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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Hoka Clifton 2 Review}}The [http://www.zappos.com/hoka-clifton Clifton] 2 is a remarkable achievement for [[Hoka Shoe Review| Hoka]], giving an amazing level of cushioning for its light weight. The original Clifton was a justifiably popular shoe, and the soft cushioning of best seller at Running Warehouse in 2014, no mean feat for what was a niche shoe not long ago. The Clifton is nearly as well cushioned as the [[Hoka Stinson]], and while it's not quite as cushioned as the [[Hoka Bondi]] at or [[Hoka Mafate]], it's a much lot lighter weightthan either. In fact, The original Clifton has been replaced by the Clifton 2, and Bondi feel remarkably it's been joined by the similar, [[Hoka Odyssey]] and I've even run Challenger ATR. (See below for comparisons with one on each foot (not something . I'd recommend you trying.) The difference in thickness of ll use "Clifton" to mean the 2 shoes is dramatically different, but beyond that the cushioning, overlaidsecond version, and overall feel were almost identicalspecify a version when comparing. Like all of You can read about the original in more detail at [[Hoka range, Clifton 1]] and the latest version at [[Hoka Clifton has a horribly small toe box, but once its cut open the shoe works quite well]]. The Clifton will be available ) I've rated it as a trail version, called the "Challenger ATR" in the summer The Best of 2014. However, like many softly cushioned shoes it should work pretty well on most trails, though it lacks the lugs for slick, muddy tailsBest. " {{H:WhatToLookForInShoes}}

|[[File:Hoka-OneOne-Clifton2-top.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px250px|Hoka OneOne Clifton 2 top]] |[[File:Hoka-OneOne-Clifton2-bottom.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px250px|Hoka OneOne Clifton 2 bottom]]|- valign="top"|[[File:Hoka-OneOne-Clifton2-inside.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px250px|Hoka OneOne Clifton 2 inside]]|[[File:Hoka-OneOne-Clifton2-outside.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px250px|Hoka OneOne Clifton 2 outside]]

* {{H:cushioning}}. The Clifton has a high level of cushioning, with the soft ride that Hoka of famous for. It's not thick or soft as The cushioning that the Clifton provides for its weight is quite remarkable, and better than any other [[Hoka StinsonMaximalist]] or [[Hoka Mafate]], but it's on a par with the Bondi and Olympusshoe. (The Clifton midsole only shoe that has better weight-to-cushioning is made at the other end of a lightweight EVA foam. There are a number of reports that the Clifton would use the much firmer RMAT foam used in spectrum; the ultralight [[Hoka ConquestNew Balance RC5000]] and Huaka, but this does not appear to be the case. There is no mention of RMAT on the Hoka website page, nor is the RMAT logo on the shoe.)* {{H:drop}}'''. '''Like other Hoka shoes, the The Clifton is not has about a zero 5mm drop unloaded, but when the shoeis worn this is reduced to 1mm, and the rear which is about 6 mm thicker than the front. That's about half the drop of a traditional running shoe and I typically don't have any issues moving between the Hokas and a effectively zero -drop shoe like the Altra.* '''Shape'''{{H:structure}}. This shoe is made of a single type of foam, though it is colored to appear like there are two different foams in use. The Clifton has a less abrupt taper at the very front of the shoe than the Bondi, but not as gentle as the Altra Olympus. While I prefer the Olympus taper, the Clifton is better than the Bondi. The very rear of the shoe is cut away slightly, creating a little bit of a rocker shape that's almost identical common to the BondiHoka range. The midsole wraps around the lower part of the foot to create additional stability. This helps overcome some of the problems you get with a thick sole creating a stilt like instability.* {{H:structure}}. This shoe is made of a single type of foam, though it is colored to appear like there are two different foams in use.

