Smooth Ride
5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Aug 11, 2019
20 mpw training for a half marathon came from the HOKA Clifton 4
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 5/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 5/5
HOKA Clifton 5
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 8.5 oz · 30/25mm stack · 5mm drop
Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The HOKA Clifton 6 replaced it
How it ranks
The HOKA Clifton 5 ranks among the stronger daily trainers in our data. Cushioning and comfort are its strongest sub-ratings. Looks scores well below its other sub-ratings. The rating is based on 48 runner reviews and 10 other rated shoes in the Clifton product line.
Good
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.
Confidence
99 Very high
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
“The wide version is a godsend—most comfortable and versatile mileage shoes; no more blisters.”
“A small bead of plastic runs around the shoe and I felt it constantly in the midfoot and big toe area.”
“Forgiving cushioning helped overcome IT band syndrome and retrain gait.”
“Toebox awfully narrow, causing blisters on both sides of the ball of the foot.”
“The fabric above the toe box folds and presses down like a guillotine on the top of the foot.”
“Pinky toe squeezed and blistered badly—requires toe socks on runs over 1 hour.”
“Injuries practically nonexistent in four years of 50+ mpw training.”
“Super wide—rubs arches and leaves blisters on narrow feet.”
“The upper is light and breathable, and the midsole has a much softer ride than the 4s.”
“Plush but responsive, with breathable and snug (but not too snug) upper.”
“Light for the amount of cushion it provides.”
“Phenomenal cushioning allows more miles with legs feeling better.”
“Very durable—300 miles with shape intact, no deterioration.”
“After 3-5 months they contain holes, tears, and peeling outer sole.”
“The slight curve in the sole makes the stride feel smoother.”
“Super light for the amount of cushioning.”
“More than 4 miles causes blistering.”
“After about 200 miles, shoes feel a bit dead.”
“If 5mm wider, would buy a dozen pairs.”
“Full size up helps but makes foot loose inside the shoe.”
“Super-cushioned lightweight running shoe.”
“The cushioning is extremely soft and takes some time to get used to.”
“First runs feel odd due to unusual HOKA midsole design.”
“Look slow and squishy.”
“Better than 4, not as good as 3.”
Prefer this shoe over another
44% 34/77
Where to buy
No offers available
Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.
Prices updated daily. Last checked Oct 22.
Pros
- Reviewers describe soft, forgiving cushioning that suits long, easy mileage.
- Many runners find it light for the amount of cushioning.
- It rates well above the Clifton 4 it replaced, which scores 64 on fifty-one reviews.
Cons
- Several reviewers report the thin outsole rubber wearing through quickly.
- Toe box fit divides reviewers, with blisters a common complaint.
- Appearance is its lowest-rated dimension, and reviewers call the look meh or clownish.
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.
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 · 4 reviews
89 Good
80 Confidence
-
2025 · 11 reviews
93 Excellent
86 Confidence
-
2023 · 130 reviews
98 Exceptional
100 Confidence
-
2021 · 57 reviews
90 Very good
98 Confidence
-
2020 · 8 reviews
81 Good
89 Confidence
-
2019 · 68 reviews
79 Decent
99 Confidence
-
Clifton 5 This shoe
2018 · 48 reviews
80 Good
99 Confidence
-
2017 · 51 reviews
65 Below average
99 Confidence
-
2016 · 37 reviews
92 Very good
99 Confidence
-
2015 · 5 reviews
85 Good
89 Confidence
-
2014 · 16 reviews
96 Excellent
95 Confidence
Specs & fit
Sizing and ride details at a glance.
- Weight
- 8.5 oz
- Men's / women's
- Men's 9.4 oz · Women's 7.6 oz
- Release
- 2018 Q2
- MSRP
- $130
- Stack
- 30/25mm
- Drop
- 5mm
Runner reviews
Starts out strong; fades too quickly
4/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Aug 10, 2019
20 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Brooks Levitate
- Comfort
- 4/5
- Cushioning
- 4/5
- Durability
- 3/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 4/5
Great shoe thats always pleasant to run on!
5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Aug 10, 2019
7 mpw training for a half marathon
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 4/5
Beautiful Sole, Topped by Vicious Upper
4/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Jul 27, 2019
35 mpw training for a marathon came from the Mizuno Wave Inspire 14
- Comfort
- 3/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 3/5
- Value
- 4/5
Top dog
5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Jul 25, 2019
40 mpw training for a half marathon came from the HOKA Bondi 5
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 5/5
Alternatives
Other shoes worth considering.
More from HOKA
Compared to other shoes
See how this shoe compares to others like it.
HOKA Clifton 5 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 next version
- HOKA Clifton 4 previous version
Reviewers Also Ran In
- HOKA Clifton 4 7 runners
- Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 35 3 runners
- HOKA Bondi 5 2 runners