It’s that time in fall marathon training season already that I need new shoes! To be fair, I bought my last pair of Clifton 7’s before both of my spring half marathons. So, I had already reached almost 300 miles on them! My body and feet were beginning to complain with every run. That’s when you know that it’s time for an upgrade.
Thankfully, the new version of my favorite shoe is out. I’ve been in the Hoka Clifton since the 2’s debuted! The Clifton has certainly gone through an evolutionary process over the years. Just look at this picture of the 6, 7, and 8 side by side. The tongues get thicker, and the pull tabs get longer. I think the 8 is the best version yet!
I’ve now run in these twice: once on the treadmill, and once on the road. First impression? Very responsive and well cushioned! I love the upgrade to the uppers, especially the extra cushioning on the tongue. Sometimes I will have pain on the top of my foot from my shoes, and this will definitely help that problem.
Per the Hoka website, the upgrades from the Clifton 7 include:
- – Breathable mesh upper
- – Gusseted tongue
- – EVA foam
- – Early stage Meta-Rocker
- – Extended pull tab
- – Upgraded midsole
I can tell you that my feet were very happy on my 10 mile training run last weekend! If you’re a Hoka fan, I highly recommend these shoes! If you’re looking for a change or a different model of shoe to mix into your regular rotation, give these a try. And, in case you needed more of a reason to try these, there’s quite a Hoka fan club in the hospital where I work. There’s a reason for that! They make outstanding work shoes if you spend lots of time on your feet like we do in healthcare.
Have you ever run in Hokas? What’s your usual shoe brand if not? I’d love to hear about it! As always, I hope you all are safe and healthy.
Anne the Vegan 