Hoka Clifton 4, Yay or Nay?

Derrek Sanks

All Hoka Lovers, has anyone tried the new Clifton 4s? Thoughts/pros/cons?

I've been wearing the Clifton since 2015 and been through  versions 1, 2, and 3. Liked the original Clifton and v3 the most and was wondering about v4.  Thanks.

Doug Sutherland

Didn't work for me. I really liked the Clifton 3 and used it big time in the build to IMWI. I bought the 4s planning to use them for the IM but noticed the toe box is about 5mm more narrow, just enough that I can feel my lateral foot/toe run. Also seems to be a 1/4 size smaller than same size in the 3 (I wear 12.5). I tried on 3-4 brands and went with Brooks Ghost 10 for the race - felt much wider, lighter than the Clifton 4, but less cushy. 

It funny, I have been in Hoka since about 2014. I like the odd only. 2, 4 were duds. 1,3 = great

John Withrow

I have used (a couple pairs of each) of all of the Cliftons, 1,2,3,4...   I bought the 4's in "wide" which is the first time this was offered and I actually liked that there is "more" room in the toebox relative to the 3.  My big toe used to touch the edge of the 3 just a bit, I still put many hundreds of miles on them, but it barely touched which is now fixed with the 4 (wide).

One observation I will make about the Cliftons is that each and every iteration they become less and less "Clifton-like".  When they came out, they were the lightest, thinnest, least cushioned and most flexible Hoka in existence.  Each iteration they added slightly more padding and a bit more rubber in places to add durability, but the weight has crept up.  So in my opinion, the Clifton 4 is almost halfway between the Original Clifton 1 and say the Bondis.  I don't mind this as I'm usually deciding between my Clifton's and my Bondi's for runs anyways, but they just feel less different than they used to mostly because the Clifton migration. I just bought my 2nd pair of Clifton 4's, but still occasionally run in my old pair of 3's in my shoe rotation and also occasionally used my Bondi 4's (wide), but the Bondis now see less and less usage.

Paul Hough

I've had the 1, 2 and 3, but think I'm done with that series.  The 2 sucked, 3 is better but not quite right.  I might give the new Clayton a try.

Derrek Sanks

Thanks for the input. Think I'll look for a pair of 3s and then look for a different but similar brand/shoe. 

Sheila Leard

I agree with everything said here. I've had the 1,2,3,4's.

1 was the best,  2 sucked, 3 was okay, 4 - I had to go up a half size. I also have the Tracer, their version of a light racing flat. It's narrow and light. I like the way it fits but it's a low mileage shoe.

Edrika Gutierrez

I wear the Clifton 4 and I LOVE THEM!  However, they are my first Hoka's so I have no previous versions to compare.  I understand tho...  I hate it when you find your shoe and then it's changed from one version to the next.  I have to also say that I too had to go up a half size from what I regularly wear.  I did want to try the Tracer next as I like the idea of a 'racing' version.