Why choose Clifton 9?Buy Clifton 9 if
+1.5 Weight Efficiency+1.5 Weight Efficiency: Better measured rating in wear-test consensus.
Head-to-Head Comparison·Lab Telemetry
HOKA · Max Cushion
WINNER
Clifton 9
79
Stack32mm
Weight248g
Drop5mm
Nike · Daily Trainer
Air Zoom Pegasus 41
78
Stack37mm
Weight283g
Drop10mm
Key Differences & Advantages
Why choose Air Zoom Pegasus 41?Buy Air Zoom Pegasus 41 if
+1.0 Energy Return & Bounce+1.0 Underfoot Rebound: Snappier propulsion and mechanical return through toe-off.
The Runner's Pick
Final Decision: Who Buys Which Model?
Side-by-side selection criteria grounded in verified mechanical specs
HOKA
Clifton 9
79
Choose the Clifton 9 if:
Choose the Clifton 9 if your priority is an ultralight chassis with effortless turnover powered by Compression-molded EVA (CMEVA) and a noticeably lighter weight (248g vs 283g). It is the better match for runners targeting minimizing leg fatigue across late-mile splits over the Air Zoom Pegasus 41's focus on race-pace velocity and responsive tempo efforts.
5mm drop · 248g · $145Audit
Nike
Air Zoom Pegasus 41
78
Choose the Air Zoom Pegasus 41 if:
Choose the Air Zoom Pegasus 41 if your priority is explosive energy return and dynamic toe-off propulsion powered by ReactX foam with dual Air Zoom units (283g). It is the better match for runners targeting race-pace velocity and responsive tempo efforts over the Clifton 9's focus on high-mileage protection and low-impact recovery cruising.
10mm drop · 283g · $150Audit
Dealbreaker Warnings · Who Should Skip These
Critical biomechanical trade-offs to avoid buying the wrong shoe
HOKA Clifton 9
Skip Clifton 9 if you want explosive trampoline bounce for tempo sessions; the midsole is tuned for grounded, predictable shock absorption.
Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 41
Skip Air Zoom Pegasus 41 if you want a featherweight speed-day shoe; at 283g, it is calibrated for workhorse longevity rather than race pace.
8-Axis Telemetry Radar
Clifton 9 leads by +1.0 PTS
Clifton79vsAir78
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
Clifton 9
Air Zoom Pegasus 41
Sizing LengthSizing differs
Runs Small
Clifton69%
True to Size
Air76%
Runs Large
Clifton 9: Runs small — consider 0.5 size up(n=24)
Air Zoom Pegasus 41: True to size(n=22)
Toe Box WidthSizing differs
Performance Tight
Clifton57%
Standard
Air71%
Wide
Clifton 9: Performance tight / narrow(n=21)
Air Zoom Pegasus 41: Standard width(n=20)
Arch SupportMatch
Flat / Low
Neutral Stability
Clifton73%Air82%
High Arch
Clifton 9: Neutral stability / moderate arch(n=18)
Air Zoom Pegasus 41: Neutral stability / moderate arch(n=17)
| RADAR AXIS | Clifton 9 | Air Zoom Pegasus 41 | Δ DELTA | COHORT RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cushioning & Softness | 8.5 | 7.8 | +0.7 (Clifton 9 higher by 0.7) | #16/18 |
| Energy Return & Bounce | 6.6 | 7.6 | −1.0 (Air Zoom Pegasus 41 higher by NaN) | #16/18 |
| Weight Efficiency | 8.4 | 6.9 | +1.5 (Clifton 9 higher by 1.5) | #16/18 |
| Stability & Support | 7.4 | 7.8 | −0.4 (Air Zoom Pegasus 41 higher by NaN) | #16/18 |
| Traction & Grip | 7.3 | 7.4 | −0.1 (Air Zoom Pegasus 41 higher by NaN) | #16/18 |
| Upper Comfort & Lockdown | 8.2 | 8.0 | +0.2 (Clifton 9 higher by 0.2) | #16/18 |
| Breathability | 7.6 | 8.1 | −0.5 (Air Zoom Pegasus 41 higher by NaN) | #16/18 |
| Durability | 8.3 | 8.2 | +0.1 (Clifton 9 higher by 0.1) | #16/18 |
| Meta-Score | 79contender | 78contender | +1.0 | Cross-cohort |
The Record · Specification Telemetry
Cohort-relative percentiles and verified technical specs
Clifton 9
Air Zoom Pegasus 41
Weight (US Men's 9)Lighter than 83% of daily trainers
Clifton 9248g
Air Zoom Pegasus 41283g
›HOKA Clifton 9 saves 35g per stride, noticeable after mile 6 of continuous running.
Heel Cushion StackMore underfoot foam than 45% of trainers
Clifton 932.0mm
Air Zoom Pegasus 4137.0mm
›Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 41 delivers 5.0mm more vibration isolation for long recovery efforts than Clifton 9.
Heel-to-Toe DropΔ 5.0mm
Clifton 95.0mm
Air Zoom Pegasus 4110.0mm
›Air Zoom Pegasus 41's 10mm drop shifts load toward the knees/quads, while Clifton 9's 5mm drop engages the Achilles and calves.
