Chaussures & Équipement
Hoka Clifton 11 vs Nike Pegasus Plus 2: Which One Should You Buy?
Clifton 11 or Pegasus Plus 2? Easy miles or marathon pace, 8 or 10 mm drop: a run-by-run comparison and a clear verdict.
Team stridematchOctober 29, 20266 min Reading time
Short answer: the Clifton 11 is built for easy runs, slow long runs and even walking: tall, stable, smooth-rolling. The Pegasus Plus 2 is a livelier trainer that comes alive between easy pace and marathon pace. The deciding factor is not the brand. It is how fast you run most of your miles.
The real question: how fast do you run?
These two shoes weigh about the same and cost about the same. They do different jobs.
• The Clifton 11 carries over the Clifton 10 midsole: compression-molded EVA, a Meta-Rocker geometry and raised sidewalls that cradle the foot. Hoka mainly updated the upper and fitted a plusher sockliner. It is a comfort and mileage shoe.
• The Pegasus Plus 2 is the premium Pegasus. It moves to a full-length ZoomX midsole and adds a curved Air Zoom unit under the forefoot. It is designed to run a bit faster than the regular Pegasus without being a race shoe.
Put simply: if 80% of your miles are conversational, the Clifton has the edge. If you regularly add half or full marathon pace segments, look at the Pegasus Plus 2.
Specs side by side
| Hoka Clifton 11 | Nike Pegasus Plus 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight (men’s US 10) | about 9.9 oz / 280 g | about 9.5 oz / 270 g |
| Weight (women’s US 8) | about 8.2 oz / 230 g | about 8.0 oz / 226 g |
| Stack (heel / forefoot) | 43 / 35 mm | 38 / 28 mm |
| Drop | 8 mm | 10 mm |
| Foam | Compression-molded EVA | ZoomX + forefoot Air Zoom unit |
| Plate | No | No |
| MSRP | $155 | $165 |
| Wide option | Yes | None found at major retailers |
The Clifton stands 5 to 7 mm taller for nearly the same weight. The Pegasus Plus 2 keeps Nike’s classic 10 mm drop.
Run by run
| Run type | Clifton 11 | Pegasus Plus 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Recovery run | Great pick | Fine, but firmer |
| Easy run | Great pick | Good pick |
| Slow long run | Good pick | Good pick |
| Marathon pace segments | Limited | Great pick |
| Short intervals | Avoid | Limited (heavy for fast work) |
| Walking, all-day standing | Great pick | Avoid |
Clifton 11: just roll
The Clifton 11 is soft without being mushy. The forefoot rocker rolls you forward, which makes easy and long runs very comfortable. The sidewalls and a wider midfoot base add mild stability, welcome late in a run when form fades.
The trade-off: transitions are smooth but slow. Once you pick up the pace, the EVA foam feels flat. Several testers also find the heel a bit clunky for the first few runs before it softens up.
Pegasus Plus 2: livelier, more demanding
ZoomX gives a more dynamic feel, and the forefoot Air Zoom unit adds some pop at toe-off. The ride is smooth and on the firm side. It really wakes up around marathon pace.
Its limits: the 10 mm drop and a small heel bevel make it feel clunky in faster sessions. The rearfoot platform is fairly narrow, so hard heel strikers will find it less stable than the Clifton. It is not a shoe for walking or standing all day.
Fit and sizing
Clifton 11. True to size in length. Normal to slightly snug fit, with a somewhat tapered toe box and lower volume. Wide feet have a wide version. Our Hoka sizing guide covers the details.
Pegasus Plus 2. True to size. Nike widened the toe box and added volume over the top of the foot compared with the first version. Lace it snugly: the midfoot band does the lockdown work.
Quick reference: most runners wear the same US size in both brands; a men’s US 9 is labeled EU 42 2/3 at Hoka and EU 42.5 at Nike. Switching from another brand? The StrideMatch size converter does the math.
Where each shoe falls short
Clifton 11: - flat and unresponsive once you speed up; - average durability: one tester reported midsole flattening around 80 miles; - needs a few runs before the heel loosens up.
Pegasus Plus 2: - heavy for a “lively” trainer; - 10 mm drop does not suit every midfoot striker; - less stable at the heel for hard heel strikers; - $10 more, with no wide version found.
Clifton 11 vs Pegasus Plus 2: which one for you?
Pick the Clifton 11 if you: - run mostly at easy, conversational pace; - want a stable, protective shoe for relaxed long runs; - have wide feet (wide version available); - also want a shoe for walking or standing at work.
Pick the Pegasus Plus 2 if you: - are training for a half or full marathon with goal-pace segments; - like a 10 mm drop and Nike’s fit; - have a high-volume forefoot and a fairly neutral stride; - want one shoe for easy runs and moderate tempo work.
Want something cheaper than the Clifton? See our picks for cheaper alternatives to the Hoka Clifton 11. To compare more models, the StrideMatch shoe finder puts up to three shoes side by side.
FAQ
Is the Pegasus Plus 2 faster than the Clifton 11? Yes, it is more responsive and better suited to steady, faster paces. It is still a trainer, not a race shoe.
Which one has more cushioning? The Clifton 11, with 5 to 7 mm more foam. The Pegasus Plus 2 is firmer and more responsive.
Can I run a marathon in the Clifton 11? Yes, if your goal is to finish comfortably at a moderate pace. If you are chasing a time, a more responsive shoe will help more.
Should I size up? Not as a rule. Both run true to size. Go up half a size only if you are between sizes or your feet swell on long runs.
The right shoe depends on how you run. Take the free StrideMatch test to see which one matches your paces and stride, or compare them side by side.
