Shoe Talk Thursdays - Hoka Clifton 6 (In-Depth Review)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ก.ย. 2024
- In this review, we're taking about the latest Hoka Clifton 6. Have you tried this on yet? What are YOUR thoughts?
Being in running specialty, our insight on the products are a little different because not only do we RUN in the shoes, we also SELL these shoes to our customers. We thoroughly fit people for shoes. So instead of having one person's feedback it's kind of like speaking for a community of people who were all interested in the same shoe. Good and bad feedback, we tell it all!
What shoe should we do next?
SHOP HERE! Thanks for checking out our reviews - if you like what you see, please don't hesitate to check out www.ultrarunningcompany.com as well. We're an actual brick & mortar store in Charlotte, NC, and appreciate your support! We're proud to carry the Topo Phantom and you can purchase them here: bit.ly/URCPhantom. Every little bit helps! :)
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Your shoe reviews are actually useful unlike so many of these goofy fools.
We're only goofy when the camera is off. :) Thank you so much. It means a lot to us. For real.
The Clifton 6 is the best Clifton so far and your review is by far the best on TH-cam.
I’ve had all iterations of the Clifton and for me the Clifton 6 is the best. Hoka hit it out of the ballpark with this version. Hopefully they don’t change the ride, as it’s soft again, plus it has an excellent upper.
We couldn't agree more.
#HokaOneOne better 👂 up!
Wow.... nailed all aspects (performance, construction, durability) and helps decision process. A lot of other shoe reviewers miss out on the durability part and that's a bummer because all shoes are gold when new and I dont want to buy a shoe every 2 months spending $100+. I liked the way you spoke about the features and who would likely be the market audience for this shoe. Waiting for Rincon review.
Thanks, Sam! The Rincon review is out today, and we're trying something new next week we hope you will enjoy. These two shoes are both really solid alternatives, and we know people are going to have a hard time choosing between them. Glad to hear our silly little opinions are helpful for you!
Literally the lightest and most comfortable shoe I've ever had!!!!!
Flatter feet and a mold pronator, I went and ran in every popular road shoe hoka makes from bondi, to this, the rincon, carbon x, Arahi, gaviata.. the Clifton’s were the most comfy with a super absorbing ride. Only other shoes I’d recommend are the glide ride by ASICS and the brooks glycerin
Thanks for the feedback - much appreciated. As a general rule, we try to avoid stability or "guidance" shoes. There is very little - if any - evidence they are helpful for the two traits you mentioned.
The Ultra Running Company do you have any Literature I can read on this
This shoe is heavenly and I'm in love with it
Fantastic!
I just found your site and thanks for a professional review of the Clifton 6. I stopped buying the Clifton when the 4th iteration came out due to that ball under the forefoot. I am a senior runner (14 marathons including 3 Bostons), Ironman 140.6 competitor) and have reverted back to Asics but I am now finding them unsuitable. I am looking forward to returning to the Clifton but I loved the 1,2 and 3 iterations.Thanks for your review.
Thanks for checking us out, Mike! We loved the 1 & 3 the most, and really enjoy the new 6. We hope you do as well - good luck on your upcoming efforts!
Thanks for the excellent review! Glad to hear the 6 feels closer to the 3 than more recent releases; that was the last Clifton I enjoyed. I can’t decide whether to try the 6 or the regular Torin 4 (non plush) for an easy and long run shoe.
plainbagel I have both and definitely prefer the Clifton. The Clifton is much more responsive but narrow across the mid foot. The Torin has a wide toe box but the cushioning feels boggy and slow.
Tough choice for someone who shuns cream cheese on their breakfast roll. :) They may both be the best examples to date of their respective models...depending on your foot shape either one may be a really solid option!
Solid feedback, Mike - Thanks for adding color! We feel like the Torin 4 has a LOT more "pop" than previous versions, but love that different folks have different experiences. Keep up the great running and enjoy your Cliftons!
Excellent review! I own this shoe and you put it perfectly
I have ran 190 miles on my C6 and love it. Much better than C4 and C5..i find the standard width perfect for my wide feet.
Right on! Thanks for the feedback!
While these are indeed the most comfy running shoes I've had, they're absolutley terrible for walking. The bouncy soles take all the energy out of my walking stride. It's not a con, they'll definitely last longer as I'll take them off the minute I finished my run.
