The Hoka Clifton 7 is a neutral running shoe that offers a medium level of cushioning. It is designed for daily running, and most owners of the Clifton 7 consider it a comfortable and consistent road running shoe. It is not the fastest shoe in Hoka’s product line-up, but it functions well as a versatile training shoe.
The Brooks Ghost 13 is considered a go-to neutral running shoe. Like the Clifton 7, it is also classified as a well cushioned daily trainer that is ideal for training runs. The BioMoDNA cushioning should help protect your legs and enhance the comfort of most training sessions. Although it is not the fastest Brooks running shoe, it is reasonably light at 10.1oz / 286.3g.
All in all, the Ghost 13 is a reliable training shoe that offers a touch more cushioning than the Clifton 7.
With all that being said, let’s dive into the details of this particular shoe comparison.
Specs Comparison Table
| Product Name | Hoka Clifton 7 | Brooks Ghost 13 |
| Terrain | Road | Road |
| Heel to Toe Drop | 5.00mm | 12.00mm |
| Pronation | Neutral | Neutral |
| Weight (Men) | 8.70 oz/ 246.6g | 10.1oz / 286.3g |
| Weight (Women) | 7.10oz/ 201.3g | 8.8oz / 249.5g |
| Width Options | Regular, Wide | Narrow, Medium, Wide, Extra Wide |
| Recommended Use | Daily Training | Daily Training |
| Cushioning | Medium Cushioning | Medium Cushioning |
| User Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.7/5 |
Key Differences - Hoka Clifton 7 vs Brooks Ghost 13
1. Width Options
One major difference between the Hoka Clifton 7 and the Brooks Ghost 13 is the number of width options.
- Hoka Clifton 7: Regular, Wide
- Brooks Ghost 13: Narrow, Medium, Wide, Extra Wide
Based on this, it’s pretty clear that the Ghost 13 caters to a larger number of foot types. Runners with particularly narrow or exceptionally wide feed will appreciate the extra width options offered by Brooks.
2. Shoe Weight
While both shoes are reasonably light for everyday trainers, the Clifton 7 is the lighter of the two. The men’s version of the Clifton 7 is 40 grams lighter than the Ghost 13. The women’s version of the Clifton 7 is almost 50 grams lighter than the Ghost 13.
3. Sole Height
You need only take a quick look at the Hoka Clifton 7’s to appreciate the soles of the shoe are substantially larger than the Brooks Ghost 13. This has always been one of Hoka’s standout features, and it can take some getting used to.
Conversely, the Ghost 13’s have a more traditional sole for a cushioned running shoe. Unlike the Hoka’s, they should feel comfortable and familiar for anyone that has used well-cushioned running shoes in the past.
4. Stability
One area where the Ghost 13 truly has the upper hand over the Clifton 7’s is stability.
While both of these running shoes are classified as neutral, the Ghost 13’s are considered to be one of the most stable running shoes in this particular product category.
Ultimately you can expect the Ghost 13’s to deliver a more stable ride than the Clifton 7’s.
5. Heel-To-Toe Drop
The heel-to-toe drop of the Brooks Ghost 13 is 12 mm. This is more than double the 5mm heel to toe drop of the Clifton 7s.
Shoe Technology Hoka Clifton 7
Extended Heel Tab: The extended heel tab of the Clifton 7 makes it easy to put the shoe on and pull it off after runs. This is primarily a convenience feature.
EVA Foam Midsole: The Clifton 7 features a full-compression EVA Foam midsole that delivers the cushioning that Hoka has become famous for. You can expect a consistent ride and weight underfoot.
Flat-Waisted Geometry: The Clifton 7 is built with flat-waisted geometry. This improves the stability of the shoe overall.
Early State Meta-Rocker: The Meta-Rocker technology built into the sole of the shoe encourages a smooth ride. The Meta-Rocker improves the distribution of weight and forces every time your foot touches the ground. This can improve your transition between strides.
Breathable Mesh: The Clifton 7 features a breathable open-engineered mesh with toe reinforcement. It is also worth noting that the Hoka Clifton 7’s are slightly narrower than the Brooks Ghost 13.
High-Abrasion Zones: High-Abrasion rubber has been strategically placed on the Hoka Clifton 7’s in order to reduce wear and tear and increase the longevity of the shoe.
Shoe Technology Ghost 13
Broadly speaking, there are 3 main features that characterize the Brooks Ghost 13 running shoes.
1. It is built for smooth transitions:
There are two key product features that help to ensure the Ghost 13 delivers on the promise of smooth transitions. More specifically, it is the combination of a soft midsole and the segmented crash pad that allow for seamless transitions from landing to toe-off.
According to Brooks, the Ghost 13 should deliver a smooth transition regardless of how your foot strikes the ground. The underlying goal of the Ghost 13 is to make transitions so effortless you barely even notice them.
2. Smooth & Balanced Cushioning
Most shoe manufacturers offer 3 different types of cushioning, namely minimal cushioning, medium cushioning and maximum cushioning.
Technically the Ghost 13 falls into the medium cushioning category, but it still offers some of the best cushioning technology that Brooks has to offer.
BioMoGo DNA Foam: This environmentally foam is built to provide long-lasting cushioning.
DNA Loft Cushioning: Brooks calls this their ‘softest midsole cushioning’. It is built with a combination of EVA foam, rubber and even air. The whole idea is to reduce the blow to your feet, knees and legs when running on soft surfaces.
With the Ghost 13, you effectively get a combination of these two cushioning technologies. The result is a comfortable and soft ride, but without the ‘mushy’ feel that some maximum cushioning shoes are guilty of.
3. Plush Fit
The Brooks Ghost 13 has an engineered air mesh upper that hugs the foot while still remaining breathable. Again, the toe box of Brooks running shoes tends to be a bit wider than Hoka, so keep this in mind when deciding on the ideal shoe width for your foot.
Final Thoughts
In the end, it’s fair to say that you can’t go too far wrong with either of these daily trainers. They are both premium cushioning daily trainers that are versatile enough to keep most runners happy.
With that being said, if you are still on the fence at this point these final buying tips may help:
Go for the Hoka Clifton 7 if:
- You want the lighter option between the two
- You are comfortable with the reduced heel-to-toe drop
- You want to experience the extra comfort that a higher sole can offer
Go for the Brooks Ghost 13 if:
- You want the more stable option of the two
- You generally run in shoes with a heel-to-drop of 10mm or more
- You want a little bit more cushioning, especially on long runs