Why is the Clifton 1 so hyped up? It seems to me that 5-year-old shoe technology is going to be inferior to the new stuff, but that's just me.
Why is the Clifton 1 so hyped up? It seems to me that 5-year-old shoe technology is going to be inferior to the new stuff, but that's just me.
When it first came out it provided a very soft cushioned ride, at a relatively low weigh,t with a comfortable , somewhat minimal upper. Compare that to many of the more popular shoes of 2019-2020 and it checks many of the same boxes. Throw in a carbon place and you could market is as a performance racer today.
I do agree though that 5 years of advancement probably have made "better" shoes over time. But sentiment and nostalgia are powerful feelings for a lot of people. I had a pair when they first were released. It was an alright shoe, but not my favorite for a variety of preference reasons; it was my first and last foray into Hoka.
I vote mostly hype. I had a pair. The original Hoka models seem to wear out very quickly from what I can recall.
I ran Boston in a pair of the re-released Clifton 1s last year. I loved them at the time (light, soft, but still reponsive), but the number of hyperlight, fast trainers and racers that have come out over the past year puts them to shame, honestly.
I would assume that the Beacons and the Rincons have overtaken the Clifton 1.