Article by Sam Winebaum
Hoka 2025 Comparison Reviews: Bondi 9, Clifton 10, Skyflow, and Mach 6
Hoka has been on a roll the last several years with tremendous growth across road and trail running as well as hiking and lifestyle shoes. Here we will focus on the major updates to their OG road shoes the Clifton and Bondi while also comparing them to their newer unplated most recent road trainers the Mach 6 and Skyflow. The Clifton 10 and Bondi 9 see big changes that better position them competitively and in the Hoka line up.
Hoka Clifton 10 ($150)
Compression Molded EVA
42mm heel / 34mm forefoot, 8mm drop
9.2 oz / 261g US8.5
Platform Width: 90mm heel / 85mm midfoot / 110mm forefoot
Available April 2025
The Clifton 10 sees big changes as it shifts from Hoka’s traditional 4-5mm drop to their first shoe with an 8mm drop. It does so by increasing its heel stack height by 3mm while keeping its forefoot about the same. While it retains the Hoka Meta Rocker, it is also a flexible shoe with the higher heel accentuating the ease of rolling forward to toe off far more for me than prior Clifton. While its now 42 mm heel puts it in max cushion territory, its ride geometry is the most “traditional” of the Hoka trainers here.
And, in another big change the combination of relatively broad heel landing, Active Foot Frame and a very stout heel counter and high rigid achilles collar make the Clifton 10 more inherently stable, something Hoka calls out, and which is clearly felt and a big change from prior Clifton which were not very rear stable for me.
The midsole foam, unlike the others here which move to supercritical EVA is CMEVA (Compression Molded EVA), as Cliftons have had in the past. At 9.2 oz / 261g US8.5 the weight is getting up there given the higher stack and I expect it would have come in lighter with the newer foam.
At $150, I think Hoka could have “splurged” on their excellent newer foam as in the others here.
While a very fine and energetic EVA foam, The Ciifton midsole does not have quite the spunk and energy of the newer foams. This is particularly felt at the heel which while super well cushioned does not have the more energetic rebound of supercritical EVA and feels a bit back weighted and lumpy at slower paces, even if transitions are great due to the heel focused Meta Rocker. This said, the combination of denser foam and ramp forward from the higher heel and front flexibility make the toe off nicely responsive while well cushioned.
The upper is a double Jacquard mesh. As with the others here with the possible exception of the Bondi 9, the fit is precise and flawless although I note that they are a bit long in length, slightly more than a thumb at my true to size. Wides will also be available. As stated above, the rear construction of the upper clearly contributes to the inherent new stability of the Clifton.
Bottom Line: The Clifton has evolved considerably from its origins way back when as a first light high stacked, low drop speed trainer to a more versatile, more stable all around daily trainer with now a higher drop, a more stable platform with a max grade cushion stack at 42mm at the heel. If you miss the Cliftons of old given these changes the Mach 6 is the clear successor.
(Full RTR Review soon)
Hoka Bondi 9. ($170)
Update: Bondi 9 Review with 7 Comparisons
Supercritical EVA
43mm heel / 38mm forefoot, 5mm drop
10.2 oz / 286g US8.5
Platform Width: 100mm heel / 85mm midfoot / 100 mm forefoot
Available January 2025
The Bondi is the big surprise in the 2025 line up. Formerly a ponderous heavy shoe, I dreaded actually run testing Hoka OG big shoe in the past which was also, and will still be a super popular walking and casual shoe. In version 9, it also becomes truly fun to run moderate paces, recovery run and even long run shoe if you like a plush yet at the same time energetic ride. Gone the dense boring ride of prior Bondi!
The big change is the move to supercritical EVA foam from the prior CMEVA. We get lots of energetic rebound, tons of deep cushion and due to geometry and podular outsole design nice front flex even with a giant 38mm of stack height upfront, rare for such a big forefoot stack.
And contributing to its flex and relative agility I like that Hoka has the forefoot platform width at 100mm, so less than either the Clifton 10 or even Mach 6 both at 110mm.
And in a big bonus as we now have supercritical foam with 2mm more stack height than before to 43/38. The weight drops significantly to 0.9 oz / 26g to come in at a super competitive for such a big shoe 10.2 oz / 286g in my US8.5 so we are now at a very runnable weight with the lively ride making it feel even lighter.
The knit upper is plush, has some stretch yet is secure on my narrow to medium volume foot and is true to size. Rarely do such stretch knit uppers have decent hold but this one does if for sure more comfort focused rather than performance as the others are. The hold is helped as in the Ciifton 10 by a very stout heel counter and high rigid yet comfortable achilles collars. 2E Wide and 4E Extra Wide will also be available.
