Hoka Clifton 9 vs ASICS Gel-Nimbus 26: Best Cushioned Trainer Compared
Two of the most popular premium cushioned trainers, two very different philosophies. The Hoka Clifton 9 and the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 26 both cost between $145 and $160, both are built for long, easy runs, and both appear in every "best cushioned running shoe" list. But they are genuinely different shoes, and the wrong choice will frustrate you.
Here is the full comparison based on lab data.
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The numbers
| Metric | Hoka Clifton 9 | ASICS Gel-Nimbus 26 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight (men's US 10) | 246 g | 295 g |
| Heel drop | 5 mm | 10 mm |
| Heel stack height | 36 mm | 40 mm |
| Forefoot stack | 31 mm | 30 mm |
| Midsole hardness (Shore C) | 20 | 22 |
| Energy return | 60% | 58% |
| Toebox width | 96 mm | 95 mm |
| Heel counter stiffness (1–5) | 2 | 3 |
| Breathability score | 79 | 71 |
| SoleHunt Core Score | 90 | 89 |
The single biggest difference: 49 grams
At 246 g, the Clifton 9 is 49 grams lighter than the Nimbus 26's 295 g. For a cushioned trainer, that is an enormous gap. The Clifton achieves this through a proprietary CMEVA foam that is porous and light rather than dense, and a midsole geometry that uses less material volume than the Nimbus. The Nimbus earns its weight with FlyteFoam Blast+ and Gel units in the heel — both add grams but also add a particular type of plushness at heel strike.
Over a 20 km run, 49 extra grams per foot means lifting roughly 980 extra grams per kilometre. Whether that translates to fatigue depends on your fitness, but it is not nothing.
Heel drop: 5 mm vs 10 mm changes how the shoe runs
This is the second significant difference. Hoka's 5 mm heel drop puts more load through the calf and Achilles than ASICS' 10 mm. Runners coming from traditional high-drop shoes (12–14 mm) will find the Nimbus 26 a more natural transition. Runners who prefer a more midfoot strike or are working on form will prefer the Clifton's geometry.
The 5 mm drop is also why Hoka's rocker geometry feels more pronounced in the Clifton — the shoe is designed to roll you forward because the drop is not doing as much of that work.
Midsole: foam philosophy vs Gel technology
Hoka CMEVA (Clifton 9) is a single, uniform foam compound tuned for lightness and adequate cushioning. Shore C 20 makes it the softer shoe. It absorbs impact well, but it does not have the luxury of the Nimbus's layered system.
ASICS FlyteFoam Blast+ with Gel (Nimbus 26) uses a denser foam base with Gel inserts at the heel. The Gel does not make the shoe springier — that is a misconception. What it does is smooth out heel-strike peaks, which is why the Nimbus 26 has the most plush, controlled heel-strike feel of any daily trainer in this price range.
At Shore C 22 (slightly firmer than the Clifton), the Nimbus compresses more slowly and maintains its cushioning later in a run. The Clifton compresses faster and bottoms out sooner under heavier runners.
Breathability: Clifton 9 wins clearly
The Clifton 9 scores 79 on breathability versus 71 for the Nimbus 26. ASICS' engineered mesh is structured and supportive but traps heat more than Hoka's open-knit upper. For summer running, shorter distances, or runners who run warm, the Clifton is noticeably more comfortable.
Heel counter: Nimbus 26 holds the rearfoot better
The Clifton 9's heel counter stiffness score of 2 out of 5 is among the softer in the cushion trainer category. The Nimbus 26 scores 3. For neutral runners this rarely matters. For runners who need any rearfoot stability, or who have previously found the back of Hoka shoes collapsing under them, the Nimbus is the better choice.
Who should buy the Hoka Clifton 9
- Runners who prioritise lightness in a cushioned shoe
- Warm-weather runners who overheat in traditional trainers
- Runners with a midfoot or forefoot strike pattern
- Anyone who has found the Nimbus or similar shoes too heavy for easy days
The Clifton 9 is the better shoe for runners who want to feel like they are running in a cushioned trainer, not wearing one.
Who should buy the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 26
- Runners coming from high-drop shoes (12–14 mm) transitioning to cushioned trainers
- Heel strikers who want the smoothest possible heel strike
- Heavier runners (80 kg+) who find the Clifton bottoms out under load
- Runners who train in cold or wet conditions where breathability matters less
The Nimbus 26 is the better shoe for runners who want maximum protection at heel strike without thinking about it.
A note on price
The Gel-Nimbus 26 carries an MSRP of $160, against the Clifton 9's $145. That 15-dollar difference is not significant at this price point, but it is worth noting that the Nimbus' premium pricing reflects the layered foam and Gel system — you are paying for a specific type of heel cushioning, not just a bigger brand logo.
The verdict
Buy the Clifton 9 if weight and breathability matter to you, you have a midfoot or forefoot strike, and you want a cushioned trainer that does not feel like luggage.
Buy the Nimbus 26 if you heel-strike, you are coming from a high-drop shoe, or you are a heavier runner who has found Hoka's foams too soft under full load.
Not sure which matches your foot shape and running profile? Use the SoleHunt shoe finder — answer seven plain-English questions about your feet and running history and it will score both shoes against your specific biomechanics.