* {{H:outsole}}. The Clifton has some exposed midsole, with some durable rubber in high friction areas. The durable rubber is placed in much better positions than it is in the Bondi, improving the life of the shoe. In fact, the midsole that is in contact with the ground seems to be remarkably durable, probably because it is in not in the high impact areas.* {{H:shape}}. The Clifton has the typical Hoka shape, which includes a horribly constricted toe box. I've noticed at Ultras the Hoka toe box causes a distinctive pattern of blisters, so it's critical to [[Shoe Dissection| cut open the toe box of any Hokas]].{{H:TryCuttingShoes}}* {{H:upper}}. The upper is a reasonably thin, breathable, and inflexible, with good padding around the ankle opening.* {{H:tongue}}. The Clifton has a classic tongue rather than a tongue-less sock style of upper. The tongue has no plenty of soft padding, but I didn't find this a problem.* {{H:lacing}}. The Clifton uses thin round flat laces which I found tended to come undonestay tied. It's amazing that in the 21^st century shoe manufacturers can't use The laces that work. Unlike many shoes have a slight bit of elasticity in the Hoka rangethem, there are no elastic straps that pull improving the sides together even if overall comfort of the laces are loose. (I always cut the elastic straps offshoe.)* {{H:heelcounter}}. The Clifton has only a slightly firmer heel counter than the Bondi modest [[Heel Counter]] that extends around is both useless and harmless.{{FastBlr|hoka-one-one/clifton-2-1062|1062|Hoka Clifton 2}}=Comparisons=Here are some direct comparisons with its potential competition.==Hoka Clifton 1 and 2==Thankfully Hoka didn't screw up their update to the Clifton. Even when running with each shoe on either foot to , they seem quite similar. * The biggest concern I have with the level of Clifton 2 is that it's put on nearly an ounce. While that's not a huge difference, the top key benefit of the lacesoriginal Clifton was its light weight.=Compared with Altra Olympus=* The [[Altra Olympus]] is a competitor Clifton 2 makes up for its weight increase by having slightly better cushioning. Like the Cliftonweight change, and I believe it represents a better shoe's quite minor. * The Olympus loaded drop has been reduced from 4mm to 1mm. Again, a 7-13mm thicker soleslight difference, but a toe box shaped for good one. * The tongue on the Clifton 2 is now padded as the lack of padding on the original Clifton apparently caused some runners issues. However, I'd argue that if you're tying your shoes tight enough to notice the human footdifference then there's something wrong. The Clifton 2 is a little more comfortable, but I've found the original Clifton to be fine in 100 mile races. * The laces on the Clifton 2 are better – they stay tied and zero dropthey're slightly elasticated. However Overall, the Olympus Clifton 2 is not quite as softly cushioned as only a slight change to the Clifton original, and both are great shoes. Given a straight choice, I'd go for the original, but it's heaviera close call.

|[[File:Hoka-OneOne-Clifton2-top.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Hoka OneOne Clifton 2 top]] |[[File:Hoka-OneOne-Clifton2-bottom.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Hoka OneOne Clifton 2 bottom]]|[[File:Hoka-OneOne-Clifton2-inside.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Hoka OneOne Clifton 2 inside]]|[[File:Hoka-OneOne-Clifton2-outside.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Hoka OneOne Clifton 2 outside]]

|[[File:AltraHoka-OlympusOneOne-Clifton-top.jpg|none|thumb|150px200px|Altra Olympus Hoka Clifton 1 top]] |[[File:AltraHoka-OlympusOneOne-Clifton-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|150px200px|Altra Olympus bottomHoka Clifton 1bottom]] |[[File:AltraHoka-OlympusOneOne-Clifton-inside.jpg|none|thumb|150px200px|Altra Olympus Hoka Clifton 1 inside]] |[[File:AltraHoka-OneOne-OlympusClifton-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px200px|Altra Olympus Hoka Clifton 1 outside]]

{{FastBlr|hoka-one-one/clifton-730|730|Hoka Clifton 1}}==Compared with the Clifton and Hoka BondiOdyssey==The [[Hoka Odyssey]] looks almost identical to both the original Clifton and the Clifton seems like 2, and it would be easy to think it's an evolution the same shoe. The Odyssey is sold as a mass market version of the Clifton, with the Clifton only available through more specialist outlets. However, the Odyssey has a midsole that is closer to the [[Hoka Bondi]] than the Clifton in both thickness and firmness. It feels remarkably So the Odyssey has similarcushioning to the Clifton, even when wearing one shoe on each footbut through thicker, firmer foam. The Odyssey is also slightly heavier than either Clifton . The tongue on the Odyssey is lighterunpadded, like the original Clifton, and has better wear characteristicsbut unlike the original Clifton, so it works out cheaper per mileI found the Odyssey tongue cut into my ankle slightly. The Overall, I found I prefer the Clifton shares (1 or 2) over the poor toe box design of all Odyssey or the Hokas. ItBondi, and my subconscious preference seems stronger than I's not clear why anyone would buy d expect from the Bondi now relatively small differences. I suspect that the small differences between the shoes add up, so get the Clifton is availableor Clifton 2 over the Odyssey.

