Among the new releases at The Running Event last autumn in Texas was the Hoka Project Clifton, which could be described in several ways.
Pop culture smashup of an incredibly popular shoe and an artist’s creation? Of course.
A futuristic riff, as Hoka describes it, on an old classic? Sure. Imagine putting the Mona Lisa in something by Angel Chen or Bethany Williams. Or maybe American Gothic’s lovely couple contemplating in Kate Spade and Tom Ford. That would be kind of cool, to be honest.
Often, it seems, when shoe companies do a “what if?” design it turns into something weird. I think about car shows with “what we’ll drive in the future!” of weird vehicles like we drew as kids, or runways with apparel designs no one would wear. Dee.Signer creates a “dress” from plastic milk jugs as part of creativity and a plea to save the earth. Do people take it seriously? Maybe. And then they forget about it and go on with their lives.
Hoka and Goldilocks
Hoka didn’t go that far, thankfully, with its Project Clifton line.
Available in four snazzy colors, it provides the comfortable cushy Clifton 8 bottom with a cool upper. It reeks of speed just based on the design. If you’re a Clifton 8 fan (I buy 2-3 pair a year), you know they’re solid for daily training and events. They also look good for wearing around town.
The Project Clifton line has a quick-lace system with an Aquaguard Zip system and ripstop mesh upper. No more floppy laces, wither you’re running in these or are out for an evening. They have the EVA midsole, which I’ve found to be a Goldilocks situation — not too firm, not too soft and just right. The rubber outsole stands up to the grind of asphalt and concrete.
I’m a big guy and wear the hell out of my shoes’ soles on our sidewalks and streets, but the Clifton 8 lasts pretty well. Combined with good socks, the shoes are among my rotation for workouts and races. When I feel like the EVA and soles are done, they become comfy yard and mowing shoes.
We’ll take a look at other new arrivals from Hoka, and other brands, in the coming weeks before spring arrives. Stay tuned.
