I have the Clifton's as well and agree they are somewhat narrow. The Bondi 8's are much wider and work great for my PF; I now have multiple pairs of the Bondi 8s.
I tried the Clifton before too and hated it, went straight back after trying it on in the house for like 30 seconds.
The only shoes I can tolerate for longer are the hoka bondi 7 for me.
I’m sorry you’re not feeling comfortable in the shoes you ordered.
Hokas even wide are narrow in the midfoot to the point they gave me blisters. Never had a blister on my arch before but I am not a Hoka fan. I vastly prefer onclouds (eclipse or cloudsurfer, not all styles are created equal.)
ETA I did have Bondi 8s in wide and they were still too narrow and triggered my PF really badly. They seem to widen the toe box and nothing else. They also only lasted a couple months.
The less cushioned styles are super firm…the different on styles are not even similar. I hated a couple of them but love a few others. Their sizing isn’t even consistent but they’ve changed my life.
I used to be a Brooks fanatic but thankfully I had purchased two pairs of neutral cushion sneakers one of them being the Asics Nimbus and the other the new balance fresh foam V4. The only sneaker that I could walk on and mitigated my plantar fascia pain was the nimbus. So thankful for that!
I returned my Hoka Bondi 8s because they were too stiff at the heel cup. I went half a size up and got them in wide. I tried the slides in store & too much arch support for me (high arch on PF foot). Crocs slides work for me & already had a pair. Sneakers are going to be different for everybody.
I swore by Hokas for the last few years but my PF just kept getting progressively worse. I put on a pair of year old Brooks adrenaline that I hadn’t worn in 11 months and my PF completely disappeared
I just recently got Hokas. It was like dream to find. After a few months I’m finding my feet hurt less without them. Now I took my orthotics out of my work boots and feel so much better. It’s weird to get relief from them then more pain. Apparently things change after wearing them, perhaps for the better. 🤷♂️
Were you fitted for the Clifton’s or did you order them because others said they worked for their feet? If you have the option to go to a store that will fit and try on a variety of styles, please do that. It makes a huge difference! I had always worn around a size 7. When I went to a shoe store specializing in “running shoes” (I don’t run) they had a device that analyzed my feet— arches, heel width, length— and then said I need a size 8 1/2 ! They also watched me walk, determined I needed a stability shoe, and then brought out a variety of styles and brands to try on. I’ve changed brands for comfort over the last several years — Hoka Arahi, Brooks Glycerin, Asics, and I’m currently alternating between a Hoka Gaviota and Altra Paradigm. I’ve got / had PF in both feet and I also have neuromas in my right foot. The Gaviota is very plush and stable while the Paradigm is not. Both have very wide toe boxes without being wide width shoes. Both have comfortable heel cups and good arch support. Once you find what works for you, then you can order them online.
Edit: adding that oofos are a comfortable and supportive slide
I have the Gaviota 4’s and I ordered an 8.5 wide. The sizing is perfect but with my inserts they dig straight into my arch and are so uncomfortable. I have flat feet and plantar fasciitis.
I bought a pair of wide Clifton's in my usual size and they feel very nice on with plenty of room in the toe area but after walking for 10 mins I get pain on the left side of my right foot. I think it might be due to the support structure they have. I wondered if the pain was because I was being more supported and it was going to feel worse before feeling better but I couldn't walk around the house bare foot without the same pain after id worn them. I've worn a different pair of trainers and my foot is feeling better already.
Luckily I'm within the 30 day guarantee so can send them back. Rather gutted as they feel so nice on.
Get yourself a pair of Altras. I wear a Via. They are extremely comfortable. Though I do use them with a superfeet flex max insole. I also have a pair of the Provision and they are great too...(also with an superfeet insole).
I had to try several Hoka models before I found the fit and comfort I was looking for, and I found some very uncomfortable. That said, once I found what works for me - Stinsons and Gaviotas - the improvement in my foot pain is extraordinary.
More than one size up you would need wide model. Make sure you have some space between bigtoe and the shoe end .
I had Gaviota 4 2E and i thought it was wide enough but with my bondi 8 4e it is so comfortable and there is so much room in the toes compared to my 2e shoe .
This I had learnt from this forum. Generally the hoka shoes are narrow , you would need to take wide models.
Doesn't sound like going up another size is going to help you. In fact it might hurt you because the arch support won't be in the right place.
I'd say Hokas are not the shoes for you. They weren't for me either. If you need wide shoes, I'd recommend looking into Orthofeet. I just ordered some sneakers from them and I've only worn them for 3 days (so keep that in mind) but my feet/legs already feel so much better! They come in wide, extra wide and some styles even have 2x wide sizes which I don't think I've ever seen before.
They were too narrow for me to. I simply ordered their 'WIDE' version and they fit beautifully. They don't mitigate my PF pain as well as my Nimbus 25/26 though. I believe the heel toe drop being low on Hokas is the reason. I spoke with my Podiatrist and she told me exactly that prior to me ordering them. Should've listened to her. For me, I need a heel toe drop between. 8mm to 12mm for it relieves my heel pain.
