The Hoka Clifton 11 Is the Best New Walking Shoe, and No, I Won’t Be Taking Questions

I routinely walk well over 10,000 steps per day across New York City, living my life, and walking my German Shepherd, so I expect a lot from a shoe. The Hoka Clifton 11 can handle all the steps I take, and so can my feet, legs, and back when I wear it. If you suffer from achy soles on vacation, or you just want to give a walking shoe with more support a try, here’s where I steer you toward the Clifton 11.ProsAll the best parts stayedThe upper is more comfortable and dialed inThe rocker shape is great for long days on your feetAiry and breathableConsCould have better tractionNGL, not as cute as they could beKey SpecsWeight10 oz (M), 8.3 oz (W)Drop8 mmStack Height42 mm (M), 38 mm (W)They Didn’t Fix What Wasn’t Broken (Thank God)Here’s the thing that made me happiest with the Clifton 11 (which we also reviewed as a running shoe): Hoka didn’t do a complete overhaul with this iteration. The Clifton 10 already went big with a taller stack, a steeper drop, and a whole new shape. And the upgrade did rattle some longtime fans. So, instead of another dramatic redo, the 11 is more of a tune-up. Same $155 price point and, essentially, the same ride. All the major changes happen above the foam, which is where they needed to happen.Spec Nerd Corner Underfoot, you’re getting the same compression-molded EVA midsole (CMEVA, if you’ve read a lot of these reviews); it’s also the same density as the Clifton 10. That’s a 42mm heel and 34mm forefoot in the men’s, 38/30 in the women’s, with an 8mm drop across the board. The Meta-Rocker geometry carries over, so your foot rolls forward naturally, almost as if you’re on a conveyor belt. Weight lands around nine-ish ounces, which is to say: functionally identical to last year.What changed is they made a softer engineered mesh upper with little 3D silicone print overlays for structure, a plusher sockliner that wicks sweat away, extra padding at the tongue and heel collar, and my personal fave bit as the resident RW autistic runner with sensory issues: a shortened heel flare that curves away from your Achilles instead of trying to eat it.Cat BowenThe upper is more dialed in, and the collar is more turned out on the Clifton 11.For Recovery WalksI think Hoka does recovery better than anyone, whether you want a pair of airy Ora slides or a sneaker, and the Clifton 11 fits right in. The CMEVA is soft without being marshmallow-mushy, so your legs get the cushioned, I-want-to-die-but-also-don’t-want-to-seize-up vibe a recovery day demands, and the rocker keeps you moving so you’re not having to work so dang hard just to grab your groceries. It lets your legs just exist and heal.However, while the traction is pretty decent, it doesn’t perform on wet cobblestones as well as, say, an Asics Gel-Cumulus or lululemon Beyondfeel.For Incline Treadmill TrainingHear me out: the 12-3-30 girlies deserve good shoes too. The 8mm drop and rocker perform fabulously with a steep incline, guiding your stride forward so your calves aren’t taking an immediate beating. The new upper locks your midfoot down (bless a heel lock), so your foot isn’t sliding into the toebox every time the belt tilts on a treadmill or the road declines.For Long, Feral Days on Your FeetVacation walking. Museum meanderings on terrazzo floors. That six-hour outlet-mall situation you convinced your husband was necessary. (It was.) The plush collar and roomy forefoot mean hour eight feels more like hour two, and the sweat-wicking sockliner keeps things moderately less disgusting.The VerdictIs the Clifton 11 flashy? No. Is it a bouncy superfoam rocket? Also no. It is dependable, cushioned, and comfortable, and for walking, that’s just what you want. She’s not boring, but she’s not a spectacle, and we love that for her.Shop Men’s at hoka.com | Shop Women’s at Hoka.comCat Bowen, senior editor of commerce; reviews, is a seasoned runner with more than 20 years of distance running experience, including dozens of marathons, half marathons, and even a few ultra marathons. For over a decade, she has tested parenting, fitness, home, and running gear and written in-depth guides to help readers with their next purchase. Holding multiple advanced degrees and currently studying kinesiology, Cat Bowen brings research-backed insight to all of her guides. Passionate about women’s health and neurodivergent inclusion, she advocates for closing research gaps and helping others—especially AudHD people—find joy in running and fitness.