My relationship with the Hoka Clifton is like a missed-connection story in the classifieds. I’ve tested and fallen head over heels for the Hoka Mach and experienced the memory-foam feel of the brand’s max-cushioned Bondi. But, somehow, past Cliftons missed the mark. Their soft midsoles felt too spongy—I wasn’t getting any rebound. I wanted the Clifton ride other testers experienced, one where I didn’t have to choose between an easy run and a hard tempo. The versatile Clifton I’ve been waiting for has finally arrived in the Hoka Clifton 9.
Pros
Weighs less than the Clifton 8- More foam, higher stack height
Cons
- Some testers wanted a more responsive ride
| Type | Road |
|---|---|
| Weight | 8.5 oz (M), 7.5 oz (W) |
| Drop | 5 mm |
- Who it’s for: The Clifton 9’s slightly springier ride is primed for easy runs and marathon base-building long runs—though its very soft feel can take some adjusting to.
- Preceded by: Clifton 7, Clifton 8
- For runners who like: Saucony Ride 16, Hoka Mach 5, Brooks Ghost 15
- Key features: rocker profile, 3mm taller stack height
- Midsole foam: compression-molded EVA midsole
Hoka Clifton 9 Overview
First, let’s talk specs. The Clifton 9 weighs 0.14 ounce less than the previous version. That’s the weight of a nickel or four raisins. Not much unless you’re a runner who wants the best of both worlds: a lightweight daily trainer that’s also abundantly plush. The shoe also performs a magic trick by shedding weight while increasing its stack height by 3mm (the shoe still has the same heel-toe offset as the Clifton 8). This is made possible with new compression-molded EVA foam in the midsole and a stripped-down jacquard knit mesh upper that’s free of overlays.
Also not sacrificed: surrounding comfort. The shoe has a more structured heel collar and thicker tongue. For weight savings, the tongue is gusseted on only the medial side.
How It Performs
- Mileage: 4.5
- Pace: 7:45/mile
- Surface: Road
- Weather: Mostly sunny, 66 degrees
Running in the Clifton 9 takes some easing into at first. In the beginning, it felt like previous Cliftons I had tested: like literally running on marshmallows—melting, sticky marshmallows. But my pace picked up midrun, and during a longer workout I got in a couple 7:15 miles on my usual route. That first Clifton 9 run and the rest that followed are a reminder that the best things—like base-building—take time.
The surrounding plushness of the shoe is another feature I must highlight.
Okay, look. I love the Brooks Ghost. And the Ghost 15 retains that moderately soft feel and bootie-like fit we’ve all come to expect from all Brooks Ghosts. So why do I keep reaching for the Clifton 9?
Prerun coffee date with Hoka Clifton 9: That heel tab is a godsend for easy entry.
Some testers found its upper too thick (see below), but I’ve found the thick (breathable) construction complements the cushy platform—a platform not as firm or stiff as the Ghost 15’s.
Agree? Disagree? Confused as I am favoring a Clifton over a Ghost? Please comment below.
What Our Testers Liked Most:
Testers described the Clifton 9’s ride as smooth and supportive. Clifton aficionados also gave their seal of approval testing the latest model.
“Great ride! I get a natural spring, and the more I bring into each step, the better the return. I felt as good ending my runs as I did starting,” said a tester who ran the heck out of the Clifton 7. However, this tester designated the 8 as his casual shoe, due to abrasion on the heel area of the sole after only a couple of runs.
The 9 performs a magic trick by shedding weight while increasing its stack height by 3mm.
One runner’s marathon-training shoe can be another runner’s recovery-day trainer. The Clifton 9 caters to both crowds, with both raving about its comfy feel.
What Our Testers Liked Least:
Another tester praised the Clifton 9’s cushioning but wanted a more energized ride. “The shoes are a little clunky, which is why I would say I don’t love the ride,” he said. “I feel a little sluggish in them. It’s frustrating when I’m trying to do faster-paced stuff.”
Most of our wear-testers rated the shoe as moderately great to outstanding. All except for one. Months after initial feedback was turned in, I reached out to that one tester, wondering if her initial assessment had changed.
On her feedback form, the tester reported shin tightness after only three to four-mile runs, but the low grading was centered on the Clifton 9’s bulkiness.
In a follow-up email, she admitted her tight shins were likely due to having an off-day. However, she stood her ground on her original scorecard.
“I unfortunately still have not enjoyed wearing them and haven’t run in them very much since,” she answered in an email followup. “The Torrents (a Hoka trail shoe) are close to the weight of the Clifton, but the top fabric of the Clifton felt heavier—or maybe just thicker—which contributes to a bulky feeling.”
The Clifton’s height has increased by 3mm.
Testers’ Feedback
Tim O. | Tester since 2017
Arch Height: Medium | Pronation: Neutral | Footstrike: Heel
“This was all around one of the best shoes I have tested. I ran it primarily on roads, but in a variety of conditions like rain, snow, and slush in addition to a traditional dry day on cinder trails. The feel and response was consistent whether I was going on a longer, slower run or wanted to ‘get after it’ with a quicker tempo. This shoe never let me feel uncomfortable, both on my foot and when pushing it through sloppy conditions. I enjoy wearing Hokas, but I have seen some of their shoes not be as good as others. This was an overall incredible shoe from fit to response.”
We noticed some early abrasion on the outsole.
Eric B. | Tester since 2021
Arch Height: Medium | Pronation: Neutral | Footstrike: Heel
“I feel like I could run all day in the Clifton 9. I ran plenty of seven-milers in them—some days with two runs—and they stayed comfortable all day. I found it to be a great everyday running shoe. (And walking! I now can understand why so many people who are on their feet all day wear Hokas.)
“I was stopped at LAX airport security by a TSA agent for no other reason than to talk about my bright orange Cliftons. The agent pointed out his black Hokas, along with three other agents all wearing the same, and said it’s their unofficial uniform shoe for long shifts of standing. (They were big fans of the orange, by the way.)”
Amanda Furrer
Test Editor
Amanda is a test editor at Runner’s World who has run the Boston Marathon every year since 2013; she's a former professional baker with a master’s in gastronomy and she carb-loads on snickerdoodles.
