Asics Gel-Nimbus vs Hoka Clifton
Comparing the current Gel-Nimbus 28 and Clifton 11. Specs are men's US 9.
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THE SHORT ANSWER
The Clifton 11 is the lighter shoe by 0.7 oz in a men's US 9, and both run the same 8 mm drop, so it is the one that feels quicker without asking your stride to change. They are built for different jobs: the Gel-Nimbus 28 is a max cushion, the Clifton 11 a daily trainer. The Clifton 11 lists $10 lower.
- Asics Gel-Nimbus 28Men's at AmazonWomen's
- Hoka Clifton 11Men's at AmazonWomen's
Availability last checked Jul 30, 2026. Prices and stock change without notice.
Every spec, side by side
| Spec | Gel-Nimbus 28 | Clifton 11 |
|---|---|---|
| FIT AND WEIGHT | ||
| Weight | 9.9 oz | 9.2 oz |
| Widths | D, 2E, 4E | D, 2E, 4E |
| Upper | Lighter engineered knit with a redesigned heel and tongue loop | Softer engineered mesh with 3D print overlays and a 3D-printed open-cell sockliner |
| CUSHIONING GEOMETRY | ||
| Heel stack | 43.5 mm | 42 mm |
| Forefoot stack | 35.5 mm | 34 mm |
| Drop | 8 mm | 8 mm |
| MATERIALS | ||
| Midsole | FF Blast+ foam with a PureGEL heel | Compression-molded EVA foam with a MetaRocker profile |
| VALUE | ||
| List price at launch | $165 | $155 |
Which line changes its ride more often?
Both lines rework the ride about as often: the Gel-Nimbus has done it once in 7 versions, most recently with the Gel-Nimbus 25 in 2023, and the Clifton has done it once in 5 versions, most recently with the Clifton 10 in 2025. Neither is the safer long-term rebuy on this record.
Buy the Gel-Nimbus 28
Stocked at AmazonAvailability last checked Jul 28, 2026.
Buy the Clifton 11
Stocked at AmazonAvailability last checked Jul 30, 2026.
Chasing a specific older version rather than choosing between the current two? The Asics Gel-Nimbus lineage and the Hoka Clifton lineage track every version and what changed in each update.
Questions runners ask
- Is the Asics Gel-Nimbus or the Hoka Clifton lighter?
- The Clifton 11, by 0.7 oz in a men's US 9 (9.2 oz against 9.9 oz).
- Can I switch from the Asics Gel-Nimbus to the Hoka Clifton?
- The drop matches at 8 mm, which is the spec that usually forces an adjustment, so most runners move across without one. Check the width and toebox instead.
- Which is more cushioned, the Asics Gel-Nimbus or the Hoka Clifton?
- They are close: 43.5 mm of heel stack on the Gel-Nimbus 28 against 42 mm on the Clifton 11. Foam matters more than the millimeters here (FF Blast+ foam with a PureGEL heel against Compression-molded EVA foam with a MetaRocker profile).
- Which costs more, the Asics Gel-Nimbus or the Hoka Clifton?
- The Gel-Nimbus 28, by $10 at list ($165 against $155). That gap narrows once either one gets a successor.
Updated July 30, 2026.