ASICS vs HOKA Clifton 9 for Road Running

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Which one should you lace up for your daily miles, long runs, or faster tempo work?

Short answer up front: Clifton 9 = balanced, light, plush-for-miles daily trainer; ASICS Novablast 4 = energetic, higher-stack bouncy trainer; ASICS GEL-Nimbus 26 = plush max-cushion, soft landings, long-distance comfort. Which is right depends on your weight, cadence, pace, injury history, and how you like your ride (rocker vs soft, lively vs mellow). Read on for the full breakdown.

Quick specs cheat-sheet (the key numbers)

These are the important figures runners care about: weight, stack height, and drop.

  • HOKA Clifton 9 (men’s US9) — weight ≈ 8.7 oz (248 g); heel/forefoot stack ≈ 32/27 mm; drop ≈ 5 mm.
  • ASICS Novablast 4 (men’s) — higher stack (~~40–44 mm reported depending on source) and a bouncy FF BLAST™ PLUS style foam with a more aggressive rocker; weight around ~8.3–9.2 oz (235–260 g) depending on size/report.
  • ASICS GEL-Nimbus 26 (men’s) — very plush: heel stack ~41.5 mm (model year specs) with FF BLAST™ PLUS ECO / PureGEL features, drop ~8 mm, weight heavier (reports ~9.2–10.7 oz depending on size).

(Those numbers are important because they tell you the shoe’s protective cushion and basic feel. Higher stack = more foam = more “plush” and protection; weight hints at how lively the shoe will feel.)

How HOKA Clifton 9 feels underfoot (the HOKA DNA)

HOKA’s Clifton series is the brand’s signature daily trainer for people who want cushioned comfort without excessive bulk. The Clifton 9 continues that recipe: a soft but responsive CMEVA midsole that aims for a smooth, predictable ride, a moderate rocker that helps your foot roll through, and an upper that’s breathable and comfy for many miles. It’s lighter than many maximal shoes while still delivering that HOKA “plush but not sloppy” feel. If you want a dependable daily trainer that feels forgiving, Clifton 9 stays true to the lineage.

Why runners like Clifton 9

  • Balanced cushion: enough to protect joints on easy runs and long days, but not so much that you lose connection to the road.
  • Moderate 5 mm drop supports a variety of footstrikes without forcing an aggressive forefoot landing.
  • Lowish weight for the cushioning you get — good for daily miles and long runs.

How ASICS Novablast 4 feels (lively bounce & rocker)

Novablast is ASICS’ “springy” daily trainer. The Novablast 4 pushed stack height and foam volume even higher compared to previous models, using FF BLAST™ Plus (or FF BLAST™ PLUS ECO) for a lively, trampoline-like response and a rocker profile that encourages forward motion. It’s not a racing flat — it’s an energetic everyday shoe designed to add pep to easy miles and tempo sessions alike.

Why runners pick Novablast 4

  • Big, lively bounce that helps quicken cadence and keeps long easy miles feeling less tiring.
  • High stack with an aggressive rocker — feels energetic and forward-leaning.
  • Good for runners who prefer a springy ride over a purely soft one.

How ASICS GEL-Nimbus 26 feels (plush cushioning, soft landings)

If your priority is maximum protection and smooth landings for long miles, GEL-Nimbus is ASICS’ go-to. The 26th iteration continued the series’ push into higher stack and softer materials (PureGEL and FF BLAST™ tech), making it a great choice for heavier runners, slower paces, or days when you want the softest ride possible. It’s heavier and more substantial than Clifton, but the tradeoff is comfort and impact protection.

Why runners choose Nimbus 26

  • Plush, pillowy damping — excellent for long recovery runs or people with joint concerns.
  • Larger stack height → more protection over long distances.
  • Built for comfort over speed; not as nimble as Clifton or Novablast.

Ride and transition: who rolls through smoothest?

  • Clifton 9: Smooth, predictable transitions thanks to HOKA’s meta-rocker geometry and balanced midsole. It’s not as aggressively propelled as Novablast, but it’s forgiving and steady — great for steady-state and long mileage.
  • Novablast 4: Fast-feeling underfoot; the rocker plus responsive foam makes transitions feel snappy. If you like to pick up the pace, Novablast assists a bit.
  • Nimbus 26: Soft landings that cushion the foot but can feel less ground-connected; transitions are muffled and plush rather than snappy.

Fit and upper comfort

  • Clifton 9: HOKA traditionally uses roomy toe boxes but with a secure midfoot — Clifton 9 reportedly continued this, making it friendly for wider feet or long runs where toes swell. The engineered mesh is breathable and comfortable.
  • Novablast 4: ASICS tends to offer a snugger, performance-oriented fit; Novablast 4 keeps a responsive upper with gusseted tongue and supportive overlays to lock in foot. Could feel narrow for wide feet.
  • Nimbus 26: Nimbus lines are known for plush, comfortable uppers and internal padding — roomy and cozy but not loose. Best for runners who want soft comfort around the foot.

Stability & support: neutral shoes but different feelings

All three shoes are neutral trainers, but they present stability differently.

