HOKA Challenger 8 vs Clifton 11

Challenger 8 or Clifton 11? Here’s how they compare on feel, fit, brand specs and price, from the fitting team at The Run House.

The short answer

Want one shoe for roads, gravel and easy trails? Get the Challenger 8.

Want the Clifton’s soft ride with a roomier fit? Get the Clifton 11.

Get the Challenger 8 if

• You’re heading off-road
• You need a roomier fit

Get the Clifton 11 if

• You want a dedicated recovery-day shoe
• You have slimmer feet and like a snug fit
• You need an extra-wide width

On the run

Challenger 8: The road-to-trail all-rounder. Well cushioned and stable, with grippy redesigned lugs for gravel, dirt paths and the road in between. Flexible for a max-stack trail shoe, though the foam isn’t very bouncy.

Clifton 11: The soft cruiser, refined. The same soft, steady Clifton ride. It’s comfortable and consistent rather than bouncy, and a new insole and a more flexible forefoot make it a touch smoother than the 10.

Specs side by side

Stack, drop and weight come from each brand’s own website. Numbers marked * aren’t published by the brand and come from other published specs. Weights are for the size each brand quotes. Expected life is our estimate.

Fit

Challenger 8. True to size and roomier than the Challenger 7, with a secure heel. Wide available.

Clifton 11. True to size. Reviewers find the forefoot roomier than the 10’s, but lab measurements show the toebox still narrows to a point at the very front. Wide and extra-wide available.

Try them on

Come try on both at The Run House in Walpole, Needham or Falmouth. Gait analysis is always free.

Shop the Challenger 8 · Shop the Clifton 11 · Compare other running shoes