ASICS Novablast 6 vs HOKA Clifton 11
A side-by-side comparison grounded in verdicts from 6 reviewers with every source linked. We don't invent quotes; every claim below is attributed.
Specs at a glance
Reviewers who wore both
Direct paired observations — reviewers who actually ran in both of these and wrote the contrast. This is the strongest comparative signal on the page.
Clifton is a good rocker shoe but has inferior foam; Novablast 6 is lighter and livelier
Lost the tournament final 2-1; Clifton's smoother transition and fit edged out Novablast's forefoot spring and versatility
£10 cheaper and 22g lighter (298g vs 320g) with a similar stack and drop; noticeably lighter, more nimble, and more poppy, while the Hoka is bulkier with a more prominent rocker and slightly better stability
Same price, roughly comparable stack/drop, about 22g lighter, softer and more responsive foam, more versatile for speed work/races/long runs; the Clifton is more stable and durable
Novablast 6 gives more energy return and is a bit lighter and livelier
Beat Novablast 2-1 in the final on smoother transition and fit
Same price and similar stack/drop but 22g lighter, softer, and more responsive with a Turbo Squared foam insert, making the Novablast more versatile for speed work, races, and long runs, while the Clifton is more stable and durable
ASICS Novablast 6 — what reviewers say
Ride profile: high cushion , neutral stability .
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The Run Testers describe the Novablast 6 as plusher and more comfortable than the Evo SL with a different, softer kind of energy, occupying a different niche in ASICS's range rather than directly rivaling the Evo SL.
Ride:Much softer, plusher, more cushioned and bouncier than the Evo SL, with a different comfort-first energy; the v6 was noted as faster than the v5 thanks to its FF Turbo squared forefoot unit, but still not as aggressive or high-rocker as the Evo SL.
In their words: "easy super comfort" · "far more much more comfortable shoe"
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One of the reviewer's top shoes of the year — soft, forgiving, and durable enough for constant daily use across walking, work, and running.
In their words: "one of the best versions recently"
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A comfortable, versatile daily trainer with a new square-turbo forefoot piece; the reviewer isn't certain it beats the Mizuno Neo Vista for comfort but expects it to please existing Novablast fans.
Ride:New square-turbo forefoot piece works well with the existing blast foam.
In their words: "does the basics very well"
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A versatile, comfortable daily trainer with a punchier forefoot pod than the previous version, let down slightly by short laces and some quality-control issues (glue marks).
Ride:FF Blast Max with a poppier, more responsive FF Turbo Squared forefoot pod than the previous version; a very smooth ride best felt by mid/forefoot strikers.
Fit:Breathable upper with lots of heel padding; laces run oddly short.
In their words: "really extremely versatile" · "a very smooth riding shoe"
HOKA Clifton 11 — what reviewers say
Ride profile: maximal cushion , neutral stability .
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A comfortable, reliable, smooth-riding daily trainer that's fine on its own merits but clearly the less lively and less modern-feeling of the two Cliftons this year.
Ride:A smooth, firmer compression-molded EVA ride that leans on the rocker to drive transitions; comfortable and protective but absorbs energy rather than returning it, feeling less lively than the Clifton Pro, especially when legs are fresh.
Fit:True to size with a snugger fit across the top of the toe box than the Clifton Pro; good midfoot lockdown and heel hold. Testers who sized up half a size found the extra length worked well.
In their words: "cushions the body really nicely" · "sucks that energy in" · "not too soft and sinky"
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FORDY RUNS says the Clifton 11 is basically the same shoe as v10 with marginal upper and comfort tweaks — stable and versatile, but not worth the premium over the much cheaper v10, and the Brooks Ghost Max 4 edges it out on running capability.
Ride:Same 42/34mm stack and 8mm drop as v10 on the same compression-molded EVA; feels marginally lighter and more premium thanks to a new mesh upper and sock liner, but ride performance is essentially unchanged from v10.
Fit:True to size in UK 10; wide-fitting like previous Clifton versions, with good stability.
