Best match
ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28
$170vs $175Save $5 (3%)
Why it's a good swap ASICS' plush, max-cushioned daily trainer for long, easy miles.
You give up: Only about $5 cheaper, and it lacks the Bondi's pronounced rocker.
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Prices checked October 2026Not tested in handNo paid rankingsHow we pick
You give up: Only about $5 cheaper, and it lacks the Bondi's pronounced rocker.
Short answer: The closest cheaper alternative to the HOKA Bondi 9 is the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28, about $170 instead of $175 (save 3%). What you give up: Only about $5 cheaper, and it lacks the Bondi's pronounced rocker. The cheapest is the HOKA Clifton 10 at about $104. Prices checked October 2026.
Why it's a good swap ASICS' plush, max-cushioned daily trainer for long, easy miles.
You give up: Only about $5 cheaper, and it lacks the Bondi's pronounced rocker.
Why it's a good swap Last year's Clifton gives HOKA's cushioned rocker feel for $70 less.
You give up: Lighter and firmer than the Bondi, and clearance stock is limited.
Why it's a good swap HOKA's lighter cushioned trainer with a similar rocker ride.
You give up: Less cushioning than the Bondi, so it protects less on long runs.
Why it's a good swap A high-cushion trainer with a softer, lighter feel than the Bondi.
You give up: Only about $5 less, and it feels less stable underfoot than the wide Bondi.
Typical US prices, checked October 2026. Not live prices; check the listing before you buy.
Looking for a cheaper alternative to the HOKA Bondi 9? It usually sells for about $175. Here are 4 cheaper swaps from $104: the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28 is the closest match from another brand, the HOKA Clifton 11 is a cheaper option from HOKA and the HOKA Clifton 10 is the cheapest at about $104. Each one says what you give up for the lower price.
The HOKA Bondi 9 lists at $175. The closest cheaper picks are the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28 and New Balance 1080 v15 at $170, but they save only about $5. The HOKA Clifton 10, now about $104 on clearance, is the cheapest way to get a HOKA cushioned ride.
Worth it for slow, long runs, walking and standing when you want maximum foam: HOKA lists a 43 mm heel stack, and the new supercritical EVA midsole feels softer than before (Doctors of Running). RunRepeat scored it 89 for stability thanks to its very wide platform.
HOKA Clifton 10 ($104) gives HOKA's cushioned rocker feel for much less, though it's lighter and firmer. The HOKA Clifton 11 ($155) is the current lighter option, with less cushioning than the Bondi.
Compared on their own pages: HOKA Clifton 11 alternatives
| Option | Type | Typical price | You save | What you give up | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOKA Bondi 9 | The original | $175 | – | – | View ↗ |
| HOKA Clifton 10 | Budget pick | $104 | $71 (41%) | Lighter and firmer than the Bondi, and clearance stock is limited. | View ↗ |
| HOKA Clifton 11 | Same brand, cheaper | $155 | $20 (11%) | Less cushioning than the Bondi, so it protects less on long runs. | View ↗ |
| ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28 | Close match | $170 | $5 (3%) | Only about $5 cheaper, and it lacks the Bondi's pronounced rocker. | View ↗ |
| New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v15 | Close match | $170 | $5 (3%) | Only about $5 less, and it feels less stable underfoot than the wide Bondi. | View ↗ |
Typical US prices from retailer listings and price trackers, checked October 2026. They are not live Amazon prices and may have changed, so check the listing before you buy.
The HOKA Clifton 10, at about $104 (41% less). Last year's Clifton gives HOKA's cushioned rocker feel for $70 less. The catch: Lighter and firmer than the Bondi, and clearance stock is limited.
The ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28, at about $170 (3% less). ASICS' plush, max-cushioned daily trainer for long, easy miles. The catch: Only about $5 cheaper, and it lacks the Bondi's pronounced rocker.
Yes. The HOKA Clifton 11, at about $155 (11% less). HOKA's lighter cushioned trainer with a similar rocker ride. The catch: Less cushioning than the Bondi, so it protects less on long runs.
HOKA lists 5 mm, but RunRepeat's lab measured 9.1 mm. RunRepeat thinks HOKA measures closer to the midfoot.
RunRepeat lists a poor fit for wide feet as a con, and Doctors of Running found the forefoot snug and low-volume. Try it on if you have a wide foot.
Doctors of Running calls the Clifton HOKA's flagship neutral trainer and the Bondi the premium option. HOKA Clifton 11 ($155) is lighter with a similar rocker ride, but it has less cushioning for long runs.
Each swap links to amazon.com. Prices are typical US prices checked October 2026 and change often, so check the listing before you buy.
Compared on their own pages: HOKA Clifton 11 alternatives
Every swap is a product sold in the US that does the main job of the original. Close match is another brand with similar features, Same brand, cheaper is an older, smaller or renewed model from the same maker, and Budget pick is the cheapest thing that still does the job. On each page, Closest match is the close match nearest the original in price, and Lowest price is the cheapest swap. We compare published specs, retailer listings and reviews; we don't test products ourselves.
A cheaper product is cheaper for a reason. Each swap says what you give up, like weaker noise cancelling, a smaller screen or a shorter warranty, so you can decide if the savings are worth it.
Prices are typical US prices from retailer listings and price trackers, last checked October 2026. They are not live Amazon prices, which change often. When a price couldn't be confirmed, the page says “Check price on Amazon” instead of showing a number.
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