| Quick Answer: HOKA PROGLIDE+ is a new midsole technology introduced on the HOKA Clifton PRO. It combines a resilient SCF foam midsole with a more aggressive rocker geometry to create a smoother, livelier, more forward-rolling ride than the regular Clifton. In plain English, PROGLIDE+ is HOKA’s attempt to make the Clifton feel faster, bouncier, and more performance-focused without turning it into a full racing shoe. |
What Is PROGLIDE+?
PROGLIDE+ is a shoe foam technology that acts as the cushioning and ride system used in the HOKA Clifton PRO running shoe. HOKA describes the shoe as using “PROGLIDE™+ series technologies” with an SCF foam midsole, a more aggressive rocker profile, and a livelier underfoot feel.
The foam itself is being described by several running-shoe outlets as a supercritical foam. That matters because supercritical foams are generally designed to feel lighter, more resilient, and more responsive than traditional EVA foams. In the Clifton PRO, the goal is not just soft cushioning. It is soft cushioning with more rebound and a faster transition from landing to toe-off.
Put simply: PROGLIDE+ is the reason the Clifton PRO should feel more energetic than the standard Clifton.
How PROGLIDE+ Feels Underfoot
The regular HOKA Clifton is known for being soft, protective, and easy to wear. It is a daily trainer for relaxed miles, walking, recovery days, and general comfort.
The Clifton PRO keeps that cushioned Clifton identity but adds a more performance-minded feel. HOKA says the Clifton PRO is designed for a “more lively underfoot ride” and a “more aggressive rocker profile.”
That should translate into a few noticeable differences:
- The ride should feel smoother through the stride.
- The foam should feel more resilient when compressed.
- The shoe should roll forward more assertively.
- The toe-off should feel snappier than the regular Clifton.
- It should still feel cushioned enough for daily mileage.
This is important because the Clifton PRO is not positioned as a race-day carbon-plated super shoe. It is closer to a premium daily trainer: something you might use for everyday running, longer runs, steady efforts, and days when you want a little more pop than a basic comfort shoe.
Is PROGLIDE+ the Same as PROFLY?
No. PROGLIDE+ and PROFLY are not the same thing.
HOKA PROFLY is an older HOKA cushioning platform that uses a softer foam under the heel and a firmer foam under the forefoot to balance comfort and propulsion. HOKA describes PROFLY shoes as having a soft top layer or heel feel with a firmer, more responsive bottom or forefoot layer for toe-off.
PROGLIDE+ appears to be a newer system built around the Clifton PRO. Instead of simply being a dual-density foam setup, it combines a new SCF foam midsole with HOKA’s rocker geometry to create a rolling, more energetic ride.
PROGLIDE+ vs. Regular Clifton Foam
The big difference is responsiveness.
The standard Clifton is built for soft, dependable daily cushioning. The Clifton PRO adds PROGLIDE+ foam and a more aggressive MetaRocker-style geometry. The Clifton PRO and Clifton 11 share the same stack height and 8 mm drop, but the PRO uses a more responsive PROGLIDE+ foam and a more aggressive rocker.
That means the difference is less about height and more about feel.
The regular Clifton should be the better choice if you want soft, easy comfort for walking, standing, recovery runs, or relaxed mileage.
The Clifton PRO should be the better choice if you like the Clifton but want a livelier, faster-feeling version for daily training.
Is PROGLIDE+ a Super Foam?
It depends how strict you are with the term “super foam.”
Several early reports describe PROGLIDE+ as a supercritical foam, and Forbes reported that the Clifton PRO uses a one-piece supercritical midsole foam designed to maintain resilience, retain Clifton cushioning, and hold up for daily running.
That said, it is probably better to think of PROGLIDE+ as a premium daily-training foam rather than a pure race-day super shoe foam. It is not being presented as the same kind of full-send racing setup you would expect in a carbon-plated marathon shoe. It is built to make daily miles smoother, more efficient, and more responsive.
More on shoe foam technologies here.
What Shoes Use PROGLIDE+ Foam?
Right now, the main shoe associated with PROGLIDE+ is the HOKA Clifton PRO.
The Clifton PRO launched July 9, 2026, with a listed price around $165 in the United States. More on the shoe here.
Who Is PROGLIDE+ Best For?
PROGLIDE+ should work best for runners who like soft cushioning but want more energy return than the regular Clifton provides.
It may be a good fit for:
- Runners who like the Clifton but want a faster-feeling version.
- Daily trainers who want one shoe for easy runs, steady runs, and long runs.
- Heel strikers or midfoot strikers who enjoy a rolling rocker feel.
- Walkers who want a cushioned shoe but prefer a livelier ride.
- Runners who find traditional soft shoes too mushy.
It may not be the best fit for runners who want a very flexible shoe, a low-stack ground feel, or a lightweight tempo shoe. It also may feel like too much shoe for people who prefer the simpler, softer ride of the standard Clifton.
