Hoka Clifton 3 vs 4
4/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Dec 27, 2017
40 mpw training for a half marathon came from the HOKA Clifton 3
- Comfort
- 4/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 3/5
- Value
- 4/5
HOKA Clifton 4
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 9.6 oz · 5mm drop
Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The HOKA Clifton 5 replaced it
How it ranks
The HOKA Clifton 4 trails most daily trainers in our data. Cushioning and comfort are its strongest sub-ratings. Looks scores well below its other sub-ratings. The rating rests on 51 runner reviews and 10 other rated shoes in the Clifton product line.
Below average
Confidence
How settled the rating is against every other rated shoe. A shoe can rate high on confidence with relatively few reviews of its own when its product line has a long record and external ratings from retailer sites agree. Confidence will score low when we have few ratings or when runners disagree.
Confidence
98/100
What runners say
“Every time I run for more than 1:20, I get a blister on top of second toe”
“Amazing feel, super light, nice roll off toe, plenty of cushioning”
“After 6 weeks, plantar fasciitis almost gone, training mileage way up”
“The height of toe box was shallow, rubbed blister on top of two toes”
“Stretch the mileage out to 700–800 miles without feeling much besides quads a little more sore”
“Sustained major upper calf injury after five runs”
“Extremely cushioned, stable, and quick to run in”
“Achilles pain went away within two weeks”
“Added bulk and rocker design make stride feel awkward at pace”
“Cushioning helped prevent shin splints during long runs”
Prefer this shoe over another
40% 29/73
Where to buy
No offers available
Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.
Prices updated daily. Last checked Sep 14.
Pros
- Five reviewers call it light for the amount of cushioning it carries.
- Four reviewers say their legs feel fresher after long runs.
- Ten reviewers with foot, achilles or big-toe joint problems say it works for them.
Cons
- Seven reviewers find the toe box narrow, and five get blisters on the toes or the arch.
- Nine reviewers report the outsole or upper wearing out early, several of them by 200 to 300 miles.
- Five reviewers find it awkward or flat at faster paces.
Rating & Confidence vs. other shoes for sale
Each dot is one rated shoe for sale, placed by its rating and by how much evidence sits behind it. Shoes toward the top right are both well rated and well established.
50
60
70
80
90
100
25
50
75
100
Better Shoes Rating
Better Shoes Rating of prior versions of the HOKA Clifton
Each dot is one version of the Clifton, placed by its rating and release year. The gold dot is this shoe.
Release year
-
2026 · 3 reviews
86 Good
70 Confidence
-
2025 · 11 reviews
95 Excellent
87 Confidence
-
2023 · 130 reviews
99 Exceptional
100 Confidence
-
2021 · 57 reviews
95 Excellent
97 Confidence
-
2020 · 8 reviews
81 Good
83 Confidence
-
2019 · 68 reviews
87 Good
97 Confidence
-
2018 · 48 reviews
88 Good
97 Confidence
-
Clifton 4 This shoe
2017 · 51 reviews
64 Below average
98 Confidence
-
2016 · 37 reviews
98 Exceptional
98 Confidence
-
2015 · 5 reviews
97 Exceptional
90 Confidence
-
2014 · 16 reviews
99 Exceptional
97 Confidence
Specs & fit
Sizing and ride details at a glance.
- Weight
- 9.6 oz
- Release
- 2017 Q3
- MSRP
- $130
- Drop Height
- 5mm
Runner reviews
Alternatives
Other shoes worth considering.
More from HOKA
Compared to other shoes
See how this shoe compares to others like it.
HOKA Clifton 4 In Context
More on the HOKA Clifton
- HOKA Clifton 11
- HOKA Clifton 10
- HOKA Clifton 9
- HOKA Clifton 8
- HOKA Clifton 7
- HOKA Clifton 6
- HOKA Clifton 5 next version
- HOKA Clifton 3 previous version
Reviewers Also Ran In
- HOKA Clifton 3 12 runners
- Brooks Ghost 10 3 runners
- Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 34 2 runners