ShoeGeometry

Hoka Clifton 11 vs Mizuno Wave Rider 30

Two shoes compared on measured geometry. Each cell carries a provenance badge; open a shoe for sources.

heel boneHoka Clifton 11: heel 43 mm, forefoot 35 mm (drop 8 mm); toe rocker 38 % of length, radius 51 % of length; heel bevel 12 % of length, 21 mm high at the back, ending about under the heel bone.Hoka Clifton 11: toe rocker 38 % of lengthMizuno Wave Rider 30: heel 43 mm, forefoot 35 mm (drop 8 mm); toe rocker 29 % of length, radius 31 % of length; heel bevel 12 % of length, 22 mm high at the back, ending about under the heel bone.Mizuno Wave Rider 30: toe rocker 29 % of length
  • Hoka Clifton 1143/35 mm · toe rocker 38 % · heel bevel 12 %
  • Mizuno Wave Rider 3043/35 mm · toe rocker 29 % · heel bevel 12 %
Illustrative profiles, not photographs: drawn from published stack heights and photo estimates of the unloaded shoes on a common length (300 mm), heels aligned, toe to the left; dots mark where each toe rocker starts; the dotted vertical line is under the heel bone (12 % of length), so a heel curve reaching past it is a bevel in front of the heel bone. Dotted lines use typical values where a shoe has no measurement. Exact values are in the table below.

Which suits you

If you wantPickBecause
A smoother roll at toe-offHoka Clifton 1137.7 vs 28.5 % toe rocker
More cushioning under the heelAbout the same43 vs 42.5 mm heel stack
More under the forefootAbout the same35 vs 34.5 mm forefoot stack
A lower dropAbout the same8 vs 8 mm drop
A stiffer, snappier forefootMizuno Wave Rider 3029 vs 54 /100 stiffness
A firmer, more stable feelMizuno Wave Rider 3041 vs 51 /100 firmness
A wider base under the forefootMizuno Wave Rider 30113.8 vs 117.2 mm forefoot base

From the values below, with differences inside measurement noise shown as about the same. This describes the shoes, not what is right for your feet; comfort in the first few runs decides.

MetricHoka Clifton 11
Daily trainer · Road
Mizuno Wave Rider 30
Daily trainer · Road
Heel-to-toe drop8 mmStated8 mmStated
Heel stack43 mmStated42.5 mmStated
Forefoot stack35 mmStated34.5 mmStated
Weight261 gStated266 gStated
Toe rocker38 %est.29 %est.
Rocker radius51 %est.31 %est.
Rocker rise angle28 degest.33 degest.
Rocker angle at toe62 degest.60 degest.
Toe tip over ground43 mmest.39 mmest.
Visible rocker lift onset75.2 %est.80.5 %est.
Toe spring (relative)19.7 %est.18.2 %est.
Heel bevel length11.7 %est.12.4 %est.
Heel bevel height21 mm*est.22 mm*est.
Midsole width (forefoot)113.8 mmMeasured117.2 mmMeasured
Midsole width (heel)96.2 mmMeasured90.6 mmMeasured
Toe box shape79 %est.74 %*est.
Interior forefoot width94.7 mmMeasured95.3 mmMeasured
Toebox width70.9 mmMeasured73.3 mmMeasured
Longitudinal stiffness29Derived54Derived
Midsole firmness41Derived51Derived
PlateNo plateTPU plate
Primary foamCMEVA (compression-molded EVA)Mizuno Enerzy NXT
List price$155$150

Key differences

  • Heel-to-toe drop is about the same: 8 mm for Hoka Clifton 11, 8 mm for Mizuno Wave Rider 30.
  • Heel stack is about the same: 43 mm for Hoka Clifton 11, 42.5 mm for Mizuno Wave Rider 30.
  • Forefoot stack is about the same: 35 mm for Hoka Clifton 11, 34.5 mm for Mizuno Wave Rider 30.
  • Weight is about the same: 261 g for Hoka Clifton 11, 266 g for Mizuno Wave Rider 30.
  • Hoka Clifton 11's toe rocker is 38 % of length, 9 % of length longer than Mizuno Wave Rider 30's 29 % of length.

Read more about both shoes

We measure the shape. For how they feel over many miles, and for lab tests of cushioning, grip and fit:

Hoka Clifton 11

Mizuno Wave Rider 30

Independent sites; we are not affiliated with them.

Hoka Clifton 11 details · Mizuno Wave Rider 30 details · Add more shoes