Reviews are legit! Thanks for putting them up on youtube
I liked the original and 5. The original wears down quickly though (not a lasting material). The 5 have held up as a trainer on many long runs in the cold. If it’s supportive enough, I’ll probably like the 6th.
I went through two pairs of Rincons in 5 months. Love the Rincon but they just don’t last. I have the Clifton 6 on order in hopes it may last longer than the Rincon.
Your professional reviews are a great help and much appreciated. I like the Hokas a lot and had several models, but always had the same problem: I have custom orthotics due to high arches, and all Hokas “push” the orthotics’ supporting arch into my foot arches, making all runs very uncomfortable. Have you heard other similar complaints? What would you recommend.
Thanks for the kind words and for the question! A couple of comments that we hope don't come off too preachy or know-it-all-y:
1) As a general rule, we hesitate to use any aftermarket support in our shoes, regardless of arch height or functional concern. The best science we've seen says that muscles need to be able to move in order to get stronger, and orthotics are designed to restrict movement. It's one of the reasons we don't carry insoles in our store, even though we could make some serious $$ pushing them on folks who depend on us for advice when they are good enough to visit URC.
2) With that said, without exceptions there are no rules, and we're not ones to tell anyone else what to do. We totally understand there are outlier conditions that necessitate intervention. It sounds like you have custom inserts (vs. the $50-70 off-the-shelf margin enhancers), and you probably got them from someone with letters after their name. We don't argue with people who make a living based on their knowledge of the human body, and in fact work closely with many of those folks in here in Charlotte. In those cases, we've had great success in coming up with plans to wean people out of their support - it turns out that's the goal of most podiatrists, a huge relief for most of our customers, and it makes us feel awesome.
3) With all that said, here's an answer: A number of HOKAs in the past (we're looking at you, Clifton 4 & 5, Clayton 1 &2, and Mach 1 & (maybe) 2) have been pretty darned narrow in the arch area. We have received feedback in each of these shoes that people felt them pushing on their arch. This is likely due to the "bucket seat" construction coming up *around* the foot (its the same reason people complained about HOKAs being narrow in the early days of the brand, even though they were the same width as most other shoes out there) and providing pressure from the outside. In a shoe like this, that same design would push the arch area of an aftermarket orthotic up, and we agree that it would cause some pretty solid pressure. Not fun. We'd suggest either trying some of their shoes that didn't have this design (think Bondi, Hupana, maybe one of the Clifton Wides) or finding something without that bucket design...although that would almost certainly necessitate going down in cushion since the bucket is what provides the stability for larger stack heights. Bottom line: We've had good luck with the Bondi, and its also an excellent option to wean people off inserts should that be a goal for them...all that cushion seems to provide a nice "margin for error" while the muscles in the arch adjust to having some resistance for the first time... :)
Good luck - we really want you to find a shoe that will provide a fantastic running experience and hope we weren't too preachy!
Try a pair of Superfeet in your Hoka shoe. I have flat feet and have some pronation. I found Orthotics are more trouble than good for me. Mainly can't find shoes accomodating them properly. So I have gone to using Superfeet Green insoles in the Hoka Clifton. It has worked great for me. The Superfeet take up less room than orthotics, provide excellent support. Wearing the Clifton's with that comfortable shock absortjon and the Superfeet has been a blessing for me. Always remember to remove the insoles in shoes when adding other insoles. I highly recommend the Clifton. I have the 5 and 6. Alot of miles on these shoes. They have held up well.
@@MrGlendale111 Do you use Superfeet RUN Green, or the normal Superfeet Green? I may try some out
@@bradjacques9406 I use the normal green ones. I usually find them at Dicks Sporting Goods. I have tried the black, blue, orange as well. I found for flat feet that need adequate support, and don't take up room in the shoe. The Green ones were the best. Expensive though $50. They last a good year or so. If you buy some and they don't work for you, the store will let you return them. I think you will get some relief with the green ones.
Is the Clifton 6 a support shoe? Tried out at the shop but can feel the arch support quite prominently. Didn't like the feel. Like the Rincon, feel much more neutral but unfortunately no more my size and have to wait God knows how long. Not easy to get in my country. Thanks for the always informative and down-to-earth review.
