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.
5/5
Overall
The extra cushioning that started with Hoka shoes like the Clifton allowed me to get back into running. Otherwise I would not be able to run due to the impact forces.
Anonymous runner · Jul 29, 2023
20 mpw training for 5K and 10K came from the HOKA Clifton 7
5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Jul 20, 2023
5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Jul 9, 2023
3/5
Overall
My first time in the Clifton 8 was a dream. It felt like running on clouds, but unfortunately the feeling didn’t last. After about 100km what aas once plush, began to feel like running on gummy bears - squishy and sluggish. The energy return died, and while I still use the shoes for easy runs, they aren’t good for anything besides taking it really slow - because it’s hard to go fast.
Taylor · Jul 5, 2023
20 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Odyssey React 2
4/5
Overall
Good for midfoot or forefoot striking. Nice lockdown. Good snug fit. Pleasantly lightweight and good overall ride. Aesthetics are probably as good as they can be for a shoe that is mostly about function.
Josh · Jul 4, 2023
25 mpw training for 5K and 10K came from the ASICS GT-2000 10
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