Midsole Foam & Energy ReturnHigher rebound than 78% of tested foams
Compression-molded EVA (CMEVA)6.6/10
ReactX foam with dual Air Zoom units7.6/10
›ReactX foam with dual Air Zoom units 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
Thin rubber pods on exposed CMEVA8.3/10
Full-length waffle-pattern rubber8.2/10
›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
Clifton 9
Air Zoom Pegasus 41
Sizing LengthSizing differs
Runs Small
Clifton69%
True to Size
Air76%
Runs Large
Clifton 9: Runs small — consider 0.5 size up(n=24)
Air Zoom Pegasus 41: True to size(n=22)
Toe Box WidthSizing differs
Performance Tight
Clifton57%
Standard
Air71%
Wide
Clifton 9: Performance tight / narrow(n=21)
Air Zoom Pegasus 41: Standard width(n=20)
Arch SupportMatch
Flat / Low
Neutral Stability
Clifton73%Air82%
High Arch
Clifton 9: Neutral stability / moderate arch(n=18)
Air Zoom Pegasus 41: Neutral stability / moderate arch(n=17)
The Record · Specification Telemetry
Cohort-relative percentiles and verified technical specs
Clifton 9
Air Zoom Pegasus 41
Weight (US Men's 9)Lighter than 83% of daily trainers
Clifton 9248g
Air Zoom Pegasus 41283g
›HOKA Clifton 9 saves 35g per stride, noticeable after mile 6 of continuous running.
Heel Cushion StackMore underfoot foam than 45% of trainers
Clifton 932.0mm
Air Zoom Pegasus 4137.0mm
›Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 41 delivers 5.0mm more vibration isolation for long recovery efforts than Clifton 9.
Heel-to-Toe DropΔ 5.0mm
Clifton 95.0mm
Air Zoom Pegasus 4110.0mm
›Air Zoom Pegasus 41's 10mm drop shifts load toward the knees/quads, while Clifton 9's 5mm drop engages the Achilles and calves.
Midsole Foam & Energy ReturnHigher rebound than 78% of tested foams
Compression-molded EVA (CMEVA)6.6/10
ReactX foam with dual Air Zoom units7.6/10
›ReactX foam with dual Air Zoom units 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
Thin rubber pods on exposed CMEVA8.3/10
Full-length waffle-pattern rubber8.2/10
›Clifton 9 utilizes Thin rubber pods on exposed CMEVA compound formulated for extended 500+ mile abrasive asphalt longevity.
| RADAR AXIS | Clifton 9 | Air Zoom Pegasus 41 | Δ DELTA | COHORT RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cushioning & Softness | 8.5 | 7.8 | +0.7 (Clifton 9 higher by 0.7) | #16/18 |
| Energy Return & Bounce | 6.6 | 7.6 | −1.0 (Air Zoom Pegasus 41 higher by NaN) | #16/18 |
| Weight Efficiency | 8.4 | 6.9 | +1.5 (Clifton 9 higher by 1.5) | #16/18 |
| Stability & Support | 7.4 | 7.8 | −0.4 (Air Zoom Pegasus 41 higher by NaN) | #16/18 |
| Traction & Grip | 7.3 | 7.4 | −0.1 (Air Zoom Pegasus 41 higher by NaN) | #16/18 |
| Upper Comfort & Lockdown | 8.2 | 8.0 | +0.2 (Clifton 9 higher by 0.2) | #16/18 |
| Breathability | 7.6 | 8.1 | −0.5 (Air Zoom Pegasus 41 higher by NaN) | #16/18 |
| Durability | 8.3 | 8.2 | +0.1 (Clifton 9 higher by 0.1) | #16/18 |
| Meta-Score | 79contender | 78contender | +1.0 | Cross-cohort |
The Runner's Pick
Final Decision: Who Buys Which Model?
Side-by-side selection criteria grounded in verified mechanical specs
HOKA
Clifton 9
79
Choose the Clifton 9 if:
Choose the Clifton 9 if your priority is an ultralight chassis with effortless turnover powered by Compression-molded EVA (CMEVA) and a noticeably lighter weight (248g vs 283g). It is the better match for runners targeting minimizing leg fatigue across late-mile splits over the Air Zoom Pegasus 41's focus on race-pace velocity and responsive tempo efforts.
5mm drop · 248g · $145Audit
Nike
Air Zoom Pegasus 41
78
Choose the Air Zoom Pegasus 41 if:
Choose the Air Zoom Pegasus 41 if your priority is explosive energy return and dynamic toe-off propulsion powered by ReactX foam with dual Air Zoom units (283g). It is the better match for runners targeting race-pace velocity and responsive tempo efforts over the Clifton 9's focus on high-mileage protection and low-impact recovery cruising.
10mm drop · 283g · $150Audit
High-Mileage Balance
Recovery Cruiser & Daily Velocity Pairing
2-Shoe Rotation Strategy
The Clifton 9's generous 32mm heel stack and plush Compression-molded EVA (CMEVA) cushioning absorb joint impact on recovery days and slow Sunday long runs, while Air Zoom Pegasus 41's lighter 283g chassis delivers nimble turnover for daily aerobic volume and tempo workouts.
Clifton 9 RoleLow-Heart-Rate Recovery & Sunday Cruiser
Air Zoom Pegasus 41 RoleEveryday Aerobic Volume & Strides
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