Why choose Novablast 4?Buy Novablast 4 if
+2.4 Energy Return & Bounce+2.4 Underfoot Rebound: Snappier propulsion and mechanical return through toe-off.
Head-to-Head Comparison·Lab Telemetry
ASICS · Max Cushion
WINNER
Novablast 4
82
Stack41.5mm
Weight260g
Drop8mm
HOKA · Max Cushion
Clifton 9
79
Stack32mm
Weight248g
Drop5mm
Key Differences & Advantages
Why choose Clifton 9?Buy Clifton 9 if
+1.2 Stability & Support+1.2 Stability & Support: Better measured rating in wear-test consensus.
The Runner's Pick
Final Decision: Who Buys Which Model?
Side-by-side selection criteria grounded in verified mechanical specs
ASICS
Novablast 4
82
Choose the Novablast 4 if:
Choose the Novablast 4 if your priority is explosive energy return and dynamic toe-off propulsion powered by FF BLAST+ Eco supercritical foam (260g). It is the better match for runners targeting race-pace velocity and responsive tempo efforts over the Clifton 9's focus on neutral support and surefooted stride containment.
8mm drop · 260g · $140Audit
HOKA
Clifton 9
79
Choose the Clifton 9 if:
Choose the Clifton 9 if your priority is a secure, planted base with confident guidance powered by Compression-molded EVA (CMEVA) (248g). It is the better match for runners targeting neutral support and surefooted stride containment over the Novablast 4's focus on high-mileage protection and low-impact recovery cruising.
5mm drop · 248g · $145Audit
Dealbreaker Warnings · Who Should Skip These
Critical biomechanical trade-offs to avoid buying the wrong shoe
ASICS Novablast 4
Skip Novablast 4 if you need medial guidance for moderate to severe overpronation; the tall, softly sculpted platform shifts under lateral load.
HOKA Clifton 9
Skip Clifton 9 if you want explosive trampoline bounce for tempo sessions; the midsole is tuned for grounded, predictable shock absorption.
8-Axis Telemetry Radar
Novablast 4 leads by +3.0 PTS
Novablast82vsClifton79
Tap any axis node to inspect wear-test citations
🔬 Inspect Granular Lab Specs & Fit Telemetry▼
Fit & Sizing Consensus
Real-world wear-test consensus across runner foot profiles
Novablast 4
Clifton 9
Sizing LengthSizing differs
Runs Small
Clifton69%
True to Size
Novablast63%
Runs Large
Novablast 4: True to size(n=19)
Clifton 9: Runs small — consider 0.5 size up(n=24)
Toe Box WidthSizing differs
Performance Tight
Clifton57%
Standard
Wide
Novablast74%
Novablast 4: Roomy / wide toe box(n=18)
Clifton 9: Performance tight / narrow(n=21)
Arch SupportSizing differs
Flat / Low
Novablast61%
Neutral Stability
Clifton73%
High Arch
Novablast 4: Flat / low arch(n=15)
Clifton 9: Neutral stability / moderate arch(n=18)
| RADAR AXIS | Novablast 4 | Clifton 9 | Δ DELTA | COHORT RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cushioning & Softness | 9.1 | 8.5 | +0.6 (Novablast 4 higher by 0.6) | #4/18 |
| Energy Return & Bounce | 9.0 | 6.6 | +2.4 (Novablast 4 higher by 2.4) | #4/18 |
| Weight Efficiency | 8.7 | 8.4 | +0.3 (Novablast 4 higher by 0.3) | #4/18 |
| Stability & Support | 6.2 | 7.4 | −1.2 (Clifton 9 higher by NaN) | #4/18 |
| Traction & Grip | 7.6 | 7.3 | +0.3 (Novablast 4 higher by 0.3) | #4/18 |
| Upper Comfort & Lockdown | 8.3 | 8.2 | +0.1 (Novablast 4 higher by 0.1) | #4/18 |
| Breathability | 8.6 | 7.6 | +1.0 (Novablast 4 higher by 1.0) | #4/18 |
| Durability | 7.9 | 8.3 | −0.4 (Clifton 9 higher by NaN) | #4/18 |
| Meta-Score | 82strong | 79contender | +3.0 | Calibrated |
The Record · Specification Telemetry
Cohort-relative percentiles and verified technical specs
Novablast 4
Clifton 9
Weight (US Men's 9)Lighter than 83% of daily trainers
Novablast 4260g
Clifton 9248g
›HOKA Clifton 9 saves 12g per stride, noticeable after mile 6 of continuous running.
Heel Cushion StackMore underfoot foam than 65% of trainers
Novablast 441.5mm
Clifton 932.0mm
›ASICS Novablast 4 delivers 9.5mm more vibration isolation for long recovery efforts than Clifton 9.
Heel-to-Toe DropΔ 3.0mm
Novablast 48.0mm
Clifton 95.0mm
›Novablast 4's 8mm drop shifts load toward the knees/quads, while Clifton 9's 5mm drop engages the Achilles and calves.
Midsole Foam & Energy ReturnHigher rebound than 92% of tested foams
FF BLAST+ Eco supercritical foam9.0/10
Compression-molded EVA (CMEVA)6.6/10
›FF BLAST+ Eco supercritical foam yields a springier, high-rebound toe-off compared to Compression-molded EVA (CMEVA)'s grounded, stable feel.
