is close to being a legendary high-mileage shoe, and now in 2023, has launched their ninth edition. This time with more cushioning and lighter weight than before. But what does someone who has tried almost every other shoe on the market think of this beloved neutral running shoe?
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Let me start by explaining why I never ran in a Clifton: Years ago, I tried on a Clifton 4, and it wasn't a good experience. It felt like something poked under my arch, so the shoe's light and soft feel didn't matter.
Five years have passed, and I've tested nearly 100 different shoes since. But not a single Clifton. So, I was quite excited to test the Hoka Clifton 9 and discover what the fuss is about.
And I was indeed quite excited when I put them on. Nothing bothered my arch – in fact, the support there is now one of my favorite features of the Hoka Clifton 9.
Hoka Clifton 9 – How does it run?
There are three words that describe Hoka Clifton 9: Cushioned. The midsole is light, soft, and provides pleasant cushioning with a stack height of 32-27 mm. The heel drop is 5 mm, giving a soft feel under the forefoot too.
Light is the second word that springs up. 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 slowly, but small hip adjustments and leaning forward make it easy to run fast too.
I've run everything from long easy runs to 1km intervals in Hoka Clifton 9, and it has been enjoyable every time. So, I can confidently say that Hoka Clifton 9 is an excellent all-around running shoe.
The third word that describes Clifton 9 is controlled. It might sound boring, but the wide platform, stable heel construction, and arch support make Hoka Clifton 9 a nice high-mileage 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, nice hug from all sides.
Hoka Clifton 9 – How does it fit?
All the Hoka shoes I've tested in the past two years with RunningXpert have been running shoes that fit excellently. And Clifton 9 is no exception. It seems like Hoka has a complete grasp on how to create comfortable fits.
The upper is divided into two parts. Parts that give structure and thinner parts that provide breathability. The tongue is nice and padded, but not too thin. It feels just like a nice, modern, yet traditional upper.
There are always some subjective fit factors that can make a shoe loved or hated by an individual runner. For me, Hoka Clifton 9 fits like a glove. The fit around the midfoot is slightly wider than I've experienced in other shoes recently. The toe box isn't very wide, but I haven't had any issues with it.
Overall, the fit is really nice and padded on longer runs. I can easily adjust the shoe for comfort and get a good heel lock. But if I were running in hilly terrain, I'd probably tighten the laces a bit more to ensure I don't slide forward in the shoes.
Does Hoka Clifton 9 live up to the hype?
Absolutely! It's one of the best high-mileage shoes, and for me, it's the best shoe from Hoka. I like soft shoes when they're also responsive like all the new marathon racing shoes. But if a shoe is just soft, it feels like you're running slowly.
Clifton 9 is a bit more responsive and hits the sweet spot, not too soft, but still providing comfort and cushioning to be a versatile high-mileage shoe for most runs. I definitely think it lives up to its legendary status and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to all runners.
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