Make a few upgrades, add “Pro” to the name, and then charge a little more for it. Everything seems to have a Pro version now. Shoes, watches, phones, gaming consoles. You can find one in just about every category. Sometimes the upgrades are enough to justify the name. Other times, you are mostly left wondering what exactly you paid extra for.
New this year is the Hoka Clifton Pro. Positioned as a step up from the standard Clifton, the Pro gets an upgraded foam, a more performance-focused upper, and a redesigned outsole. Seems to me like a simple concept: take what people already like about the Clifton and make it more runnable. I have never had much desire to do more than casually wear the Clifton, but the Pro actually had me wanting to hit the pavement. So how much better is it, and is it worth the extra $10? Let’s find out.
Neutral fit – Designed for runners with a natural stride and minimal foot roll.
Stability fit – Adds support to control mild inward rolling (overpronation).
Motion control fit – Maximum support for significant overpronation and flat feet.
Wide/Narrow fit – Adjusted width to better match foot shape for comfort and lock-in.
Daily trainer – Versatile shoe for everyday runs and general mileage.
Speed/tempo shoe – Lightweight and responsive for faster workouts and intervals.
Racing shoe – Minimal and performance-focused for race day efficiency.
Max cushion – Built for comfort and impact absorption on longer or easier runs.
Minimalist – Low-profile design that encourages a more natural, barefoot-like stride.
Low cushion – Firm and close-to-ground for better road feel and responsiveness.
Moderate cushion – Balanced mix of comfort and responsiveness for most runs.
High cushion – Soft and protective to reduce impact, especially over long distances.
Responsive cushion – Engineered foam that returns energy with each step.
Plush cushion – Extra soft feel focused on comfort over responsiveness.
Road – Smooth outsole optimized for pavement and hard surfaces.
Trail – Aggressive tread and protection for uneven, off-road terrain.
Track – Lightweight with spikes or grip for running on a track.
Hybrid – Versatile outsole that handles both road and light trail conditions.
If you love the Clifton but want a little more out of it on the run, the Clifton Pro makes sense. It is comfortable enough to wear all day, but still feels like a real running shoe when it is time to get some miles in. The wide platform also gives you plenty of stability without turning it into a stability shoe. I see it fitting best for daily miles and long runs, but I would look elsewhere for speed work.
The Clifton Pro does not completely reinvent the Clifton. It takes a shoe that has always made more sense to me casually and turns it into one I would actually reach for to run. There are still a few things holding it back from feeling truly “Pro,” especially the weight and the lack of pace pushing responsiveness but for only $10 more than the standard Clifton, the upgrades make sense. For once, the Pro version feels like you are actually getting something for the extra money.
The Hoka Clifton Pro is available at Run N Tri Mobile. Aaron and staff provide a premier fitting process that includes proper measurement of the length and width of your feet, arch, and leg axis. A gait analysis is performed to identify pronation or lack thereof and pressure points. In addition, an interview is conducted to determine the best type of shoe for your needs and goals.
So stop by Run N Tri Mobile so they can put you in the latest offering from Hoka or one of the nine other brands carried in the shop.