I can't resist posting on this thread since I posted about the Huaka vs. the Clifton earlier this week. As I stated in that post, the Huaka is the best shoe I've ever run in for ride and responsiveness. It also has great cushion. It is the best of both worlds, cushion and energy return. I just wish the rubber parts of the outsole were a bit more durable like the Continental Rubber on the Adidas Boost line. I have the Adidas Supernova Glide 6 Boost, and they are great shoes. The Boost material is as advertised--it has great energy return. But believe it or not, the RMAT midsole of the Hoka Huaka is EVEN BETTER!
As for the Hoka Clifton, I really want to like it. I've done several runs in it, and each time it gives me great pain in one or both big toes about 3-4 miles into the run. The Cushion of the Clifton is mush. I can best compare it to running in sand. It sucks all the energy out of my stride and push-off. It's fantastic for running downhill because it absorbs all the road or trail shock and lets you really fly, but on level surfaces it's miserable, especially on soft surfaces. It MAKES you run on pavement because otherwise, you're sinking down even more with every foot strike on a soft surface. There are people who swear by the Clifton, but I can't understand why. I think it will make a good slow walking shoe, for those times when my wife talks me into going shopping at the mall and I have to stand around a lot on hard tiled surfaces waiting for her to try on clothes.
Now, Hoka-sponsored star runner Sage Canaday says that the Huaka is being phased out in the U.S., but it will still be available in Europe. I'm greatly disappointed to hear that, but Hoka will be coming out with some new models that may be good Huaka substitutes, including the Hoka Clayton, Tracer, and Carbon Rocket (a racing flat). Luckily I have two pair of Huakas, which I rotate with the Adidas Supernova Glide 6 and the Saucony Ride 6, both great shoes. If I were you, I'd try to grab the Huaka on sale. Later this year I expect that the Huaka will drop in price once the new models come online. We'll see. By the way, I'm also a masters runner (age 53).