cushioning is shot or the outsole rubber has worn out. All the strike areas are covered with rubber and signs of wear are minimal unlike the little brother, the Rincon. The outsole has a generous amount of high abrasion rubber for such a light shoe. Ortholite insoles are anti-bacterial and odour-fighting, according to the company. I prefer strobel lining with holes because it increases the softness of the midsole. It adds a perfect layer of extra cushioning without being so thick that it mutes the feedback from the EVA midsole.
The Ortholite insole is removable and of medium thickness. The blue part of the midsole is where the wall shoots up and cups the foot. These walls ensure that it feels like you are running inside a shoe instead of on top of a shoe, a la Ultra Boost ST. The walls around the heel shoot up around the foot resulting in a cradling sensation, adding stability to the shoe’s already stable base. However, when I started running in the shoe, the poking sensation disappeared, and I forgot about it. I was worried about the bucket seat arch when I first tried on the shoe because it poked into my arch. I have flat feet, and I pronate, but this shoe provided adequate arch support. The midsole flares under the foot and there is plenty of ground contact, so the Clifton 6 feels extremely stable for a neutral shoe. The midsole curves upward, promoting a rocker effect. The midsole rocker promotes rearfoot strike instead of heel strike and the stiff forefoot helps roll me forward, making my stride feel efficient. These gaps in the yellow part of the midsole contract when pressure is applied, acting as a crash pad. During loading, these grooves or gaps compress, and the midsole acts as a crash pad. There are angular grooves cut into the sides of the midsole. The ride is incredibly smooth because the midsole is one solid block of EVA foam. The combination of bounce, lightweight, and high cushioning make it a very well-balanced shoe. I was surprised at how light and bouncy the foam is. I get a sense of deep, bottomless cushioning, which keeps my legs feeling energised and fresh during runs longer than 15 miles. I’m not exaggerating when I say that this is the most cushioned midsole in the world. The toe box is nice and spacious in the 2E wide version. This demonstrates how narrow the Clifton 6 is because I have really narrow feet. I use thick socks, and I haven’t had any issues. I ordered a US 9, which is usually a UK 8, but Hoka uses half-size conversions. I bought my pair in a wide version and a half size too big by mistake. The ungusseted tongue is thick and short. The built-up heel counter provides a comfortable, secure heel lockdown. The heel collar, which is lined with soft material, is generously filled with foam for a secure heel lockdown. There are fused overlays around the toe box and embroidered reinforcement for support and midfoot lockdown. It consists of breathable soft engineered air mesh in the forefoot and midfoot. Now, all I have to do is go back in time and buy the Clifton 1. Hopefully, over time, I will learn to embrace the chunkiness. My only complaint is that it’s a very chunky shoe and makes me feel like I’m wearing moon boots. The Clifton 6 ticks all the long-distance boxes, being light, cushioned, stable, and responsive. I now understand why the Clifton is such a popular line in the Hoka range, and I am a big fan.
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