Outsole Durability & TractionTougher rubber than 87% of road shoes
ASICSGRIP with exposed midsole foam patches7.9/10
Thin rubber pods on exposed CMEVA8.3/10
›Clifton 9 utilizes Thin rubber pods on exposed CMEVA compound formulated for extended 500+ mile abrasive asphalt longevity.
Fit & Sizing Consensus
Real-world wear-test consensus across runner foot profiles
Novablast 4
Clifton 9
Sizing LengthSizing differs
Runs Small
Clifton69%
True to Size
Novablast63%
Runs Large
Novablast 4: True to size(n=19)
Clifton 9: Runs small — consider 0.5 size up(n=24)
Toe Box WidthSizing differs
Performance Tight
Clifton57%
Standard
Wide
Novablast74%
Novablast 4: Roomy / wide toe box(n=18)
Clifton 9: Performance tight / narrow(n=21)
Arch SupportSizing differs
Flat / Low
Novablast61%
Neutral Stability
Clifton73%
High Arch
Novablast 4: Flat / low arch(n=15)
Clifton 9: Neutral stability / moderate arch(n=18)
The Record · Specification Telemetry
Cohort-relative percentiles and verified technical specs
Novablast 4
Clifton 9
Weight (US Men's 9)Lighter than 83% of daily trainers
Novablast 4260g
Clifton 9248g
›HOKA Clifton 9 saves 12g per stride, noticeable after mile 6 of continuous running.
Heel Cushion StackMore underfoot foam than 65% of trainers
Novablast 441.5mm
Clifton 932.0mm
›ASICS Novablast 4 delivers 9.5mm more vibration isolation for long recovery efforts than Clifton 9.
Heel-to-Toe DropΔ 3.0mm
Novablast 48.0mm
Clifton 95.0mm
›Novablast 4's 8mm drop shifts load toward the knees/quads, while Clifton 9's 5mm drop engages the Achilles and calves.
Midsole Foam & Energy ReturnHigher rebound than 92% of tested foams
FF BLAST+ Eco supercritical foam9.0/10
Compression-molded EVA (CMEVA)6.6/10
›FF BLAST+ Eco supercritical foam yields a springier, high-rebound toe-off compared to Compression-molded EVA (CMEVA)'s grounded, stable feel.
Outsole Durability & TractionTougher rubber than 87% of road shoes
ASICSGRIP with exposed midsole foam patches7.9/10
Thin rubber pods on exposed CMEVA8.3/10
›Clifton 9 utilizes Thin rubber pods on exposed CMEVA compound formulated for extended 500+ mile abrasive asphalt longevity.
| RADAR AXIS | Novablast 4 | Clifton 9 | Δ DELTA | COHORT RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cushioning & Softness | 9.1 | 8.5 | +0.6 (Novablast 4 higher by 0.6) | #4/18 |
| Energy Return & Bounce | 9.0 | 6.6 | +2.4 (Novablast 4 higher by 2.4) | #4/18 |
| Weight Efficiency | 8.7 | 8.4 | +0.3 (Novablast 4 higher by 0.3) | #4/18 |
| Stability & Support | 6.2 | 7.4 | −1.2 (Clifton 9 higher by NaN) | #4/18 |
| Traction & Grip | 7.6 | 7.3 | +0.3 (Novablast 4 higher by 0.3) | #4/18 |
| Upper Comfort & Lockdown | 8.3 | 8.2 | +0.1 (Novablast 4 higher by 0.1) | #4/18 |
| Breathability | 8.6 | 7.6 | +1.0 (Novablast 4 higher by 1.0) | #4/18 |
| Durability | 7.9 | 8.3 | −0.4 (Clifton 9 higher by NaN) | #4/18 |
| Meta-Score | 82strong | 79contender | +3.0 | Calibrated |
The Runner's Pick
Final Decision: Who Buys Which Model?
Side-by-side selection criteria grounded in verified mechanical specs
ASICS
Novablast 4
82
Choose the Novablast 4 if:
Choose the Novablast 4 if your priority is explosive energy return and dynamic toe-off propulsion powered by FF BLAST+ Eco supercritical foam (260g). It is the better match for runners targeting race-pace velocity and responsive tempo efforts over the Clifton 9's focus on neutral support and surefooted stride containment.
8mm drop · 260g · $140Audit
HOKA
Clifton 9
79
Choose the Clifton 9 if:
Choose the Clifton 9 if your priority is a secure, planted base with confident guidance powered by Compression-molded EVA (CMEVA) (248g). It is the better match for runners targeting neutral support and surefooted stride containment over the Novablast 4's focus on high-mileage protection and low-impact recovery cruising.
5mm drop · 248g · $145Audit
Quiver Overlap
Direct Max Cushion Rivals
2-Shoe Rotation Strategy
Both models occupy the exact same max cushion slot on your shoe rack. Rather than buying both, runner consensus suggests picking the lighter Clifton 9 (248g) for quicker cadence, or the Novablast 4 for its FF BLAST+ Eco supercritical foam ride feel and structure.
Novablast 4 RoleMax Cushion Workhorse
Clifton 9 RoleAlternative Max Cushion
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