HOKA Clifton 10 vs Saucony Endorphin Azura

Ride profile: maximal cushion , neutral stability .

• The Clifton 10 is a decent daily trainer with a stable neutral ride but suffers from a stiff, uncomfortable transition and a baggy, poorly locking upper that made it a frustrating experience for the reviewer.

  Ride:Stiff midsole transition caused peroneal tendon pain for the reviewer despite the early meta-rocker. Forefoot transition particularly stiff. More structured feel than v11.

  Fit:More midfoot volume and rear padding than v11, causing heel slip and foot push-forward issues for the reviewer. Ran hot. Better for higher-volume feet.

  In their words: "so stiff for me that I actually had some peroneal tendon pain" · "didn't loosen up"

  — Doctors of Running , 50 mi tested , source

• Hoka's flagship daily trainer, but this version feels slightly stabilized and is not the reviewer's favorite Clifton — he would drop it first from his Hoka rotation.

  Ride:Tall stack height, low heel drop, and front rocker yield a comfy, chill ride. This version skews slightly stabilized, which the reviewer prefers less than the Clifton 9's livelier feel.

  In their words: "isn't my favorite Clifton" · "comfy and chill" · "slightly stabilized side"

  — Kofuzi , source

• A reliable, comfortable and stable daily trainer that's a good general crowd-pleaser for easy and long runs, even if the EVA midsole lacks excitement.

  Ride:Smooth, stable, well-cushioned ride with a mild rocker; EVA foam is flat and not particularly lively but reliable; wider base gives better stability than the Puma

  Fit:True to size with multiple width options available; padded tongue and well-padded upper; good heel and midfoot hold; roomier toe box than the Puma

  In their words: "fairly flat and dull foam" · "very assured and very reliable" · "easy run end of the spectrum"

  — The Run Testers , 31 mi tested , source

• An essential, Swiss Army knife style shoe — super comfortable and stable for all-day wear plus easy runs, though not an exciting out-and-out running shoe.

  Ride:Very comfortable and stable with a wide platform; CMEVA foam is reliable but uninspiring, missing the excitement of shoes like the Vomero 18.

  Fit:Chris prefers to go half a size up in Hoka; lockdown is typical Clifton.

  In their words: "really boring CME EVA foam" · "always up half a size in Hoker shoes" · "does all the basics very well"

  — FORDY RUNS , source

Ride profile: high cushion , neutral stability .

• Ed Barratt picks the Endorphin Azura as the winner of this pairing — very stable, consistently cushioned, and more breathable — narrowly preferring it over the Hyperboost Run, though acknowledging it's a close call.

  Fit:A bit more forefoot width than the Hyperboost Run.

  In their words: "one of the most stable shoes" · "an incredibly durable material"

  — EDDBUD , source

• A budget long run option that only clicks for Fordy once he's running at pace; at easy effort he finds the ride too firm and lifeless.

  Ride:Firm and fairly lifeless at easy pace, but comes alive once running at faster paces.

  In their words: "not overly fussed about it" · "a little bit too firm"

  — FORDY RUNS , source

• The panel's marginal overall pick between the two shoes, praised for its bigger cushioned platform, smoother rocker, and long-run protection, though a couple of testers personally found the ride less exciting than the Deviate Pure Nitro's.

  Ride:Bigger stack with more cushioning and a bouncier, more rockered ride than the Deviate Pure Nitro; the firmer PWRRUN PB foam gives long-haul protection and a smoother, more assured heel-to-toe roll, though a couple of testers preferred the Pure's foam feel.

  Fit:True to size for most testers with a roomy toe box; several describe the midfoot hold as 'fits like a glove.'

  In their words: "feel a bit more assured" · "bigger, wider, more cushioned shoe" · "more conventional feeling training shoe"

  — The Run Testers , 155 mi tested , source

• An honorable mention/runner-up performance trainer praised for its versatility and value at $150, with a distinct rocker geometry that rewards longer efforts once learned.

  Ride:Firmer but snappy and bouncy PWRRUN PB midsole with a late-stage, fairly aggressive forefoot rocker. Takes some time to learn the geometry - can feel like a stiff shank in the midfoot if you don't land on it right. Rewards longer efforts more than short, fast ones.

  Fit:A lateral midfoot cutout gives it a near medial-stability feel; midfoot is filled in with decent sidewalls.

  In their words: "just rolls so nicely at longer efforts"

  — Doctors of Running , source