Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 8.9 oz · 5mm drop · 37/32mm stack
Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The HOKA Clifton 9 replaced it
How it ranks
The HOKA Clifton 8 is one of the strongest 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 57 runner reviews and 10 other rated shoes in the Clifton product line.
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
97/100
“After about 100km, what was once plush began to feel like running on gummy bears—squishy and sluggish.”
“All-around trainer that lets you do everything from tempos to 15+ mile long runs without beating up knees, back, or legs.”
“After I lace them up and hit the road, I forget they're even on my feet.”
“Worn for 4 years and really have held up nicely.”
“Feels so much springier and responsive without being a super shoe.”
“No drastic drop off when they hit high miles.”
“I was able to run without knee pain.”
“300 miles in with no real tread wear or deterioration to note.”
“The extra cushioning allowed me to get back into running.”
“The energy return died.”
42% 20/48
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Prices updated daily. Last checked Sep 14.
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.
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Better Shoes Rating
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
Clifton 8 This shoe
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
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
Sizing and ride details at a glance.
4/5
Overall
Amazing comfort from day one, and even now with 500 plus miles on them (just used for walking around in now) they still offer more comfort than most other running shoes I’ve had. there is no drastic drop off when they hit high miles. totally hate the color schemes available but man are they comfortable and durable
Ty · Nov 17, 2023
50 mpw training for 5K and 10K came from the Brooks Ghost 12
3/5
Overall
I've been training and racing in super shoes since Chicago in 2017 so have become accustomed to high stack height and nice cushion. I came back to Hoka (road shoes) after a break with the Rincon being my most recent comparison. This shoe is just "meh" for me with nothing special about the foam, the ride, or the upper. It's fine but there are lots of other, more opinionated and more fun, shoes out there today.
Anonymous runner · Oct 1, 2023
20 mpw training for a marathon came from the HOKA Rincon 2
4/5
Overall
I have worn these shoes for a few iterations, mostly for fast long-distance walking, and for some running. They have a great feel for this type of activity. Two things keep me from awarding higher numbers: 1) The durability of the outsoles is not as good as the higher-end Asics shoes I also wear; and 2) it is not easy to find them in the extra-wide width (EEEE to EEEEEE) I need to prevent chafing.
Anonymous runner · Aug 4, 2023
28 mpw training for a half marathon came from the ASICS GEL-Nimbus 25
4/5
Overall
Great daily training shoe for getting in the miles. Soft but not too soft so able to pick up the pace pretty easily as well as comfortable to run slow in. Usually get around 400miles in them, about average compared to other shoes I’ve used. Use them for long runs, easy and steady runs.
ElG343 · Aug 2, 2023
30 mpw training for 5K and 10K came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39
4/5
Overall
Clifton’s have been my favorite Hoka shoe for a long time. Each year they continue to produce a quality shoe. The Clifton 8 is comfortable, durable, and reliable for long runs, aerobic work, or even track work. Although I use them mostly for easy days, they have been a great shoe for faster work in the past too.
Mike Friedman · Jul 30, 2023
55 mpw training for a marathon came from the ASICS Novablast 2
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