Running shoes · owner-verdict comparison

ASICS Novablast 5 vs Hoka Clifton 10: what real owners say

Real owners rate these about evenly: 41% of 145 ASICS Novablast 5 owners recommend it, vs 40% of 128 for the Hoka Clifton 10.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

ASICS Novablast 5

41%of 145 owners recommend
41% recommend · 26% neutral · 33% don't
Owners praise
  • Soft, bouncy ride when fresh
  • Comfortable, well-cushioned feel
  • Versatile daily trainer across paces
Owners complain about
  • Bounce and midsole die early (durability)
  • Forefoot pod, arch, and foot pain
  • Slippery grip on wet pavement
Full owner report →

Hoka Clifton 10

40%of 128 owners recommend
40% recommend · 18% neutral · 42% don't
Owners praise
  • Plush, comfortable cushioning
  • Great for walking and daily wear
  • Wider, roomier toe box than Bondi
Owners complain about
  • Poor durability, wears out fast
  • Caused foot, arch and ankle pain
  • Too soft and unstable, heel collapses
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the ASICS Novablast 5 if
  • ✓Neutral runners wanting a soft, bouncy daily trainer
  • ✓Easy days, long runs and beginners building mileage
  • ✓Runners with wider feet who want a roomy toebox
  • ✓Value seekers wanting an all-rounder that won't break the bank
Skip it if
  • High-mileage runners needing foam that lasts past ~250km
  • Forefoot strikers prone to arch or forefoot pain
Get the Hoka Clifton 10 if
  • ✓Walkers and people on their feet all day
  • ✓Easy, recovery and long slow runs
  • ✓Those who want maximum plush cushioning
  • ✓Wide-foot runners who find the Bondi too narrow
Skip it if
  • Runners wanting a stable, responsive ride
  • People prone to arch, ankle or plantar pain

What ASICS Novablast 5 owners say

“Look at that Nova Blast, Bouncy yet Stable. And the comfort level.”
— @andrewmcallister3903 on YouTube
“I just bought novablast 5. So far, its good for me. Bounce and good energy return. Satisfied”
— @alihafiz13 on YouTube
“novablast has way too much cushion for me. too soft for my taste.”
— @MrJoshbono5 on YouTube

What Hoka Clifton 10 owners say

“me gusta las semsaciiones que son buenas”
— @Khoscorro32 on YouTube
“Very nice shoes and I’ve got the crazy Color one”
— kenny61953 on Reddit
“teniendo Clifton 9 ya no quiero esas 10”
— @diegoglezmad on YouTube

ASICS Novablast 5 vs Hoka Clifton 10: frequently asked questions

Is the ASICS Novablast 5 or the Hoka Clifton 10 better?

Real owners rate these about evenly: 41% of 145 ASICS Novablast 5 owners recommend it, vs 40% of 128 for the Hoka Clifton 10.

Who should get the ASICS Novablast 5?

Owners point the ASICS Novablast 5 at neutral runners wanting a soft, bouncy daily trainer, and easy days, long runs and beginners building mileage.

Who should get the Hoka Clifton 10?

Owners point the Hoka Clifton 10 at walkers and people on their feet all day, and easy, recovery and long slow runs.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the ASICS Novablast 5 is bounce and midsole die early (durability). For the Hoka Clifton 10, it's poor durability, wears out fast.