It is not categorized as a support shoe. We generally do not review or recommend such products. As we note in the video, recent Cliftons have had a more pronounced arch, and that does exist in the 6 (although the softer cushioning mitigates much of it for us). Check out our web store, BTW - we have Rincon in most every size in stock. Just sayin'... :)
Excellent, clear and informative review. Thank you.
Great review, can’t wait to try the wide version, it’s a must for toe comfort.
We agree, Dimitris! While think the fit of the Clifton 6 is *significantly* better than the 4 or 5, we're stoked HOKA has expanded their offerings in the wide department. Too many people have had to compromise good fit for the shoe of their choice, and options like this are a great step forward. Enjoy!
How is your clifton 6?
I just got the Nike Zoom vomero 14 shoes (12EE) and the first shoes that I haven’t caused my feet any pain, but I’m curious if you think these shoes are the close to those in terms of fit and function? I’m curious about Hoka. I tried the Brooks (Adrenaline) but I prefer the Nike Vomero softness and cush. I don’t do a lot of running, I mostly use my running shoes for walking. I need a soft all day cushy shoe. Would you recommend this Hoka as close to the Vomero?
Thanks for the question, Donavan! We'd love to help, but in all honesty we haven't run in the Vomero 14 so can't be of much help there. Best to take your impressions of that shoe, bounce them off our comments in the video and see where you think that leaves them. At a 9mm drop its not as low as we'd like, but moving in the right direction (+4mm compared to the Clifton pretty much doubles up on the extra heel cushion). Good luck and let us know!
The Clifton 6 is the best Clifton. Fite me.
Thanks for the awesome video. I ordered the Rincon 9UK or 9.5US and sent it back because it was too narrow. How much wider is the Clifton 6 compared to the Rincon? I was thinking of going half a size up for the Rincon or simply switching to the Clifton 9UK. Some stores I have been too also suggest getting half a size up. So maybe a 9.5 Clifton? I’d love to get your thoughts.
Really great review!
Great insight. Which Hoka would be best for a Ultra Road race and training... ?Ultra is 90 km's
Hi, 40 Something! There is SO much to consider there, and we don't know how you run. The Clifton is clearly capable of this type of distance, and works well for both training and racing...but check out our other reviews and see if something else tickles your fancy!
The hair is coming along nicely...
Don't tell him that. You're just encouraging him.
Shoe's still great. Hair's still great. Video's are still great. But how about something out of the box? Like... a huarache?
It is a great shoe! The hair could use some work - it's a bit unkempt these days, and we're on his case about it. We're super fortunate that our producer is willing to take the time to make Nathan look reasonably competent through magical editing...it takes some work. :) We may have to have a guest reviewer on for the sandals - there are some fantastic options out there in that category, and while they aren't a product we sell in the store, a few folks at URC are using them every day. Thanks for the great suggestion!
@@TheUltraRunningCompany For sure! I'd highly recommend a less constructed sandal with a leather lace, as most of the fiddly options from the bigger brands don't run nearly as fluidly as 6-9mm sole with a traditional lacing system. Happy to offer more input if you guys need it!
Good afternoon Nathan,I am running a marathon in Barcelona in about 3 weeks I have been training in light shoes over medium to short distances and I have run in the past marathons in the Altra Paradigm 3.5...I switched to orthotics because of a pronation problem on left foot that was hurting my tibial tendons over long distances using zero drop like altra..I am still much undecided about what shoe using during race,my target is a 3.40/3.45 over marathon distance so a relative modest pace,I saw your reviews of the Triumph 17 and the Clifton 6 that are the two shoes I was looking for the race to stay out of troubles (I don’t want to risk running in lighter and faster shoes that I use such us Nike Turbo 2 or Adidas Boston 8)..what would be your choice between those two shoes,Triumph and Clifton?Thanks a lot for your excellent reviews,just found your channel and I must admit everything you say is really detailed and specific,keep on with the excellent job!Forgot to say that my long runs up until today have been done in Adidas Ultraboost,a decent shoe much too heavy to think of running a marathon with..
Question: Can you suggest who will benefit most out of carbon plate shoes ? I mean, I run at 1:50 - 2:00 for half marathon and 4:15-ish marathon. Will having carbon plated shoes be of any help ? Or is it meant for someone at Walmsley pace ??
