Hoka Bondi vs Clifton: Which Hoka Is Right for You? A Podiatrist Decides

Updated October 2026 for the HOKA Bondi 9 and Clifton 11. Every shoe spec below is HOKA’s own published figure, labelled with where it comes from. We have not measured these shoes ourselves.

At a glance: Bondi 9 vs Clifton 11

These are HOKA’s published figures. HOKA’s US pages don’t say which size they weighed, so treat the weights as a rough comparison.

Spec	HOKA Bondi 9	HOKA Clifton 11
US list price	$175; some colors $140 (HOKA US)	$155 (HOKA US)
Heel-to-toe drop	5 mm (HOKA US)	8 mm (HOKA US)
Heel / forefoot stack, men’s	43 mm / 38 mm (HOKA UK, men’s size 10)	42 mm / 34 mm (HOKA UK, men’s UK 9.5 = US 10)
Weight	10.5 oz (HOKA US, size not stated)	9.97 oz (HOKA US, size not stated)
Cushion rating	Plush (HOKA US)	Balanced (HOKA US)
Support	Neutral (HOKA US)	Neutral (HOKA US)
Midsole foam	Super critically foamed EVA (HOKA US)	Compression molded EVA (HOKA US)
Rocker sole	Smooth MetaRocker (HOKA US)	Smooth MetaRocker (HOKA US)
Widths	Regular, Wide, X-Wide (HOKA US)	Regular, Wide, X-Wide (HOKA US)
HOKA lists it for	Everyday running; HOKA’s Bondi page also suggests it for walking and standing for long hours	Everyday running and walking
APMA Seal of Acceptance	Listed in APMA’s database	Not on APMA’s list as of 18 October 2026 (the Clifton 10 is), though HOKA’s page shows the seal

Bondi or Clifton for plantar fasciitis?

No study has compared these two shoes for heel pain, so nobody can tell you one is proven better. What the guidance does say is useful, and both shoes meet most of it:

• Cushioned heels and good arch support. The NHS recommends both for plantar fasciitis, along with insoles or heel pads. Both shoes have cushioned heels, but neither is built for arch control, so add a supportive insole if you need more support.
• Some heel-to-toe drop. A 2021 best-practice guide in the British Journal of Sports Medicine says shoes should be supportive and comfortable and have a heel-to-forefoot drop. It also advises against walking barefoot and wearing flat, unsupportive shoes until symptoms have cleared.
• Shoes are only part of the treatment. The same guide puts stretching, taping and learning about the condition at the core of care, and treats footwear advice as part of that approach, not a replacement for it.

How to choose between them for heel pain:

• If your heel hurts most after long days standing or walking on hard floors, the Bondi 9 gives you HOKA’s plushest cushion rating (heel height is about the same in both).
• If you also run, or you prefer more heel-to-toe drop, the Clifton 11 has the higher drop (8 mm vs 5 mm) and is lighter.
• Neither shoe has built-in arch control. If your arches collapse, a supportive insole or a stability shoe such as the HOKA Arahi may suit you better (see our Bondi vs Arahi comparison).

For more options, see our guides to the best HOKA shoes for plantar fasciitis, shoes for plantar fasciitis and insoles for plantar fasciitis.

The real differences

The extra foam is under the ball of the foot

The heels are almost the same height: 43 mm on the Bondi 9 and 42 mm on the Clifton 11 (HOKA’s men’s figures). The real gap is under the forefoot: 38 mm on the Bondi vs 34 mm on the Clifton. That extra forefoot foam is why the Bondi’s drop is lower (5 mm vs 8 mm). HOKA says it added 2 mm of stack and switched to a supercritical foam for the Bondi 9.

How soft each one feels

HOKA rates the Bondi 9 “Plush,” its softest rating, and describes it as “a higher bed of soft cushion.” It rates the Clifton 11 “Balanced”: protective cushion with a more responsive push-off. If you want the shoe to feel as soft as possible under your heel and forefoot, start with the Bondi. If very soft shoes feel unstable or sluggish to you, start with the Clifton.

Weight and steadiness

HOKA lists the Clifton 11 at 9.97 oz and the Bondi 9 at 10.5 oz, so the Clifton is about half an ounce lighter. Both are neutral shoes, which HOKA defines as “a symmetrical bed of cushion without additional prescriptive technologies.” Both have a rearfoot-focused Active Foot Frame, which HOKA says gives more supportive landings. Neither has added stability features such as a medial post.

Both are also tall, soft shoes. AAOS lists poor balance and a previous ankle sprain as risk factors for ankle sprains, so if either applies to you, walk around in the shoe before you buy. If it doesn’t feel steady, it isn’t the right shoe for you.

Same rocker, same widths, different price

Both use HOKA’s MetaRocker, a curved sole meant to roll you from heel to toe. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) notes that people with arthritis or arch pain may benefit from a rocker sole when walking, and a review of rocker shoes found they can reduce pressure under the forefoot, though the best rocker shape isn’t known. Rockers aren’t perfect: in a trial for big-toe arthritis, rocker-sole shoes eased pain about as well as off-the-shelf orthoses but caused more side effects and were worn less. Both shoes come in Regular, Wide and X-Wide. At full price the Bondi lists at $175 and the Clifton at $155; some Bondi colors are on sale for $140.

What changed in the Clifton 11

HOKA launched the Clifton 11 in July 2026. HOKA describes the update as a new engineered mesh upper and a “softer, more premium sockliner,” and doesn’t describe any change to the midsole. If you liked the Clifton 10, the main differences you’ll notice are the upper and the softer sockliner.

