Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 8.3 oz · Men's 29/24mm · women's 26/21mm stack · 5mm drop
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 is based 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 is low when we have few ratings or when runners disagree.
Confidence
98 Very high
External retailer ratings
We break apart ratings from mass-market retailers and specialty running shops since they serve different audiences.
The middle of the bar marks the typical shoe at each type of retailer. The dot shows where this shoe ranks in comparison.
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.
“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.”
“Not easy to find in extra-wide width (EEEE to EEEEEE).”
“Soft but not too soft, so able to pick up the pace pretty easily.”
“Lightweight, cushioned, snappy, and durable.”
“The energy return died.”
“Ran out of mileage a bit early.”
“Good enough as daily trainers for up to a year.”
“The durability of the outsoles is not as good as higher-end Asics shoes.”
“Don't feel very quick when picking up the pace.”
“First few runs I got some major blisters in my inside arch.”
“Bottoms wear out a little quicker than some other shoes.”
“Usually get around 400 miles in them.”
“Hoka made the forefoot a bit narrower.”
“Nothing special about the foam, the ride, or the upper.”
42% 20/48
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Prices updated daily. Last checked Oct 22.
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
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
Clifton 8 This shoe
2021 · 57 reviews
90 Very good
98 Confidence
2020 · 8 reviews
81 Good
89 Confidence
2019 · 68 reviews
79 Decent
99 Confidence
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
Sizing and ride details at a glance.
5/5
Overall
This is my second pair of Hoka shoes, and what I love most is that after I lace them up and hit the road, I forget they're even on my feet. I'm a hairdresser with 22+ years experience, and I appreciate the cushioning after a long day on my feet.
Anonymous runner · Dec 8, 2024
5 mpw training for 5K and 10K came from the HOKA Clifton 5
5/5
Overall
I’m not fast. The Hoka stack is too high, but it’s cushy and soft and not too slow. The 4-5mm drop is nice.
Anonymous runner · Jul 26, 2024
5/5
Overall
A very solid shoe for putting on some training mileage. Bottoms wear out a little quicker than some other shoes but the Clifton is another very good Hoka product.
Anonymous runner · Jun 21, 2024
20 mpw training for 5K and 10K
5/5
Overall
I wasn’t sure I wanted Hoka shoes but half a dozen pairs later they are my favorites!
Anonymous runner · Jun 20, 2024
40 mpw training for a marathon came from the ASICS GEL-Kayano 28
5/5
Overall
Not too soft or stiff, not too heavy or light
Anonymous runner · Jun 15, 2024
80 mpw training for 5K and 10K came from the Nike Air Pegasus+ 30
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