The Clifton, which is now on its 10th iteration, put Hoka on the map. When it first came out, there was nothing on the market as cushioned and as efficient as the Clifton with its Meta-Rocker geometry. Now, years later, the Clifton is even more loved and more popular. The Clifton 10 costs $150.

The Mach 6 received a major update this year to its midsole, outsole and upper. Its new ride is much more versatile while still being super light. The Mach 6 is becoming more and more popular. It costs $140.

Which of these Hoka trainers is better suited to you?

The Clifton has a single density CMEVA midsole with a thick stack height. It has a firm ride but without the feeling of sinking into the foam. It has plenty of cushioning for marathon distances and beyond.

The Mach has a single density foam setup made from supercritical EVA foam. The midsole of the Mach is not as thick as that of the Clifton but it still packs plenty of cushioning.

The Clifton has a more substantial ride with deeper cushioning that’s more suitable for long runs and slow paced runs. The Mach has a more engaging ride with more energy return that’s better for shorter distances and faster paced runs.

The Clifton has a rocker-shaped midsole which Hoka calls the Meta-Rocker. This geometry helps to roll you through transitions which improves efficiency over long distances. The Mach doesn’t have the Meta-Rocker that the Clifton has.

On the outsole of the Clifton, there’s firmer, blown rubber on all the high wear areas. This increases the durability of the Clifton. The Mach also has blown rubber on its high wear areas but the rubber isn’t as thick as the Clifton. The Clifton has the more durable outsole.

Stability is better in the Clifton than in the Mach. The Clifton has raised midsole sidewalls which help to guide your feet. It also has a bucket seat setup where your feet sit inside the midsole and not on top of it so there is a distinct cupping of the foot.

Ground feel is much better in the Mach than in the Clifton. The Mach’s midsole is thinner so your foot sits closer to the ground.

The upper of the Clifton is made of jacquard knit. It has a generously padded tongue, collar and heel tab. It has a non gusseted tongue and overall foot lockdown is superb. The fit of the Clifton is true to size but it has a narrow fit. It does come in a wide version if you need the extra width.

The upper of the Mach is also made of engineered mesh but its upper is not as padded as the upper of the Clifton so it’s more breathable. It has a thin, flat tongue which is gusseted and foot lockdown is also superb. The Mach fits small and narrow so you should go with the wide version or go up a half size.

If you’re a runner looking for a more cushioned trainer for relaxed paces like easy runs and recovery runs, the Clifton is the better option for you. It has a thick midsole with deep cushioning which doesn’t bottom out. The Clifton is also the better shoe for long runs because of its Meta-Rocker which saves you energy over long distances. The Clifton is also more stable than the Mach.

If you’re looking for a lighter trainer that can handle fast-paced runs better, the Mach is the better option. Its midsole has excellent responsiveness which makes it easy to pick up the pace. The Mach has a lighter, more breathable upper. The Mach is not as stable but it’s the lighter, more versatile trainer.