HOKA Clifton Pro vs Nike Vomero Plus

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

Ride profile: high cushion , soft_plush feel , low energy return , neutral stability .

• His pick for best cushion shoe — a big slab of springy ZoomX-based foam that hasn't lost its bounce over 100+ miles of testing, protecting the legs on easy runs without feeling dead underfoot.

  In their words: "never loses that bounce" · "sink in nicely, but then you bounce right back"

  — The Run Testers , 100 mi tested , source

• The best marathon training shoe for everyday runners thanks to its versatility and comfortable ZoomX ride.

  In their words: "by far the best marathon training shoe" · "phenomenal outsole" · "can go from road to gravelly trails"

  — FORDY RUNS , source

• EDDBUD says the Vomero Plus SE offers a huge amount of cushion, carrying over heavily from the discontinued Nike Invincible Run, and is great value at the discounted price.

  In their words: "huge amount of cushion" · "borrows heavily from the previous version" · "can't lose under 100 quid"

  — EDDBUD , source

• Ben Parkes recommends this as a more readily available long-run shoe than his top pick, citing its ZoomX cushioning and available width options, despite its heavier weight.

  Ride:A generous helping of Nike's premium ZoomX foam to absorb impact on long efforts; on the heavier, chunkier side but still capable of getting up to pace.

  In their words: "really good chunk of Nike's premium" · "good for wider footed runners"

  — Ben Parkes , source