Why Smooth Is the New Fast

The HOKA Clifton 11 builds on history. In 2009, HOKA shocked the running shoe industry when it introduced maximally cushioned shoes among a sea of minimalist footwear.

HOKA entered the shoe market with a notably oversized midsole and a uniquely shaped curve (the signature HOKA MetaRocker™) that created a feeling of floating over terrain.

That early success with trail runners set the stage for the Clifton, which debuted in 2014. The shoe had HOKA’s signature cushioned midsole and early-stage MetaRocker™, but the Clifton was different. The everyday runner was impossibly lightweight and had speedy sensibilities. At just 7.7 ounces for a men’s size 9, the Clifton looked twice as heavy as it was. And it had a message: Not only could maximum cushioning be more comfortable, on any surface, it could also make your running smoother.

That first Clifton didn’t skimp on cushioning to achieve its feather-light weight. Instead, its high stack (29mm-24mm) consisted of ultralight, compression-molded EVA injected with the lightest material possible: air. Instead of a full rubber outsole, the Clifton placed rubber in high-wear areas, leaving the lighter-weight EVA exposed. And instead of sewn-on overlays on a built-up upper, breathable mesh was reinforced with overlays that were applied via heat transfer.

The result: a lightweight, smooth-rolling, efficient shoe that inspired speed as much as it floated through daily miles. It brought the HOKA revolution to the road-running masses and has since built a cultlike following.

In more than a decade since launching the Clifton, HOKA has refined and improved the design every year. So it should come as no surprise that the 11th iteration is the best yet. The Clifton 11 leverages everything the brand has learned about comfort and performance, creating a shoe that brings smooth running to a new level.

Improvements include a refined mesh upper that hugs the foot comfortably while remaining airy and lightweight, a Durabrasion outsole, and a double-lace lock to enhance the feeling of control. Tried-and-true compression-molded cushioning and the MetaRocker™ shape aim to make every step feel smooth.

Like the Cliftons before it but better than ever, the Clifton 11 is here to help runners settle into the rhythm of the run.

Founder of Peace Runners 773 running club, Jackie Hoffman finds peace in the movement and smoothness of a run. “The city is chaotic,” says the Chicago-based ex-collegiate football player. “Running has been so therapeutic for me.”

Jackie founded the club to help build community. He knows the value of shared movement and shared miles. Since running helped him lose 50 pounds for health and happiness, he wanted to spread the joy of putting one foot in front of the other. He wanted others to feel empowered to show up as their best selves. He wanted to bring people together.

Since founding Peace Runners 773, Jackie has helped 1,500 people complete their first 5K and 51 people finish the Chicago Marathon. He’s run six marathons himself, but his passion is about the collective. “You can really change lives when you can really slow down and be at peace on a run,” he says.

The new Clifton 11 helps Jackie find his flow amid a busy city. He shows up and leads groups to run through some of the most iconic parts of the bustle, finding peace in laps around places like Garfield Park. On any given day, you know Jackie is out there, drawing others out of the community to join him. Beyond the physical benefits of running, Jackie has found and spread the mental, social, and emotional gains of shared movement.

“To be the best human I need to be for my community and show up for them, I gotta run,” he says, “and I need to be with them.” And they need to be with him.

HOKA is one of the fastest-growing performance footwear and apparel brands in history. Conceived in the mountains, HOKA footwear delivers an unprecedented combination of enhanced cushioning and support for a uniquely smooth ride. Every day, HOKA pushes the innovation and design of its footwear and apparel by teaming up with a deep roster of world champions, tastemakers, and everyday athletes. From finish lines to everyday life, HOKA fans love the brand for its bold and unexpected approach, and its belief in the power of humanity to create change for a better world. HOKA empowers a world of athletes to fly over the earth. For more information, visit HOKA.com or follow @HOKA. #FlyHumanFly