I have been running in Hoka shoes for over 5 years now since the Original Bondi B’s came out in 2001. I am 5’7" and 155-160lbs.
In the last 2 years I have been using Hoka Bondi Bs for long runs and Clifton 1s for tempo runs/ speedwork. My Cliftons have had a good life…but demise is imminent.
I am looking at replacing the Clifton 1s with one of these models: Clifton 3, Clayton or Tracer.
From the Hoka website it looks like the Clifton 3 is a bit heavier then the other two, but otherwise I am not really clear on the differences between the Clayton vs Tracer vs Clifton.
I have been running in Hoka shoes for over 5 years now since the Original Bondi B’s came out in 2001. I am 5’7" and 155-160lbs.
In the last 2 years I have been using Hoka Bondi Bs for long runs and Clifton 1s for tempo runs/ speedwork. My Cliftons have had a good life…but demise is imminent.
I am looking at replacing the Clifton 1s with one of these models: Clifton 3, Clayton or Tracer.
From the Hoka website it looks like the Clifton 3 is a bit heavier then the other two, but otherwise I am not really clear on the differences between the Clayton vs Tracer vs Clifton.
Does anyone have insight they can share with me?
I wear the Clifton 2 and bought a pair of the tracers. I know the toe box on the tracer is much tighter than the Clifton 2 and Clifton 3. The Clifton 3 has a new upper apparently and a slightly larger toe box. I had to return the tracer before even running in them because it was just too tight. I have pretty average feet, size 10 normal width. The tracer is lighter than the Clifton I would have to imagine as it is made for racing.
Thanks shaunylw that helps as I have a relatively wider forefoot so if the Tracer runs narrower then the Clifton I can cross that off my list.
I’m still not really clear on the difference Clayton vs. Clifton.
Clayton is less “squishy” than Clifton, feels more responsive to me and not so cushioned. I love it as the Cliftons were feeling too cushioned for my taste. Fit and toe box similar in my opinion. (Comparing to Clifton 1). I have tracers too and they are definitely more narrow and very light. I use them for speed workouts and racing up to half marathon distance.
I’d recommend you try them (Clayton vs Clifton) to compare before buying.
I got blisters on the inside of my arch with Claytons and I ended up cutting my insole where the arch support is basically a curved line taking about 3/4" of an inch off the material rubbing on my arch. Worked perfectly and no rubbing now. Love love the Clayton now. I really like the new Tracer too and have run in them both. Tracer is more like a flat, narrow and hugs the foot. Minimal padding (for a Hoka). Super light and responsive. Very comfy upper I have raced with this shoe barefoot with no issues.
I got blisters on the inside of my arch with Claytons and I ended up cutting my insole where the arch support is basically a curved line taking about 3/4" of an inch off the material rubbing on my arch. Worked perfectly and no rubbing now. Love love the Clayton now. I really like the new Tracer too and have run in them both. Tracer is more like a flat, narrow and hugs the foot. Minimal padding (for a Hoka). Super light and responsive. Very comfy upper I have raced with this shoe barefoot with no issues.
I really liked them until the blisters started. I didn’t want to cut them since Hoka offers free returns. Kinda wish I did now. Have you ever ran in Newtons before? If so how would you compare the Tracer to them?
I’ve had many Hoka models, but only Clayton from the 3 you mentioned.
Clayton got a bad rap from the blisters caused by the new insole. Once you swap that out with a regular Hoka insole, it is great.
It’s really light, and gives a nice cushion without being too squishy. The toe box feels roomy. I did go up 1/2 size for Clayton.
Have had the Clifton 2 and now the Clayton. The Clifton 2, for a larger person (6’ - 180) is a much easier ride and was a better shoe for me than the Clifton 3. I wore that shoe until the uppers started failing. I still rotate it, because I still like it. It lasted about a year and a half for me, rotated with other shoes. So maybe 400 miles on it.
The Clayton is much firmer and I am not sure whether it would be better for a lighter runner or conversely a heavier runner. It is however a very comfortable shoe. Although I have yet to decide which I prefer, as I can’t get my size in a Clifton 2, these will have to do.
I almost never wear socks for any distance up to Marathon. The Cliftons and Claytons were comfortable from the get go.
I’m on to my 4th pair of Clifton 1’s and have now run about 100km in the claytons. For me the claytons are much firmer and not as roomy in the toe box. I read that the Clifton 3’s are over 10 oz in weight which is a couple more than the cliftons.
I prefer the cliftons (expecting version 3 to be similar) for anything longer than 10k. Shorter runs I like the Clayton. I’m size 13 in both. Wish there was a 13.5 for the Clayton. I tried on the tracer in 13 but it was way too snug.
Blistered in the Cliftons, arch too high in the Claytons (or narrow, not sure, just too snug), but the Tracer seems great for me. No blisters and no annoying arch issue, put on ~150 miles and no complaints. I only wear them for my longer runs, but do throw in interval work and they seem to turn-over pretty well, not sure if I’d use them over my Newton’s for race day, maybe though.
I got blisters on the inside of my arch with Claytons and I ended up cutting my insole where the arch support is basically a curved line taking about 3/4" of an inch off the material rubbing on my arch. Worked perfectly and no rubbing now. Love love the Clayton now. I really like the new Tracer too and have run in them both. Tracer is more like a flat, narrow and hugs the foot. Minimal padding (for a Hoka). Super light and responsive. Very comfy upper I have raced with this shoe barefoot with no issues.
I really liked them until the blisters started. I didn’t want to cut them since Hoka offers free returns. Kinda wish I did now. Have you ever ran in Newtons before? If so how would you compare the Tracer to them?
I’ve been through a number of Hokas including the Clifton 1 and 2. In June I picked up a pair of Claytons thinking I would wear them in a July ironman but they turned out to be the first Hokas that ever gave me blisters so I have relegated them to short runs only. I’ll give the Clifton 3 a try down the road and be sure to go long within 30 days in case they cause blisters too.