Hoka Clifton 9 vs ASICS Nimbus 26 — full comparison of cushioning, weight, fit, ride, and price for cushioned daily trainers. Which one should you buy?

Hoka Clifton 9 vs ASICS Gel-Nimbus 26: Full Comparison

The Clifton 9 and the Nimbus 26 are two of the most popular cushioned daily trainers in the world, but they take very different approaches to the same goal. Hoka built the Clifton around a rockered geometry and a lightweight midsole. ASICS built the Nimbus around plush foam and traditional running shoe construction. Which approach actually wins?

Here is the full breakdown.

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The quick verdict

Hoka Clifton 9 — lighter, snappier, with a forward roll. Better for active runners who want cushioning without weight.
ASICS Gel-Nimbus 26 — plusher, heavier, with more traditional running shoe feel. Better for heavier runners and walkers.

Both are premium daily trainers. Neither is a bad choice. The right pick depends entirely on how your foot moves and what you want the shoe to do.

Cushioning philosophy

The Clifton 9 uses a CMEVA midsole — a compression-moulded EVA foam that is light, springy, and slightly firmer than people expect. What makes it feel cushioned is the sheer volume of foam underfoot and the aggressive rocker that rolls you forward without forcing the foot to bend through painful ranges.

The Nimbus 26 uses ASICS' FF Blast Plus Eco foam, which is noticeably softer to the touch, and adds PureGEL inserts in the heel for additional impact absorption. The midsole geometry is more traditional, with less rocker and more reliance on the foam itself.

Step into a Clifton and you feel light. Step into a Nimbus and you feel cushioned. Both are correct descriptions.

Weight

The Clifton 9 weighs around 248 g in a men's size 9. The Nimbus 26 is closer to 305 g — a substantial 50+ gram difference. Over a long run, that adds up.

If you do any kind of faster running, even in your daily trainer, the Clifton is the obvious choice. If you do mostly walking and easy jogging where weight matters less, the Nimbus is fine.

Heel drop and stack

Both shoes have significant stack heights — around 32 mm at the heel for the Clifton, 41 mm for the Nimbus. The Nimbus feels noticeably taller underfoot.

Heel drop is where they really diverge. The Clifton sits at 5 mm, which is on the lower side for a daily trainer. The Nimbus is 8 mm, which is more conventional. If you have tight calves or Achilles issues, the higher drop of the Nimbus is the safer choice. If you prefer a more natural foot position, the Clifton is better.

Fit and upper

The Clifton 9 has a more accommodating fit than the original Clifton. The toebox is roomy, the midfoot wraps gently, and the heel collar is well-padded. It also comes in 2E and 4E widths if you need them.

The Nimbus 26 has one of the plushest uppers on the market. The knit material is soft against the foot, the tongue is well-padded, and the heel collar is bordering on luxurious. The fit is generous in standard width, and the shoe also comes in 2E and 4E.

For very wide feet, both work. For a sock-like feel, the Nimbus is the more luxurious choice.

Ride

The Clifton's rocker is the defining feature. From the moment your foot touches down, the geometry rolls you forward. This is great for people with knee issues, calf tightness, or anyone who finds traditional shoes too "flat" feeling. It also reduces the work your toes do at toe-off, which can help with bunion pain.

The Nimbus rides more traditionally. You land, you compress the foam, you push off. There is some forefoot transition geometry but nothing as aggressive as the Clifton. The feel is more cushion and less propulsion.

If you have never run in a rockered shoe, the Clifton can feel strange for the first few miles. Most people adapt within a week. Some never get on with it.

Durability

The Clifton 9 outsole has more exposed foam than the Nimbus, which can wear quickly if you run on rough surfaces. Expect 500-650 km of useful life.

The Nimbus has more comprehensive outsole coverage and the heavier construction holds up well. 700-800 km is realistic.

Price

The Nimbus 26 is around $165 MSRP, the Clifton 9 around $145. The Nimbus is the more premium product in price and presentation. The Clifton is the better value per gram of foam.

Who should buy what

Buy the Clifton 9 if:

You want cushioning without weight
You like the feeling of being rolled forward
You have knee issues or stiff ankles
You do varied paces in your daily trainer

Buy the Nimbus 26 if:

You prioritise plushness above all else
You are a heavier runner (over 90 kg)
You walk more than you run
You want a luxurious upper

A note on the Bondi

If you love the Clifton's geometry but want more cushioning, the Hoka Bondi 8 is the next step up. It is heavier than the Clifton but uses the same rocker and provides even more foam underfoot. Many runners eventually graduate from Clifton to Bondi for very long runs or recovery days.

For a softer alternative to the Nimbus, the Brooks Ghost 16 is the traditional daily trainer that competes most directly.

Final verdict

This one is honestly close.

For most runners, we lean slightly toward the Hoka Clifton 9. It is more versatile, it is lighter, and the rocker geometry solves problems that plain cushioning cannot. If your training includes anything faster than easy pace, it is the better shoe.

The ASICS Gel-Nimbus 26 is the better walking shoe and the better choice for heavier runners who prioritise impact protection over efficiency.

Try both if you can. Whichever your foot feels happier in after twenty minutes of walking around the store is your answer.

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