The Pegasus, now on its 42nd version has achieved legendary status because of its consistent ride, high durability and its price of $145.
The Clifton, on its 10th version has always been a cushioned daily trainer. It has been gaining popularity worldwide and has a price of $155.
Which of these daily trainers is the better choice for you?
The midsole of the Pegasus is made of durable ReactX foam which doesn’t compress all that much so it has a medium firm midsole density. This makes it more versatile than the Clifton and able to handle easy paces as well as tempo paces better than the Clifton.
The midsole of the Clifton is made of spongy EVA foam which is well-cushioned. The Clifton is best suited to easy or recovery runs because your foot sinks down into the soft midsole.
Inside the midsole of the Pegasus is large Zoom Air unit. The air bag provides an extra pop on toe off which makes the Pegasus very responsive. It’s a full-length air unit.
There is no air bag inside the midsole of the Clifton so it is not as responsive as the Pegasus and not as good at tempo efforts.
Long runs are much more enjoyable in the Clifton because of its thick midsole and deep cushioning. It possesses more long distance comfort than the Pegasus but comes with a speed penalty.
Ride transitions in the Clifton are much smoother than in the Pegasus because of the absence of an air bag. The midsole is single density and the ride is more uniform.
In the Pegasus, there is a difference in density between the heel and on the forefoot. The air bag can also be felt underneath the forefoot which some runner may find to be lumpy.
Stability is better in the Clifton because it has a wider midsole base so there is less lean bias. Your foot also sits inside the midsole and the midsole edges are raised to form rails to help keep your foot centred.
On the outsole of the Pegasus is lots of hard, durable rubber with very little exposed midsole foam. This makes the Pegasus extremely durable and abrasion resistant.
On the other hand, the outsole of the Clifton only has rubber on the high wear areas with plenty of exposed midsole foam which results in a lower level of durability.
The upper of the Pegasus has a comfortable fit. The heel counter of the Pegasus is low but no heel slippage occurs. The Pegasus fits true to size and it has a midfoot and forefoot which are more accommodating than the previous version of the Pegasus.
The Clifton’s upper is more padded and more comfortable than the Pegasus’s upper. It has a non-gusseted tongue as well as a flared heel counter which provides a secure foot lockdown. The Clifton fits true to size but has the signature Hoka narrow fit so you may need to opt for the wide version if you have wide feet.
If you’re a runner looking for a more versatile neutral daily trainer with high durability, the Pegasus is the better option. It has a Zoom Air unit for extra responsiveness.
If you’re a runner looking for a plusher neutral daily trainer for mainly long or recovery runs at relaxed paces, the Clifton is the better option. It has plenty of deep cushioning and has a more comfortable upper. The Clifton has better stability but lower durability than the Pegasus.
