As a materials scientist at the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab, I've tested plenty of shoes. I've never really been a Hoka person, though, so I didn't expect to love either of the brand's newest launches. But after trying both the Clifton 11 and Clifton Pro, I've completely changed my mind. The Clifton Pro is my new favorite running shoe—and I'd happily spend the extra $10.
My first impressions
The Hoka Clifton 11 and Clifton Pro don’t look dramatically different. While the Pro has a sleeker upper, both have the chunky midsole Hoka is known for. They both fit true to size, but that’s where the similarities end.
The Clifton 11 felt balanced and has a gently curved sole that helped helped my stride feel smooth and natural. They fit comfortably on my feet, but once I started moving, the ride felt a bit flat, without much bounce to propel me forward. By comparison, the Clifton Pro felt much more responsive from the first step. While it has the same comfortable fit and cushy feel, the foam had much better energy return.
Clifton 11
Pros
- Great for both runs and walks
- Supportive cushioning
- Subtle rocker
Cons
- Not the most responsive
| Weight | 8.34 oz (Women's), 9.97 oz (Men's) |
| Heel drop | 8.0 mm |
| Midsole | Compression-molded EVA foam |
| Sizes | 4–12 (Women's), 7-16 (Men's) |
| Widths | Regular, Wide, X-Wide (Men's only) |
If I had only tried the Clifton 11s, I’d probably call them a solid pick for most people. They’re comfortable, supportive, and deliver the cushioned ride I'd expect from Hoka. The foam felt cushy and protective, and the subtle rocker made both walks and easy runs feel smooth.
Our consumer testers have found previous iterations to be comfortable and supportive with excellent traction, and the 11 lives up to those expectations. I also appreciate that it comes in a generous range of sizes, including wide and even extra wide options for the Men’s version.
That being said, after trying the Clifton Pro, it was clear that the 11s lacked what I wanted from a running shoe. Despite their balanced feel, the ride overall felt more muted than energetic or bouncy. I didn’t feel propelled forward, and they felt more suited to walking than running.
Clifton Pro
Pros
- Great for short and long runs
- Responsive midsole
- Secure fit and feel
Cons
- Limited wide sizing
| Weight | 8.54 oz (Women's), 10.44 oz (Men's) |
| Heel drop | 8.0 mm |
| Midsole | Supercritical EVA foam |
| Sizes | 5-12 (Women's), 7-16 (Men's) |
| Widths | Regular, Wide (Men's only) |
I don't think I realized what the Clifton 11 was missing until I tried out the Clifton Pro. On its own, the Clifton 11 is a solid daily trainer: It’s got a smooth ride with plenty of cushioning. My first run in the Pros felt like a revelation. I was shocked by how much more responsive a shoe could feel without sacrificing comfort or support.
Overall, the supercritical EVA foam Hoka uses in the Pro feels much more lively. There’s solid energy return, which helped me easily maintain a fast yet comfortable pace. But it still feels like a Hoka shoe. I felt secure and protected, despite the height of the thick midsole.
Despite the name, this isn't a carbon-plated racing shoe. Instead, it feels like a more responsive sister to the Clifton, rather than a replacement. The Pro feels lighter on my feet, though it’s technically heavier and springier, and I found it easy to speed up or slow down.
What I don’t love about the Pro is the sizing: Hoka offers wide sizing for Women and both wide and extra wide sizing for Men for the Clifton 11, but only regular for Women and wide for Men in the Clifton Pro.
Is the Clifton Pro worth the extra $10?
If you need wide sizing, the Clifton 11 may still be the better choice. Still, for me, I’d pick the Pro every time.
The Clifton 11 is a good running shoe. The Clifton Pro is a great one. It excels at balancing comfort, support, and responsiveness. It genuinely feels fun to run in, and I keep reaching for it over all my other running shoes.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Senior Textiles Analyst Grace Wu regularly tests footwear and apparel for the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab. To write this review, she logged more than 100 miles of running and walking in the Hoka Clifton 11 and Clifton Pro. Wu holds a Master of Engineering in materials science and engineering and a Bachelor of Science in fiber science from Cornell University.
