is close to being a legendary volume training shoe, and now here in 2023, has launched their ninth edition. This time with more cushioning and a lighter weight than before. But what does someone who has tried almost all other shoes on the market think about this among many beloved neutral running shoes?
Play
Let me start by explaining why I've never run in a Clifton: Many years ago, I tried a pair of Clifton 4, and it wasn't a great experience. It felt like something poked under my arch, and the shoe could be as light and soft as it wanted.
So five years went by, and I've tested close to 100 different shoes since. But not a single Clifton. So I got quite excited when I found out I was going to test Hoka Clifton 9 and see what all the fuss is about.
And I was indeed quite excited when I put on the shoes. Nothing irritated under my arch – in fact, the support under the arch turned out to be one of my favorite features of the Hoka Clifton 9.
Hoka Clifton 9 – How is it to run in?
There are three words I think describe Hoka Clifton 9. The first is cushioned. The midsole is light, soft, and pleasantly cushioned with a stack height of 32-27 mm. The heel drop is 5 mm, giving a very soft feel under the forefoot as well.
Light is the second word that comes to mind. It's a light shoe to run in, even though it has 3mm more foam underfoot than its predecessor. The rocker geometry is the main attraction, making the shoe feel nice and soft when running leisurely, but with some small hip adjustments and a slight forward lean, it becomes easy to run fast too.
I've run everything from long easy runs to 1km intervals in Hoka Clifton 9, and it's been an enjoyable experience every time. So I can confidently say that Hoka Clifton 9 is an excellent all-round running shoe.
The third word that describes Clifton 9 is controlled. It may sound boring. But the broad platform, stable heel construction, and arch support make Hoka Clifton 9 a pleasant volume training shoe that I trust to keep me in control on all types of runs.
I felt the light support immediately, and I loved it! It feels like Hoka Clifton 9 gives you a soft and pleasant hug from all sides.
Hoka Clifton 9 – How does it fit?
All the Hoka shoes I've tested in the last two years at RunningXpert have been running shoes that fit excellently. And Clifton 9 is no exception. It seems like Hoka has a complete grasp on what they need to do to create comfortable fits.
The upper is divided into two parts. Parts that give the shoe structure, and thinner parts that provide breathability. The tongue is nice and padded, but not too thin. It just feels like a nice, modern, but traditional upper.
There are always some subjective fit aspects that can make a shoe be hated or loved by the individual runner. For me, Hoka Clifton 9 fits like a glove. The fit around the midfoot is slightly wider than I've had in other shoes recently. The toe box isn't wildly wide, but I've had no issues with it.
Overall, the fit is really nice and padded on longer runs. I can easily tighten the shoe to make it comfortable and get a good heel lock. But if I were to run on hilly terrain, I would probably tighten the laces a bit more to ensure I didn't slide forward in the shoes.
Does Hoka Clifton 9 live up to the hype?
Absolutely! It's one of the best volume training shoes, and for me, it's the best shoe from Hoka. I like soft shoes, especially when they are as responsive as all the new marathon race shoes. But if a shoe is only soft, it feels like you're just running slowly.
Clifton 9 is a bit more responsive and is right in the sweet spot, where it's not too soft but still provides comfort and cushioning to be a versatile volume training shoe that can be used on most runs. I definitely think it lives up to its legendary status, and I would have no hesitation in recommending it to all runners.
Didn't find a favorite?
See the full selection of running shoes here:
