HOKA Bondi 9 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.
Bondi is heavier, more structured heel, more premium plush; Clifton is lighter with lighter cushioning and more traditional neutral feel
Bondi 9 is heavier, wider, more plush and more structured at the heel; Clifton 10 is lighter and more neutral with lower volume and a snugger fit
Described as the even bigger Clifton — more cushioning and more stack than the Clifton
Reviewer prefers the Clifton over Bondi 9 in the Hoka lineup for a lighter-feeling cushion shoe
Heavier, pricier, slightly softer foam but blockier transition; wider base for more protection at slow paces
HOKA Bondi 9 — what reviewers say
Ride profile: maximal cushion , neutral stability .
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Grouped with shoes the hosts consider unable to perform well outside easy cushioned running and not a personal favourite.
Ride:Seen as unable to function well outside of the pure cushioned easy-day category
In their words: "can't really function very well"
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A high-stack comfort cruiser the reviewer calls the go-to shoe for recovery runs when legs need an easy day.
Ride:Very high stack, comfort-cruiser ride described as an even bigger, more cushioned Clifton.
In their words: "more cushioning, more stack, just more" · "this is the comfort cruiser"
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An excellent max cushion shoe that nails the balance between cushion and bounce without feeling mushy.
Ride:Max cushioned with a little bit of bounciness — doesn't feel tall for the sake of being tall and isn't mushy. A fantastic update.
In their words: "a little bit of bounciness" · "they got it just right with the Bondi" · "excellent example of a max cushion shoe"
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A genuine surprise: the updated midsole makes the Bondi 9 feel meaningfully better than prior Bondis, and he'd pick it over the Vomero 18.
Ride:Feels noticeably better under step than prior Bondis thanks to updated EVA midsole; softer and more cushioned, and under 10 oz in his size which is very good for a maximalist daily trainer.
Fit:Snug through the midfoot — maybe a touch too snug — and a smidge in the toe box; consider a half size up for wider feet. Love the heel pocket and counter; tongue could be a bit more plush.
In their words: "felt snug through the midfoot" · "Maybe a half size up" · "felt so much better under step"
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 HOKA Bondi 9 if
- Maximalist daily training and comfort-focused runners, including those who loved prior Bondis — Seth James DeMoor
- Max stack easy-day running and lifestyle/walking wear for people who love the classic Bondi feel — Believe in the Run
- Max cushion easy and recovery days — Kofuzi
- Easy day and recovery runs, walking, and travel; a plush max cushion comfort shoe — Believe in the Run
- Runners wanting a plush, stable max-cushion neutral trainer for easy miles — Doctors of Running
- Runners wanting a tall-stack, stable, cushioned shoe for easy and recovery days, or people who found previous Bondis too firm — Kofuzi
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 HOKA Bondi 9 and the HOKA Clifton 11?
The HOKA Bondi 9 is a recovery / easy and the HOKA Clifton 11 is a daily trainer. By the numbers, the HOKA Bondi 9 weighs 306g, has a 44mm heel stack and a 5mm drop, while the HOKA Clifton 11 weighs 261g, has a 43mm heel stack and an 8mm drop. MSRP is $175 for the HOKA Bondi 9 and $155 for the HOKA Clifton 11.
Should I buy the HOKA Bondi 9 or the HOKA Clifton 11?
Seth James DeMoor on the HOKA Bondi 9: Maximalist daily training and comfort-focused runners, including those who loved prior Bondis. 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 Seth James DeMoor, FORDY RUNS.
Has anyone reviewed both the HOKA Bondi 9 and the HOKA Clifton 11?
Yes — Doctors of Running, Believe in the Run, and The Run Testers directly compared the HOKA Bondi 9 and the HOKA Clifton 11 in their reviews.
Per Doctors of Running, Believe in the Run, The Run Testers.
Which is lighter, the HOKA Bondi 9 or the HOKA Clifton 11?
The HOKA Clifton 11 is lighter, at 261g versus 306g (men's 9) — about 45g less.
Which is cheaper, the HOKA Bondi 9 or the HOKA Clifton 11?
The HOKA Clifton 11 is cheaper at $155 versus $175 MSRP — about $20 less.