Hoka Clifton 9 Review

8.1

Out of 10

Comfort:

8

Ride:

8

Upper:

8.5

Design:

8

Value:

8

The Verdict:

Now in its 9th generation, the HOKA Clifton is still the brand's most popular model and the shoe that brought maximal cushioning into the mainstream. The high stack of cushioning and lower heel-to-forefoot drop ratio are now instantly recognizable and have made the shoe the massive success it is today. The Clifton 9 drops the weight just a little, but manages to increase the amount of cushioning at the same time.

Pros

Lightweight

Good Cushioning

Improved Upper

Cons

Lacks A Little Responsiveness

Still using CM-EVA

Shop Men's:

Shop Women's:

Hoka

Clifton 9

Stats Breakdown

Brand

Hoka

Model

Clifton 9

Weight

8.7 oz (246 g)

Heel Stack

32mm (Women’s 29mm)

Toe Stack

27mm (Women’s 24mm)

Heel-Toe Drop

5mm

Fit:

True to size

Carbon Plate?

no

Level of Cushioning

Maximal Cushioning

Level of Support

Neutral

Best For:

Daily Training

Easy Runs

Long Distance

Now in its 9th generation, the HOKA Clifton is still the brand’s most popular model and the shoe that brought maximal cushioning into the mainstream.

The high stack of cushioning and lower heel-to-forefoot drop ratio are now instantly recognizable and have made the shoe the massive success it is today.

The HOKA Clifton 9 drops the weight just a little but manages to increase the amount of cushioning at the same time.

Hoka Clifton 9 – First Impression

The shoe fits true to size in terms of the rest of the HOKA range. However, UK wearers new to the brand should take care as HOKA use only a half-size conversion from a US size to UK size compared to most other brands’ full size (HOKA US10=UK9.5).

The newly engineered mesh upper is a step up from previous versions and has a better-quality feel and finish about it.

There’s a nice level of padding and the foot slides nicely into the shoe thanks to the Achilles tab that flares gently away to remove any possible irritation.

Hoka Clifton 9 Sideview

Hoka Clifton 9 – The Tech

When it comes to technical features, there’s not too much to talk about here.

Whilst the midsole is a new compression-molded EVA blend, it remains just that. There’s no super-foam, TPU, or PEBA here.

The CM-EVA stack has been increased by 3 mm from the previous version, although most would probably struggle to notice that difference.

The HOKA Clifton 9 features the brand’s early-stage Meta-Rocker for a smooth entry into the gait cycle. This slightly cut-away heel essentially catches the foot strike and guides it smoothly into the midfoot. 

The updated outsole pattern does seem to offer coverage and as a result, should provide better durability.

There is reinforced rubber now, covering the vast majority of the exposed parts of EVA that might come into contact with the road.

Hoka Clifton 9 Backview

Hoka Clifton 9 – Road Test

The step-in feel of the shoe is great, the foot slides into place thanks to that flared heel tab, and when on the go that flare ensures minimal contact with the Achilles.

The upper has a twin-layer construction. A lining sits beneath an engineered mesh, and together they offer a great fit and lots of breathability.

There’s still neat padding in the tongue, something which I like, particularly in a daily trainer from a general comfort perspective.

The sock-liner of the shoe is the standard for HOKA and remains the same pretty thin style previously used.

An improvement here would instantly lift the shoe in terms of comfort and be a low-cost way to provide an instant benefit.

With a 5 mm drop and the early-stage meta rocker, you can feel the heel of the shoe sink when you first stand in the shoes.

Combined with the soft cushioning, I’ve always questioned the reasoning behind this rocker and low drop. To me, a low-drop shoe should encourage a more midfoot strike, and the early-stage meta rocker seems a little counter-productive. However, it’s a design many find great, so who am I to argue?

The ride is soft, and the foot does roll through nicely, even on the longer (10mile+) runs I did in the shoes. There’s no arguing with the overall comfort. 

I also tried a 10k road race in the shoes. Ok, so I wasn’t going full-tilt in this event, running around a 6-minute-per-mile pace. The shoe was again ok, but at a faster pace, you notice that there isn’t the same level of response that you get from something like a Brooks Ghost or Mizuno Wave Rider

The CM-EVA just doesn’t have any of that ‘pop’ or ‘spring’ that newer midsole compounds offer. This was an issue with shoes such as the Rocket X* and Carbon X, with great Carbon plates but a standard foam midsole. 

*Rocket X2 does have a new midsole and is due on sale very soon.

Durability looks to be holding up pretty well, with around 50 miles on the shoes so far there’s little sign of wear, so the slightly different outsole pattern is holding up well.

There are no signs of scuffing to the exposed areas of the CM-EVA which did use to be an issue for some runners on earlier versions.

Hoka Clifton 9 Heel

Hoka Clifton 9 – Conclusion

Part of the reason many shoe models remain successful is that they retain the key features of the shoe throughout their various generations. The HOKA Clifton 9 is true to this and can easily be traced back through its generations.

But given the advances in footwear technology that have taken place during the lifespan of the Clifton’s 9 generations, it’s a little disappointing that the shoe still uses a CM-EVA midsole.

HOKA haven’t even got around to giving their CM-EVA a name. With the rise of super-shoes and their various midsole technologies, it’s time to see such advances in the brand’s bestseller.

Perhaps HOKA is holding out with something special lined up for the 10th-anniversary model of the Clifton? Let’s hope so, and if they are, it will give the shoe the boost it deserves to keep pace with the fast-moving daily trainer pack.

Hoka Clifton 9 Closeup

8.1

Out of 10

Comfort:

8

Ride:

8

Upper:

8.5

Design:

8

Value:

8

The Verdict:

Now in its 9th generation, the HOKA Clifton is still the brand's most popular model and the shoe that brought maximal cushioning into the mainstream. The high stack of cushioning and lower heel-to-forefoot drop ratio are now instantly recognizable and have made the shoe the massive success it is today. The Clifton 9 drops the weight just a little, but manages to increase the amount of cushioning at the same time.

Pros

Lightweight

Good Cushioning

Improved Upper

Cons

Lacks A Little Responsiveness

Still using CM-EVA

Shop Men's:

Shop Women's:

Photo of author
Paul Freary really does have a lifetime of experience as an athlete. Paul’s father, Mike was British record holder over 10,000m in 1966, so Paul was almost born to run. With best times ranging from 3:56 for the mile to 13:55 for 5k, he also clocked a 2:39 at Berlin in 2022 at age 53 and hopes to go quicker this year. Having worked with several leading brands as well as in retail he also knows running footwear inside out and also has experience in gait analysis and orthotics. Paul writes regular running shoe reviews for our site and our Youtube channel!

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.