Whether you’re just pulling your running clothes out of the bottom drawer for the first time in years or you are an avid runner, consider trying the Clifton 6 by HOKA ONE ONE®. We think it’s a great road running shoe and is versatile enough that we have also loved it on trails. In this post we’re going to share our thoughts on the newest member of the HOKA ONE ONE Clifton family.
The Women’s HOKA ONE ONE® Clifton 6
The Clifton 6 is, as the name suggests, the sixth shoe in the Clifton family. It comes in six different color choices. Erin has been running in the BLACK/WHITE model in a size 7 and Caroline has been running in the ENSIGN BLUE/WILD DOVE model in a size 9.5. The shoe fits us both great and feel true to size. (It also comes in a wide (D) if you like a little extra room in the forefoot. These shoes are ready to be worn right out the box. There isn’t a need for a break-in period. Just lace up and get going!
Lightweight
One of the first things we noticed right out of the box was how light the shoe felt in our hands. The lightweight nature of the shoe is actually one of the things that HOKA ONE ONE® is known for. The Clifton 6 comes in at a just 7.4 ounces. Whether you are going for a jog around the block or training for a marathon, no one wants to carry more weight on their feet than they need to. With this shoe you don’t have to.
Cushioning
Another thing we love about the Clifton 6 is the cushioning. The technical jargon on HOKA’s website states that the shoe is made with “a Full compression EVA midsole that provides signature HOKA ONE ONE® cushioning.” In other words, it makes pounding the pavement feel a lot less like pounding and more like touching down softly. On clouds. The ride is second to none. It’s super comfortable without being squishy or soft and but no so firm that you need or want to add inserts. In addition, the thick sole means often times you can’t feel pain from sharp stones (yes you can run in this on trails and gravel. We do!)
Rocker
In addition, the Clifton 6 is designed with an “early stage Meta-Rocker.” This assists with the ride of the shoe in that it helps keeping you moving forward with a natural motion that is aided by the ever so slight curvature on the bottom of the shoe. Neither of us pronate or supinate a lot so we don’t require a lot of additional stability. In fact, this shoe is great for us because it supports our natural running form without imparting any intended changes in our gait. It’s the reason, for us, that the shoe feels so great to us and we keep coming back for more.
Details
The lightweight feel, excellent cushioning and rocker all add up to make the ride of this shoe second to none. It makes running feel fun and enjoyable. You’ll especially notice the difference if you are switching from another brand. It’s unique. Breathable. The laces stay tied. The tongue stays where it should. The loop at the back of the shoe makes getting them on and off super easy. Each side of the shoe has a bit of reflective bits on it so that you are more visible at night. In other words, HOKA ONE ONE® has thought of everything down to the smallest detail.
The Overall Experience
Our first impression of this shoe is consistent with our experience of other HOKA ONE ONE® shoes that we’ve had. They’re awesome. We give them a 10/10 and highly recommend them for runners of all abilities and experience levels. We fully expect to get upwards of 500 miles on them before we need to trade them out for new ones. Compared to some other brands we’ve run in, we’re getting about 200 more miles out of these shoes than other brands. In addition to the ride and the durability of these shoes, it makes running in the Clifton’s a no-brainer. At least for us.
Recap of our HOKA ONE ONE® Women’s Clifton 6 Running Shoe Review
Caroline and I are big fans of the Women’s Clifton 6 Running Shoe. We think it’s the best running shoe on the market. If you’re looking for a shoe that feels great, offers up an incredible ride and helps you get the most out of your running, look no further than the HOKA ONE ONE® Women’s Clifton 6 running shoe. They also make Clifton’s in mens sizes.
Have you run in these shoes? We’d love to hear from you!
Where can you buy these shoes?
You can find these shoes at most specialty running stores and online at REI!
Like this piece? Be sure to check out some of our other fitness articles:
Top Tips for Running in the Heat | Running Motivation | Van Life Workouts