Since I started wearing HOKA’s frequently over the years, many of you have asked “what do you think?” or “I’ve been considering them, should I?” “Can you explain the difference in Hoka Bondi vs Clifton??” Having run in TONS of different models since 2012, I have plenty to say about how these shoes fit and feel!
Each year, we test out the new Hoka models and put in enough miles to have solid feedback on feel, fit and whether I’ll be shelling out money for another pair.
Originally this was a straight review of the Hoka Clifton because that was the only shoe. But as they’ve expanded over the years, so have the models I’ve tested.
Here I hope to help breakdown the differences and help you find the right option for running. In particular, we are going to focus on a HOKA Clifton vs Bondi in fit, feel and function. Theses are two of their most popular shoes and for good reason!
Hoka Running Shoes Comparison Chart
Switching running shoes is a TERRIFYING prospect, but I was in need of a change. My knees had been aching for months and my chiropractor had started to point out how my foot was rolling in pretty hard on my old shoes.
Sooo the idea of some extra midfoot cushion and a little more support sounded like a good thing for long-distance running, but would I really like them?
They were so big!! They were so different!
Maximal running shoes vs minimalist shoes is a whole topic that required a specific post, so read that to figure out if it’s right for you. All HOKA shoes are maximal, meaning they have a high stack height. Which is not the same as a big heel to toe drop.
Here we’re exploring some of the different models of Hoka running shoes. What are the best HOKA running shoes? That’s going to depend on your preferences, so let’s compare to help you decide.
👉I’ve done a deep dive in another article on all HOKA Running shoe models, providing more details on each to help you choose, but here’s a quick outline.
Linked below to additional detailed reviews.
- Hoka Clifton 10 (neutral cushion)
- Hoka Bondi 9 (neutral plush cushion)
- Hoka Mach 6 (neutral responsive cushion — probably my favorite road shoe from them right now)
- Hoka Speedgoat 6 (neutral trail)
- Hoka Challenger ATR (responsive trail shoe)
- Hoka Arahi (stability shoe)
- Hoka Gaviota (most cushioned stability shoe)
- Hoka Cielo X2 (their best carbon plate race shoe)
- Hoka Rocket X3 (neutral carbon fiber racing shoe)
- Hoka Skyward X (carbon plate shoe for the middle and back of pack!)
👉Bonus: I’ve done a separate post on Best Hoka Shoes for Walking and Standing at Work>>
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Midpack Carbon Plated Shoe |
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9.8 oz men’s 8.0 oz women’s |
10.5 oz men’s 9.3 oz women’s |
8.2 oz men’s 6.8 oz women’s |
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Following are a few things that I would say across each shoe, so saving time here by saying it once.
Stability
While I DO NOT recommend stability shoes for most runners, the Hoka is designed to provide some base level stability thanks to the wider platform of the midsole. This is a great way to get the benefits without changing your stride or hiding the fact that you have weak muscles.
This is going to apply to all of their shoes and my preference over picking a standard stability shoe for overpronation.
Maximal Shoe
Stack height is how we refer to the size of the outsole and what is therefore defined as a maximal shoe of 30mm to 50mm.
I did separate detailed post comparing maximal and minimal, but for now here is what HOKA has to say about their shoes:
“maximum cushioning material is designed for excellent shock absorption and an inherently stable ride.”
Extended Heel
You may notice that many of the HOKA’s have an exaggerated heel of the soles…some really big and some just barely noticeable. Having tested out some of the biggest and some on the more normal side, I can say that I don’t LOVE the really big heels.
But they do have a purpose.
Through testing they found that extension helped with getting the foot to roll forward more quickly.
It reduces issues from heel striking and speeds up the movement of the foot. You’ll often see this referred to as an early-stage meta-rocker.
Replacement
The standard saying is replace your shoes every 500 miles and these shoes are the same. The durability has been really great, as noted I have been through a number of pairs and never had one that I felt needed to be tossed early due to anything coming apart or feeling worn out.
Whatever you have found to be your sweet spot in the past will be roughly the same here. I.e. larger runners, big men, etc often find they need to replace shoes quicker due to breakdown, others find that more treadmill runs means maybe their shoes are good for 800 miles.
Hoka Clifton Overview
Like most runners upon seeing the size of the Clifton I assumed it would be heavy or clunky.
In fact, they were so light I was absolutely shocked.
And when I tried to go back to my old shoes they felt like rocks. I’ve now run in the Hoka Clifton 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10.
The 10 is a departure from the past because it moves up to an 8mm heel drop where everything else has been 5mm. For us the added cushion, also felt like an upgrade from the firmer feel of the Clifton 9. That being said some of you are going to want to stock up on the 9 because you prefer that drop and moderate cushion.
See our complete Hoka Clifton 10 review
The Clifton is a Hoka neutral running shoe, balanced cushion, with a good padded collar and tongue.
The Clifton is not their softest shoe (that’s the Bondi), but it is absolutely a cushioned shoe with their standard eva foam midsole. But with each model the Clifton is getting closer to the Bondi and now it’s also classified as their most cushioned type of shoe.
As we get older that additional cushion might just feel better because we actually lose from the fat pads in our feet.