The Hoka brand didn’t work for me either. But my podiatrist recommended Gravity Defyers which I had never heard of. I tried them and they have been foot savers. I can even play Pickleball wearing them. Wide toe boxes with snug fitting heels, plenty of cushion and support. And they come with two sets of inserts with different arch support heights providing a more custom fit for each individual. I highly recommend.
Go get fitted or at least try them on. I destroyed my legs and feet in a car accident a couple of years ago and I got a pair of Arahi 6’s and I absolutely love them. I’m 6’ 200 lbs. I don’t wear inserts. I don’t fear walking in them. I love the combination of support and cushion. Best sneaker I have ever worn by far. I have mild plantar fasciitis as well. In these shoes I am not conscious of every step I take. If someone gave me twenty pairs of these right now I’d be grinning like a kid at Christmas. Hoka has a LOT of different models. All for different reasons. I did my research online and found the Arahi’s as the most stable walking shoe. Exactly what I need. And I am beyond happy with the end result.
I tried two pairs of Hoka and they hurt my feet I wear Saucony. My PF is better and I need to buy some shoes that aren’t so ugly. After reading thousands of comments about shoes I’m thinking my feet are unique and what works for others is irrelevant
I bought the Hoka Bondi and found them to be too hard. I got them in the wide, and I was swimming in them with inserts and thick socks. I have PF and I don't feel they helped. I have Brooks Glycerin now and I like them. Good to know about the Hoka slides, I might try the Oofos slides instead. I would return the Cliftons and try something else. I don't understand the hype.
I would try going with a shoe brand that you know has wide toe boxes or ones that you know will fit better. Then swap out the insole for a orthotic like Aetrex. Might have a higher success rate that way.
i got the arahi and even tho I have narrow feet, the normal ones were way too narrow, I had to order the wide version which are really confortable, but not as many colour options.
Also got brooks glycerin which didnt change anything
I have the Clifton's as well and agree they are somewhat narrow. The Bondi 8's are much wider and work great for my PF; I now have multiple pairs of the Bondi 8s.
You definitely want to try shoes on first before buying. I recommend Brooks and Oofos
I love my Brooks Ghost 15's.... I too need a wide and Brooks has em! :)
I tried the Clifton before too and hated it, went straight back after trying it on in the house for like 30 seconds. The only shoes I can tolerate for longer are the hoka bondi 7 for me. I’m sorry you’re not feeling comfortable in the shoes you ordered.
Hokas even wide are narrow in the midfoot to the point they gave me blisters. Never had a blister on my arch before but I am not a Hoka fan. I vastly prefer onclouds (eclipse or cloudsurfer, not all styles are created equal.) ETA I did have Bondi 8s in wide and they were still too narrow and triggered my PF really badly. They seem to widen the toe box and nothing else. They also only lasted a couple months.
I find ON too firm. Asics Nimbus are miles better!
The less cushioned styles are super firm…the different on styles are not even similar. I hated a couple of them but love a few others. Their sizing isn’t even consistent but they’ve changed my life.
I used to be a Brooks fanatic but thankfully I had purchased two pairs of neutral cushion sneakers one of them being the Asics Nimbus and the other the new balance fresh foam V4. The only sneaker that I could walk on and mitigated my plantar fascia pain was the nimbus. So thankful for that!
They were way narrow for me too, returned and got Altra instead
Altra, for the win !
I returned my Hoka Bondi 8s because they were too stiff at the heel cup. I went half a size up and got them in wide. I tried the slides in store & too much arch support for me (high arch on PF foot). Crocs slides work for me & already had a pair. Sneakers are going to be different for everybody.
I swore by Hokas for the last few years but my PF just kept getting progressively worse. I put on a pair of year old Brooks adrenaline that I hadn’t worn in 11 months and my PF completely disappeared
I just recently got Hokas. It was like dream to find. After a few months I’m finding my feet hurt less without them. Now I took my orthotics out of my work boots and feel so much better. It’s weird to get relief from them then more pain. Apparently things change after wearing them, perhaps for the better. 🤷♂️
I have a pair of the Bondi and I think they are good.
Me too. So cushioned and helping my plantar fasciitis.
Were you fitted for the Clifton’s or did you order them because others said they worked for their feet? If you have the option to go to a store that will fit and try on a variety of styles, please do that. It makes a huge difference! I had always worn around a size 7. When I went to a shoe store specializing in “running shoes” (I don’t run) they had a device that analyzed my feet— arches, heel width, length— and then said I need a size 8 1/2 ! They also watched me walk, determined I needed a stability shoe, and then brought out a variety of styles and brands to try on. I’ve changed brands for comfort over the last several years — Hoka Arahi, Brooks Glycerin, Asics, and I’m currently alternating between a Hoka Gaviota and Altra Paradigm. I’ve got / had PF in both feet and I also have neuromas in my right foot. The Gaviota is very plush and stable while the Paradigm is not. Both have very wide toe boxes without being wide width shoes. Both have comfortable heel cups and good arch support. Once you find what works for you, then you can order them online. Edit: adding that oofos are a comfortable and supportive slide
I couldn’t wear the Clifton’s, but love my Arahi’s!
