Men's Hoka Clifton 10 - High Cushion Running Shoe

Design & Build

• Midsole / Cushioning Platform
  The Men's Hoka Clifton 10 Uses CMEVA (compression-molded EVA) foam in the midsole — designed to deliver soft, protective cushioning. 
  Stack height is ~ 42 mm in the heel / 34 mm in the forefoot for men. 

• Heel-to-Toe Drop
  ~ 8 mm, up from 5 mm in the Clifton 9. This raises the heel relative to the forefoot more than before. 

• Upper & Fit
  Breathable jacquard knit upper, with reflective details.
  There's a double-lace lock system to help keep the tongue in place and the fit more secure.
  Heel counter: part of Hoka’s Active Foot Frame™, which helps cradle the heel and adds some stability. 

• Outsole & Durability
  Uses durable abrasion rubber in high-impact zones. Some parts of the outsole still expose EVA foam in less critical spots.
  More rubber coverage in heel/side zones than previous version to increase longevity where runners often scuff or land. 

• Weight
  About 9.8 oz (men’s size ~ US 9-10) in most listings.

Performance & Feel

• Ride & Transition
  With the higher drop and increased heel stack, the Clifton 10 gives a smoother heel-strike to toe-off transition, especially for runners who land more heavily in the heel. 
  The foam is plush and forgiving underfoot, but not overly soft or sloppy—there’s enough structure so things feel stable. 

• Stability / Support
  While Clifton 10 is still categorized neutral, the Active Foot Frame + the wider base + more support from heel cradle make it more stable than many neutral shoes. Good for mild pronation and for times when fatigue sets in. 

• Durability & Outsole Performance
  The durable rubber in high-wear zones helps; the exposed foam might degrade faster in places of repeated impact. But overall, reviews suggest good longevity for a daily trainer. 

• Fit & Comfort
  Improved breathability due to the jacquard mesh helps with ventilation. The tongue, collar, heel are more comfortable; tongue migration is less of an issue with the new lacing system.
  Slightly roomier toe box than older Clifton models. 

Who It’s For

• Runners looking for a daily trainer: easy runs, recovery days, moderate distances.

• People who prefer higher cushioning underfoot and want less impact stress (on joints, knees, hips) especially if doing many miles.

• Those who want something comfortable also for walking, standing, or being on feet all day — not just running.

• Less ideal if you want a speed day/race shoe, or if your terrain is very technical/trail-based (gravel, rocks, mud); more for roads, sidewalks, park paths, etc.

Why It’s Great for Road Running & Those On Their Feet in Salida, Colorado

Here are how features of the Clifton 10 map to the conditions in/around Salida, CO, and for folks who are on their feet a lot (work, hiking, casual walks, etc.):

Advantages:

• High cushioning helps a lot in Salida because of elevation + frequent downhill or rolling terrain. Softer landings reduce fatigue in joints (knees, ankles) when you have thinner air and more impact.

• The 8 mm drop gives a bit more heel cushion, which many benefit from (especially with uphill/downhill transitions or when on concrete / pavement). It eases strain on Achilles / calves compared to lower drop shoes.

• Breathable upper is valuable in Salida’s climate: warm sun, sometimes intense midday heat, but dry air. Good airflow helps avoid overheating and blister issues.

• Durable outsole rubber in impact zones helps on paved roads, sidewalks, maybe occasional gravel driveway or park path. While Salida has lots of pavement and maintained roads, wear tends to be on the heel/lateral side for many runners, so extra rubber there helps.

• Comfort and stability features (heel counter, Active Foot Frame) aid those on their feet all day (standing, walking, errands) — the shoe gives more protection than a minimalist model, which helps reduce foot fatigue.

• The step-in comfort, roomy forefoot relative to past Clifton versions, and secure tongue/lacing help if your feet swell (which can happen at altitude and in long days) or if you change surfaces (pavement to decking, errands, etc.).

Considerations / Limitations:

• On wet slick pavement (rain, snow melt), traction may be less aggressive; rubber helps, but exposed foam and smooth rubber may slip more than deeper tread or sticky compounds.

• The higher drop changes feel; if you're used to very low drop shoes, this might feel different in calf and Achilles loading initially. Needs break-in.

• The weight is slightly up compared to lighter trainers, so over many miles it adds up; but still pretty reasonable for its cushioning.

• If you frequently run or work on very rough surfaces (broken concrete, gravel, rocks), the durability of the foam/exposed areas may degrade faster.

Summary

The Men's Hoka Clifton 10 is a strong choice as a road-running daily trainer and for anyone in Salida (or similar mountain/plateau terrain) who is on their feet a lot. The extra stack height, increased drop, refined cushioning and stable heel support all combine to offer a forgiving ride that helps reduce joint stress, especially for pavement miles or long standing/walking. It likely won’t be the go-fast racing shoe, nor the trail-shoe for rugged technical terrain, but for its intended use — everyday miles, all-day comfort — it very much delivers.