Checkout the newest Clifton >>
Usage
Thus far I have worn the different models for everything from a speed day to a half marathon. In truth, they aren’t the best choice for speed, but they felt nice.
Fit
Fit is the one thing that bothered me a little in early models, as I have a more narrow foot and so sometimes my foot felt a bit like it was too small for the shoe. This seems to have changed over the years as the refined the last of the shoe.
Now the midfoot feels very average (not narrow and not overly wide). I do love the toebox providing plenty of room for the foot to move even though this is not a wide toe box running shoe.
- I wear the same size 11 as in all other running shoes
- Fits a wider foot (I do have a more narrow foot and don’t find that my foot moves around too much)
- Toebox is not as wide as an Altra, but wider than many other brands
The Clifton 8 doesn’t feel as big due to the volume of cushion around the tongue and memory foam collar.
Specifications
Clifton 10
- Weight: 9.8 oz men’s, 8.0 oz women’s
- Heel Drop: 8 mm
- Stack: 42 mm
- Available in Wide (and extra wide in men’s)
- Available in 7 Colors
- Find it on Hoka.com for $150
If you’ve been wearing a shoe with a larger heel drop you may notice more of a difference in the muscles that are activated in your ankles and feet. Though that distinction is now less important at 8mm than it was at 5mm for those of you coming from a 12mm drop (a very standard old school shoe feature).
My personal preference is towards less of a heel drop as I think it gets our foot in better alignment, it also mimics the idea of a minimal shoe, but with the cushion!
Clifton original in pink and Clifton 2 in purple.
Hoka One One Bondi Overview
As noted the Bondi and Clifton are becoming more similar with each passing year and YET it’s still a noticeable difference in the two.
While the stack heights are almost the same the feel and weight are just enough different that it puts the Bondi clearly in the softer cushion category. I’ve often described it as the plushest running shoe I’ve ever tested.
Even with many of the big stack and bouncy shoes on the market now, I still find this one to have that immediate AHHH sensation when stepping in to it.
Read our complete Hoka Bondi 9 review
Another instance where looks are deceiving. They are not a heavy shoe.
That being said, they aren’t a shoe to pick up the pace either. Instead these could carry you through long runs and many easy miles for recovery. We’ve also found some of our heavier runners like them because the amount of foam available to compress leaves them with a really nice feeling underfoot and without something too clunky.
A super cushioned shoe FEELS amazing. But runners need to be aware that on very long runs with a super plush shoe, it’s not uncommon to start having lower back pain while running. This is because we start to sink a little in to the shoe.
Fit
These shoes felt fabulous thanks to the huge amount of cushion and yet not too heavy for a nice long run either.
While they’re also listed as a neutral shoe, I was thrilled to see my foot didn’t drop in one bit when I put them on which is common in other shoes. Another example of how their shoes have some natural support due to the bigger platform.
- Fit is a little narrow but it does come in wide and extra wide
- Very similar to Clifton, just the change in cushioning
- Good room in the toebox
Specifications
Bondi 9
- Weight: 10.5 oz Men’s, 9.3 oz Women’s
- Heel Drop: 5 mm
- Stack Height: 43mm
- Usage: Max cushion daily trainer
- Available in 6 colors
- Available in wide and extra wide (in limited colors)
- Available on Hoka.com for $170
Making it a slightly heavier shoe than the Clifton, but again totally fine for those easy days.
Lifespan will be same as the Clifton, though if the cushion starts to breakdown you will notice it more quickly in your form.
Hoka Clifton vs Bondi
Trying to decide between these two models? There are a a few big ways in which they are different, so it’s going to depend on what you prefer in a shoe.
Hopefully the initial details above gave you some things to think about with these road shoes. But for a straight side by side comparison of Bondi vs Clifton, here’s what I’ve found over testing many models.
- Both are a neutral running shoe.
- In both the men’s has a slightly higher stack height.
- Bondi has a higher stack height than the Clifton, by 1mm
- Clifton is the lighter shoe by a couple of oz, which can make it a better race day shoe for the middle of the pack.
- Clifton feels like a moderate cushion that can pick up the speed to marathon pace (again for the mid and back of the pack)
- I prefer the Mach over the Clifton for either speed or daily training because it’s not quite so firm.
- The Bondi is a MUCH plusher feel. You won’t question if it’s a cushioned shoe.
- Bondi is great for recovery runs or when you are starting to run and the joints need a little extra cushion as they adjust.
- Clifton is great for long runs, easy runs. It’s a little bit more of a versatile all around running shoe.
- Skyward X is a bouncier version of the Bondi with a plate for race day for the mid and back of the pack.
As noted we’ve been comparing these for many years, so here’s a look back at some past Hoka Vs Bondi.
Wondering how HOKA stacks up against other traditional running shoes?
Checkout these match ups:
Looking for more reviews to find the best things for your run?
Checkout our full page of my must have running gear reviews and guides to save you time searching and money! I share what’s worked for me and fellow runners, along with what wasn’t worth the price tag.
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This is not a sponsored post, though I have received Hoka’s free over the years for testing.
The post Hoka Clifton Vs Bondi and Other Models: Hoka Running Shoes Review appeared first on RunToTheFinish.
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