The Hoka Bondi vs Clifton question is a common one, and on paper the two look close: both are neutral, both are thickly cushioned, both use Hoka’s rocker. The real differences are how much foam sits under the forefoot, what that foam is made of, the heel-to-toe drop and the weight. This comparison covers the current Bondi 9 and the Clifton 11, released in July 2026, plus where the Clifton 10 still fits in. Every number comes from Hoka’s product pages, Running Warehouse’s spec tables or RunRepeat’s lab measurements, and each is labeled with its source.
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Bondi 9 vs Clifton 11: The Short Answer
- Choose the Bondi 9 if you want the most foam underfoot and do not mind a heavier, pricier shoe.
- Choose the Clifton 11 if you want a lighter shoe that still has plenty of cushioning; Hoka lists it for both running and walking.
- Consider the Clifton 10 if you find it discounted: Hoka says the Clifton 11 keeps the previous sole and updates the upper and insole.
Specs Side by Side
| Bondi 9 | Clifton 11 | |
|---|---|---|
| Hoka cushion rating | Plush | Balanced |
| Hoka lists it best for | Everyday running | Everyday running, walking |
| Midsole foam | Supercritical EVA | Compression-molded EVA |
| Heel / forefoot stack* | 44 mm / 39 mm | 43 mm / 35 mm |
| Drop (Hoka) | 5 mm | 8 mm |
| Weight, men (Hoka) | 10.5 oz | 9.97 oz |
| Weight, women (Hoka) | 9.3 oz | 8.34 oz |
| Midsole hardness** | 43.0 AC (firmer) | 31.1 AC (softer) |
| Rocker | Smooth MetaRocker | Smooth MetaRocker |
| Widths | Regular, Wide, X-Wide | Regular, Wide, X-Wide |
| List price (Oct 2026) | $175 | $155 |
* Stack heights are Running Warehouse’s figures; other sources differ by about a millimeter. ** Midsole hardness is RunRepeat’s lab durometer reading; a higher number means firmer foam. Weights and drops are Hoka’s own figures.
The Two Shoes in Detail
Hoka Bondi 9
Running Warehouse describes the Bondi as Hoka’s most cushioned classic road shoe, and Hoka rates its cushioning as Plush; and the Bondi 9 is the first Bondi with a supercritical EVA midsole; Hoka also added 2 mm of stack height over the Bondi 8. Running Warehouse lists the stack at 44 mm at the heel and 39 mm at the forefoot, with a 5 mm drop. Hoka lists 10.5 oz for men and 9.3 oz for women. It uses Hoka’s Smooth MetaRocker, a Durabrasion rubber outsole, and comes in Regular, Wide and X-Wide.
Choose it when the goal is the most foam under your whole foot, especially under the forefoot. It is the heavier and pricier of the two (Hoka lists it at $175 in October 2026), and it appears in APMA’s Seal of Acceptance database. Full details are in our Bondi 9 review. The men’s Bondi 9 is a separate listing.
- Foam:Supercritical EVA
- Drop:5 mm
- Weight:10.5 oz men, 9.3 oz women
Hoka Clifton 11
The Clifton is Hoka’s balanced daily shoe, and Hoka lists the Clifton 11 as best for everyday running and walking. Hoka introduced it in July 2026 with a revised engineered mesh upper and an updated, softer insole, and it keeps the sole of the Clifton 10. The midsole is compression-molded EVA, the drop is 8 mm, and Running Warehouse lists the stack at 43 mm at the heel and 35 mm at the forefoot. Hoka lists 9.97 oz for men (size 10) and 8.34 oz for women (size 8).
Choose it if you want the lighter shoe of the two that still has plenty of foam. It also uses the Smooth MetaRocker, an abrasion-resistant rubber outsole and comes in Regular, Wide and X-Wide. Hoka lists it at $155, and Hoka’s product page lists it as APMA accepted. The men’s Clifton 11 is a separate listing.
- Foam:Compression-molded EVA
- Drop:8 mm
- Weight:9.97 oz men, 8.34 oz women
Cushioning: More Foam Is Not the Same as Softer Foam
The Bondi has more foam where it counts most for standing and walking: Running Warehouse lists 39 mm under the forefoot against 35 mm on the Clifton 11, while the heel heights are almost the same (44 mm and 43 mm). That thicker forefoot, plus Hoka’s Plush rating, is why the Bondi is the more cushioned of the two on paper.
