Overview
The Clifton line has been running on CMEVA since its debut, a foam that earned a loyal following through consistency and protection rather than through energy return or propulsion. The Clifton Pro changes that. ProGlide+ supercritical EVA foam, nitrogen-infused for bounce and responsiveness, replaces the CMEVA compound and brings the Clifton line into the performance trainer conversation for the first time. Paired with a more aggressive MetaRocker geometry and a podular Durabrasion rubber outsole with better midfoot coverage than the standard Clifton 11, the Clifton Pro is a meaningfully different shoe built around a meaningfully different foam. At 10.4 oz and $165, it costs $10 more and weighs half an ounce more than the Clifton 11; in exchange, it offers a ride that can handle easy daily miles and push into uptempo training territory with legitimate energy return underfoot.
Upper
The engineered mesh upper carries the same familiar Clifton silhouette but steps up the lockdown with a fully gusseted tongue, a meaningful improvement over the ungusseted construction on the Clifton 11. The gusseted tongue keeps the upper in place during dynamic movement and eliminates the debris intrusion that ungusseted designs can allow on mixed-surface runs. The heel counter is reinforced and firm, providing more structured support through the ankle than the softer, more plush collar on the Clifton 11. The overall fit reads slightly more narrow and performance-oriented than the accommodating geometry of the standard Clifton; this is a deliberate choice that improves energy transfer at pace but reduces the foot-off feel at easy and recovery paces. Flat laces and standard lace loops keep the upper clean and secure. Standard and wide widths are available. Sizing runs true to length across most foot types; runners who prefer extra forefoot room should consider a half size up given the slightly more fitted construction.
Midsole
ProGlide+ supercritical EVA foam is the midsole compound, and the difference from the CMEVA in the Clifton 11 is immediately apparent underfoot. The nitrogen-infusion process creates a foam that compresses and rebounds with genuine spring rather than the protective but passive feel that CMEVA delivers. The 42mm heel and 34mm forefoot stack maintains the Clifton’s cushion depth, but the foam character changes what that height feels like: less like insulation from the road and more like a platform that actively returns energy. The MetaRocker geometry in the Clifton Pro is more aggressive than the Clifton 11’s rocker profile; the forefoot angle in particular accelerates toe-off and reduces the active muscular input required to move through the stride cycle at faster paces. The platform measurements of 90mm heel, 85mm midfoot, and 120mm forefoot produce a slightly narrower base than the Clifton 11’s wider stance, which contributes to the more performance-oriented ride feel. The midsole is stiffer and less flexible than the Clifton 11 under foot-bending stress; this is a feature at uptempo paces and a tradeoff at very slow recovery efforts.
Outsole
A podular Durabrasion rubber outsole with triangular rubber patches covering the full length of the shoe, including meaningful midfoot coverage, addresses the exposed foam vulnerability that the Clifton 11’s partial-coverage outsole creates. The triangular pods provide grip and abrasion resistance while maintaining the flexibility that solid-coverage outsoles can sacrifice. Sections of exposed foam sit between the rubber pods, but the coverage pattern reduces the foam’s contact with road surfaces compared to the Clifton 11’s open midfoot design. After 20-plus miles of testing, wear is minimal across both the rubber pods and the exposed foam zones. Road traction on wet and dry pavement is reliable; the podular compound holds grip on rain-soaked surfaces without the hesitation that softer rubber designs can show. The outsole is optimized for road and firm surfaces; keep it on pavement.
Performance
The Clifton Pro performs across a wider range than any previous Clifton. At easy daily paces, the ProGlide+ foam and MetaRocker create a smooth, bouncy ride that makes miles feel effortless in the way the best cushioned trainers do. At uptempo efforts, the more aggressive rocker geometry and responsive foam add propulsion and forward lean that the standard Clifton 11 simply cannot replicate; the transition from easy pace to moderate tempo effort requires less conscious effort to sustain. The shoe is not a race shoe or a speed trainer by weight; at 10.4 oz it sits above the class of lightweight performance tools, and runners chasing threshold or VO2 max sessions will want something lighter. But for the runner who wants one shoe that covers long Sunday runs and Wednesday uptempo efforts without a rotation swap, the Clifton Pro handles both ends of that range more convincingly than anything the Clifton line has produced before. The slightly more narrow and performance-oriented fit is most apparent at easy paces, where the Clifton 11’s more accommodating geometry may feel more familiar to longtime Clifton runners.
Overall Conclusion
Hoka gave the Clifton line a foam upgrade it has needed for years and built a shoe around it that earns the Pro designation. ProGlide+ supercritical EVA is a genuine step forward from CMEVA in energy return and ride character; the more aggressive MetaRocker and improved outsole coverage complete a package that is more technically capable than any previous Clifton. At $165, the $10 premium over the Clifton 11 is justified by a foam upgrade that changes what this shoe can do rather than simply refining what it has always done. Runners who want the Clifton’s reputation for cushion and daily reliability, plus the ability to push into faster training without reaching for a second shoe, have a compelling answer here.
Final Grade: 9/10
ProGlide+ foam brings genuine energy return to the Clifton line for the first time; paired with a more aggressive MetaRocker and improved outsole coverage, the Clifton Pro is the most capable version of this shoe Hoka has built.
