HOKA Clifton 2

Name: HOKA Clifton 2
Brand: HOKA

Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 7.9 oz · 29/24mm stack · 5mm drop

Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The HOKA Clifton 3 replaced it

How it ranks

The HOKA Clifton 2’s rating is an early estimate. We’ve collected 5 runner reviews so far, with product line history and external ratings also informing the score.

Good

Overall

Good 85

Cushioning

Exceptional 98

Comfort

Good 89

Value

Good 82

Durability

Decent 76

Appearance

Below average 65

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 is low when we have few ratings or when runners disagree.

See the product line's history

Confidence

89 High

High 89

Based on

The bars show roughly how much each source contributes to this shoe’s rating. Their influence depends on how many reviews we’ve collected, how many earlier versions are in the product line, and the external ratings available.

Product line track record
Our ratings
External ratings

What runners say

“Extremely cushioned with low heel-toe drop that reduces shin strain.”

5/5 Full review 30 mpw came from the ASICS GT-2000 6

“Outsole wears out quite fast for cross country runners.”

5/5 Full review 30 mpw came from the ASICS GT-2000 6

“Sometimes you just don't want to sink into the ground.”

4/5 Full review 30 mpw came from the Nike Air Pegasus+ 30

“Much lighter and seems to last a long time.”

5/5 Full review 30 mpw training for a half marathon came from the HOKA Mafate 3

“Sometimes wish the shoe was a bit more responsive.”

4/5 Full review 30 mpw came from the Nike Air Pegasus+ 30

“The bottoms are getting pretty worn.”

5/5 Full review 30 mpw training for a half marathon came from the HOKA Mafate 3

“For such a big shoe, they're not too heavy.”

5/5 Full review 30 mpw came from the ASICS GT-2000 6

Prefer this shoe over another

50% 5/10

Where to buy

No offers available

Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.

Prices updated daily. Last checked Oct 22.

Pros

Four of five reviewers rate cushioning 5 out of 5.
At 8.7 oz, two reviewers note it stays light for such a big shoe.
One reviewer uses it for tempo runs, intervals and long runs alike, and another for easy days.

Cons

Durability averages 4.0 out of 5, and two reviewers report the outsole wearing through quickly.
One reviewer wants more response and dislikes sinking into the ground.

Clifton 2 rates 85. This shoe has high confidence. See how we rate shoes.

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.

Rating

40 60 80 100

96 2014 85 2015 92 2016 65 2017 80 2018 79 2019 81 2020 90 2021 98 2023 93 2025 89 2026

Release year

We use the reviews of past versions to inform this shoe’s rating. See why.

Clifton 11

2026 · 4 reviews

89 Good

80 Confidence
Clifton 10

2025 · 11 reviews

93 Excellent

86 Confidence
Clifton 9

2023 · 130 reviews

98 Exceptional

100 Confidence
Clifton 8

2021 · 57 reviews

90 Very good

98 Confidence
Clifton 7

2020 · 8 reviews

81 Good

89 Confidence
Clifton 6

2019 · 68 reviews

79 Decent

99 Confidence
Clifton 5

2018 · 48 reviews

80 Good

99 Confidence
Clifton 4

2017 · 51 reviews

65 Below average

99 Confidence
Clifton 3

2016 · 37 reviews

92 Very good

99 Confidence
Clifton 2 This shoe

2015 · 5 reviews

85 Good

89 Confidence
Clifton 1

2014 · 16 reviews

96 Excellent

95 Confidence

Runner Ratings

5 ratings

5/5 4

4/5 1

3/5 0

2/5 0

1/5 0

See written reviews Write a review

Specs & fit

Sizing and ride details at a glance.

Weight: 7.9 oz
Men's / women's: Men's 8.7 oz · Women's 7.2 oz
Release: 2015
MSRP: $130
Stack: 29/24mm
Drop: 5mm

Runner reviews

Write a review

Goodbye Shin Splints

5/5

Overall

If you struggle with shin splints as I had for over four years, then Hokas are definitely for you. The Hoka Clifton 2 is extremely cushioned and the low heel to toe drop allows your legs to use more of your calf muscle and less of the muscles around your shin. Basically, it puts less strain on your shins. For such a big shoe, they're not too heavy. However, the durability is a bit of an issue for cross country runners as the outsole wears out quite fast.

Anonymous runner · Aug 10, 2019

30 mpw came from the ASICS GT-2000 6

Comfort: 5/5
Cushioning: 5/5
Durability: 4/5
Appearance: 4/5
Value: 5/5

Clifton 2 review

5/5

Overall

I bought this shoe on runnerswarehouse to replace my Hoka Mafate 3. Not as soft but still an excellent shoe for daily running. I use it for everything I do. Tempo runs, Intervals and long runs. Much lighter and seems to last a long time but the bottoms are getting pretty worn. I run about 30 mpw. Should of bought more while on clearnace.

Anonymous runner · Jul 12, 2018

30 mpw training for a half marathon came from the HOKA Mafate 3

Comfort: 5/5
Cushioning: 5/5
Durability: 4/5
Appearance: 5/5
Value: 5/5

GOAT discount shoe

5/5

Overall

I buy it off the Hoka website on sale, i've owned 4 or 5 pairs now, i can't keep track. I have had no injuries while wearing the Hoka CLifton 2's.

Anonymous runner · Feb 6, 2018

75 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 33

Comfort: 4/5
Cushioning: 5/5
Durability: 5/5
Appearance: 3/5
Value: 5/5

Nice cushioning, wish was more responsive

4/5

Overall

This was my first experience with a Hoka shoe and I bought it on discount from Running Warehouse. I like the look and feel of the shoe. Overall it's a decent shoe for most of my easy runs but sometimes I feel I wish the shoe was a bit more responsive. Maybe I'm asking for too much as it is supposed to have cushion but sometimes I just don't want to sink into the ground.

Anonymous runner · Jan 10, 2018

30 mpw came from the Nike Air Pegasus+ 30