Welcome to Flawless Shoe Reviews. Today we’re comparing the Hoka Clifton 10 with the Asics Novablast 5—two popular daily trainers that serve very different purposes. The previous versions of these shoes were a bit more similar, but with big updates to the Clifton 10, they now sit further apart in terms of feel, fit, and function.
Midsole & Cushioning
The Clifton 10 now features a significant stack height increase, jumping to 42mm in the heel and 34mm in the forefoot, giving you an 8mm drop. That’s 10mm more heel cushioning than the Clifton 9 offered and a first for the Clifton line, which traditionally featured a 5mm drop. In contrast, the Novablast 5 comes in at 41.5mm in the rearfoot and 33.5mm in the forefoot, also with an 8mm drop—so the numbers are close, but they feel totally different underfoot.
The Novablast 5 uses FF Blast+ Max cushioning, which is softer and more responsive than in the previous Novablast 4. The Clifton 10, on the other hand, sticks with CMEVA foam. While the added stack in the Clifton 10 improves softness and comfort, it doesn’t deliver the same spring or energy return as the Novablast 5. That makes the Novablast the more responsive and lively option, especially for runners.
Ride & Performance
The Novablast 5 features a more aggressive rocker geometry, with a sharply curved forefoot and slightly steeper heel bevel. That gives it a quicker transition and a smoother toe-off. The Clifton 10 also has a rockered ride, but due to the extra padding and slightly less aggressive shape, it spends a bit more time in the midfoot during the gait cycle.
This makes the Clifton 10 better suited for long, steady runs or all-day walking, while the Novablast 5 shines in a wider variety of runs—from easy miles to uptempo workouts and strides. It’s not necessarily a racing shoe, but it covers a wide range of paces comfortably.
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Weight Comparison
The Clifton 10 weighs about 278g, up from the Clifton 9, while the Novablast 5 is a leaner 255g in a US men’s size 9. That weight difference, along with the bouncier midsole and more aggressive shape, makes the Novablast the better choice if speed or responsiveness is important to you.
Fit & Upper
There are differences on top as well. The Clifton 10 has a wider fit compared to the Clifton 9 and offers wide and extra wide versions. The Novablast 5 has a more race-like, tapered fit, which may not suit broader feet as well.
The tongue in the Novablast 5 is thin and gusseted for a locked-in feel, while the Clifton 10 has a non-gusseted but well-padded tongue. Around the heel collar, the Clifton has a bit more plushness, which adds to the comfort for lifestyle use.
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Summary
- Clifton 10 is now more of a max-cushion, comfort-focused shoe. It’s ideal for walking, standing, recovery runs, and longer, slower miles.
- Novablast 5 remains a versatile, lightweight daily trainer. It’s perfect if you want one shoe that can handle everything from easy runs to faster efforts.
If you have any questions about either shoe, leave them in the comments. You can check out the latest prices using the Amazon links in the description—these help support the channel without affecting the price you pay. If you found this comparison helpful, liking, sharing, and subscribing makes a big difference. Thanks for tuning in and check out our latest reviews on the best Asics and Hoka shoes!