Who should choose the Bondi 9

The Bondi 9 may suit you if:

• You walk or stand for hours and want HOKA’s plushest cushioning.
• The ball of your foot is sore. The Bondi has 4 mm more forefoot foam than the Clifton (both have a rocker sole, which can lower forefoot pressure).
• You like a lower drop (5 mm) and a plush feel.

Think twice if:

• You need a slip-resistant work shoe. HOKA sells a separate Bondi SR with slip-resistant rubber, a water-resistant leather upper and a 6 mm drop ($180). See our Bondi vs Bondi SR comparison.
• You have flat feet that need arch control. The Bondi 9 is a neutral shoe.

Who should choose the Clifton 11

The Clifton 11 may suit you if:

• You run as well as walk. HOKA lists it for both.
• You want nearly the same heel cushion as the Bondi in a lighter shoe.
• Your heel or calf feels better with more heel-to-toe drop (8 mm vs 5 mm).
• You’d rather pay $155 than the Bondi’s $175 full price.

Think twice if:

• You want the maximum foam under the ball of your foot. The Bondi has more.
• You need arch control or a slip-resistant sole. The Clifton 11 is neutral, and it isn’t sold as a work shoe.

Standing all day, walking and long shifts

For nurses, teachers and anyone on hard floors all day, fit matters as much as foam:

• Shop at the end of the day, when your feet are at their largest (AAOS).
• Leave at least a half inch between your longest toe and the end of the shoe, and make sure the heel counter grips your heel (AAOS).
• Break up long stretches of standing when you can. Standing still for long periods loads the heel, and the 2021 guide recommends breaking it up for people with heel pain.
• Replace shoes once the heels or soles are worn down. The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) advises against wearing shoes with excessive wear.
• If you wear custom orthotics, bring them when you try shoes on and check that the factory insole lifts out and your orthotic sits flat.

More options: women’s shoes for standing all day and custom orthotics at Balance Foot & Ankle.

Where to buy

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Balance Foot & Ankle earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and colors change often; check the listing before you buy.

• HOKA Bondi 9, men’s, on Amazon
• HOKA Bondi 9, women’s, on Amazon
• HOKA Clifton 11, men’s, on Amazon
• HOKA Clifton 11, women’s, on Amazon

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the HOKA Bondi and Clifton?

The Bondi 9 has more foam under the forefoot, a 5 mm drop and HOKA’s softest cushion rating, “Plush.” The Clifton 11 is lighter, has an 8 mm drop and a “Balanced” rating, and costs $20 less at full price. Heel height is nearly the same (43 mm vs 42 mm, HOKA’s men’s figures).

Is the Bondi or Clifton better for plantar fasciitis?

No study compares them. Both are cushioned shoes with a heel-to-toe drop, which matches the usual advice for heel pain. Choose the Bondi 9 for maximum cushion on long days standing, or the Clifton 11 for a lighter shoe with more drop, and pair either with daily stretching.

Are HOKA Clifton 11s good for plantar fasciitis?

They can be. The Clifton 11 has a cushioned heel, an 8 mm drop and a heel-cradling frame, which fit the footwear advice for heel pain. It is a neutral shoe, so if you need more arch support, add a supportive insole. If heel pain hasn’t improved after two weeks of self-care, get it checked.

Which is better for walking?

Both work. HOKA lists walking as a best use for the Clifton 11, and its Bondi page suggests the Bondi for walking and standing for long hours. If you also jog, the lighter Clifton may suit you better.

Is the Bondi 9 slip resistant?

HOKA doesn’t sell the Bondi 9 as slip resistant. The separate Bondi SR has slip-resistant rubber and tread and a water-resistant leather upper. If your job has footwear rules, check them before you buy.

Do the Bondi 9 and Clifton 11 come in wide sizes?

Yes. HOKA sells both in Regular, Wide and X-Wide, though not every color comes in every width.

Is there a Bondi 10?

As of 18 October 2026, HOKA’s US site lists the Bondi 9 and no Bondi 10.

When to see a podiatrist

Get your foot checked if pain hasn’t improved after two weeks of self-care, if it is severe or getting worse, if you have tingling or numbness, or if you have diabetes and foot pain (NHS). APMA advises that if pain, redness, swelling or heat persist, you should limit your normal daily activities and see a podiatrist.

Related guides

• Are HOKA shoes good for your feet?
• Best HOKA shoes for plantar fasciitis
• HOKA Bondi vs Arahi
• HOKA Bondi vs Bondi SR
• HOKA Clifton vs Mach
• HOKA vs Brooks
• Plantar fasciitis: causes and treatment

Sources

1. HOKA US. Bondi 9 (men’s): price, drop, weight, cushion and stability ratings, foam, widths.
2. HOKA US. Clifton 11 (men’s): price, drop, weight, cushion and stability ratings, foam, widths, what’s new.
3. HOKA UK. Bondi 9: how it compares and Clifton 11 (men’s): stack heights.
4. HOKA US. Bondi SR (men’s) and Bondi collection.
5. HOKA. Clifton 11 launch press release (via FashionUnited), July 2026.
6. American Podiatric Medical Association. Seal of Acceptance: HOKA products; Heel pain.
7. NHS. Plantar fasciitis.
8. Morrissey D, et al. Management of plantar heel pain: a best practice guide informed by a systematic review, expert clinical reasoning and patient values. Br J Sports Med. 2021.
9. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (OrthoInfo). Athletic shoes; Sprained ankle.
10. Hutchins S, et al. The biomechanics and clinical efficacy of footwear adapted with rocker profiles: evidence in the literature. Foot (Edinb). 2009;19(3):165-70.
11. Menz HB, et al. Effectiveness of foot orthoses versus rocker-sole footwear for first metatarsophalangeal joint osteoarthritis: randomized trial. Arthritis Care Res. 2016;68(5):581-9.