The Hoka Clifton 9 blends cushioning with a lightweight design, making it an excellent choice for longer runs. It’s comfortable for easy days and long efforts, but we found it less responsive during faster runs. That being said, it offers more support than many other neutral daily trainers, which is a great feature for a shoe built for high-mileage training.
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Performance Overview
The Clifton 9 offers solid cushioning and stability, ideal for runners looking to build weekly mileage.
Landing Comfort
The Clifton 9 has a high stack with 38 mm in the heel and 31 mm in the forefoot. Unlike other highly cushioned trainers, it doesn’t use supercritical, bouncy foams, resulting in a smooth but slightly firmer ride that we found comfortable. The shoe’s deep footbed and wider toe-box provide excellent comfort, though after about 150 miles, we began to notice more rock strikes and a slight decrease in cushioning. Despite this, it remains a solid choice for runners who want cushioning without sacrificing stability.
Responsiveness
Although the Clifton 9 has a firmer foam and rocker, making it more responsive than some, we found it lacking during faster paces. At threshold speed, the cushioning became more of a hindrance. If you rarely exceed marathon pace, this shoe could still work well for you, but for those seeking a better balance of cushioning and responsiveness, there are other options.
Stability
Although marketed as a neutral daily trainer, the Clifton 9 feels closer to a stable neutral trainer. The sidewalls and wide base keep your foot centered, and the rocker helps maintain smooth forward motion. The firmer foam adds to the shoe’s stability, offering a secure, planted feel with each stride. While it’s not ideal for uneven terrain, it performs well compared to other similarly cushioned trainers. Runners who appreciate a bit of support without needing a stability shoe will likely enjoy this model.
Upper Comfort
The lightweight, breathable upper ensures your feet stay cool during hot runs, and we didn’t experience any discomfort or hotspots. It has a padded design around the heel and ankle, with a recessed heel cup that provides great retention and lockdown. Overall, the upper is comfortable and effective, though it doesn’t stand out for any particular feature.
Weight
At 9.94 ounces per shoe for a size 10.5, the Clifton 9 is lighter than many other cushioned trainers, offering a good balance of cushioning and protection without feeling too heavy.
Traction
The traction on the Clifton 9 is average. The rubber provides solid grip on wet surfaces, and the lugs, which are made of exposed midsole and rubber outsole, offer decent traction on loose surfaces.
Should You Buy the Hoka Clifton 9?
The Clifton 9 is a reliable daily trainer, offering comfort and support with ample cushioning for high-mileage runners. While it’s not the best for speed, it’s a great choice for those who prioritize comfort and stability during long runs.
Other Running Shoes to Consider
The On Cloudsurfer offers lighter, more responsive cushioning, but lacks the support found in the Clifton. The Saucony Triumph 22 excels as a cushioned, high-mileage shoe, though it’s less stable than the Clifton.
