Running shoes · owner-verdict comparison

Brooks Ghost 17 vs Hoka Clifton 10: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Brooks Ghost 17: 82% of 11 owners recommend it, vs 40% of 128 for the Hoka Clifton 10.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Brooks Ghost 17

82%of 11 owners recommend
82% recommend · 0% neutral · 18% don't
Owners praise
  • A dependable, comfortable daily trainer that owners reach for on the majority of their runs
  • Plenty of cushioning with a higher stack, often described as crazy soft and easy on the feet
  • Handles long runs and half marathons reliably, holding up over a few hundred miles
Owners complain about
  • Runs a bit heavy, so owners suggest a faster shoe for racing or speed sessions
  • The redesign feels like a different shoe to some longtime Ghost wearers
  • Toe box can feel narrow, which was a dealbreaker for a couple of owners
Full owner report →

Hoka Clifton 10

40%of 128 owners recommend
40% recommend · 18% neutral · 42% don't
Owners praise
  • Plush, comfortable cushioning
  • Great for walking and daily wear
  • Wider, roomier toe box than Bondi
Owners complain about
  • Poor durability, wears out fast
  • Caused foot, arch and ankle pain
  • Too soft and unstable, heel collapses
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Brooks Ghost 17 if
  • ✓Daily trainers logging most of their weekly miles
  • ✓Half-marathon runners wanting stable cushioning
  • ✓Runners who like a comfy, higher-stack step-in feel
Skip it if
  • Narrow-toe-box sufferers prone to toe pain
  • Racers chasing marathon speed (better with super shoes)
Get the Hoka Clifton 10 if
  • ✓Walkers and people on their feet all day
  • ✓Easy, recovery and long slow runs
  • ✓Those who want maximum plush cushioning
  • ✓Wide-foot runners who find the Bondi too narrow
Skip it if
  • Runners wanting a stable, responsive ride
  • People prone to arch, ankle or plantar pain

What Brooks Ghost 17 owners say

“these shoes are IT”
— @Justin.501 on YouTube
“Not a shoe to go fast but a fantastic daily trainer.”
— @Philllin on YouTube
“Its like running with a stiff truck tire for a midsole. Its dead, heavy and depressing”
— @albertteng1191 on YouTube

What Hoka Clifton 10 owners say

“me gusta las semsaciiones que son buenas”
— @Khoscorro32 on YouTube
“Very nice shoes and I’ve got the crazy Color one”
— kenny61953 on Reddit
“teniendo Clifton 9 ya no quiero esas 10”
— @diegoglezmad on YouTube

Brooks Ghost 17 vs Hoka Clifton 10: frequently asked questions

Is the Brooks Ghost 17 or the Hoka Clifton 10 better?

Real owners lean toward the Brooks Ghost 17: 82% of 11 owners recommend it, vs 40% of 128 for the Hoka Clifton 10.

Who should get the Brooks Ghost 17?

Owners point the Brooks Ghost 17 at daily trainers logging most of their weekly miles, and half-marathon runners wanting stable cushioning.

Who should get the Hoka Clifton 10?

Owners point the Hoka Clifton 10 at walkers and people on their feet all day, and easy, recovery and long slow runs.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Brooks Ghost 17 is runs a bit heavy, so owners suggest a faster shoe for racing or speed sessions. For the Hoka Clifton 10, it's poor durability, wears out fast.