By clicking on the featured links, visitors will leave NationalGeographic.com and be directed to third-party e-commerce sites that operate under different terms and privacy policies. As a participant in multiple affiliate marketing programs, National Geographic will earn a commission for certain purchases. See full disclaimer below.*
The Hoka Clifton 9, the newest from the company’s Clifton line, has an increased stack height (the amount of material between your foot and the ground) and is lighter than the previous version.
After wearing them for three months while walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain and training for a marathon, what stood out to me was the support that the Clifton 9 offers. It’s a solid choice for running and walking, and comes in wide sizes for people who need a bit more room.
Hoka Clifton 9 review at a glance
Buy it now:$145 at Hoka
What we like
• The Clifton 9 offers increased stability and cushioning
• Variety of colorways and options for wide shoe size
• Lightweight shoe without compromising support
What we don’t like
• The shoe lacks responsiveness on faster runs
• Not ideal for those looking for a firm daily trainer
• Some find the toe box too snug
The bottom line
Hoka’s Clifton 9 is a lighter, more responsive shoe than its predecessor, making runs feel faster and easier than with the Clifton 8. It offers supportive cushioning for long, slow runs and daily wear. However, runners may feel a lack of responsiveness for faster runs.
Key specs
Width:24mm forefoot (women’s sizes), 27mm forefoot (men’s sizes). | Weight: 7.7oz (women’s size 8), 9.0oz (men’s size 9)| Heel-to-toe drop: 5mm | Material: Upper - knit, Upper Midsole - CMEVA foam, Outsole - Durabrasion rubber
Who’s Hoka Clifton 9 best for?
The Hoka Clifton 9 is best for runners looking for a neutral daily trainer, running shoes designed for those with a neutral pronation pattern, where the foot only slightly rolls inward.
They’re also great for covering long distances at a slow pace and for building mileage while training for a longer run or race. The Clifton 9’s plush support offers all-day relief for people who walk a good amount or are on their feet for long periods of time.
Hoka Clifton 9 features we love
Compression molded EVA foam midsole
The compression molded EVA foam (CMEVA) is what gives the Clifton 9 the plushness it’s known for without adding weight. Because the foam is so light, Hoka was able to add three more millimeters to the midsole, compared to the Clifton 8.
The extra cushion and lightweight feel were noticeable during slower training runs when my heart rate stayed in “Zone 2,” roughly 60-70 percent of maximum heart rate, considered an easy pace.
The Clifton 9 is lighter than other similarly priced running shoes, such as the Brooks Ghost 15, and offered so much support and relief from standing that I found myself reaching for them on days when I wasn’t running.
Durabrasion rubber outsole
Buy it now:$145 at Hoka
The durabrasion rubber outsole is a new feature on the Clifton 9. It’s designed to protect the sole and exposed foam against abrasions on the road. Durability was a complaint raised with the Clifton 8, so I was curious to see how the Clifton 9 soles would hold up on a nearly 600-mile journey across Spain—a distance that’s a bit longer than the maximum average lifespan of a running shoe.
In my testing for this Hoka Clifton 9 review, I found the traction to be reliable across weather and road conditions. By the end of the trip, I was pleasantly surprised at the state of the soles. After a month of intensive walking, parts of the outsole were intact, with the heel and the outer corners taking the brunt of the wear.
Early stage meta rocker
Hoka was an early adopter of the rocker design—a curved sole meant to mimic natural foot and ankle movement. The rocker (referencing a rocking chair) is designed to help reduce the effort required to take a step by “rocking” the foot into the next stride. These types of shoes can be especially beneficial for those who have plantar fasciitis or a heel strike, when the heel hits the pavement first with each step.
The Clifton 9 has an early-stage meta-rocker, meaning the curvature starts at the middle of the foot. As someone with a heel strike and plantar fasciitis, I enjoyed the ease that the Clifton 9’s rocker design gave my walks and slow runs. The early-stage rocker design wasn’t so aggressive that I couldn’t walk in the shoes, but it added pep and a gentle assist while running.
Flared heel tab & tongue gusset
The Clifton 9 features a flared heel tab located away from the Achilles tendon, an area that’s often a hotspot for me when it comes to other shoes. It may not seem significant, but the single-sided tongue gusset prevents bits of gravel from slipping in, which I appreciated the more I wore the Clifton 9.
The gusset is located on one side, allowing you to maneuver the tongue around easily when pulling the shoes on. It also kept the tongue in place, which has been an issue with other shoes. While these two features wouldn’t make a big impact for running or walking shorter distances, they were crucial for comfort during marathon training and my walk across Spain.
Hoka Clifton 9 price
The Hoka Clifton 9 is listed at $145 across retailers—more expensive than its predecessor the Clifton 8. Compared to similar daily running shoes, the Clifton 9 costs slightly more. But overall, it’s considered a mid-range option that provides great value for its advanced cushioning, upper comfort, and light weight.
How we tested
I tested the Clifton 9 over a month while walking the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain. Each day I walked between roughly 15 and 21 miles. Over the course of about 600 miles, I walked on varying surfaces, including cobblestone, gravel, and dirt.
By the end of the pilgrimage, the heel tab was beginning to fray, and the outsoles showed some wear. They were not as supportive or cloud-like as they were before the journey, but they were still comfortable on short walks.
In addition to walking, I tested the Clifton 9 while training for a marathon. They were my primary training shoes during short speed runs and long slow runs. I found the shoe to be a bit clunky for faster sprints, but the support was heavenly for slow jogs lasting over an hour.
I also packed the Clifton 9 as my main travel shoe over the course of three months, taking it with me on walks and hikes through multiple countries and terrains.
Final thoughts
The Hoka Clifton 9 is a versatile shoe that can be used as a daily trainer for long, slow runs as well as a supportive walking shoe for those who are on their feet for long periods of time. It also earned the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance, an award that recognizes products that promote good foot health.
For what it offers, the Clifton 9 is slightly more expensive than its competitors, but multipurpose uses make it a great choice for those looking for a reliable and supportive shoe that feels like walking on clouds.
Iona Brannon is a travel writer and photojournalist based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Follow her on Instagram.
*Although we are sharing our personal opinions of these experiences or products with you, National Geographic is not endorsing these experiences or products on behalf of anyone. It has not performed product safety testing on any of these products, did not manufacture them, and is not selling, or distributing them and is not making any representations about the safety or caliber of these products or experiences for individual consumers. Prices and availability are subject to change from the date of publication.
