Title says it all. I’m looking for a super soft running shoe. I loved the Clifton 1 and the early Bondy. I have the Clifton 5 and a Bondi 6 and they are much harder, not sure if it’s just feeling or real.
The new 1080 V10 is perfect sole wise but the heel design cuts into my feet, it’s incredibly uncomfortable ( I can’t be the only one with this, I have pretty regular feet and never have fit issues)
Any recommendations appreciated
I would recommend getting the clifton1 again if you liked them.
Nike Pegasus zoom turbo are the softest things I’ve run in.
If you liked the Hoka Clifton, try out the Rincon. Light, soft, comfortable.
Rincon is more like the clayton than the clifton imo. Nice shoe, but not near as squishy.
I too would like to find a replacement for the mushy clifton. Clifton 1 was before my time in tri, but I fell in love with the clifton 3, then they screwed up the clifton line. They had the napali for a short period, which was basically the clifton 3, but now nothing. I read that the clifton 6 is supposed to be more like the 1/3 but haven’t tried them yet. Anyone with any insight into the clifton 6?
I hear the fuel cell propel is super squishy. The old school adidas ultra boost not the new ones are squishy
I have the rincon there really light and plush i recently just bought skechers maxroad 4 which are unreal. They have as much cusion as a hoka but have a really nice pop through the midfoot highly recommend them.
The issue you are having is you are tied to a feeling or trait of a running shoe that is rarely intended by the shoe manufacturer. Nobody in running shoes puts Squishy soft as a trait they want in the shoe. Most squishy soft shoes are done in error. The blend of EVA is not right or the durometer of the foam is inconsistent and one production run may be soft while one may be firm. Historically if you consider when the original Clifton or Bondi came out Hoka One One was totally new to manufacturing in Asia. Whatever standards they were trying to achieve were being missed. I’m not knocking Hoka One One, I’m more reflecting on my own experiences building shoes in Asia. Today with their seasoned team and their clout in Asia you can see in their product that quality is going through the roof.
Back to your question. To find the perfect shoe you are simply going to have to visit a store and try them all on. The shoes you mentioned Bondi, Clifton and 1080 fit a pattern. Every brand makes that running shoe. Try the following on, Brooks Glycerin, Saucony Triumph, Nike Epic React, adidas Solar Boost, Hoke One One Clifton and or Bondi, Asics Nimbus, Altra Paradigm. Buy for fit and feel. Fit first then the squishiest feel of the bunch. If you try on many at one time you should notice what feels good and what feels slightly off. If it feels slightly off, it’s not your shoe because slightly off never feels better later and usually feels worse.
The issue you are having is you are tied to a feeling or trait of a running shoe that is rarely intended by the shoe manufacturer. Nobody in running shoes puts Squishy soft as a trait they want in the shoe. Most squishy soft shoes are done in error. The blend of EVA is not right or the durometer of the foam is inconsistent and one production run may be soft while one may be firm. Historically if you consider when the original Clifton or Bondi came out Hoka One One was totally new to manufacturing in Asia. Whatever standards they were trying to achieve were being missed. I’m not knocking Hoka One One, I’m more reflecting on my own experiences building shoes in Asia. Today with their seasoned team and their clout in Asia you can see in their product that quality is going through the roof.
That’s really interesting.
I had a Clifton1 that I loved years ago and when they reintroduced them recently I got another pair, but it felt totally different. Wondered why, now I know. Thanks
Former Clifton lover here. Do a lot of running in Nike Epic Reacts and really like the feel - however they don’t seem to last too long. Also, the Flyknit on the 2’s as compared to the 1’s is considerably less snug (at least in size 11) so much so that it folds over when I lace them - this may be what contributes to an unstable feeling when cornering (like a track session). I like NB1080 just fine and Adidas Ultraboost aren’t bad either.
Former Clifton lover here. Do a lot of running in Nike Epic Reacts and really like the feel - however they don’t seem to last too long. Also, the Flyknit on the 2’s as compared to the 1’s is considerably less snug (at least in size 11) so much so that it folds over when I lace them - this may be what contributes to an unstable feeling when cornering (like a track session). I like NB1080 just fine and Adidas Ultraboost aren’t bad either.
Epic React Flyknit 2’s have been a game changer for me. I was a longtime New Balance fan and was running in the Beacon for a while - the Epic React is better for me in every way. Even though the Beacons are lighter, the Epics feel faster and more responsive while also leaving me less beat up. The foam on the Beacons was soft and cushy but always felt like it was sapping energy. Somehow the Epics provide a ton of cushioning but also feel fast and efficient.
nike 4 percent and nike next percent and pegasus turbo are teh softest shoes in the world.
If you can afford the absurd price, the next% are even squishier than the Clifton 1 and the foam has better energy return.
Slightly less expensive (but still really expensive) and less squishy but still nice and soft, using the same foam is the Pegasus turbo.
Those are the shoes I’ve been running in.
I agree the peg turbo are super squishy, but I’m not really a fan of how they’re not responsive at all. The clifton 3/napali had tons of squish but still felt really responsive, not a dull squish.
Rincon is more like the clayton than the clifton imo. Nice shoe, but not near as squishy.
I agree. I run in the Rincon, and while it may be squishier than some other shoes out there, it is not super squishy, and def not as squishy as a Clifton.
Nike Pegasus zoom turbo are the softest things I’ve run in.
Epic Reacts are softer, IMO (Own and currently run in both).
I’ve never tried them. I’m up for some new shoes so I will give them a shot.
yeah… I run both too.
I feel like there is more road feel on the reacts, vs the turbos I feel like squish a little more.
I use reacts for my tempo like runs and turbos for my long run…
but, either shoe i can see being pretty soft
Altra Duo, I have been using them for about 500 miles and I love them. I have seen them as low as $39 on the website “The Clymb” I bought 3 pairs.
Big +1 on Epic React Flyknits
I get knee problems in all but the squishiest shoes, to the point where I used to pop the air unit in Nikes to soften them up. I have the original Adidas boosts and can use them on a treadmill, but not on asphalt. Also have the Altra Olympus and Saucony freedom ISOs (sitting idle).
The Epics are the softest of all of these, and are also light enough (7.5oz claimed, my 9.5 weigh 8.0oz) to be my 70.3+ racing shoe.
You can also get them cheap on eBay and other places (~$80 if you don’t mind some of the appalling colors they are made in).