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HOKA Clifton 9 vs ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 26

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

    Top
    Main Differences
    Design
      WeightStack HeightsExternal ShapeInternal ShapeForefoot Fit: WidthForefoot Fit: HeightArch Fit: WidthLength FitHeel Rocker GeometryForefoot Rocker GeometryOther Features
    Performance
      Heel Compression Energy ReturnForefoot Compression Energy ReturnHeel CushioningForefoot CushioningHeel FirmnessForefoot FirmnessForefoot Long Run CushioningRocker StiffnessForefoot Bending Energy ReturnForefoot Bending Stiffness
    Comments

Products

HOKA Clifton 9
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 26

Tested using Methodology v0.11

Updated May 11, 2026 11:28 PM

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Tested using Methodology v0.10

Updated Apr 29, 2026 08:41 PM

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HOKA Clifton 9 Picture

Track

ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 26 Picture

Track

Weight
257.5 g (9.08 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.3 mm
Plate
None
Weight
301.9 g (10.65 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.9 mm
Plate
None

Our Verdict

HOKA Clifton 9

ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 26

The ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 26 and the HOKA Clifton 9 are both popular, well-cushioned daily trainers, but each has its own advantages. The HOKA is lighter and offers better energy return, making it a bit more versatile. The ASICS, meanwhile, has a wider base and offers better lateral stability, making it a somewhat smoother ride for easy miles.

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Variants

  • Clifton 9 (Black/Black - (Women - US 7))
  • Clifton 9 (Black/Rose Gold - (Women - US 7))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 26 (Black/Cool Matcha - (Women - US 7))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 26 (Black/Dusty Purple - (Women - US 7))

Review

See HOKA Clifton 9 Review
See ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 26 Review
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Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 
 

5.9
5.5

Weight  

6.1
4.3

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

6.1
4.3

Right Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Clifton 9 Right Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 26 Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Clifton 9 Left Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 26 Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

257.5 g (9.08 oz)
301.9 g (10.65 oz)

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Clifton 9 Stack Height Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 26 Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

39.2 mm
42.1 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

30.9 mm
33.2 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

8.3 mm
8.9 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

5.0 mm
8.0 mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Preview 3D
HOKA Clifton 9 3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 26 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

89 mm (3.5")
93 mm (3.6")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

84 mm (3.3")
84 mm (3.3")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

107 mm (4.2")
115 mm (4.5")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

2.27
2.21

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.47
3.46

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Preview 3D
HOKA Clifton 9 3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 26 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

274 mm (10.8")
278 mm (10.9")

Internal Heel Width 
 

58 mm (2.3")
64 mm (2.5")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

87 mm (3.4")
96 mm (3.8")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

Yes
Yes

Forefoot Fit: Width 
 

9.6
9.4

Forefoot Width Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Clifton 9 Forefoot Width Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 26 Forefoot Width Photo

Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation 
 

-0.4 mm (-0.014")
3.2 mm (0.127")

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-1.9 mm (-0.075")
1.6 mm (0.063")

Forefoot Fit: Height 
 

10
4.7

Forefoot Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Clifton 9 Forefoot Height Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 26 Forefoot Height Photo

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

0.0 mm (-0.002")
-6.2 mm (-0.246")

Arch Fit: Width 
 

9.3
9.0

Arch Fit Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Clifton 9 Arch Fit Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 26 Arch Fit Photo

Arch Width TTS Deviation 
 

-1.4 mm (-0.056")
-1.8 mm (-0.070")

Length Fit 
 

10
10

Toe Clearance Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Clifton 9 Toe Clearance Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 26 Toe Clearance Photo

Heel Rocker Geometry 
 

8.0

Heel Rocker Photo  

HOKA Clifton 9 Heel Rocker Photo

Heel Spring 
 

25 mm (1.0")

Heel Apex Position 
 

19.2%

Heel Rocker Angle 
 

24.1°

Forefoot Rocker Geometry 
 

5.8

Forefoot Rocker Photo  

HOKA Clifton 9 Forefoot Rocker Photo

Toe Spring 
 

40 mm (1.6")

Toe Apex Position 
 

62.2%

Forefoot Rocker Angle 
 

20.0°

Other Features  

Other Features Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Clifton 9 Other Features Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 26 Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Non-gusseted
Fully-gusseted

Plate 
 

None
None
Performance

Heel Compression Energy Return 
 

2.2
1.4

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Clifton 9 Heel Energy Return
 Preview Graph
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 26 Heel Energy Return
 Compare in Graph Tool

Heel Energy Return 
 

68.1%
66.3%

Forefoot Compression Energy Return 
 

2.4
2.3

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Clifton 9 Forefoot Energy Return
 Preview Graph
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 26 Forefoot Energy Return
 Compare in Graph Tool

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

68.6%
68.4%

Heel Cushioning 
 

7.6
7.6

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Clifton 9 Heel Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 26 Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Clifton 9 Heel Cushioning
 Preview Graph
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 26 Heel Cushioning
 Compare in Graph Tool

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

3.11 J
3.24 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

9.51 J
9.26 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

16.72 J
16.55 J

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

7.9
7.8

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Clifton 9 Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 26 Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Clifton 9 Forefoot Cushioning
 Preview Graph
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 26 Forefoot Cushioning
 Compare in Graph Tool

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

4.51 J
4.68 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

8.58 J
8.39 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

13.19 J
12.49 J

Heel Firmness 
 

5.2
5.3

Heel Firmness  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Clifton 9 Heel Firmness
 Preview Graph
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 26 Heel Firmness
 Compare in Graph Tool

Firmness At 550N 
 

51.9 N/mm
53.2 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

104.0 N/mm
105.6 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

214.1 N/mm
212.8 N/mm

Forefoot Firmness 
 

7.1
7.7

Forefoot Firmness  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Clifton 9 Forefoot Firmness
 Preview Graph
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 26 Forefoot Firmness
 Compare in Graph Tool

Firmness At 800N 
 

92.3 N/mm
98.2 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

178.8 N/mm
199.3 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

334.6 N/mm
383.0 N/mm

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

6.9
7.1

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Clifton 9 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
 Preview Graph
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 26 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
 Compare in Graph Tool

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

7.60 J
7.67 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

7.34 J
7.52 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

7.18 J
7.44 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

7.05 J
7.38 J

Rocker Stiffness 
 

6.1

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video  

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Clifton 9 Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph

Force To Flatten The Rocker 
 

63 N

Forefoot Bending Energy Return 
 

3.6

Forefoot Bending Video  

Forefoot Bending Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Clifton 9 Forefoot Bending Energy Return

Forefoot Bending Energy Return 
 

52.0%

Forefoot Bending Stiffness 
 

7.8

Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture  

HOKA Clifton 9 Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture

Forefoot Bending Resistance  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Clifton 9 Forefoot Bending Resistance

Forefoot Bending Stiffness 
 

14.0 N/mm

Forefoot Bending Force 
 

364 N

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HOKA Clifton 9

ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 26

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

HOKA Clifton 9 vs ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 26: Main Discussion

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