Gear Geek: Hoka CLAYTON

Men's: 7.3 ounces
Women's: 6.3 ounces

Easily one of the lightest shoes in its category with stack volumes that rival most traditional high-mileage shoes, the Hoka One One Clayton is uniquely positioned as an "oversized, lightweight trainer." 

Weighing less than Hoka's groundbreaking Clifton, the Clayton clearly separates itself from the pack by incorporating responsive energy return with firm cushioning. 

The Clayton is the first of several new models from Hoka's high-performance line. As it continues to expand, runners to will have access to a wide range of underfoot support to meet their training and racing needs.

Upper
Seamless design with rubber overlays fit the foot with a snug, tailored feel. The volume matches the foot with just enough space in the toebox, a locked-in arch and a very forgiving heel counter due to the midsole design. This will be a natural deselector for the loyalists who like a wider, relaxed fit. 

Midsole
New to the line, the Pro2Lite system actually uses two different densities under the foot: a softer durometer foam at the rear of the shoe near the heel, and a firmer, more responsive forefoot designed for leverage and propulsion. This setup makes the meta-rocker really feel prominent and allows the shoe to transition from the arch to the toe-off much faster.

Outsole
The RMAT outsole is a blend of both high-abrasion rubber and softer-blown rubber that aids the shoe's responsiveness. The grooves in the shoe provide traction under slightly loose trail or firmly packed grass, but do not grip well on damp or wet pavement. Unfortunately, the grooves allow gravel to settle into the shoe. Be ready to transport a lot of debris.

Overall, this is an excellent shoe, but runners should remember the Clayton is a lightweight trainer and will not withstand the same wear and tear as Hoka's conventional shoes. Worn appropriately, they're an innovative addition to the high-performance running shoe market.