The foams differ too. The Bondi 9 uses supercritical EVA and the Clifton 11 uses compression-molded EVA, and RunRepeat’s lab durometer put the Bondi 9 midsole at 43.0 AC and the Clifton 11 at 31.1 AC. A higher reading means firmer foam, so the Clifton’s foam is the softer of the two in RunRepeat’s test. On paper, the Bondi has more material under the foot and the Clifton is softer and lighter.
Drop, Rocker and Weight
Hoka lists a 5 mm drop for the Bondi 9 and 8 mm for the Clifton 11. A lower drop puts the heel and forefoot closer to level; if you are used to a conventional running shoe, the Clifton’s 8 mm is the smaller change. Both use Hoka’s Smooth MetaRocker, a curved sole designed to roll you from heel to toe; for more shoes built this way, see our guide to rocker bottom shoes.
On weight, Hoka lists the Bondi 9 at 10.5 oz for men and 9.3 oz for women, and the Clifton 11 at 9.97 oz and 8.34 oz. On Hoka’s figures the gap is about half an ounce for men and about an ounce for women per shoe; independent measurements show a bigger gap (RunRepeat’s lab scale: 10.7 oz vs 9.4 oz for men).
Fit and Widths
Hoka makes both shoes in Regular, Wide and X-Wide for men and women. A wide size adds volume across the whole shoe; if your toes are what feel squeezed, compare these with our picks for wide toe box shoes. And if your heel lifts in either shoe, heel-lock lacing can hold it down without tightening the toes.
Which One for Walking, Standing All Day or Running?
For walking
Hoka lists the Clifton 11 as best for walking as well as running, and it is the lighter shoe. Hoka lists the Bondi 9 for everyday running, but some walkers choose it for its extra foam, at the cost of extra weight.
For standing all day and long shifts
Here the Bondi’s thicker forefoot is the main argument on paper. For picks aimed at long hospital shifts, see our best Hoka shoes for nurses. For insole options, see our insoles for standing all day.
For running
Hoka lists both as everyday running shoes. The Clifton 11 is the lighter of the two on Hoka’s figures, and the Bondi 9 has the thicker stack.
Clifton 11 vs Clifton 10: Which Clifton to Get?
Hoka says the Clifton 11 has a revised engineered mesh upper and an updated, softer insole, and keeps the sole of the Clifton 10. Both have an 8 mm drop. That makes the Clifton 10 a sensible buy if you find it discounted, while the Clifton 11 is the one to get for the newest upper. For our take on the earlier version, see the Clifton 9 review.
Is There a Hoka Bondi 10?
Not as of October 2026. Hoka has not announced a Bondi 10, and the Bondi 9, released in January 2025, is the current model on Hoka’s site and at major retailers. We will update this comparison when a new Bondi is announced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Hoka Bondi or Clifton better for walking?
Hoka lists the Clifton 11 as best for everyday running and walking, and it lists the Bondi 9 for everyday running. The Bondi has more foam, especially under the forefoot, so some walkers choose it for cushioning, at the cost of extra weight.
Which is more cushioned, the Bondi or the Clifton?
The Bondi. Hoka rates the Bondi 9 as Plush and the Clifton 11 as Balanced, and Running Warehouse lists the Bondi with 4 mm more foam under the forefoot. Thicker does not mean softer, though: RunRepeat’s lab measured the Bondi 9 midsole as firmer than the Clifton 11.
Is the Bondi heavier than the Clifton?
Yes. Hoka lists the Bondi 9 at 10.5 oz for men and 9.3 oz for women, against 9.97 oz and 8.34 oz for the Clifton 11, and independent measurements show a bigger gap.
Do the Bondi and Clifton come in wide sizes?
Yes. Hoka offers both the Bondi 9 and the Clifton 11 in Regular, Wide and X-Wide for men and women. A wide size adds volume; if it is your toes that feel squeezed, a shoe with a foot-shaped toe box may suit you better.
What is the difference between the Clifton 10 and Clifton 11?
Hoka says the Clifton 11 has a revised engineered mesh upper and an updated, softer insole, and keeps the sole of the Clifton 10. Both have an 8 mm drop.
Is there a Hoka Bondi 10?
Not yet. As of October 2026 Hoka has not announced a Bondi 10, and the Bondi 9 is the current model on Hoka’s site and at major retailers.