| colspan="4" [[File:Hoka Clifton 2-top.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Hoka Clifton 2 top]]| [[File:CliftonBondiDissectHoka Clifton 2-bottom.JPG|none|thumb|x150px200px|Hoka Clifton and 2 bottom]]|[[File:Hoka BondiClifton 2-inside.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Hoka Clifton 2 inside]]|[[File:Hoka Clifton 2-outside. JPG|none|thumb|200px|Hoka Clifton 2 outside]]

|[[File:Hoka-OneOne-Clifton-top.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka OneOne Clifton top]] |[[File:Hoka-OneOne-Clifton-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka OneOne Clifton bottom]]|[[File:Hoka-OneOne-Clifton-inside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka OneOne Clifton inside]]|[[File:Hoka-OneOne-Clifton-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka OneOne Clifton outside]]|- valign="top"|[[File:Hoka-Bondi-BOdyssey-top.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Hoka Bondi B Odyssey top]] |[[File:Hoka-Bondi-BOdyssey-bottom.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Hoka Bondi B Odyssey bottom]] |[[File:Hoka-Bondi-BOdyssey-inside.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Hoka Bondi B Odyssey inside]] |[[File:Hoka-Bondi-BOdyssey-outside.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Hoka Bondi B Odyssey outside]]

==Clifton and Challenger ATR==The original Clifton is available as a trail version, called the "Challenger ATR". The Challenger has a slightly more aggressive outsole, but I found it's not aggressive enough for me to really consider it a true trail shoe. Like many softly cushioned shoes, the Clifton should work pretty well on most trails, and if you need a more aggressive outsole, look to the [[Hoka Mafate]]. ==Compared with the Hoka ConquestBondi==The Clifton looks virtually identical to seems like it's an evolution of the [[Hoka ConquestBondi]] (see below for an image, giving similar cushioning at a much lighter weight.) HoweverWhile the Clifton and Bondi feel quite similar, I find the shoes are radically different, as Clifton is more comfortable and the Conquest lightness is a surprisingly firmbig deal. The diagonal slices through Clifton has better wear characteristics, so it works out cheaper per mile even without the midsole are actually cutaways in cheaper purchase cost. It's not clear to me why anyone would buy the Conquest, but simple coloring on Bondi now that the Cliftonis available.

|[[File:Hoka-OneOne-Clifton2-top.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Hoka OneOne Clifton 2 top]] |[[File:Hoka-OneOne-Clifton2-bottom.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Hoka OneOne Clifton 2 bottom]]|[[File:Hoka-OneOne-Clifton2-inside.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Hoka OneOne Clifton 2 inside]]|[[File:Hoka-OneOne-Clifton2-outside.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Hoka OneOne Clifton 2 outside]]

|[[File:Hoka-ConquestBondi-B-top.jpg|none|thumb|150px200px|Hoka Conquest Bondi B top]] |[[File:Hoka-ConquestBondi-B-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|150px200px|Hoka Conquest Bondi B bottom]] |[[File:Hoka-ConquestBondi-B-inside.jpg|none|thumb|150px200px|Hoka Conquest Bondi B inside]] |[[File:Hoka-ConquestBondi-B-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px200px|Hoka Conquest Bondi B outside]]

{{FastBlr|hoka-one-one/bondi-4-1083|1083|Hoka Bondi}}==Compared with the Altra One2Hoka Mafate==The Clifton [[Hoka Mafate]] is only an ounce a much heavier , thicker shoe than the [[Altra One2| Altra One²]]Clifton, but this is not reflected with greater cushioning in the way the shoes feelheel. For use on roads or stony trails, I found that 'd choose the Clifton felt every time as it's so much closer in weight to the Bondi than the One² despite lighter. However, the Mafate has a wonderful outsole that gives enormous confidence on pretty much greater weight differenceany surface. The Clifton is much more cushioned than the AltraMafate will work on everything from road to mud to slick rock, so if you need a true trail shoe, which might be the reason behind go for the perceived weight dissimilarityMafate.

|[[File:Hoka-OneOne-Clifton2-top.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Hoka OneOne Clifton 2 top]] |[[File:Hoka-OneOne-Clifton2-bottom.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Hoka OneOne Clifton 2 bottom]]|[[File:Hoka-OneOne-Clifton2-inside.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Hoka OneOne Clifton 2 inside]]|[[File:Hoka-OneOne-Clifton2-outside.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Hoka OneOne Clifton 2 outside]]

|[[File:AltraHoka-One2Mafate-Speed-top.jpg|none|thumb|150px200px|Altra One2 Hoka Mafate Speed top]] |[[File:AltraHoka-Mafate-One2Speed-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|150px200px|Altra One2 Hoka Mafate Speed bottom]] |[[File:AltraHoka-Mafate-One2Speed-inside.jpg|none|thumb|150px200px|Altra One2 Hoka Mafate Speed inside]] |[[File:AltraHoka-Mafate-One2Speed-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px200px|Altra One2 Hoka Mafate Speed outside]]