Bottom Line: With new top end foam, more of it, and significantly lighter the Bondi is truly reborn and takes its place in the front pack of plush max cushion moderate pace run shoes. It has one of the most pleasing rides for such big shoes in the last year as its big cushion combined with excellent geometry does not get in the way of actual running. Those who rock it more casually will for sure also be pleased.
Hoka Bondi 9 Video Review
Hoka Mach 6 ($140)
Supercritical EVA
37 heel / 32mm forefoot (5mm drop)
219g /7.7 oz US8.5
Platform Width: 90mm heel /73mm midfoot /110mm forefoot
Available now.
The Mach 6 is the logical successor to Cliftons of old as the uptempo lower stack trainer with the Clifton now the more conventional daily trainer. Before they were closer in stats and purpose.
Sporting supercritical EVA, unlike the Clifton it is very light and the lightest of the group at 219g / 7.7 oz US8.5. Its 37 heel / 32mm forefoot (5mm drop) platform is a bit lower than prior Clifton with its more continuous outsole delivering a more rocker based faster ride but still with a bit of very front flex. I personally wish it had a bit more flex or, to really move it along yet faster, the 8mm drop of the Clifton.
Its upper is clearly performance oriented with a snug yet comfortable fit at true to size.
Bottom Line: The Mach 6 is the uptempo focused daily trainer in the Hoka line up with a lower stack height than the others, lighter weight and a more aggressive ride. It would pair well with the Bondi 9 with the Bondi the easier days shoe.At $140 it is very good value for a light and all supercritical foam shoe. (RTR Review)
Hoka Skyflow ($160)
Supercritical EVA
9.14oz / 259g US8.5
Stack Height: men’s 40 mm heel / 35 mm forefoot ( 5mm drop )
Platform Width: 90 mm / 80 mm / 105 mm forefoot
Available now.
The Skyflow has an all supercritical foam midsole and a stack height sitting between the Clifton 10 and Mach 6. Strangely, while lower stack than the Clifton 10 it weighs only a tenth of an ounce less. Its supercritical EVA midsole is firmer than the Bondi 9’s and is about the same as the Mach 6’s so, while all supercritical EVA, the foams are tuned differently.
A key difference between the Skyflow and the Clifton 10 and Bondi 9 is its outsole. It is firmer rubber and more extensive in coverage while the others have a more podular arrangement which clearly leads to those shoes easier flexibility.
The Sky Flow is, much more than Clifton 10 or Bondi 9, a rocker based shoe with a bit more flex than the Mach 6. In our review linked below, I found its heel and midfoot area over rigid with too much thick firm heel rubber and also overly supportive, impeding transitions.
Its Creel Jacquard upper is slightly more relaxed and plush than the Mach 6 and thinner than the Cliton’s. My sense is that the somewhat elevated $160 pricing is due to the upper more than the platform. It fits me true to size with plenty of soft and comfortable yet well supported toe box room.
Bottom Line: While well cushioned with top notch foam the Skyflow doesn’t.. “flow” as well as the others here for me and suffers from being over rigid maybe over stable for my preferences.(RTR Review)
Out of all the 2024 into 2025 Hoka trainers my favorite is the Skyward X (RTR Review).
Despite being heavier at 10.44 oz / 296g US8.5 and more expensive ($225) than any here, its combination of PEBA top foam and supercritical EVA below a forked training focused carbon plate has me smiling every run, and at a decently wide variety of paces. The one that gets closest in smiles for me is the Bondi 9 as its softer foam is equally forgiving as is its ride for slower paced runs.
Conclusions
Bondi 9: Best for slower paced runs, but now light enough for daily training (and walking) if you like lots of softer plush and energetic cushion. In a surprise, it's the biggest smiles shoe of the group (other than Skyward X) for me.
Clifton 10: Best for all around daily training and especially so if you prefer a higher drop (now 8mm) which is a first for Hoka and now also with some inherent stability, a first for a Clifton.
Mach 6: Best for uptempo training and even as a racer due to its reasonable weight and responsive foam.
Skyflow: Best for those who prefer a stable, low drop rockered ride at faster daily training paces.
Sam is the Editor and Founder of Road Trail Run. He is in his 60’s with 2024 Sam’s 52th year of running roads and trails. He has a decades old 2:28 marathon PR. These days he runs halves in the just sub 1:40 range if he gets very, very lucky. Sam trains 30-40 miles per week mostly at moderate paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah be it on the run, hiking or on nordic skis. He is 5’9” tall and weighs about 160 lbs, if he is not enjoying too many fine New England IPA’s.
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