Hoka Clifton 9 vs Asics Gel Nimbus 25: Two Cushioned Daily Trainers Compared

Introduction

Cushioned daily trainers are the category most runners end up shopping in, and two names come up again and again: the Hoka Clifton 9 and the Asics Gel Nimbus 25. Both are sold as daily trainers for easy miles and longer runs, and both have received meaningful updates that change how they feel compared with earlier versions.

This comparison covers fit, ride, weight, grip, and price, with around 70km of running in each shoe to draw on.

At a Glance: Specs and Prices

The Asics Gel Nimbus 25 costs £175 or $160, weighs 298 grams (10.5 oz) for men in a size 8, and has an 8mm drop. The Hoka Clifton 9 costs £130 or $145, weighs 247 grams (8.7 oz) in the same sizing, and sits at a 5mm drop.

Both shoes use an engineered knit upper with a comfortable, breathable fit, and both feel mid-weight on the foot rather than light or heavy.

Hoka Clifton 9

The Clifton 9 gets a softer compression-molded EVA midsole, an early-stage meta rocker for heel-to-toe transition, a gusseted tongue, and a modest covering of outsole rubber. Hoka has deliberately kept the changes incremental, since the Clifton line has a loyal audience and the shoe is not meant to stray far from what people know and love.

That said, the softer midsole makes a real difference. Previous Cliftons often felt firm and a little dull, but the Clifton 9 feels softer, more enjoyable to run in, and easier on the legs. The turnover also feels a touch nicer, since the new foam gives back a bit more than the clumpier, firmer EVA of older versions.

It still is not a shoe that excels in any single area, and it is not versatile enough to cover every daily training mile. As an easy run and long run shoe, though, it works well, and it now compares favorably with shoes like the New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 v12, which the earlier Cliftons trailed.

Asics Gel Nimbus 25

The Gel Nimbus 25 is almost a complete redesign, with a noticeably revamped look that makes it feel like a different shoe from the Nimbus 24. It now sits firmly in the max-cushioned category, built on FF Blast Plus Eco cushioning combined with Asics Pure Gel technology for a softer, more comfortable experience on easy and longer runs.

The spec list is comfort-focused throughout: an engineered knit upper with a stretchy, breathable feel, a knit collar for a plush flexible fit, an OrthoLite X-55 sockliner, and a generous covering of AHAR outsole rubber for grip and durability.

The ride is balanced rather than extremely soft, which makes it applicable to a lot of people. It is a solid max-cushion shoe for easy daily runs and slower long runs, though some softer alternatives like the New Balance More v4 offer a plusher feel and a little more turnover.

Ride and Feel

In practice, these shoes are used for the same sorts of runs: easy days and longer, slower efforts. Neither is a speed shoe, and neither demands a specific type of run to justify itself.

For most easy and long runs, either shoe would do the job, which is exactly what makes the decision difficult. Both deliver a similar experience and neither truly excels in one area; both are accessible, mass-market cushioned trainers that tick the daily boxes.

Grip, Upper, and Everyday Comfort

The outsoles are fairly similar, with a spattering of rubber over the midsole. Neither is a grip benchmark, but neither caused any problems either: no slipping on any surface tested, including coastal paths covered in rain. Grip is average but dependable.

Up top, both uppers are very comfortable, and both shoes land in the mid-weight range, taking a lot of boxes for a cushioned daily training shoe.

Which One Should You Buy?

It largely comes down to price. The Clifton 9 is significantly cheaper than the Gel Nimbus 25, and there are many competing shoes in this category, most of them cheaper as well. The Nimbus 25 simply feels expensive for a shoe built for easy days and longer training runs.

The Clifton 9 is priced well for what it delivers, and it is a genuine improvement over its predecessor. If the choice comes down to price, the Clifton 9 is the safer pick.

Conclusion

Both the Hoka Clifton 9 and the Asics Gel Nimbus 25 are comfortable, accessible daily trainers that will not disappoint, even if neither will wow you. The Clifton 9 now has a softer, more enjoyable ride at a friendlier price, while the Nimbus 25 offers a balanced max-cushion experience with premium comfort details. Choose the Nimbus 25 if you want maximum cushioning and are happy to pay for it; choose the Clifton 9 if value matters more.