ASICS Superblast 3 vs HOKA Clifton Pro

Ride profile: maximal cushion , soft_plush feel , high energy return , neutral stability , moderate rocker.

• One of the best long-run shoes on the market thanks to its soft FF Blast foam and great lockdown, though this version's outsole durability is a step down from the Superblast 2.

  Ride:Super soft, lightweight, and comfortable for 20K-30K long runs; can feel a little unstable at faster paces/tight corners.

  In their words: "amazing for those long runs" · "a real shame about the durability"

  — Ben Parkes , source

• A soft, comfortable shoe Fordy still takes out for 12-15 mile runs, but which he doesn't consider suited to his very longest long-run mileage.

  Ride:Soft, cushioned ride; comfortable for mid-length runs but not rated for his very longest miles.

  In their words: "if you like a soft shoe"

  — FORDY RUNS , source

• An impressively light max-cushion trainer that shines on long, steady marathon-pace efforts, but several testers found it softer and 'mushier' than expected, less specialized than the Superblast 2, and not clearly worth its higher price over the Novablast 6.

  Ride:Softer, more compressive, and more consistent underfoot than the Novablast 6 thanks to the full-length FF Leap top layer, giving a smooth heel-to-toe roll well suited to marathon-pace long runs — but a couple of testers found it 'mushy' at slower paces and less versatile for faster work than the previous Superblast 2.

  Fit:True to size with a roomy toe box, though slightly less heel-collar padding than the Novablast 6.

  In their words: "much softer, more compressive, more highly cushioned" · "a little bit mushy" · "lost some of its upper pace edge"

  — The Run Testers , 40 mi tested , source

• Kofuzi calls the Superblast 3 one of the best shoes in its class -- lighter than the Neo Vista 3, capable of both daily training and picking up the pace -- and says it's his preferred option overall despite the $210 price.

  Ride:Squishier, airier, bouncier FF Blast top foam evened out by a firmer daily-training bottom layer; noticeably lighter than the Neo Vista 3 and better at picking up the pace.

  In their words: "one of the best in its class" · "relatively feather weight"

  — Kofuzi , source

Ride profile: maximal cushion , neutral stability .

• The clear winner of the two Cliftons this year — a comfortable, fun, smoothly-rockered cushioned trainer with noticeably more energy return and versatility than the Clifton 11, worth the small price premium.

  Ride:A more modern, springier ride from the super-critical ProFlyte Plus foam — smooth and protective at slow paces, with noticeably more energy return and bounce than the Clifton 11 at steady efforts, though it can feel a touch slower to respond on tired legs.

  Fit:Slightly roomier, airier toe box than the Clifton 11 with similarly good midfoot lockdown and heel hold; true to size for most, though testers who sized up half a size found the extra length worked well.

  In their words: "one of the best cushioned shoes" · "more response, more bounce, more fun" · "the clear winner for me"

  — The Run Testers , 56 mi tested , source

• The host calls it his easy pick for best Clifton, since it's the only Clifton whose sidewalls don't bother his sensitive forefoot; Andrea likes the shoe but argues it doesn't ride like a true Clifton and shouldn't win the title on that basis.

  Ride:The supercritical EVA midsole and outsole rubber placement hold up better than HOKA's traditional EVA trainers; the host — who dislikes every other Clifton due to midfoot sidewall irritation — has no issues with this one.

  In their words: "one of the best outsole designs" · "genius"

  — Doctors of Running , source

• A bouncier, squishier take on the Clifton formula thanks to a supercritical-EVA midsole — the reviewer's preferred Clifton, though chunkier, heavier, and pricier than the standard model.

  Ride:Supercritical EVA gives a bouncier, squishier feel than the standard Clifton; slightly chunkier/puffier and heavier as a result.

  In their words: "bouncier and slightly squishier" · "this is the better Clifton"

  — Kofuzi , source

• The reviewer welcomes the updated foam as a step up in responsiveness for the Clifton line but is ultimately unconvinced given the shoe's heavy weight, cushioning tech he sees as dated versus rivals, and poor lockdown, and says he won't keep using it.

  Ride:More responsive and bouncier than the regular Clifton with a more aggressive rocker and firmer feel, though still heavy and bulky-feeling at most paces.

  Fit:True to size in his regular Hoka size (UK 12), but lockdown was poor with irritation caused by the tongue sliding down.

  In their words: "the tongue just kept sliding down" · "quite on the heavy side" · "a lot better than the execution"

  — Ben Parkes , source