Hoka Clifton 10 vs ASICS Novablast 5: Two Comfort-First Daily Trainers Compared

Introduction

The Hoka Clifton 10 and ASICS Novablast 5 are both solid mid-range daily trainers aimed at a wide range of runners, and on the road they turn out to be far more similar than their looks suggest. Both blend comfort with a little versatility, and both sit at around the same price point. The ASICS is already available, while the Clifton 10 is set to launch in April.

If you want the short version: both are excellent for easy and long runs at a relaxed pace, both offer natural stability, and the Novablast 5 edges ahead for faster running and overall value. Below, we break down where each shoe wins.

At a Glance: Specs and Pricing

The ASICS Novablast 5 is the lighter shoe at 274g (9.7 oz) in a UK 9, while the Clifton 10 comes in at 285g (10 oz) in the same size. Both use an 8mm drop, which is unusual for a Hoka shoe that typically sits at 5mm. The Clifton 10 has a slightly higher stack at 42mm at the heel versus 41.5mm on the Novablast 5.

On price, the Hoka costs $150, with the UK price not yet confirmed. The ASICS Novablast 5 costs £140 in the US market and £135 in the UK, making it the slightly cheaper shoe of the pair.

Upper, Midsole, and Outsole

The Novablast 5 uses a jacquard mesh upper with plenty of padding around the collar, a fairly thin tongue, and a substantial internal heel counter for structure. Its FF Blast Max midsole is a fairly soft material with some energy return, and foam sidewalls at the rear cradle the foot and add stability to what is a high-stack shoe. A wide base helps further, and the AHAR low rubber outsole offers good coverage along the length of the shoe, with some exposed foam in the midfoot.

The Clifton 10 counters with a jacquard knit upper, generous collar padding, and Hoka’s raised heel tab to cradle the Achilles. Its tongue is noticeably more padded than the ASICS. A big internal heel counter is part of the rearfoot active frame that adds stability, again with foam sidewalls and a wide base for a naturally stable ride. The midsole is compression-molded EVA with Hoka’s meta rocker to smooth heel-to-toe transitions, and the dual abrasion rubber outsole covers the forefoot and heel well. Both shoes leave some foam exposed, but all key impact areas carry a decent layer of rubber.

Fit and Sizing

Both testers used a UK 9, which corresponds to a US 9.5 in Hoka and a US 10 in ASICS, so bear in mind the Hoka may come up slightly smaller if you use UK sizing. Hoka shoes generally have a dialed-in fit, and wide and extra-wide versions of the Clifton 10 will be available for runners who need more room.

The Novablast 5 has a slightly roomier forefoot overall, which is a genuine benefit on easy runs. Both shoes offer a good hold around the heel and midfoot, and sticking with your normal running shoe size in either brand is a safe bet.

Ride Feel and Versatility

Cruising at an easy pace, the two shoes feel remarkably alike: a relaxed, rolling heel-to-toe transition, lots of cushioning, lots of stability, and neither midsole foam delivering an especially lively ride. Both have a bit of rocker that pushes you onto your toes, and both stop short of the mushy max-cushioned cruiser realm, so there is still some life underfoot.

Start upping the pace and the differences appear. The FF Blast Max foam in the ASICS is livelier than the more standard EVA in the Hoka, and the lighter weight helps the Novablast 5 feel more natural at faster speeds and a bit more responsive off the toes. At the back end, the Hoka’s heel bevel feels a touch smoother for rolling onto the midfoot, while the Novablast 5 wins on toe-off and offers more forefoot comfort over long distances thanks to its slightly softer foam.

Hoka Clifton 10

The Clifton 10 is a comfortable, naturally stable daily trainer with a firmer, more standard EVA feel and Hoka’s signature rocker geometry. If you prefer a slightly firmer ride, or if you loved the Novablast 4 but are hesitant about the softer Novablast 5, the Clifton 10 makes a very suitable alternative.

ASICS Novablast 5

The Novablast 5 pairs a roomier forefoot with a livelier midsole foam, a lighter build, and a lower price. It feels a bit more natural at tempo efforts and slightly more comfortable under the forefoot on long runs, which is why it earns a slight overall preference in this pairing.

Buying Advice

Both shoes earn a place at the cushioned end of a rotation. If you are a newer runner, either one could handle all of your runs. If you already rotate shoes and keep dedicated speedwork pairs, neither belongs there; both are best used to hoover up easy mileage, and they do that job very well.

You also do not need a separate max-cushioned shoe alongside either of them. Options like the ASICS Nimbus 27 or Hoka Bondi 9 add a little more cushioning, but not dramatically more, and both of these shoes deliver comfort for easy runs at a fairer price. If you have a wider foot, the roomier Novablast 5 forefoot may give it the edge.

Conclusion

These two daily trainers are surprisingly similar in feel: comfortable, stable, and well suited to easy and long runs. The ASICS Novablast 5 gets the slight nod for its livelier foam, better fit for wider feet, and lower price, but the Clifton 10 is a strong pick if you prefer a firmer ride. Either way, you are getting one of the more balanced daily trainers in the mid-range category.