Shoes similar to the Hoka Clifton
Ranked by ride similarity. Specs are men's US 9.
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THE SHORT ANSWER
The closest current match to the Hoka Clifton is the Asics Gel-Nimbus 28. The modern Nimbus matches the Clifton's tall, soft, rockered formula with a plusher upper and a little more weight. The closest cross-shop in the max-cushion aisle.
The Hoka Clifton is a light max-cushion shoe with a tall, rockered platform and an 8 mm drop. Everything below is measured against the current Clifton 11 (9.2 oz, 8 mm drop, 42 mm heel). No shoe matches it exactly, so each pick lists what carries over and what does not.
- 9.9 oz
- 8 mm drop
- 43.5 mm heel
- $165 list
The modern Nimbus matches the Clifton's tall, soft, rockered formula with a plusher upper and a little more weight. The closest cross-shop in the max-cushion aisle.
Against your Hoka Clifton 11: 0.7 oz heavier, 1.5 mm more heel stack, the same drop, $10 more at list.
- 9 oz
- 6 mm drop
- 40 mm heel
- $170 list
The 1080 matches the Clifton's soft rockered formula with a plusher build and a full width range. It runs about an ounce heavier.
Against your Hoka Clifton 11: 0.2 oz lighter, 2 mm less heel stack, 2 mm less drop, $15 more at list.
- 10.1 oz
- 10 mm drop
- 37 mm heel
- $145 list
The Pegasus is the traditional-trainer counterpoint: firmer, lower to the ground, with a snappier feel. Runners switch between these two lines in both directions depending on how much cushion they want.
Against your Hoka Clifton 11: 0.9 oz heavier, 5 mm less heel stack, 2 mm more drop, $10 less at list.
Chasing a specific older version?
If it is a particular Clifton you miss, start from that version's page: what replaced it, and where old stock still exists.
Questions runners ask
- What is the most similar shoe to the Hoka Clifton?
- The Asics Gel-Nimbus 28. The modern Nimbus matches the Clifton's tall, soft, rockered formula with a plusher upper and a little more weight. The closest cross-shop in the max-cushion aisle.
- Do any of these match the Hoka Clifton's 8 mm drop?
- the Asics Gel-Nimbus 28 matches it exactly. The others sit lower, which changes how the landing loads your calves and Achilles.
- Why switch away from the Hoka Clifton at all?
- The usual reasons: a version you loved got discontinued, an update changed the ride, or the fit moved away from your foot. The list above is ranked by how closely each shoe matches the current Clifton 11, with the differences called out honestly.