Hi Sam - If I were you I would opt for the Ricon instead. The Carbon X really needs a pace of under 1:30 or Sub 3 (you might get away with it at 3:30 pace). Of course everyone is different - If you can try them from some place with a good return policy sure give them a shot but the Rincon or possibly the Mach 2 (for the Half) would be my advice. Both are lighter than the Carbon X by the way 😉
@@gosekinz : I have heard that Rincon has a durability of about 100 miles after which the outsole starts to breakdown and running comfort deteriorates. Waiting for Ultra Runner review :)
Hi Sam! The Carbon X is definitely designed to "go fast". While we've run at all speeds in it, the most fun is when we're pushing the tempo and our bodies. The faster you run, the more that plate seems to push back and give you a cool little spring in your step. With that said, we do enjoy it at slower speeds - for the first few miles the carbon plate is always apparent, and then we just get used to it and settle in. Bottom line: unless you're pushing the envelope, you likely won't notice a time difference with the Carbon X...but you may still have fun running in it. :)
Great feedback, gosekinz! Thanks so much!
Just occurred to me; can modern short-life shoes be recycled? Given that we are running longer and longer distances more frequently, that makes for a lot of plastics/composites lying around.
Great question Brian. We're actually not sure, but will look into it. We tend to "recycle" only by ensuring the shoes that members of our community run through are made available to the local homeless population here in Charlotte. Most running stores have a similar program where they are paid for "donating" shoes to a national collection group. We don't make any money on ours, but we do keep it local. :) ALSO: We don't have much to say about the folks at Brooks since we differ philosophically on a few points, but they did have an effort a few years back with an awesome shoe called the "Green Silence" - it was made using responsible materials and used a cushion material they called BioMoGo which was purported to break down faster once it hit landfills. It was a great shoe and the "green" aspect of it was a cool side note. We have no idea why they stopped making it (one of the best shoes we've ever worn from that company), but we're not sure if the BioMoGo process was used in other products or not... Cheers!
Hey, Nathan.
Will these shoes work okay with an orthotic? I have super flat feet, and have rotation of the leg without an orthotic.
If these will not work, which ones would you recommend. I'm 6'3, 230 lbs, and have wide feet at the midfoot.
Thank you!
Hey Nathan, what are your opinions on the Clifton 6 vs the Glycerin 17? I'm looking to purchase a max cushion to replace my ghost 11s. I run mainly on the road/ pavement, and on average do about 50-70 miles a week. I'm 5'11 160lbs with a little wider feet and high arches. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
As someon that is on the fence, should I go for the clifton 6 or 7?
I have a question about sizing. I can wear the Fli-Lyte from Topo is a women's size 12 and then need to up the size for Brooks Ghost to a men's size 11. Confused on why but maybe it has something to do with the toe box design. Would you suggest starting with a women's size 12 (and probably a wide width) or a men's size 11? Thanks so much!
For a slight overpronator do you recommend these or the Arahi 4, I got these but im thinking about taking them back for the Arahi's.
Hi Kenny. Bottom line is that pronation is not the bad word it has been made out to be, and there is no shoe that will "fix" it. Stability shoes (or, in recent parlance, "guidance shoes") like the Arahi are a marketing response to non-scientific claims over the last few decades. In fact, shoes that purport to solve pronation issues tend to increase torque on the knees, and that actually IS a bad thing. So, with all that said, why not stick with the Clifton, a solid, neutral shoe that doesn't cause your body to do things it doesn't do naturally, and enjoy your next run? Side benefit: It's more comfortable than the Arahi, and breathes better in the heat. Promise.
Does Hoka make long distance walking shoes as well? If so, which one do you recommend?
Hi, I've only clocked about 60km in my hoka one one 6's. The insoles seem to be lifting away from the side of the shoe slightly and are rubbing on the outside of my arches and giving me blisters. I see at the end of this video you remove the insole, are these insoles ones you added in on top of the stitched in ones that come in the shoe?
They are the manufacturer insoles, Joel. Sorry we can't add any insight on this!
Same issue here. otherwise fabulous shoes.
You guyz Rock !! 👟
This Compared to the Rincon,
Whats the Life Span over the Rincon...
