Hoka Creates Clifton Pro As Part Of Fresh Running Perspective

Hoka readies the release of the Hoka Clifton Pro shoe, a new venture in running.

Hoka

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.

The updated geometry pairs with the debut of a one-piece supercritical midsole foam dubbed the Proglide+, designed to maintain resilience and retain the Clifton cushioning, but with a durability that lasts for daily running. The makeup is meant to offer a fluid rolling sensation for the runner designed to absorb impact while actively guiding runners forward.

The Clifton Pro also features a breathable engineered mesh upper and additional coverage on the outsole. Hoka has traditionally offered minimal outsole coverage to keep weight down, but Ingram says they were able to up the outsole rubber thanks to the lighter midsole foam.

When adding to the Clifton lineup, Ingram wanted to continue surprising consumers with something different. “That was a piece we wanted to make sure it didn’t lose, for sure,” he says. “It should feel like the Clifton you had, but feel it give back a little more.”

The Hoka running lineup continues to build off experiences, using two distinct silos. The Profly platform features speed in training and racing, including the recent release of the Cielo X1 3.0, the brand’s fastest shoe. Within the Profly platform, Hoka has a handful of options. The other main silo is the Proglide, which features the signature Hoka maximum cushioning, commonly used as a daily runner or trainer. By adding the Clifton Pro into the Proglide silo, Ingram says they’ve taken a franchise people know and were able to “level it up.”

Moving forward, Hoka will continue to focus on road running, but expect to see trail play a key factor too. As more models release across the Hoka lineup this fall, the Clifton offers the first example of Hoka’s new Pro lineup, but it doesn’t mean it will be the last. “That Pro experience,” Ingram says, “we think we can explore more as we go.”

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