Is PROGLIDE+ Good for Walking?
Yes, PROGLIDE+ should be suitable for walking, especially if you like cushioned shoes with a rolling feel.
The Clifton line has long been popular with walkers because of its soft cushioning and comfort. Early Clifton PRO coverage suggests the PRO will also work for people who walk a lot or spend long periods on their feet, though the ride will likely feel more aggressive than the standard Clifton.
If you want maximum softness and a calmer feel, the regular Clifton may still be the safer walking choice. If you want more rebound and forward roll, the Clifton PRO with PROGLIDE+ makes more sense.
Is PROGLIDE+ Good for Plantar Fasciitis?
PROGLIDE+ may help some runners and walkers with plantar fasciitis because it offers high cushioning, a rocker-style ride, and a more guided transition. Those features can reduce the need for the foot to work as hard through toe-off.
But this depends on the person. If your plantar fasciitis feels better in stiff, rockered, cushioned shoes, the Clifton PRO could be worth trying. If your foot is sensitive to aggressive rocker geometry or you need a very stable base, you may prefer a more supportive HOKA model such as the Bondi, Gaviota, or Arahi.
For foot pain, fit and stability matter as much as foam. Do not buy the Clifton PRO just because PROGLIDE+ sounds more advanced. Try it on, walk in it, and make sure it does not increase heel, arch, or forefoot irritation.
Is PROGLIDE+ Good for Standing All Day?
Possibly, but it depends on whether you like a rockered shoe.
The Clifton PRO has a high stack and resilient cushioning, which can help reduce fatigue during long periods on your feet. The added rocker may also make walking feel smoother. But for standing still, some people prefer a softer, broader, more stable platform rather than a shoe that encourages forward motion.
If you stand all day at work, compare the Clifton PRO with the regular Clifton, Bondi, and Gaviota before choosing.
See also: Best shoes for standing all day
PROGLIDE+ vs. PEBA Foam
PROGLIDE+ is not being positioned as a pure PEBA racing foam. HOKA’s own Clifton PRO page refers to an SCF foam midsole, while some other HOKA shoes, such as the Skyward X 2, use PEBA foam in combination with supercritically foamed EVA.
In general, PEBA foams are often associated with very high energy return in racing and super-trainer shoes. PROGLIDE+ appears to be more focused on durable daily-training responsiveness: softer and livelier than standard daily trainer foam, but not necessarily as explosive as top-tier race foams.
PROGLIDE+ vs. HOKA Clifton 11 Foam
The Clifton 11 is the comfort-first daily trainer. The Clifton PRO is the performance daily trainer.
Both shoes reportedly share the same stack height and 8 mm drop, but the Clifton PRO uses PROGLIDE+ foam, a more aggressive rocker, and more outsole coverage.
Choose the Clifton 11 if you want classic HOKA comfort.
Choose the Clifton PRO if you want a more responsive, rolling, performance-oriented Clifton.
Should You Buy a Shoe With PROGLIDE+ Foam?
You should consider PROGLIDE+ if you want a cushioned daily trainer that feels smoother and more energetic than a standard soft shoe.
The Clifton PRO looks like HOKA’s answer to the modern premium daily trainer category, where shoes need to be comfortable enough for easy miles but lively enough for faster everyday running. T3 described the Clifton PRO as a competitor to shoes such as the ASICS Novablast, with PROGLIDE+ designed to create smoother transitions, better efficiency, and a more propulsive ride.
It is probably not the best choice if you want the softest possible HOKA, the lightest possible HOKA, or a true race-day shoe. But if you have always liked the Clifton and wished it had more bounce, PROGLIDE+ is exactly the update to pay attention to.
FAQ: PROGLIDE+ Foam
Questions and answers about PROGLIDE+ foam technology.
HOKA PROGLIDE+ is the new foam and ride system used in the HOKA Clifton PRO. It combines an SCF foam midsole with a more aggressive rocker geometry to create a smoother, livelier, more responsive daily-training ride.
It should feel more resilient and responsive rather than simply softer. The regular Clifton is the comfort-focused option, while the Clifton PRO is designed to feel more energetic underfoot.
Yes. PROGLIDE+ is designed for daily running, especially for runners who want cushioning with more rebound and smoother transitions. It is best suited for easy runs, steady runs, long runs, and daily mileage.
Yes, it can be good for walking if you like cushioned shoes with a forward-rolling feel. Walkers who prefer a calmer, softer platform may still prefer the regular Clifton. Buy the Hoka Clifton Pro.
PROFLY is HOKA’s older dual-density cushioning platform that balances soft landings with firmer toe-offs. PROGLIDE+ is a newer system used in the Clifton PRO that combines SCF foam with a more aggressive rocker for a livelier, smoother ride.
