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Hoka® Clifton 11
The shoe that forever changed the approach to cushioning - Hoka Clifton 11
There are few shoes that are dubbed "the shoe that changed running" – Hoka Clifton is one of them. The concept was developed by two former Salomon employees who aimed to solve a single problem: faster downhill running. The result was footwear with an unprecedentedly thick sole and maximum cushioning, which rewrote the rules of the entire category within a few years. Today's eleventh generation remains true to the original philosophy, even though much has changed over more than a decade of development.
History: from the French mountains to industry bestseller
The Hoka brand was founded in 2009 by Nicolas Mermoud and Jean-Luc Diard, two experienced trail runners and former Salomon employees who wanted to design a shoe that would allow for faster downhill running. They came up with a model whose oversized sole offered significantly more cushioning than was common on the market at the time. The name Hoka comes from the Maori language and means "to fly over the earth" – a nod to the ambition to help runners tackle challenging terrain with ease.
A significant milestone was 2014, when the brand introduced the Clifton model. It quickly became a bestseller and earned the nickname "the shoe that changed running" due to a combination that previously seemed impossible – substantial cushioning in a surprisingly lightweight package. With this move, Clifton solidified Hoka's position as a leader in the maximalist running shoe segment and sparked a trend that most competitors now follow.
Technology: compression-molded EVA foam and new upper
The eleventh generation, unlike the significantly redesigned tenth, primarily targets the upper and fit, while the cushioning core remains tried and true:
- Compression-molded EVA foam (CMEVA): Full-length midsole with a 42 mm stack in the heel and an 8 mm drop – soft yet balanced foam that prioritizes durability and stability over the latest, but less durable PEBA foam found in competing models.
- New engineered mesh upper: Replaced the older jacquard construction and brought a more breathable, comfortable fit.
- 3D printed insole with open cells: Softer and better moisture-wicking than a classic insole – a change you'll notice right from the first wear and that will show during all-day use.
Durability
Thanks to the durable CMEVA foam, the Clifton ranks among the more durable daily trainers on the market – typically lasting 480–650 km, even more for lighter runners. However, the exposed foam on the sole without rubber coverage wears out a bit faster than models with a full rubber outsole, so actual durability mainly depends on the runner's weight and the surface.
Who the model is for
Clifton 11 is a sports shoe for you if you run regular daily kilometers and seek maximum comfort without the need to pay for the latest superfoam technologies – also ideal as an everyday shoe for all-day wear outside of training.