In their words: "left me a little bit on the fence" · "old and a bit boring" · "no reason to go out and buy"
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An unchanged, dependable, Goldilocks-balanced daily trainer that works well for daily runs, walking, and all-day standing, but the reviewer finds it's grown a bit boring and slightly overpriced at $155 for a shoe nearly identical to the Clifton 10.
Ride:Soft but not too soft, stable but not too stiff — an inoffensive, dependable ride identical to the Clifton 10.
Fit:Not a generous fit — stick with your usual Hoka size, don't expect extra room.
In their words: "a running industry Goldilocks" · "the shoe has gotten a bit boring" · "very inoffensive"
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Won all five rounds of the Doctors of Running flagship-trainer bracket to take the title; the panel's consensus pick as the most improved, smoothest-transitioning Clifton in years despite durability concerns.
Ride:Smooth transition praised repeatedly, attributed partly to a redesigned rear-foot frame/crash pad; foam has some spring but is tuned for easy days, not workouts.
Fit:Upper and sock liner upgrades were called out specifically; foot doesn't slide around despite a slightly more spacious fit than the 10.
In their words: "the Clifton's back, baby" · "such a strong transition"
Who should buy which
Use cases the reviewers above actually call out — one bullet per distinct take, attributed. Where reviewers converge (e.g. "5K to half marathon" appearing across multiple takes) the agreement is a stronger buying signal than any single voice.
Consider the ASICS Novablast 6 if
- A do-it-all daily trainer suited to a wide range of runners and running styles, with enough pep for some speed work. — Ben Parkes
- Everyday training that can also handle speedwork and racing (5K up through marathon-day speed), especially for runners with wider, deeper feet. — Run Moore
- Runners wanting a versatile daily trainer that handles easy miles through tempo workouts, offering more bounce and responsiveness than typical cushioned trainers — The Run Testers
- Versatile daily training for beginners through experienced runners who want a cushioned cruiser with enough pop for tempo work. — The Run Testers
- Budget-minded runners wanting a fun, versatile, high-value daily trainer that can log lots of miles. — Believe in the Run
- An everyday trainer versatile enough for easy days, faster efforts, and racing. — Run Moore
Consider the HOKA Clifton 11 if
- An everyday, live-in daily trainer for easy-to-marathon-pace miles and casual all-day wear. — FORDY RUNS
- Easy and long runs, big weekly mileage, and beginners wanting a protective, comfortable daily trainer. — The Run Testers
- Easy days, recovery runs, comfort-focused long mileage, and base-building volume; reviewer suggests it could also suit beginners. — The Run Testers
- Everyday comfort, walking, and casual all-day wear, or existing Clifton 10 owners who want a very similar, low-risk update. — Run Moore
- Easy days, long runs, standing/walking — not intended for workouts. — Doctors of Running
- Runners who want a comfortable, familiar daily shoe that also works for all-day casual wear. — Believe in the Run
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between the ASICS Novablast 6 and the HOKA Clifton 11?
The ASICS Novablast 6 is a daily trainer and the HOKA Clifton 11 is a daily trainer. By the numbers, the ASICS Novablast 6 weighs 249g, has a 42mm heel stack and an 8mm drop, while the HOKA Clifton 11 weighs 261g, has a 43mm heel stack and an 8mm drop. MSRP is $155 for the ASICS Novablast 6 and $155 for the HOKA Clifton 11.
Should I buy the ASICS Novablast 6 or the HOKA Clifton 11?
Ben Parkes on the ASICS Novablast 6: A do-it-all daily trainer suited to a wide range of runners and running styles, with enough pep for some speed work. FORDY RUNS on the HOKA Clifton 11: An everyday, live-in daily trainer for easy-to-marathon-pace miles and casual all-day wear.
Per Ben Parkes, FORDY RUNS.
Has anyone reviewed both the ASICS Novablast 6 and the HOKA Clifton 11?
Yes — The Run Testers, Doctors of Running, and Ben Parkes directly compared the ASICS Novablast 6 and the HOKA Clifton 11 in their reviews.
Per The Run Testers, Doctors of Running, Ben Parkes.
Which is lighter, the ASICS Novablast 6 or the HOKA Clifton 11?
The ASICS Novablast 6 is lighter, at 249g versus 261g (men's 9) — about 12g less.