Hoka readies the release of the Hoka Clifton Pro shoe, a new venture in running.
The Hoka Clifton franchise provided an entirely distinct view on running footwear when the brand released the silhouette in 2014. Now Hoka is ready to give the sneaker the “pro” treatment, launching a Hoka Clifton Pro on July 9 meant to take what fans of the silhouette have enjoyed for over a decade and provide a retooled level of geometry and updated materials for a more performance-minded running experience.
Colin Ingram, Hoka vice president of global product, tells me that as Hoka—and specifically the Clifton model—has continued to grow, the shoes have translated to a variety of activities, whether running, walking or everyday wear. It’s all centered around the heavily cushioned rocker profile in a lightweight package. “The Clifton, one of our flagship shoes, gets asked to do a lot of different things,” he says. “But we have serious runners who want to make sure they are getting the most out of our products.” As the materials have advanced and demands on the profile have grown, Hoka decided launching a Pro design was the way to accomplish the next step in the Clifton journey.
The $165 Clifton Pro, then, uses the same maximum cushioning geometry principle as the mainline shoe but crafted for a slightly different ride, Ingram says, meant to create “greater efficiency and smoother transition underfoot for the true runner” in a maximum control design. To get there, Hoka wanted to build a “perpetual motion” feel by giving the height of the shoe, the toe spring and the heel rocker more of a roll. It adds up to additional push.
