The Clifton is a bestselling trainer in the HOKA range and one of the most popular daily trainers in the world. It's such a popular trainer because it has a high level of cushioning with a very low weight. It's a great walking shoe too thanks to its comfortable and supportive ride character.

Every 2 years, a new Clifton is launched. Version 10 is a vastly different version to its predecessors. It has a new upper, midsole and outsole. This comparison will tell you which version is better for you.

The Clifton has always had a CMEVA midsole and this trend continues in the Clifton 10. The big difference in the 10 is that it has a firmer ride than previous versions. This makes it more versatile and better for faster-paced runs. It also has 3 mm more midsole stack height in the heel.

The Clifton 9 has a softer ride with more long-distance comfort. It feels plusher because your feet are able to sink down into the midsole. The 9 is better for slower-paced runs because it’s harder to pick up the pace in the 9.

A new feature that has been introduced in the Clifton 10 is the rear foot active frame. The midsole edges are raised in the rear of the shoe in order to guide your feet to keep them centred. This is a good feature for runners who need some extra support during runs. This makes the Clifton 10 the more stable version. It also has a firmer ride with less lean bias.

The Clifton 10 has a wider last than its predecessor. This makes the midsole wider and more inherently stable. Foot strikes feel more planted in the 10.

The MetaRocker-shaped midsole is still present in both in versions. This signature HOKA feature speeds up transitions by assisting you through transitions. The forefoot rocker is slightly more prominent in version 10 due to its firmer ride. It also has a higher drop so your foot sits at a steeper angle.

The Clifton has always been a 5 mm drop but in version 10, it has been increased to 8 mm. HOKA did this because over time, the heel compresses and the drop becomes even less than 5 mm. With a higher drop, the midsole geometry will have better longevity.

Both versions have a jacquard knit upper but the 10 is slightly softer and slightly smoother. Version 10 has a padded tongue which is not gusseted so there is some downward tongue slide during runs. Version 9 also has a padded tongue but it’s attached on 1 side so there’s no tongue slide. They have padded collars so there’s supreme comfort around your ankles and foot lockdown is good in both.

The main difference is that the 10 has a wider forefoot and toe-box. This means that it’s more comfortable and more spacious inside the shoe. The 10 fits true to size but the 9 is noticeably narrower so you have to either go up a half size or get the wide version. The Clifton 10 is better for you if you have wide or high volume feet.

If you are looking for a Clifton which is firmer and more versatile, get version 10. It’s easier to pick up the pace in, so it’s better for short and fast runs. It’s also the better option if you have wider feet or you need more support during your runs. If you’re a heel striker, it will hold up better over time because of the higher heel-to-toe offset. It costs $5 more than the 9 but it has 3 mm more stack height in its heel, giving it deeper cushioning.

If you prefer a softer, plusher ride for easy or recovery runs, the Clifton 9 will be the better shoe for you. It has more long-distance comfort and it provides less foot guidance, leading to a more natural ride. If you’re a mid or forefoot striker, it’s the better shoe because the cushioning is distributed more evenly. The 9 is $5 cheaper and it’s also lighter.