Straight up, the Clifton will last longer. Here's our full comparison: th-cam.com/video/CVKjoiKOaXQ/w-d-xo.html Thanks!!
What’s a good shoe for wide flat feet, I’ve been trying all these shoes, but I feel injured. And I love running. Help?
What is with the Super short tongue? Why do my laces come up higher than my tongue of the shoe?
Devin Bathke yes I experienced the same problem!
Hi Devin! We see what you're looking at. If you lace the shoes normally AND use the final eyelet, the laces will cross over right at (or even above?) the top of the tongue. Definitely not ideal, but in the past folks have complained that HOKA had too much tongue, too thin tongue, and not enough tongue...we're guessing they keep trying to get it right and hope it works for the majority of folks who use the shoe. Sorry we missed this in our review - we'll try to keep an eye out for it in the future and include concerns in our comments.
One option if you choose to use that final eyelet (if your heel moves when only using the second to last eyelet, for example) would be to use a runners loop where you go from the third eyelet to the last eyelet, then loop back into the second on the same side. That will create a loop which you can use as your final eyelet as you cross back over. This should secure your heel even better, with the result of lowering your laces slightly. Hopefully that helps!
i need wider toe box but afraid to buy a wide version because my heel is narrow. does a wide also have wider heel?
Hi gudboy! Your concern is appropriate - truly "wide" shoes are wide throughout, not just in the toe box. We suggest you take a look at shoes from folks like Altra and Topo, which are generally designed with a wider, more rounded toe box and a normal width heel. Gud luck! :)
What do you reckon is softer underfoot, Clifton 6 or the ATR 5? What would be your choice on daily miles on 50/50 asphalt/buffed out trails?
I would not take the Clifton on anything but Road/concrete/ asphalt surface. Not meant for gravel or even buffed trails. I think it would just get eaten up on the under exposed surface. Just my opinion. I love them for roads though!
Hi Grant! This may be a trick question, since there are two shoes out from HOKA right now with the ATR 5 designation attached to them :) THIS version of the Clifton is definitely softer underfoot that then Challenger ATR 5 - in the past they have been pretty close. It is also softer than the Stinson ATR 5, but that shoe has so much more cushion that the denser foam may feel just as soft depending on your personal experience.
As for use on trails - HOKA would point you towards the ATR 5s (either one) for a mix of on/off road use. We've used them all for both purposes and don't disagree with that - especially if there is wet ground, ground cover like pine needles or leaves, or a decent amount of rocks/roots. If the trails are truly buffed out (and here we're comparing them to places like the Marin Headlands, anything after mile 30ish at Western States, or "trails" like the packed surface at Tunnel Hill) then we wouldn't hesitate to wear the Cliftons - specifically in dry weather. They will definitely wear faster than the ATRs on the trails, but that will be offset with a much lighter experience on the roads. Good luck!
Thanks Devin! We've had some luck running on well groomed trails, but you're right on regarding the lifespan of the Cliftons if there is any abrasive material involved! Great input.
Hi, great review! I would like to know if the midsole on the wide version is actually larger or is it just a roomier upper?
Lerrj Lee I’m pretty sure it’s a bit larger. Just returned the regular Cliftons and got the wider version and my inlay seems to have maybe two more millimeters on both sides. Super happy with them! Hope that helps.
Buying my first Hoka soon and I can't pick between the Bondi 6 and the Clifton. I am an average runner building up to my first marathon. What are your thoughts between these for marathon training?
I plan on a different "race" shoe for race day, but for the daily beat down of 20k+ which of these would you recommend?
Hi Ryan
Slightly delayed response. But here is my take
Clifton 6 is a very good overall shoe. In my opinion you can take it for marathon race day as well. It is well cushioned, comfortable, durable and doesn't tire your legs out. If your running form is correct (midfoot-ish strike), you will love this shoe a lot.
The Bondi 6 is more of a plush feeling, I mean, comfort is priority. You can still run in these shoes, but it will be a little tough to transition to other shoes which are on the springier, firmer side and designed for speed.
How does it compare to the Napali?