  • Clifton 9: Neutral with stable geometry. HOKA’s wider platform and meta-rocker offer a confidence-inspiring ride that feels stable underfoot. Great for runners who want cushion without wobble.
  • Novablast 4: Neutral but feels energetic; narrower platform and springier foam mean you need decent proprioception — less forgiving for underpronators who need extra support.
  • Nimbus 26: Neutral but protective; bulk and cushioning provide a stable base for heavier runners, with more margin for error in form.

Durability and outsole

  • HOKA Clifton 9: HOKA typically balances lightweight rubber with foam protection. Outsole rubber is sufficient for road miles; longevity is good if you’re not constantly running on rough surfaces.
  • ASICS Novablast 4: Novablast uses AHAR rubber and focused rubber zones to extend life while keeping weight down; durability tends to be solid for road running but midsole compression over time depends on how hard you run.
  • ASICS GEL-Nimbus 26: Built with durability in mind — AHAR rubbers and heavy foam stacks mean long life for high-mileage runners, though heavier construction may wear faster under heavy use depending on gait.

Weight and how that translates to speed & fatigue

  • Clifton 9 is relatively light for its cushioning level (~248 g men’s), so you get protection without a heavy shoe. That helps reduce fatigue over longer runs.
  • Novablast 4 can be similar or a bit heavier depending on size, but the snappy foam can make it feel quicker than the scale suggests.
  • Nimbus 26 is heavier — the plush cushioning adds grams, which can slow you on faster efforts but protects on long, slow days.

Injury history & who should choose what

  • You get knee pain or joint issues? Consider Nimbus 26 for maximum impact protection, or Clifton 9 if you want cushion + lower weight; Novablast might be a second choice if you want spring + protection but test first.
  • You’re a tempo/fast-finisher runner: Novablast 4 offers the most pep and rocker assistance; Clifton 9 can handle tempo runs but shines at steady paces; Nimbus is for comfort, not for speed.
  • You’re heavier ( >85–90 kg / 190–200 lb): Nimbus 26 or Clifton 9 provide more durable cushioning; Novablast’s spring can still work but foam compression becomes a factor.

Use case examples

  • Daily trainer for mixed paces, easy + long runs: Clifton 9 — balanced cushion, light weight, versatile.
  • Daily trainer for energetic runs, tempo days, and someone who wants a lively shoe: Novablast 4 — springy and quick.
  • Long runs, recovery miles, heavier runners, or those needing max protection: GEL-Nimbus 26 — soft landings and large stack.

Personal fit & try-on advice (don’t skip this)

  1. Try both with the socks you run in. Fit changes with sock thickness.
  2. Walk and run on a treadmill in the store if possible. Look for heel slip, toe box room, and how the shoe transitions through your gait.
  3. If you’re between sizes, size up for higher-stack shoes (more room for toe splay on long runs).
  4. Pay attention to heel hold — Novablast can be snug; Clifton usually offers secure midfoot but roomy forefoot.

Price & value: what you pay for

All three sit in typical premium trainer price bands. ASICS sometimes price Novablast and Nimbus similarly to HOKA, and sales/promos matter. Factor in how many miles you expect: a heavier runner may need to replace Novablast sooner than Nimbus or Clifton if foam compression occurs faster.

Maintenance & lifecycle

  • Clifton 9: Replace around 350–500 miles depending on runner weight/pattern. Hoka midsoles are durable but will compress with heavy use.
  • Novablast 4: Replace similar window; springy foam may lose pep earlier depending on load.
  • Nimbus 26: Built for mileage — many runners report longer lifespan because of the thicker foam, but watch outsole wear.

Final decision guide: pick based on what matters most to you

  • If you want a lightweight, balanced, and forgiving daily trainer that works across paces and feels stable: go HOKA Clifton 9.
  • If you want a springy, energetic trainer that encourages faster cadence and snappier feel on tempo days: choose ASICS Novablast 4.
  • If you want the softest, most protective ride for long slow runs, recovery days, or heavier body weight: pick ASICS GEL-Nimbus 26.

Quick pro tips before you buy

  • Don’t buy blind online if you’re between models — try them. The same stack height can feel very different depending on foam and rocker geometry.
  • Consider your cadence: if you have a high cadence, a more responsive shoe (Novablast) will reward you; if cadence is lower, you might prefer the stability of Clifton or Nimbus.
  • If you rotate shoes, pair Clifton with a faster trainer so you get both quick turnover and protection across weeks.
  • Watch for updates: shoe models evolve yearly (Clifton 9, Novablast 4, Nimbus 26 are current-generation references), so check exact specs for the model year you buy.

Wrap — the honest take

There’s no single “better” shoe here — only the one that fits your body, goals, and mileage. Clifton 9 keeps HOKA’s promise: cushioned comfort with low weight, great for daily miles. ASICS offers two useful flavors: Novablast 4 for energetic, fun runs and Nimbus 26 for uncompromising cushioning and protection. Pick by ride preference: snappy, balanced, or pillowy — and test before you commit.

If you want, I can convert this into a quick decision flowchart (you answer 5 quick questions, I tell you the best pick) or write a personalized recommendation based on your weight, weekly mileage, typical paces, and any injuries. Which would you like?

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