I’ve always been intrigued by HOKA. In many ways, they were among the originators of max cushion running shoes, launching the beefy Bondi back in 2011 amid the barefoot running craze. Three short years later came the Clifton in 2014. HOKA zigged when other companies were zagging. For that, they should be commended. As a max cushion fanatic, I, for one, am grateful. Hell, all six of my top shoes of 2023 were max cushion shoes. Read on for my HOKA Clifton 9 review.
Introduction
My intro to HOKA didn’t exactly go well. After years of heavy praise for the iconic neutral Clifton, I decided to try out the brand’s most popular shoe. Like the drab, questionable, and ill-fitting outfits I wore during high school days (and college), it didn’t suit me well. It was the first shoe in nearly 20 years of running that was too narrow despite not having wide feet. Now, I may have gigantic “tootsies”, but I’ve never needed to order a wide version of a pair. I would come to learn this is a common issue with some HOKA shoes.
My stubbornness got the better of me and, instead of exchanging the pair for a wide version, I simply returned it and moved on from HOKA. You have to understand, over the years, I’ve ordered and returned enough running shoes to last both me and you—complete stranger reading this—a lifetime. The thought of having to order (and possibly return) another pair of the Clifton in wide without knowing if it’d fit was just too daunting for me. Few people understand the struggle of going to the UPS store every week with boxes of shoes in tow.
But after meeting with HOKA at The Running Event 2023 back—and telling them my sob story—they took pity on my pathetic self and graciously set me up with a pair of the Clifton 9. Good news: its clear HOKA listened to feedback because the standard width (D) fit much better this time. But what’s it like to run in? Read on to find out.
HOKA Clifton 9 Review
| STACK HEIGHT | WEIGHT | PRICE |
|---|---|---|
| M: 32/27 mm W: 29/24 mm (5 mm drop) | M9: 8.7 oz (248 g) W8: 7.3 oz (205 g) | $145 |
What’s New?
Clifton 9 has more stack height, less weight, and a new upper—three features you hope for in any update. I mean, just a slight tweak to the upper is the second worst update to a shoe, a (toe) hair above a minor change to the outsole—how do people always seem to have issues with outsole rubber? Look, I love a decent outsole as much as the next runner—I wrote over 700 words about the importance of a runner’s “tires”— but, beyond those silly pull tabs, there’s no arguing it’s objectively the most insignificant part of the shoe.
Ride
Although it’s certainly not a short stack height, with the ultra-cushioned sensation underfoot, I’d have thought the Clifton had a higher stack height than 32/27 mm. Don’t get me wrong, it’s no behemoth like the Skyward X, but it essentially feels like a max cushion shoe. It’s clear HOKA doesn’t feel the same; it’s classified as a “balanced” shoe, rather than “plush” on HOKA’s site. I know HOKA positions the Bondi as their max cushion offering, but who says there’s not room for two? When it comes to max cushion shoes, having only one is the loneliest number.
However, I agree the Clifton is more versatile and much lighter than traditional, heavier max cushion kicks with taller stack heights. It packs quite the lightweight, stable ride compared to shoes with more cushioning. But despite HOKA claiming the shoe’s got a “responsive toe-off for when you want to go faster,” it’s not a shoe I’ll be doing any speed work in. I don’t experience much energy return from this midsole, especially compared to the more responsive Skyflow.
And that’s ok; that’s not the purpose of the Clifton. It’s meant to eat up daily miles, and it excels at that, providing a ride that sits in the middle of the spectrum between soft and firm. If you’re looking for an extremely soft (or extremely firm) ride, the Clifton 9 isn’t for you. I took the shoe on runs up to 14 miles and had no issues going the distance., However, it’s not one of my go-to long-run pairs; the Skyflow holds up much better to runs of double-digit mileage.
Midsole
For extra resiliency, HOKA added 3 mm more of compression molded EVA (CMEVA) foam in the midsole from the previous Clifton. “Compression molded” means compressing a block of EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) foam inside a metal mold. While many brands are creating their midsole foams out of TPE, TPU, PEBA, and PEBAX, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with using EVA foam in 2024. It has an unfair stigma attached to it because some consider it “outdated.” It’s not. We don’t have to be running with “super” foams and plates for every run. Remember, the worst kind of snob is a running shoe snob. Plus, contrary to popular belief, a midsole foam isn’t the only component of the shoe. Crazy, right?!
The shoe has an early stage MetaRocker™ for smooth heel-to-toe transitions. Honestly, I don’t notice the curved rocker that much, compared to shoes with more pronounced rockers, but it’s still a smooth ride and my feet don’t land “flat.” The shoe’s stability makes for a more efficient ride without any wasted energy.
Upper
Unlike the standard width version of the previous Clifton I tried, I had no issues with the upper comfort or lockdown in the standard Clifton 9. There’s a breathable engineered knit upper to thank for that. From the previous edition, HOKA removed overlays and hotmelts and added a plusher heel and streamlined tongue with single side medial gusset. I do wish the tongue was a bit longer to help ensure a secure lockdown more easily.
Weight
Although the weight decreased by only 0.14 oz (4 grams) from the Clifton 8, it was already a light shoe to begin with. With such a plush upper and cushioned ride, it’s crazy HOKA can get this shoe under 9 oz (8.7) for a men’s size 9. It’s one of the main highlights of the Clifton; you won’t find many other daily trainers with this weight.
Outsole
The improved outsole design has even more Durabrasion rubber, designed to extend the longevity of the outsole. And there’s plenty of it in high wear areas. Fortunately, the additional rubber doesn’t make for a slower ride, unlike other shoes that insist on stuffing the bottom with inordinate amounts of rubber. I’ve heard concerns about HOKA outsole durability in the past, and, although there’s some exposed foam, I expect to get at least 400 miles out of this Clifton.
Design
I quickly “jumped aboard” the Black / All Aboard colorway: it’s hands feet-down one of the coolest I’ve ever had the pleasure of wearing. I’m a sucker for black mixed with fun colors, and this colorway tastefully mixes black with a wide spectrum of colors. Forget “tasting the rainbow,” I’m wearing the rainbow, and my feet are shining brightly on the run.
Price
As I’ve said before, a shoe’s price should never end in a “5.” You don’t see it very often—New Balance’s 1080 v13 does the same; it just looks awkward! But, more importantly, it usually means (to me) that it’s (at least) five dollars more expensive than it should be. But at least it’s not yet jumped to $150. Although, I certainly won’t be surprised when the Clifton 10 price increases by five dollars. Still, at $145, the Clifton 9 is a great value that you’ll get your money’s worth out of.
Conclusion
It’s safe to say, my first HOKA was worth the lengthy wait. Now I get why the Clifton is so beloved. It’s a dependable, ultra-cushioned, and stable ride that delivers plenty of protection and comfort all under 9 oz (US M9). I certainly won’t be returning this Clifton, and I’m excited to try other HOKA kicks. Now, if they would just make the beloved Mach series and Rocket X 2 in my size 15…
The Clifton 9 is available on HOKA’s website.
HOKA graciously provided the Clifton 9 to me for wear testing. I was not compensated for this HOKA Clifton 9 review. HOKA had no input or influence on what I wrote. HOKA did not get a chance to see this review before I published.