This is a far better shoe than the Napali. The Napali was a one-off product created by HOKA for a single customer, and it was really just a fully depreciated Clifton 3 mold with a slightly less expensive upper. The Clifton 3 was among our favorite Cliftons (prior to the 6, which we really like a lot), so at least the Napali had a good starting point.
With all that said (and putting our personal biases aside), we really liked the toe box on the Napali, and the cushion felt great. We think the Clifton 6 has cushion that feels as good or better. We think that cushion will likely last longer before it compresses down than the Napali. And we think the fabric on the top is much better, giving it ample room for most standard width feet.
Good luck on your search!
Thanks for this question and the response. I'm currently running in the Napali and I believe is an amazing shoe. I will try the Clifton 6
I'm loving this shoe I can feel it's potential after a few runs. My only grip is the insole runs against the arch of my foot. The arch is high this shoe and the insole almost has a 90degree lip on the arch. How can I fix this issue? This didn't happen with the rincon at all, it's like the Clifton is for a completely different type of foot. I may try my old insoles from NB or Brooks. There is no lip on their inserts whatsoever
Just finished my 10/11th run in my pair and only clocked about 70k
The insoles are absolutely blistering my outer arch.
Did you stuck with yours?
@@TheJoelMccluskey yes it went away after about 100kms and I put 650km in them and they are brilliant. Try cutting the edge of the sole or replace the sole if it's too much trouble.
@@kulch2008 cheers mate ☺️
Does the C6 have the high pronounce arch of the clifton 5? it just gives me blisters.
Yep, it was a shock to me as it's the first Clifton I have owned. 1 run so far and I have a blister 😡
I just hope it breaks down..
Hi Gerard. Keep watching...we're pretty sure we mention this, but totally get we're long-winded in our reviews. :0 FWIW, we do think the arch remained the same between the Clifton 5 and 6...but the cushion is so much softer we think the impact is greatly reduced. We were at a point with the Clifton 5 we generally *started* with the wide version to avoid arch issues, and recommended the standard version only to folks with exceptionally high arches or very narrow feet. With the Clifton 6 we are back to normal practice of starting with the standard width for most folks and moving up only for people with a very low arch or truly wide foot.
Thanks for the feedback, Mark!
I just tried the clifton 6 wide and yes it fixed the arch problem. Thanks for the reply.
wow i retire all my Hoka Bondis @ 200 miles,and even at 200 miles the cushioning is pretty shot at that point.
Wow, Larry! 200 miles is nuts!! We don't know your situation, but we feel pretty confident in saying you should be asking your local store about that. There is not a shoe in our store we would be comfortable selling if it only lasted 200 miles (...except for that first generation of the Altra Duo...but we talked about that in the review and Altra has definitely addressed big portions of that problem with subsequent iterations...). Honest Abe, we have gotten over 750 *real world* miles on multiple pairs of Bondis and Stinsons, and while the feel does migrate a bit over that period they are by no means shot. We've fit hundreds - if not thousands - of customers in multiple generations of the Bondi, and have never had a pair of "non-defect" shoes returned with that few miles on them. We've had a couple of folks come in over the years with similar concerns about other shoes, and in most cases a fit issue or an extreme environmental/application issue was a big contributor...maybe that is the case for you as well? Either way, your insight is appreciated and we wish you luck finding something that lasts a more reasonable amount of time!
@@TheUltraRunningCompany The outsole on my Clifton 1 (retro) was noticeably worn down to the midsole at 170 miles. The rubber on this outsole looks similar, if not identical to the 1 so I am not likely to buy this shoe.
Rincon next please
Aaaaassssss.....yoooouuuuuu.....wiiiiiiiiiishhhhhhhh....! *But please be patient and give us at least until 8/1/19... ;)
Good review but you can still get to the point faster. You wait 2 minutes to start the review and the entire review could be compressed into 2 minutes.
Sure, tootler, but then we'd be every other review on the intertube! Honestly, though. We know Nathan is longwinded. We've tried to get him to shut up and get to the point. But the honest truth is he just loves this stuff, and this is how he talks. FOR SURE we'd get more views at 4 minutes than 14 - no doubt. But it wouldn't be us... So thank you SO MUCH for checking us out. We hope you'll check back in , and we'll keep doing everything we can to get him to add some brevity. :)
BTW - you should see our team meetings. Dude will NOT. STOP. TALKING. 😂