{{FastBlr|hoka-one-one/mafate-speed-1085|1085|Hoka Mafate}}=Gallery=Compared with the Hoka Conquest==The Clifton looks virtually identical to the [[Hoka Conquest]] (see below for an image.) However, the shoes are radically different, as the Conquest is way too firm for a [[Maximalist]] shoe. The diagonal slices through the midsole are actually cutaways in the Conquest, but simple coloring on the Clifton. The Conquest really needs those cut outs to mitigate the firmness of the foam, where the Clifton doesn't. {| class="wikitable"

|[[File:CliftonBondiHoka Clifton 2-top.JPG|none|thumb|x150px200px| A Hoka Clifton 2 top view of the ]]|[[File:Hoka Clifton above the Bondi2-bottom. JPG|none|thumb|200px|Hoka Clifton 2 bottom]]|[[File:CliftonBondiOlympusHuakaHoka Clifton 2-inside.JPG|none|thumb|x150px200px| A side view of the Hoka Clifton, Bondi, Olympus, and Huaka. (left to right, then top to bottom.)2 inside]]|[[File:CliftonHuakaHoka Clifton 2-outside.JPG|none|thumb|x150px200px| A top view of the Hoka Clifton above the Huaka. 2 outside]]

|[[File:CliftonMafeteHoka-Conquest-top.JPGjpg|none|thumb|x150px200px| A Hoka Conquest top view of the Clifton above the [[Hoka Mafate]]. ]]|[[File:CliftonOlympusHoka-Conquest-bottom.JPGjpg|none|thumb|x150px200px| A top view of the Clifton above the [[Altra Olympus]]. Hoka Conquest bottom]]|[[File:CliftonSoleHoka-Conquest-inside.JPGjpg|none|thumb|x150px200px| The sole of the Clifton. The white areas are exposed midsole, and the black areas are the harder rubber. Hoka Conquest inside]]|- valign="top"|[[File:CliftonAndConquestHoka-Conquest-outside.JPGjpg|none|thumb|x150px200px| A side view of the Clifton over the [[Hoka Conquest]]. While the shoes look remarkably similar, they are actually very different. outside]]|[[File:RunningInBondiClifton.JPG}{{FastBlr|nonehoka-one-one/conquest-2-1084|thumb1084|x150px| I did run with the Bondi on 1 foot Hoka Conquest}}==Asics GT 2000 and the Hoka Clifton on the other. Not something ==I'd recommend unless you want like to get injured, compare shoes against the [[Asics GT 2000]] as it represents the different thicknesses will mess up your biomechanicstraditional running shoe. The GT 2000 is over engineered and includes many things I dislike in traditional running shoes. These excessive features go against [[The Science of Running Shoes]]|[[File:CliftonWearand are more likely to cause problems than solve them.JPG|none|thumb|x150px|This picture shows The GT 2000 is nearly 50% heavier than the wear from 230 miles of runningClifton, but provides far less cushioning. As you I can see, there is remarkably little abrasion to think of no advantage the GT 2000 has over the exposed midsoleClifton, indicating that Hoka have placed and I'd choose the harder rubber outsole in the right placesClifton every time.]]{| class="wikitable"

|[[File:CliftonDissectHoka Clifton 2-top.JPG|none|thumb|x150px200px|The Hoka Clifton [[Shoe Dissection| dissected]].2 top]]|[[File:CliftonBondiDissectHoka Clifton 2-bottom.JPG|none|thumb|x150px200px|Hoka Clifton and 2 bottom]]|[[File:Hoka Bondi]]Clifton 2-inside. JPG|none|thumb|200px|Hoka Clifton 2 inside]]|[[File:CliftonMafeteDissectHoka Clifton 2-outside.JPG|none|thumb|x150px200px|Hoka Clifton and [[Hoka Mafate]]. 2 outside]]

|[[File:CliftonOlympusDissectAsics-GT2000-top.JPGjpg|none|thumb|x150px200px|Asics GT2000 top]]|Clifton and [[Altra Olympus]]File:Asics-GT2000-bottom. jpg|none|thumb|200px|Asics GT2000 bottom]]|[[File:CliftonStinsonDissectAsics-GT2000-inside.JPGjpg|none|thumb|x150px200px|Clifton and [[Hoka Stinson]]. Asics GT2000 inside]]|[[File:HokaOrAltraAsics-GT2000-outside.pngjpg|none|thumb|x150px200px|Hoka, like most shoe makers, does not seem to have ever seen a human foot. Asics GT2000 outside]]