The Hoka Clifton 9 is the latest iteration of the popular Clifton series, known for its balanced cushioning, lightweight feel, and versatility. Here’s an in-depth review of the Clifton 9:
Comfort and Cushioning:
The Clifton 9 continues Hoka’s tradition of providing excellent cushioning with a slightly softer and more responsive midsole than its predecessors. The shoe features Hoka’s signature EVA foam midsole, which offers a plush yet responsive ride. Compared to the Clifton 8, the Clifton 9 feels a bit lighter and more streamlined, with a slightly more responsive feel underfoot. This makes it a great option for long-distance runs, daily training, and even recovery runs.
The Clifton 9’s cushioning is designed to absorb impact effectively, making it comfortable for longer runs while still providing enough responsiveness for moderate-paced workouts. The shoe maintains a comfortable, cushioned feel without becoming overly soft, which helps in maintaining a smooth, stable ride.
Upper Design and Fit:
The upper of the Clifton 9 has been updated with a new engineered mesh material that is lightweight, breathable, and offers a snug fit. The mesh provides good ventilation, keeping your feet cool during runs, while the design of the upper ensures a secure fit without feeling too tight. The toe box offers ample room for natural toe splay, which adds to the overall comfort, especially during longer runs.
The heel collar and tongue are padded for added comfort, reducing the risk of irritation or blisters. The Clifton 9 also features a refined heel counter, which provides a better lockdown and a more secure fit around the heel. The overall fit is true to size, with enough flexibility to accommodate different foot shapes.
Ride and Performance:
The ride of the Clifton 9 is smooth and consistent, making it a versatile option for a variety of runs. The combination of cushioning and a lightweight design makes the shoe well-suited for everything from easy recovery runs to longer distances. The midsole foam is soft enough to provide comfort on long runs but responsive enough to handle faster-paced efforts.
The Clifton 9 also maintains Hoka’s signature early-stage Meta-Rocker geometry, which helps with the smooth transition from heel to toe, promoting an efficient running gait. This feature is particularly beneficial for runners who want a shoe that encourages a natural forward motion.
Outsole and Durability:
The outsole of the Clifton 9 features strategically placed rubber in high-wear areas to enhance durability without adding unnecessary weight. The rubber provides good traction on a variety of surfaces, making the Clifton 9 a reliable option for road running and light trails. The outsole design also contributes to the overall flexibility of the shoe, allowing for a more natural foot movement.
While the Clifton 9 is designed with durability in mind, heavy heel strikers or runners who log high mileage might notice wear in the outsole faster than with some more heavily reinforced shoes. However, the durability should be sufficient for the average runner, especially given the shoe’s lightweight construction.
Weight:
One of the key improvements in the Clifton 9 is its lighter weight compared to previous versions. Despite the ample cushioning, the Clifton 9 feels light and nimble on the foot, making it a great choice for runners who want a cushioned shoe that doesn’t feel bulky. This lightweight feel enhances the shoe’s versatility, allowing it to perform well across different types of runs.
Style and Aesthetics:
The Clifton 9 has a modern, sleek design that is visually appealing. Hoka offers a variety of colorways, allowing runners to choose a style that suits their personal preferences. The shoe’s aesthetics are clean and functional, making it a good choice for both performance and casual wear.
Use Cases:
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Long Runs: The Clifton 9’s cushioning and comfort make it ideal for long-distance running, where protection and support are crucial.
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Daily Training: The versatility of the Clifton 9 makes it a great option for daily training, offering a balance of comfort, support, and responsiveness.
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Recovery Runs: The soft cushioning is perfect for recovery runs, providing a comfortable ride that helps reduce the impact on tired legs.
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Tempo Runs: While not a dedicated speed shoe, the Clifton 9 is responsive enough for moderate-paced workouts, making it a good all-rounder.
Comparison to Clifton 8:
Compared to the Clifton 8, the Clifton 9 offers a slightly lighter and more responsive ride. The upper has been refined for a better fit, and the midsole feels slightly more cushioned yet still responsive. The overall experience is more streamlined and polished, making the Clifton 9 a worthwhile upgrade for fans of the Clifton series.
Summary:
The Hoka Clifton 9 is an excellent choice for runners looking for a versatile, cushioned shoe that can handle a variety of runs. It offers a smooth, comfortable ride with a lightweight feel, making it suitable for long runs, daily training, and recovery runs. The improvements in weight, fit, and responsiveness over the Clifton 8 make the Clifton 9 a standout option in the neutral running shoe category. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or someone just getting into the sport, the Clifton 9 is a reliable, high-performing shoe that won’t disappoint.
