By Paul Freary
As two of HOKA’s most popular shoes, the Clifton and Bondi have seen significant updates in 2025.
The Clifton 10 has gained 3mm of extra cushioning in the heel, taking up to a 42mm stack but, more significantly it now has an 8mm heel drop.
The Bondi 9 moves away from a CM-EVA midsole to a new, super-critical midsole material for an improved ride with added response and energy return.
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What's New
The biggest update to the Bondi 9 is the inclusion of supercritical EVA foam in the midsole. Unlike traditional compression-moulded EVA foams, supercritical foams are created by infusing air into the EVA material using a high-tech injection process.
The result is a lighter, more responsive ride that maintains all the signature Hoka cushioning but with a bit more pop underfoot. The 4mm heel-to-toe drop from the previous model remains in the Bondi 9.
The new Clifton 10's midsole is a compression-moulded EVA (CM-EVA) and, as such, remains similar to that of the previous model and all those before it.
The difference here is the stack height. It’s up 3mm to 42mm in the heel of the Clifton 10 and as a result, increases the heel drop to 8mm. This makes the Clifton the only shoe in the HOKA lineup with more than a 5mm drop.
How’s the Fit?
The fit of the HOKA Bondi 9 and Clifton 10 is true to size in terms of other HOKA models. Both length and width are consistent, with the toe box feeling just a little roomier in both shoes when compared to the previous generation models.
As always, it’s worth noting that in the UK, HOKA convert sizes down just half a size from the US equivalent, whereas most brands use a full-size conversion. So, where brands such as Brooks, Nike and Saucony would equate a US10 to a UK9, HOKA (like New Balance) makes a US10 a UK9.5.
Stats
hoka | Clifton 10 | Bondi 9 |
|---|---|---|
Best for | Everyday training with high-stack cushioning for running, walking, all around daily use | Everyday training with high-stack cushioning for running, walking, all around daily use |
Support | Neutral | Neutral |
Cushion | Max-level cushioning | Max-level cushioning |
Stack Height | 42mm Heel / 38mm Forefoot | 43mm Heel / 39mm Forefoot |
Drop | 8mm | 4mm |
Weight | Men’s 278g (9.8oz) Women’s 227g (8.0oz) | Men’s 306g (10.8oz) Women’s 278g (9.8oz) |
Suggested Retail Price | $150 | $170 |
Fit | True to size | True to size |
Rating | 8/ 10 | 8.5/ 10 |
Performance
The difference in ride feel between the two shoes is now a little more apparent than the previous generation models.
BONDI 9
Although the Bondi 9 is only 1mm higher in stack height than the Clifton 10, the super-critical foam makes the difference.
With CM-EVA in the Clifton 10, the shoe feels okay, but it doesn’t feel any different to the Clifton 9 or 8 or even the very earliest Clifton models. There might be 3mm more cushioning than the Clifton 9, but the overall feel is the same. The Bondi’s use of the new foam makes it a much better ride.
HOKA Bondi 9
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The Bondi 9 is around 10% heavier than the Clifton and with its broader base, it certainly feels a little bulkier on the foot to start with, but I found this weight and bulk became less and less apparent the more I ran in the shoe.
I actually began to enjoy the bulk of the Bondi. It gave me a sense of security, a certain level of confidence in the protection it was affording me. On recovery day runs the shoe simply soaked up the miles and on more than one occasion I returned from an easy hour on the roads and didn’t feel any kind of muscle soreness or even think that I’d been out for a run!
CLIFTON 10
Not all bad for the Clifton.
While a lot of this may sound like I am knocking the new Clifton, that’s far from the case. The Clifton 10 certainly has its place and given it sits in the most competitive part of the market with regards to price, it remains a good option for many runners.
So, who will like the new Clifton 10?
First up, I think users of the previous versions of the Clifton will enjoy the extra 3mm of cushioning in the heel. From my experience, both in a specialist running store environment and of seeing many runners at events, the majority of them are heel strikers and the higher drop will help alleviate any potential issues here when compared to a lower drop model.
HOKA Clifton 10
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The Clifton 10 is competitively priced, fits well and is a well-made shoe.
Any concerns with regards the width of the shoe in the midfoot can be avoided by choosing the wide fit option, which is readily available.
The Clifton 10 is also a relatively lightweight shoe for one offering such a high stack of cushioning so that makes it a popular choice again for many.
My Verdict
HOKA fans, and particularly long-term fans of the Bondi model, won’t be disappointed. This is the best Bondi to date, and the use of the new, supercritical midsole foam is what makes it the shoe it is.
The new Clifton 10 looks good and feels good on the feet. The Clifton is one of the brand’s most popular shoes and there is no doubt that it will be a great-selling shoe. The shoe continues to offer good value for money and is competitively priced.
The cost of the two models isn’t too far apart now, with the Bondi being just $10 more than the Clifton.
Despite the Clifton now being an 8mm drop, the feel between the two shoes when on the feet is insignificant and most won’t notice.
With only a single mm difference between the two shoe stack heights, the main difference comes down to the cushioning material of the midsoles and it’s here where the Bondi 9 is above and beyond the Clifton.
HOKA Bondi 9
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HOKA Clifton 10
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The super-critical foam offers a nicer ride. It’s a little softer, more responsive and more durable.
Fans of the Clifton will still feel the improvements over the previous model, so it will remain a popular model, but given the choice between the two shoes, the Bondi wins for me every time.
Scores
HOKA Bondi 9
I am scoring the Bondi 9 a solid 8.5 out of 10.
It could be a little lighter and it could possibly be a little more flexible, but on the whole it’s a very good all round, everyday training shoe.
HOKA Clifton 10
I am scoring the Clifton 10 7.5 out of 10.
The shoe loses a point simply because when sat next to the Bondi, the Bondi offers better cushioning that’s more responsive and durable.
I think that the shoe could be $10 / £10 cheaper and, given the simple CM-EVA midsole it would be a better priced model.
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