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Few shoe brands are cooler right now than Hoka and On. Each company’s signature style is beloved by everyone from marathoners to nurses to anyone who’s ever had to stand through a three-hour meeting.
The Hoka Clifton 10 cashes in on the dad shoe trend, with a chunky midsole that’s gotten lighter and more responsive with every iteration, while the On Cloud 6 epitomizes the company’s sleek, Swiss aesthetic in a silhouette that looks just as good in the gym as it does on the street. But while both promise all-day comfort, support, and style, they deliver two very different experiences underfoot.
To see whether these cult favorites live up to the hype—and whether one outperforms the other—I put both pairs to the test at the gym, on the job, and in between.
Hoka Clifton 10 vs On Cloud 6: The Basics
Hoka Clifton 10 vs On Cloud 6: Key Differences
Fit and Design
Both the Hoka Clifton 10 and On Cloud 6 fit true to size. But how they feel on the foot is very different.
The Clifton is a running shoe, and it’s been the basis of the brand’s max cushioned sneakers for more than a decade. It feels kind of like stepping into a marshmallow—there’s lots of padding around the collar and heel, and a plush tongue prevents any pressure from the laces. The roomy toe box is great for anyone with wider feet or prone to blisters.
The Cloud 6, On’s signature lifestyle shoe, fits more like a glove. The brand’s Swiss-engineered design sense is on full display in a sleeker package that skims the skin, and the slip-on, speed-lacing system adds the minimalist vibe (they come with traditional laces, too). The mesh upper makes for a breezier feel than Clifton’s jacquard knit, and at 7.6 ounces, it’s a tad lighter overall than the 8.8-ounce Hoka.
Cushioning
Hoka made max cushioning mainstream, and the Clifton’s compression-molded EVA midsole delivers serious shock absorption with more responsiveness (and less heft) than past models. A women’s size 8 has 38 millimeters of foam under the heel and 30 millimeters under the forefoot, so it’d be more accurate to say you’re walking on clouds in the Clifton than in the On Cloud 6. It’s the kind of padding that’s more supportive than squishy, though, so it feels just as good on a long walk as it does when you’re standing at work all day.
The On Cloud 6 is still supportive, but the brand’s Zero-Gravity CloudTec foam provides more ground feel. (There’s only 27 millimeters of foam under the heel and 19 millimeters under the forefoot—a visible difference from the Clifton.) The hollow pods (On calls them “clouds”) on the outsole compress upon landing and spring back during push-off, so you get a snappier, more energetic feel than you would with a thick slab of foam. This feels great while walking, but might leave you craving a little more comfort during all-day wear.
Stability
Both of these shoes offer neutral stability, which means they don’t have any extra features that correct gait imbalances. But that doesn’t mean they don’t each promote stability in their own way. The Clifton 10 has a wider platform underfoot, which helps prevent your ankles from wobbling, while the Cloud 6’s structured, snug fit and firmer foam prioritizes natural stability while using less material underfoot. Both use updated construction at the back of the shoe to lock the heel down to reduce slippage inside the shoe and keep the foot aligned through the gait cycle.
How I Compared the Hoka Clifton 10 vs On Cloud 6
I wore the Hoka Clifton 10 and On Cloud 6 for weeks—when I wasn’t logging my easy runs in the Cliftons, I was alternating back and forth between both models as I racked up 10,000-plus steps per day. But comparing products isn’t just about wearing them. I’ve spent the better part of a decade talking to product designers, biomechanics experts, physical therapists, podiatrists, sports medicine doctors, and orthopedic surgeons about what makes athletic footwear work, and those insights are what inform all of my shoe reviews.
The Final Verdict
The best advice someone can give you when it comes to shoe reviews is to pick the option that best suits your needs and feels most comfortable on your feet. Chances are, you’ll opt for the Clifton 10 if you’re looking for stable softness and support. It’s a favorite for long-haul comfort (running or otherwise), and the chunky, “ugly-cute” vibe is definitely trending. But the On Cloud 6’s stylish minimalism will better suit anyone who prefers a lighter, locked-in feel with just enough cushioning to keep your joints happy on the move.
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