The original Clifton was a massive hit and put Hoka on the map. 10 versions later, the Clifton is still the versatile daily-trainer that we know and love.
The Bondi is supposed to be Hoka's softest, plushest, max-cushioned trainer. The Bondi is heavier than the Clifton and is $20 more expensive. Which of these Hoka shoes is for you?
The Clifton has an oversized EVA compression midsole with a thick stack height. The Clifton has a Metarocker which smoothes the heel-to-toe transitions and the midsole of the Clifton feels soft in the forefoot and heel but doesn’t feel mushy. It gives you some responsiveness with plenty of deep cushioning without any bottoming-out flatness.
The Bondi has a supercritical EVA midsole but is even thicker than that of the Clifton. The Bondi has a heel stack height of 43 mm and a forefoot stack height of 38 mm. The Clifton has a heel stack height of 43 mm and forefoot stack height of 35 mm.
With such large stack heights, there is very little road feel in both shoes. Instead of road feel, you get massive amounts of foot protection and shock absorption.
The rides of both shoes are soft but the foam in the Bondi’s midsole is softer and makes it more suited to longer distances. The firmer ride of the Clifton makes it better for short and fast runs.
Stability is great in both shoes due to them having large, wide bases that make your feet feel planted. The midsole walls are also raised and act as barriers to keep your feet centred through the gate cycle. The Bondi with its wider midsole and more prominent arch support is the more stable shoe.
A durable outsole rubber is placed on the forefoot and rearfoot of the Clifton but the midfoot has exposed EVA midsole. The Bondi has rubber on the forefoot, rearfoot and on the lateral sides of the midfoot making the Bondi more durable than the Clifton.
The Clifton has a new jacquard knit upper with improved comfort. The Clifton has a padded heel counter which locks down the heel well and a padded tongue which is not gusseted. The toe box of the Clifton is wider than previous versions but in general the Clifton has a narrow fit so order the wide version if you have wide feet. The Clifton fits true to size.
The Bondi also has a knit upper but is more durable. It has a redesigned heel counter made from memory foam. The memory foam gives the Bondi a premium look and feel. The toe box has adequate height and foot splay room but like all Hoka shoes, the Bondi fits narrow so you might have to size up or get the wide version.
If you’re a runner looking for daily trainer which has a silky smooth and cushioned ride, the Bondi is for you. The Bondi has a comfortable, secure mesh upper and a wide midsole base for high levels of stability.
If you’re a runner looking a more versatile trainer with a firmer ride, the Clifton is for you. The Clifton is one of the most cushioned shoes on the market and offers plenty of protection and stability. The Clifton is lighter than the Bondi and is lighter on foot than it looks. At $20 less than the Bondi, the Clifton is a premium daily trainer with less cushioning and less outsole durability than the Bondi.
