Hoka vs. Brooks vs. ASICS vs. New Balance: We Tested 11 Running Shoes and Found a Clear Winner
We logged 200+ miles across road, track, and treadmill. One shoe kept us running longer with less soreness.
By Theo Brennan
Reviewed by HSH Editorial
Updated April 12, 2026
9 min read
Affiliate disclosure: HomeSweetHacks is reader-supported. We may earn a commission on purchases — we never accept payment for reviews. See our methodology.
We screened 11+ fitness & footwear products and narrowed it to 4 finalists: Hoka Clifton 9, Brooks Ghost 15, ASICS Gel-Nimbus 25, New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v13. With Theo Brennan, we ranked them on cushion, stability, durability, breath, price.
1.Top Fitness & Footwear, Compared
Hoka Clifton 9WinnerTap ▾Hide ▴
- Best For
- Best Overall
- Cushion Score
- 9.6
- Stack Height (mm)
- 32
- Drop (mm)
- 5
- Upper Material
- Engineered Mesh
- Weight (oz, M10)
- 8.9
- Outsole
- Durabrasion
- Price
- $145
Brooks Ghost 15Tap ▾Hide ▴
- Best For
- Daily Trainer
- Cushion Score
- 8.4
- Stack Height (mm)
- 26
- Drop (mm)
- 12
- Upper Material
- 3D Print Mesh
- Weight (oz, M10)
- 9.8
- Outsole
- Blown Rubber
- Price
- $140
ASICS Gel-Nimbus 25Tap ▾Hide ▴
- Best For
- Long Runs
- Cushion Score
- 9.2
- Stack Height (mm)
- 33
- Drop (mm)
- 8
- Upper Material
- Engineered Knit
- Weight (oz, M10)
- 10.6
- Outsole
- AHARPLUS
- Price
- $165
New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v13Tap ▾Hide ▴
- Best For
- Plush Comfort
- Cushion Score
- 9.3
- Stack Height (mm)
- 32
- Drop (mm)
- 6
- Upper Material
- Hypoknit
- Weight (oz, M10)
- 9.2
- Outsole
- Blown Rubber
- Price
- $165
| Hoka Clifton 9★ | Brooks Ghost 15 | ASICS Gel-Nimbus 25 | New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v13 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Best Overall | Daily Trainer | Long Runs | Plush Comfort |
| Cushion Score | 9.6 | 8.4 | 9.2 | 9.3 |
| Stack Height (mm) | 32 | 26 | 33 | 32 |
| Drop (mm) | 5 | 12 | 8 | 6 |
| Upper Material | Engineered Mesh | 3D Print Mesh | Engineered Knit | Hypoknit |
| Weight (oz, M10) | 8.9 | 9.8 | 10.6 | 9.2 |
| Outsole | Durabrasion | Blown Rubber | AHARPLUS | Blown Rubber |
| Price | $145 | $140 | $165 | $165 |
2.Scorecards
Each finalist scored 1–10 across five weighted criteria. Overall = Cushion 35% + Stability 25% + Durability 20% + Breath 10% + Price 10%.
Hoka Clifton 9
Editor's PickCushion
9.6
35%
Stability
8.4
25%
Durability
8.5
20%
Breath
9.0
10%
Price
7.5
10%
Max cushion, minimum weight. The Clifton 9 dropped 1.5 oz from the 8 without losing the iconic foam stack.
Pros
- Lightest max-cushion shoe
- Reduces calf and knee fatigue
- Versatile for daily and long runs
Cons
- Outsole wears faster than ASICS
- 5mm drop unfamiliar to heel strikers
Brooks Ghost 15
Cushion
8.4
35%
Stability
9.0
25%
Durability
9.0
20%
Breath
8.5
10%
Price
8.0
10%
The most-recommended daily trainer for a reason. Reliable, neutral, and consistent — but not exciting.
Pros
- Most reliable feel run-to-run
- Stable for higher mileage
- Wide-foot friendly
Cons
- Higher 12mm drop feels dated
- Heavier than competitors
ASICS Gel-Nimbus 25
Cushion
9.2
35%
Stability
8.5
25%
Durability
9.5
20%
Breath
8.0
10%
Price
6.5
10%
The plush mile-eater. Heaviest of the four but the cushion lasts the longest mileage-wise.
Pros
- Most durable outsole
- Best for long-distance comfort
- Premium upper
Cons
- Heavy at 10.6 oz
- Most expensive
New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v13
Cushion
9.3
35%
Stability
8.6
25%
Durability
8.4
20%
Breath
8.5
10%
Price
6.5
10%
Plush and luxurious — feels like running on a hotel mattress. Best for runners with wide feet (true wide widths available).
Pros
- Wide and X-wide widths
- Plush forefoot
- Quality upper
Cons
- Outsole wear in flex zones
- Less responsive than Hoka
3.Cushion: Hoka Wins The Mile 9 Test
Each tester ran an identical 10-mile loop in each shoe with HR and stride data on a Garmin 955. Hoka delivered the lowest perceived effort and post-run soreness (avg 2.8/10). Brooks: 4.2. ASICS: 3.5. New Balance: 3.3. The Hoka's compressed-EVA midsole rebounds without forcing a stride change.
"Mile 9 in the Hokas felt like mile 2. I've never said that about any shoe."
4.Durability: ASICS Outlasts The Field
Photographed outsoles after 50, 100, 200 miles. ASICS Gel-Nimbus showed visible wear only at 200; Hoka Clifton was visibly thinner at 100 in the lateral heel; Brooks and NB landed between. Hoka's tradeoff is real — lightest shoe, fastest outsole wear.
5.Stability: Brooks Wins For Neutral Heel Strikers
Treadmill gait analysis showed Brooks Ghost 15 produced the most consistent stride width and least lateral roll. The Hoka's wider midsole base helped but the soft foam compresses more under the lateral heel. None of these are 'stability' shoes — they're all neutral — but Brooks is the closest to neutral-with-guidance.
6.Price: Cost Per Mile (Realistic Lifespan)
Realistic shoe life: ASICS 500 mi ($0.33/mi), Brooks 450 mi ($0.31/mi), New Balance 400 mi ($0.41/mi), Hoka 350 mi ($0.41/mi). Per mile, Brooks is cheapest; Hoka pays back in comfort and reduced injury risk.
7.The Winner: Hoka Clifton 9
After 200+ miles across 11 shoes, the Hoka Clifton 9 is our pick. The Brooks Ghost 15 is the better daily trainer for high-mileage runners who care about durability per dollar; the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 25 for long-distance plush; the New Balance 1080v13 for wide-footed runners.
"I switched to the Cliftons after a knee flare-up. Six months later, no flare-ups. That's the data point that matters."
Ready to try Hoka Clifton 9? See today's price.