Hoka Clifton 9 Review: 4 Runners test Hoka's upgraded daily trainer fave

The Hoka Clifton 9 is the latest instalment of Hoka's very popular daily trainer, promising changes in the upper and midsole departments to help make it a shoe you can soak up a lot of mileage in.
Testers Jane, Mike, Tom and Nick have all been putting the new Clifton to the test to find out how it compares to the Clifton 8, whether the changes have made it a better shoe and whether this is one of the best daily trainer running shoes that you should buy.
JUMP STRAIGHT IN:
00:00​​​​ - Intro
00:10 - Price and what's new from Clifton 8
00:56 - How does it fit?
03:10 - The Run Test
13:47 - Verdict
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[@scottmijin9463]

Looks like the verdict is spend an extra $5-$15 and get yourself either the New Balance More V4, Brooks Glycerin 20, Asics Nimbus 25 or Saucony Triumph 20 if you’re in the market for max cushion

[@andyrao7700]

Scott, will the Saucony Triumph be good for spending an entire day standing / walking ?

[@davidrosenthal5795]

@@andyrao7700nope, too wobbly in the heel. Love mine for running but not standing or walking.

[@iosifkovalenko8364]

@@andyrao7700 An amazing cushioned walking shoe is the Kayano 28. Very plush and very comfortable. But I only wear them if I need my legs to feel fresh before a long/hard run. Otherwise I wear minimal barefoot shoes to build strength in my feet/legs. Another comfortable walking shoe is the adidas ULtraboost 19/20 model. I’m not too big of a fan of the UB21/22. But again, Kayano 28 is in a league of its own for walking/standing.

[@wordsovsean8905]

I found running in the Clifton 8 to be like running with a flat tire. It just squishes down and doesn’t come back. I didn’t find them firm at all. I also found the foam would feel like it’s bottoming out before I’d even get to 5kms and I’m only 73kgs. I did find it a bit narrow, but that was more noticeable when walking rather than running. I currently do my slow runs in the Endorphin Shift 3s and I love them. They absorb impact and just let me keep rolling along, plus they’re very capable of picking up the pace. I am currently looking at alternative slow run options though just to give me some variety in my runs. The Clifton 9 sounds like a bit of an improvement, but I don’t know if it’s enough to give it a go. Thanks for the review.

[@mundane4082]

What was your alternative? Triumph? Nimbus? More v4?

[@wordsovsean8905]

@@mundane4082 Well I still love the Shift 3s, but I've also been really enjoying running in the Puma Velocity Nitro 2. Its such a relaxed feeling shoe with possibly the most comfortable upper I've ever experienced. I picked up the Triumph 19s cheap, but they run really small and the 12 was too small. I had to go to a 13 as there's no 12.5 and it's a bit big. They feel like they would be good if they fit better. The 20s feel true to size but only tried in store. They felt fine. I didn't like the Nimbus in store but haven't run in them. New Balance never fit me. I don't know what it is. I had the Glideride 3s for a bit and they're an amazing feeling shoe, but the right shoe started collapsing/leaning after just one one run and I'm making a warranty claim. I did a few more runs stupidly trying to compensate for the lean but gave up. If Asics come through I'd love to try them again.

[@rob_h_7]

Had my first run in these today. Very comfortable, feels great underfoot. Ideal for long runs. I upped the pace a bit and they felt fine although i bought them for longer steady runs

[@jonathanoxlade4252]

This will be a funny question why do yeezys cost so much yet many peaple are saying they are shit and not as comfortable yet we have hoka 9 cliftons that are cheaper yet even more comfortable don't buy expensive shoes or buy shoes that suport your feet

[@nizam_mr]

what i find with hoka for someone in-between normal/lil-wide feet, dont just jump to wide ver. try to loosen up the 1st 2 eyelets at the toebox. with hoka upper stretch n that loosen, it may work for your a-lil-wide feet. because for me if i go Wide ver, it became a lil too loose then i need to have em scrunched up when lacing

[@timlaporte5231]

Always great reviews from the Run Testers Team. Could you do a comparison review pairing the Mach 5 vs the Clfton 9? Similar price point and both neutral.

[@bexlocks]

I always go up half a size and wear the wide. I’m usually a size 6 but go for a 6.5 wide. Most comfortable shoe ever. Will never deviate from the Clifton’s. Tried the Bondis but they are harder

[@chrisbates8943]

Love it. Best Clifton since the 6 for me.

[@TheDarklady28]

Love your socks!! I got same color shoes. Did you buy socks from hoka? Want those to wear with my Hokas

[@gregtthomas]

Let me know how it is after 200 miles. The Clifton 8 was worn out at 200 miles. I'm not paying $140 for a pair of shoes that need to be replaced in one month.

[@discover-titan]

I found this with the Bondi 8

[@filoIII]

Need a Clifton 9 Nimbus 25 Novablast 3 Triumph 20 Invincible 3 comparison vid.

[@charlesvictoria6800]

The wide version of hoka is always the best. No complaints

[@grey_fox7]

How does it compare to the NB More v4?

[@ifonly4486]

by the look of the foam i suspect some olefin has made it's way into the mix......

[@shirleycalucin8349]

I prefer the clifton 8.

[@filoIII]

8 was better than the 6 & 7. Hopefully 9 makes the same jump from the 8.

[@jean-paulbourbonnais6682]

Does the 9 is softer thant the 8 ?

[@adamwragg1854]

Just a warning for anyone who experienced Arch Pain in previous Clifton. This is just as bad for me. I actually like the Clifton, but the arch pain in right foot is unbearable (like having a large stone permanently digging into my arch) Run in other Hoka, and don’t experience this.

[@limmyseeletso7652]

Had an arch pain as well after using Clifton 9.

[@ianbritton7534]

Mike it’s Ho-Ka not Hok-A

[@Ian-H76]

That first bloke Not pronouncing Hoka right is driving me bonkers 🙄

[@JeDindk]

I also noticed his pronunciation. It was unusual. But remember, that it's a Japanese brand. Probably none of us pronounce it correctly. 🙂

[@QronoZ713]

@@JeDindk 😂 It's a French brand originally, but "Hoka One One" is Polynesian...

[@JeDindk]

@Blixten - I didn't know that. Thanks for the info. I was convinced Hoka was japanese, so I'm very surprised. However, that doesn't change my point. I certainly do not speak Polynesian, and for that reason, I haven't got a clue how to pronounce the name correctly.

[@uglyfate1326]

Sadly but Hoka keep gaining a bad reputation.

[@sdwdwdw]

Back in the day Clifton 4 were very cloud like.. now it’s really tough.. don’t like it.

[@duanesidney9761]

Still EVA. Pass. 💩

[@JoutarouKuujou1]

Nothing wrong with EVA

[@hum-dinger2453]

still narrow as well. Hard pass

[@duanesidney9761]

@@JoutarouKuujou1 a common statement from the uneducated.

[@thedude9082]

@@duanesidney9761 Every EVA from Hoka especially since v6 is flattening super early for me. Love Asics Novablast and Triumph 19. Heard Novablast in cold weather hardens (EVA). Live in Florida though. PEBAX doesn't do that. Rocket X2 PEBA midsole. Use that in Clifton. Some just stating better options out there.

[@marky1974]

Skechers max road 5 is great..nitro infused midsole..