- Weight 7.30 oz
- Heel-To-Toe Drop 5.00 mm
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Clifton 9 vs Clifton 8
When comparing the Hoka Clifton 9 to the Clifton 8, there are several key differences and improvements that reflect Hoka’s ongoing effort to enhance comfort, performance, and overall running experience. Here’s a detailed comparison:
Cushioning and Midsole
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Clifton 8: The Clifton 8 features an EVA midsole that provides a soft, cushioned ride. The cushioning is plush and offers good shock absorption, making it comfortable for long runs and daily training. The Clifton 8 was praised for its balance between cushioning and responsiveness, though some runners found it slightly less responsive for faster-paced workouts.
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Clifton 9: The Clifton 9 retains the EVA midsole but with subtle tweaks that make it slightly softer and more responsive than the Clifton 8. The cushioning in the Clifton 9 feels a bit more refined, providing a smoother and more energetic ride. This makes the Clifton 9 more versatile, as it can handle both long, slow runs and moderately paced workouts with ease. The updates in the midsole make the Clifton 9 feel more responsive underfoot, giving it a slight edge over the Clifton 8 in terms of overall ride quality.
Weight
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Clifton 8: The Clifton 8 is lightweight for a cushioned trainer, making it a popular choice for runners who want comfort without feeling weighed down. However, it is slightly heavier than the Clifton 9.
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Clifton 9: The Clifton 9 is lighter than the Clifton 8, thanks to refinements in the midsole and upper. This reduction in weight makes the Clifton 9 feel more nimble and responsive, enhancing its versatility for different types of runs. The lighter weight also contributes to a more comfortable running experience, particularly on longer distances.
Upper Design and Fit
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Clifton 8: The upper of the Clifton 8 is made from an engineered mesh that is both breathable and supportive. The fit is comfortable, with a slightly roomy toe box that accommodates natural toe splay. The heel collar and tongue are padded for added comfort, though some runners found the upper to be a bit too loose in certain areas, particularly in the midfoot.
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Clifton 9: The Clifton 9 features an updated engineered mesh upper that is even lighter and more breathable than the Clifton 8. The fit has been refined, offering a more secure and snug feel, especially in the midfoot area. The upper in the Clifton 9 adapts better to different foot shapes, providing a more personalized fit. The padded heel collar and tongue remain, but with slight improvements for better comfort and reduced irritation during long runs.
Ride and Performance
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Clifton 8: The ride of the Clifton 8 is smooth and cushioned, making it ideal for long runs and recovery runs. The shoe provides good shock absorption and a comfortable ride, but some runners found it slightly lacking in responsiveness for faster-paced efforts.
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Clifton 9: The Clifton 9 offers a smoother and more responsive ride compared to the Clifton 8. The updated midsole and lighter weight contribute to a more dynamic running experience, making the Clifton 9 more versatile for various types of runs, including tempo runs and daily training. The early-stage Meta-Rocker geometry remains, promoting a smooth transition from heel to toe, but the overall feel is more refined and energetic in the Clifton 9.
Outsole and Durability
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Clifton 8: The outsole of the Clifton 8 is durable, with strategically placed rubber in high-wear areas to provide traction and extend the shoe’s lifespan. The outsole design provides good grip on various surfaces, though the rubber coverage is slightly more extensive, which adds to the shoe’s overall weight.
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Clifton 9: The Clifton 9’s outsole is similar in design but with slight improvements in rubber placement for better grip and reduced weight. The rubber is placed only where necessary, which contributes to the shoe’s lighter feel while maintaining durability. The outsole remains durable, with good traction on different surfaces, making the Clifton 9 reliable for road running and light trails.
Style and Aesthetics
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Clifton 8: The Clifton 8 has a sleek, modern design with a variety of color options. The aesthetics are clean and functional, appealing to a wide range of runners.
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Clifton 9: The Clifton 9 continues with a similar aesthetic but with subtle updates that give it a more streamlined and polished look. The color options are fresh and contemporary, making the Clifton 9 visually appealing while still maintaining its focus on performance.
Summary:
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Choose the Clifton 8 if you’re looking for a reliable, cushioned trainer that offers comfort and durability. The Clifton 8 is a solid choice for long-distance running and daily training, with a soft ride that’s well-suited for recovery runs.
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Opt for the Clifton 9 if you want a more refined and responsive version of the Clifton series. The Clifton 9 offers improvements in cushioning, weight, and fit, making it a more versatile option for a variety of runs. Its lighter weight and enhanced responsiveness make it a better choice for runners who want a shoe that can handle both long distances and faster-paced workouts.
Overall, the Clifton 9 is a worthwhile upgrade if you’re looking for a shoe that builds on the strengths of the Clifton 8 while offering a lighter, more responsive running experience.
