Founded in 2009, Hoka One One (now just “Hoka”) has quickly become one of the most trusted brands in running. Today, we’ll be comparing two of their popular road running shoes, breaking down the HOKA Arahi vs Clifton. One brings the Hoka comfort to stability running, while the other is one of the brand’s top-selling road runners. It’s clear that the Arahi draws significant influence from the Clifton, both coming in at the same price point. It’s easy to understand why many people compare these two models.
HOKA Arahi vs Clifton
- The Hoka Arahi is a Stability running shoe. Featuring Hoka’s J-Frame technology. Designed to prevent inward roll. You can see this in the images below.
- While the Hoka Clifton is a neutral running shoe. This will be the choice for most runners. Unless you have been diagnosed with inward roll or overpronation.
- Both of the shoes feature a 5mm drop. This is a moderate drop and is a good choice for both shorter and longer distances.
- The Arahi has less padding but weighs slightly more. This extra weight comes from the J-Frame around the inner and back sole of the shoe.
- The Hoka Clifton has more cushioning and is considered “balanced”. Where the Arahi has less padding and is considered “responsive” in cushioning.
- I would consider both shoes to have mid to lower arch support. I have a low to mid arch and they fit great for me. But if you have a high arch, you may need to get some inserts.
- The Arahi is actually built off of the Clifton. In short, if you like the Clifton but need a stability shoe for over pronation, then you will love the Arahi.
Hoka Arahi 6
MSRP Price: $140
Men’s Link: Click Here
Women’s Link: Click Here
Surface: Road Running
Weight Men’s: 9.3 oz
Weight Woman’s: 7.6 oz
Stability: Stable
Drop/Offset Men’s: 5mm
Drop/Offset Women’s: 5mm
Cushion: Responsive
Hoka Clifton
MSRP Price: $145
Men’s Link: Click Here
Women’s Link: Click Here
Surface: Road Running
Weight Men: 8.7 oz
Weight Women: 7.3 oz
Stability: Neutral
Drop/Offset Mens: 5mm
Drop/Offset Women’s: 5mm
Cushion: Balanced
Performance Summary
One of the things I appreciate about Hoka One One is their commitment to designing shoes with a purpose, and these two models exemplify that philosophy. Each caters to a specific audience, with both the Arahi and Clifton earning great reputations and reviews. Let’s delve into the details of both shoes and highlight their key differences.
Hoka Arahi
Firstly, it’s essential to grasp that the Hoka Arahi is a stability shoe, incorporating J-frame technology to prevent inward rolling and pronation during running. While not everyone requires or benefits from a stability shoe, the Arahi is an excellent option for those seeking one.
Having tested several stability shoes in the past, I was pleasantly surprised by the Arahi’s lightness—a noteworthy trait not always associated with corrective footwear. They fit true to size for me, offering a medium arch support. Hoka categorizes them as having “responsive” cushioning, the lowest on their rating system. However, I found the cushion to be ample, despite the slight rigidity associated with the frame. Overall, the Arahi performed admirably, drawing design influence from the Clifton. It could easily be my top recommendation for individuals seeking this type of supportive shoe, especially those looking for something with a somewhat fast feel.
Hoka Clifton
On the other hand, the Clifton is a neutral running shoe, making it an ideal choice for the majority of runners, including those new to running. With “balanced” cushioning, the Clifton is Hoka’s mid-sized model and ranks among the most popular road runners on the market. They fit true to size, featuring a medium arch, with a wide model also available. Like other Hokas, they may take a few miles to break in, initially feeling somewhat stiff.
When worn, the Clifton provides ample cushioning, and you can distinctly feel the “spring” or forward rock that Hoka emphasizes, particularly if you’re transitioning from another brand. I particularly appreciate the 5mm drop on both models. Overall, the Clifton is a joy for racking up miles and serves as my go-to training shoes, which speaks volumes about their performance.
Image Comparison
Hoka Arahi Profile
Hoka Clifton Profile
The two shoes look almost identical from the top. From here you can really see the teal outline of the “j” on the Arahi.
Arahi Top View
Clifton Top View
Again, from the bottom soles of the shoes are almost identical.
Hoka Arahi Soles
Hoka Clifton Soles
Conclusion – HOKA Arahi vs Clifton
The Clifton is a classic road runner and one of Hoka’s iconic shoes. The newer Arahi wisely takes much of its design influence from the Clifton. With so many similarities between these two shoes, it’s easy to understand why many people compare the two models.
Which road running shoe to buy?
For me, this is pretty clear. If you are a new runner or a neutral runner (don’t need corrective shoes), then you should go with the Clifton. They are my go-to for a reason and a great way to get into the Hoka brand. From there, you can add more cushion, like the Bondi, or less, like the Rincon.
If you need corrective running shoes to prevent overpronation or inward roll, then go with the Arahi. They are an amazing road runner for a stability shoe, incorporating all the best parts of the Clifton and adding their J-frame technology.