Customer Reviews Hoka Clifton 4

I started running in the Clifton 3s earlier this year, and loved them almost instantly! I had been struggling with plantar fasciitis for over a year, and the Clifton 3s were comfortable and helped to alleviate a lot of this pain. I ordered a pair of the Clifton 4s thinking they would be similar, and have been so disappointed. The toe box is narrow and tight, and I blistered almost instantly. The arch is also too far back in the shoe, pressing into my heel. I ran in them 3 times this week hoping I just needed to break them in, but during my long run today, had to detour home to change into my old Clifton 3s because my toes were so uncomfortable and had already blistered. I will be returning these asap, and am really bummed to find that no one- not Hoka nor any online retailers- are stocking the Clifton 3s anymore.

I have run extensively in the Clifton 1, 2, and 3 and also rotate with the Clayton. I personally liked the 3s the best- and although there were some changes, the general ride (to me) of all three was similar. Hands down, the Clifton 4 is the worst shoe change I have ever experienced from a company. The Clifton 4 fits and rolls like "any other" mainstream support shoe. The Clifton 4 has lost its cushion, its thoughtful responsiveness, and its roll. Lots of us picked the Clifton because it was unique- a softness that was magically still springy and a low heel drop that still rolled to a logical toe off. This thing is hard, flat, and downright painful to run in. If you read these reviews carefully, almost none of the former Clifton wearers are happy with this change. You have absolutely destroyed the design of the best shoe on the market. There are a lot of "Hoka imitation" shoes that have emerged on the market since the Clifton came around. Guess what? It might be time to check them out since Hoka is no longer listening to their customers.

I wanted to like this but it's not as wide as original that I LOVED. Great cushion but too narrow.

I'm a 57-year-old supinating runner and have been wearing Clifton 2s for years. I'm prone to plantar faciitis and achilles issues, and that model really helped. I tried Clifton 3, and that shoe was just okay--they didn't feel as good to run in, but I could wear them for doing a lot of walking. After having cleaned out all online stock of Clifton 2s in my size, I had to give this current version a try. For me, they're even worse than the 3. They are definitely less cushioned, and the heel platform is lower. One run in them last night reawakened my achilles inflammation and a morton's neuroma that hasn't bothered me for years. Even weirder is footprint shape of the shoe: the forefoot turns inward so that I look a little pigeon toed in them. If my feet were shaped more like chimpanzee feet, they'd fit better. But because the shoes curve in where my toes do not, I was in a fair amount of discomfort after 7 miles. The the tips of my "ring" toe and center toe on both feet were numb and, later, sore. I also got blisters on the sides of the balls of my feet, a place that's never been a problem with either the 2 or the 3. I'm going to try different kinds of socks and lacing strategies to see if that helps. If not....does anyone have a new pair of women's 9.5 Clifton 2s lying around that I could buy from them?

Ordered the Clifton 4's sent them back, toe box is not correct, way too curved. The last is not correct either. Too bad you can't keep one shoe the same as thinking you are trying to improve it and it makes it worse. So now that all the Clifton 3's are gone in my size I have to keep ordering shoes and sending them back to get the same fit. So when you get the same fit as the Clifton 3 back is when I can get a new pair of shoes, I sure hope the wait is not too long.

The Clifton 3 has been my absolute favorite shoe. It had everything going for it--structure, responsiveness, just the right amount of cushion without having your foot sink down, stable without being a stability shoe, and the rocker technology that propels you naturally. Sadly, the Clifton 4 is a disappointment. The level of cushion feels different and not in a good way. The helpful shoe guy at the running store said it was redesigned to be less cushioned so it could be more responsive. My feet responded with a resounding "nope." That "ahhh" feeling I always get when I slip on my Clifton 3s is gone with the latest release. I agree with other reviewers who don't like the 4s midfoot. Like other customers, I'm searching for Clifton 3s to stock up on and trying out other brands...and I've always loved my Hokas! Please bring back what makes the Clifton 3s so special.