On Cloudsurfer Max vs HOKA Clifton 11

Cloudsurfer Max or Clifton 11? Here’s how they compare on feel, fit, brand specs and price, from the fitting team at The Run House.

The short answer

Want On’s max-cushion comfort for long, easy miles and daily wear? Get the Cloudsurfer Max.

Want the Clifton’s soft ride with a roomier fit? Get the Clifton 11.

Get the Cloudsurfer Max if

• You like a firmer, more stable feel
• You like a stiffer, rocker-style forefoot that rolls you forward
• You prefer a lower drop (6mm vs 8mm)

Get the Clifton 11 if

• You want the softer, more cushioned ride
• You want more foam underfoot (5mm more at the heel)
• You want a dedicated recovery-day shoe
• You like a flexible, natural-feeling forefoot

On the run

Cloudsurfer Max: On’s max-stack Cloudsurfer. Well cushioned and fine for long, easy miles, but the ride is firm and low on energy return, so it can feel sluggish and heavy.

Clifton 11: The soft cruiser, refined. The same soft, steady Clifton ride. It’s comfortable and consistent rather than bouncy, and a new insole and a more flexible forefoot make it a touch smoother than the 10.

Specs side by side

Stack, drop and weight come from each brand’s own website. Numbers marked * aren’t published by the brand and come from other published specs. Weights are for the size each brand quotes. Expected life is our estimate.

Fit

Cloudsurfer Max. True to size with premium build quality. Wide available.

Clifton 11. True to size. Reviewers find the forefoot roomier than the 10’s, but lab measurements show the toebox still narrows to a point at the very front. Wide and extra-wide available.

Try them on

Come try on both at The Run House in Walpole, Needham or Falmouth. Gait analysis is always free.

Shop the Cloudsurfer Max · Shop the Clifton 11 · Compare other running shoes