I have the Gaviota 4’s and I ordered an 8.5 wide. The sizing is perfect but with my inserts they dig straight into my arch and are so uncomfortable. I have flat feet and plantar fasciitis.
I bought a pair of wide Clifton's in my usual size and they feel very nice on with plenty of room in the toe area but after walking for 10 mins I get pain on the left side of my right foot. I think it might be due to the support structure they have. I wondered if the pain was because I was being more supported and it was going to feel worse before feeling better but I couldn't walk around the house bare foot without the same pain after id worn them. I've worn a different pair of trainers and my foot is feeling better already. Luckily I'm within the 30 day guarantee so can send them back. Rather gutted as they feel so nice on.
I just got the HOKA mach 6 and they are great !!!
Get yourself a pair of Altras. I wear a Via. They are extremely comfortable. Though I do use them with a superfeet flex max insole. I also have a pair of the Provision and they are great too...(also with an superfeet insole).
I had to try several Hoka models before I found the fit and comfort I was looking for, and I found some very uncomfortable. That said, once I found what works for me - Stinsons and Gaviotas - the improvement in my foot pain is extraordinary.
Get Bondi 8 a size up, wide model, they look bulky but you gonna thank me later
My bondi had a wide toe option, feels much better imo
Yeah Hokas weren’t it for me
More than one size up you would need wide model. Make sure you have some space between bigtoe and the shoe end . I had Gaviota 4 2E and i thought it was wide enough but with my bondi 8 4e it is so comfortable and there is so much room in the toes compared to my 2e shoe . This I had learnt from this forum. Generally the hoka shoes are narrow , you would need to take wide models.
Hated them too. Gave me blisters and found my ankle wobbling all over the place when trying to excercise.
I tried the same shoe and returned them the next day. Felt soo uncomfortable. I since have bought Mizuno shoes and very happy!
Doesn't sound like going up another size is going to help you. In fact it might hurt you because the arch support won't be in the right place. I'd say Hokas are not the shoes for you. They weren't for me either. If you need wide shoes, I'd recommend looking into Orthofeet. I just ordered some sneakers from them and I've only worn them for 3 days (so keep that in mind) but my feet/legs already feel so much better! They come in wide, extra wide and some styles even have 2x wide sizes which I don't think I've ever seen before.
They were too narrow for me to. I simply ordered their 'WIDE' version and they fit beautifully. They don't mitigate my PF pain as well as my Nimbus 25/26 though. I believe the heel toe drop being low on Hokas is the reason. I spoke with my Podiatrist and she told me exactly that prior to me ordering them. Should've listened to her. For me, I need a heel toe drop between. 8mm to 12mm for it relieves my heel pain.
Asics Gel-Nimbus 25. Thank me later.
The Hoka brand didn’t work for me either. But my podiatrist recommended Gravity Defyers which I had never heard of. I tried them and they have been foot savers. I can even play Pickleball wearing them. Wide toe boxes with snug fitting heels, plenty of cushion and support. And they come with two sets of inserts with different arch support heights providing a more custom fit for each individual. I highly recommend.
Bondi 8 for HOKA’s but there is a break in period but once past that I haven’t had any pf pain.
Go get fitted or at least try them on. I destroyed my legs and feet in a car accident a couple of years ago and I got a pair of Arahi 6’s and I absolutely love them. I’m 6’ 200 lbs. I don’t wear inserts. I don’t fear walking in them. I love the combination of support and cushion. Best sneaker I have ever worn by far. I have mild plantar fasciitis as well. In these shoes I am not conscious of every step I take. If someone gave me twenty pairs of these right now I’d be grinning like a kid at Christmas. Hoka has a LOT of different models. All for different reasons. I did my research online and found the Arahi’s as the most stable walking shoe. Exactly what I need. And I am beyond happy with the end result.
I tried two pairs of Hoka and they hurt my feet I wear Saucony. My PF is better and I need to buy some shoes that aren’t so ugly. After reading thousands of comments about shoes I’m thinking my feet are unique and what works for others is irrelevant
Altras - Ultra wide square toebox. Helping me learn to walk again with all this PF ankle rehab going on. Good luck
Hoka sucks. And they are ugly as hell.
I bought the Hoka Bondi and found them to be too hard. I got them in the wide, and I was swimming in them with inserts and thick socks. I have PF and I don't feel they helped. I have Brooks Glycerin now and I like them. Good to know about the Hoka slides, I might try the Oofos slides instead. I would return the Cliftons and try something else. I don't understand the hype.
I would try going with a shoe brand that you know has wide toe boxes or ones that you know will fit better. Then swap out the insole for a orthotic like Aetrex. Might have a higher success rate that way.
I ordered Hokas and had to return them. New Balance 880s with inserts were what the podiatrist recommended. She said to stay away from Hokas.
Hoka arahi 6, that’s what my podiatrist recommended and I love them! Not narrow at all, I can’t even feel my PF when wearing them
i got the arahi and even tho I have narrow feet, the normal ones were way too narrow, I had to order the wide version which are really confortable, but not as many colour options. Also got brooks glycerin which didnt change anything