After recently trying Hoka sneakers for the first time, I finally understand the hype—why they’ve consistently been an editor- and podiatrist-favorite here at Prevention (they’ve landed on our lists of the best walking shoes, best shoes for standing all day, and more!). So, when I heard the brand was releasing a new iteration of its viral walking shoe, the Clifton 11, I knew I had to try them out.
If you’re not familiar with the Hoka Cliftons, these fan-favorite shoes are beloved for their plush, lightweight comfort and chunky and trendy aesthetic. In fact, they’ve earned our top spot for the best Hoka shoes for walking, with rave reviews from multiple editors. The newly released Clifton 11s have been updated with an elevated mesh upper, softer sockliner, and, like their previous iterations, still boast the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association—meaning they’ve been rigorously evaluated by podiatrists to promote good foot health.
As someone who walks a lot living in New York City, I was excited to try these sneakers out myself and see whether they could withstand miles of walking and commuting through city streets and concrete. After weeks of testing, here are my honest thoughts on the Hoka Clifton 11 sneakers—and whether they’re worth the hype.
Cons
- Low energy return; cushioning is not springy or bouncy
| Sizes | 4-12 |
| Widths | Regular, Wide, X-wide |
| Colors | 10 options |
| Weight | 8.34 oz |
| Heel-to-toe drop | 8 mm |
How I tested
I spent about three weeks testing and walking around in my Hoka Clifton 11 sneakers, which I got in a size 7 and in the “Frost/Neon Yuzu” colorway. I wore the shoes on daily walks throughout New York City streets and concrete, as well as during commutes on the subway, around the office, strolls through the local park, while running errands, and other outings.
The fit
I got these sneakers in my usual size 7 and thought they were pretty true to size in terms of both length and width. I found the overall fit to be really comfortable, with the shoes hugging my feet softly and securely without any cinching pressure. They felt especially secure at the top of my feet thanks to a double-lace lock system (a new feature of the new Clifton 11s) that’s designed to help ensure that the tongue stays put and doesn’t migrate. Even while feeling secure, though, these shoes still felt comfortably roomy in the toes with a fairly spacious toe box.
Other editors on staff, who also tested these sneakers, noted the wide toe box as well. “I’ve had problems with walking shoes before that my right big toe eventually gets a little squished, but these have been equally comfortable on both feet,” shared Prevention’s Deputy Editor, Marisa Cohen.
Senior Editor Gina Way also said that the shoes provided an “excellent” fit for her bunions. “The width also allows for room to insert an insole without sacrificing the fit (other trainers I’ve tried feel too snug when I replace the insole with a thicker, more supportive one),” she noted.
The feel
The Hoka Clifton 11 was immediately comfortable out of the box. The cushioning felt super soft with its cushy, compression-molded EVA foam, but not overly plush or mushy that it felt like my feet were sinking in too much. They also didn’t feel too bulky or clunky on my feet (a common complaint I’ve heard about some Hoka styles, like the maximum-cushioned Bondis), despite the ample cushioning and high stack height (38 mm in the heel and 30 mm in the forefoot). In fact, I was actually surprised at how lightweight and stable these shoes felt overall.
I also found the engineered mesh upper to be totally comfortable. Just like the cushioned feel underfoot, these sneakers also felt cushioned around and on top of my feet with a padded tongue and heel collar. I didn’t experience any rubbing or discomfort while walking in these shoes—and they never felt too hot on my feet, either (even while walking outside in the summer heat!), thanks to the breathable mesh construction.
What I liked
What I liked most about the Hoka Clifton 11 sneakers was how soft they felt—they seriously felt like pillows for my feet. The cushioning absorbed impact really well, allowing for pillowy-soft landings with every step I took—and keeping my feet comfortable and pain-free even after miles of walking. The super-soft sensation wasn’t just underfoot, either; the breathable mesh upper also wrapped my feet in soft comfort, making the shoes feel like a cozy hug.
Even testers on staff who experience painful foot conditions found these sneakers to be comfortable and supportive. “Now I understand the hype…They really are that comfortable,” said Prevention’s Executive Director, Stephanie Dolgoff. “They are also well-fitted…I have several competing foot issues and I was able to wear these all days without my orthotics. My arches and ankles were just fine—the back is higher than other brands, which gave the latter extra support.”
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I also found these sneakers easy to walk in, especially with the brand’s subtle rocker design—the brand’s Smooth Meta Rocker—that’s designed to propel each step forward. As someone who usually walks pretty fast (I’m a New Yorker, after all!), I really appreciated this rocker sole, as it felt like the shoes rolled forward with each step and helped promote smooth transitions from heel strike to toe-off.
Assistant Editor Jenn Gonick also liked the shoe’s smooth rocker outsole. “When I first laced them up, I wasn’t sure how I felt about the rocker, as it felt like I was being pushed back onto my heels a bit, but after getting used to them via multiple 10,000+ step days in New York City, I loved how it propelled me forward with each step,” she shared. “Overall, these kicks are a great choice for long days of walking or running, though they wouldn’t be my first choice for long hours of standing given the rocker sole.”
What I didn’t like
Though I personally love the soft, comfortable feel of the Clifton 11’s cushioned midsole, it isn’t the most responsive—in fact, it feels like the heel compresses, or almost sinks in, on landing. While this is great for absorbing impact, I would say these shoes don’t have the best energy return—that bouncy, snappy feel that some running shoes have that helps propel you forward with a burst of energy. While this wasn’t really a problem for my daily walking needs (I personally found that the rocker design was enough to help propel me forward on walks), I would imagine that it may feel a little sluggish for speedier runs.
Additionally, these sneakers have a moderate-to-high heel drop—which I personally found to be comfortable for my walking gait, but may not work for everyone, especially for running (in general, moderate-to-high heel drops are good for heel strikers, but less ideal for midfoot or forefoot strikers). In fact, one tester on staff—Prevention’s Deputy Health Editor, Fitness + Nutrition, Alyssa Jung—didn’t find these shoes to work for her for running due to the heel drop. “I went on one run but they weren’t a fit for my stride and my injury maintenance needs, as the heel drop was a bit more supportive than I like, and rocked a bit,” she shared.
The bottom line
Overall, I found the Hoka Clifton 11 sneakers to be a comfortable dream—with its lightweight feel and pillowy-soft cushioning, I’m not surprised that these sneakers have the APMA Seal of Acceptance. They are well-fitting, roomy but still secure, breathable, lightweight, and impact-absorbing for an easy stride.
I would say these shoes are definitely worth the purchase for anyone looking for a reliable, comfortable pair of daily, neutral sneakers for everyday miles and easy paces. However, the cushioning of these shoes is more forgiving than springy or bouncy, meaning they don’t have a ton of energy return—so they may not be ideal if you’re specifically in the market for sneakers made for fast-paced runs or speedwork. Luckily, Hoka also recently released the Clifton Pro sneakers, which are made for just that (they’re designed to push performance to the max, with a more aggressive rocker profile and a more lively underfoot ride).
But, if you’re looking for a pair of sneakers for everyday walks and runs, I’d say the Clifton 11s are the way to go. Personally, they’ve earned a permanent spot in my daily rotation of walking shoes—and I’ll definitely be lacing them up often for my everyday walks and commutes, errand runs, and everything in between.
Shop the Hoka Clifton 11 now
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