Hoka Clifton 4 substitute?

Sheila Leard

I have been in Clifton 1, 2, 3 and now 4. I really need to find a replacement. I'm so disappointed. The Clifton 4's are shorter in the toe box so I sized up a half size at the recommendation of the Rep.  It's too much shoe. Any ideas on a replacement?
I wish Hoka would bring back the Clifton 1's.

Derrek Sanks

I'm in the exact same situation. Clifton 1 - 4 and just put my 4s in the trash after 50 miles. I'm also looking for a replacement. I got lucky and found/ordered a pair of 3s a few weeks ago, so I have time to find a good replacement.

Rafe Armstrong

@Sheila Leard @Derrek Sanks
I have never like the Clifton until the 3's. I have been using and liking them but the 4's I got were to narrow for my wide feet and I sent them back. I also found some on sale Clifton 3's and stocked up.  I talked with a rep a few weeks ago and he told me they now have wides in the 4 so I may try that.  Also, I have use the Tracer in the past and like that shoe but it is a little too narrow for me (I have been in Newtons a long time and do not like a lot of cushion or support) but the rep also told me the Tracer has been re worked and I tried on his personal pair and like the fit so I may get a pair of those.  Also have used the Clayton and they are ok but I don't really like something about the way they strike the ground.  But this shoe has also been re worked.  Not sure if the new version is out yet.

Al Truscott

The past two months, I was rotating my shoes among Clifton 3, Tracer, and Saucony Kinvara (now #8). All of them work well for me. I prefer the Kinvaras as they are lightweight (under 8 oz), neutral in their foot bed, with a shallow rise (4 mm from toe to heel), AND less expensive than $$$Hoka One One. I see no difference in my speed among any of these shoes, but then they all have pretty much the same specs:weight, rise, etc. And they all fit me such that I'm not aware I have a shoe on. The Tracers are probably billed as a racing shoe, but for lighter weight runners (I'm 66kg), they work just fine for daily training runs of 10k or so. They have a touch less cushioning than the Kinvaras, and of course less than the Cliftons. But my point is, I could switch from one to the other on a daily basis (I'm on day 68 of a run streak) with no noticeable difference. My Cliftons are now worn out in the heel, and I won't be buying another pair, unless I see some 3s for, say $88. But I will continue to run in Kinvaras until they radically change. The Tracers are a bit narrower in toe box. I solve that by wearing thinner socks than I would with Clifton or Kinvara.

Paul Hough

I've run in the Clifton 1, 2 and 3 and avoided the 4.  Next purchase will be the Clayton 2.  I wasn't too thrilled with the Clayton 1 but heard they fixed a lot of the issues with the 2.

Sheila Leard

@Al Truscott @Derrek Sanks @Rafe Armstrong  I have the Tracers 1. It appears that there is a Tracer 2. They fit nice, less shoe, less bulky than typical HOKA. It seems that I could go thru them quickly. I'm 55 kg. I'll give the Kinvara a chance. Thank you for the feedback. 

Rafe Armstrong

@Sheila Leard I too have use the Kinvara's quite a bit and like them.  Comfortable and they are in my shoe rotation also.  Yes, wider than Tracer but the new Tracer fits more like Kinvaras.  I picked up several pair of Kinvaras a couple of years back when old model  was on deep discount.  Best way to buy shoes in my opinion!