Hoka Clifton 9 - Women's Review
Our Verdict
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Hoka Clifton 9 - Women's | |||||
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Awards | |||||
Price | $144.95 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $139.95 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $160 List $129.95 at Amazon | $139.95 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $120 List $86.40 at Amazon |
Overall Score | |||||
Star Rating | |||||
Bottom Line | The big underfoot stack of this shoe provides great comfort and more responsiveness than expected, though the overall fit will not appeal to all | This running shoe offers the performance technology and comfort needed to be your go-to shoe, no matter your running goals | With strong responsive bounce and enough comfort for long runs, this shoe will suit marathon hopefuls and speed demons alike | The structure and comfort of this shoe make it a highly recommended option for long distance runners who want a reliable road running steed | While not a race-focused shoe, this affordable and bouncy option will keep your legs turning over quickly and easily |
Rating Categories | Hoka Clifton 9 - Wo... | Asics Novablast 4 -... | Puma Deviate Nitro 2 | Brooks Adrenaline G... | Saucony Kinvara 14... |
Cushioning and Landing Comfort (25%) | |||||
Responsiveness (25%) | |||||
Stability (20%) | |||||
Upper Comfort (15%) | |||||
Weight (15%) | |||||
Specs | Hoka Clifton 9 - Wo... | Asics Novablast 4 -... | Puma Deviate Nitro 2 | Brooks Adrenaline G... | Saucony Kinvara 14... |
Weight (per shoe, size 6.5) | 7.16 oz | 7.36 oz | 7.02 oz | 8.21 oz | 5.55 oz |
Style | Neutral/maximum | Neutral | Neutral/race | Supportive | Neutral |
Sizes Available | 5 - 12 US | 5 - 12 US | 5.5 - 11 US | 5 - 13 US | 5 - 12 US |
Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop | 6 mm | 9 mm | 8 mm | 12 mm | 5 mm |
Measured Heel Stack Height | 34 mm | 40 mm | 34 mm | 34 mm | 30 mm |
Measured Forefoot Stack Height | 28 mm | 31 mm | 26 mm | 22 mm | 25 mm |
Claimed Heel-to-Toe Drop | 5 mm | 8 mm | 6 mm | 12 mm | 4 mm |
Claimed Heel Stack Height | Not stated | 40.5 mm | Not stated | Not stated | 31 mm |
Claimed Forefoot Stack Height | Not stated | 32.5 mm | Not stated | Not stated | 27 mm |
Measured Outsole Length | 10.44 in | 10.65 in | 10.31 in | 10.50 in | 10.13 in |
Measured Outsole Width | 4.15 in | 4.32 in | 4.00 in | 4.25 in | 3.96 in |
Upper | Engineered mesh | Engineered knit mesh | Mesh | Engineered air mesh | Mesh |
Midsole | EVA foam | FF Blast Plus Eco | Nitro/Nitro-Elite | DNA Loft v2 | PWRRUN, PWRRUN+ |
Outsole | Durabrasion rubber | AHAR outsole | PumaGrip ATR Rubber | Rubber | XT-900 rubber |
Measured Outsole Hardness | 36 HA at arch, 73 HA rest of shoe | 59 HA | 65 HA | 47 HA | 63 HA at inner toe/outer heel, 35 HA rest of shoe |
Heel Tab Type | Extended heel pull | Finger loop | None | None | Finger loop |
Width Options | Regular, wide | Regular | Regular | Narrow, medium, wide, extra wide | Regular, wide |
Heel Compression Stiffness | 41 lbf | 44 lbf | 35 lbf | 52 lbf | 40 lbf |
Toe Compression Stiffness | 42 lbf | 38 lbf | 40 lbf | 56 lbf | 42 lbf |
Toe Box Volume | 6.5 in^3 | 6.2 in^3 | 6.7 in^3 | 6.5 in^3 | 6.7 in^3 |
Rocker Angle | 18.5 deg | 22.0 deg | 12.5 deg | 26.5 deg | 26.0 deg |
Our Analysis and Test Results
With a 34mm stack underfoot in the heel and 28mm stack beneath the forefoot, the updated Hoka Clifton is known for its underfoot comfort. If your running takes you on lengthy paved routes most days of the week, the plush protective cushion of this shoe is where it's at.
Performance Comparison
Cushioning and Landing Comfort
This is the metric where the Clifton 9 shines brightest. It is a great daily running shoe all around, but it earns the highest marks for its bouncy landing comfort. Slipping your feet into the higher-than-ever Clifton feels a bit disorienting at first, as this shoe is noticeably higher than your standard road shoe. But after a few quick spins around the block, our testers grew accustomed to the height, which set the stage for long, pavement-laden testing runs.
The EVA foam midsole is thick and bouncy, while the Durabrasion rubber outsole provides an additional, grippy layer between your feet and the road. The build of the insole creates a cradle-like sensation for your feet, preventing feet from sliding around within the shoe's body. The forefoot of the Clifton is somewhat flexible, which allows your feet and toes to work with your gait.
Responsiveness
As is often the case in the world of running shoes, comfort and responsiveness don't always coexist perfectly together. While there is nothing wrong with the responsiveness of the Clifton 9, it isn't a shoe we recommend for speed demons looking to push their boundaries. It is, however, an incredible option if comfort is king and smooth strides sovereign. The semi-flexible outsole encourages you to rely on your muscles and strength more than a shoe with a rigid plate in its outsole. Racers might prefer a more rigid outsole, but there is plenty of pep within the outsole of the Clifton so that you can achieve your next PR. The underfoot foam rides bouncy and has an early-stage meta rocker, which is Hoka-specific tech that allows one footfall to roll right into the next.
Stability
The overbuilt aesthetic of the Clifton renders it incredibly stable for a neutral running shoe. The contoured heel cup and thick heel cushion lock your heel in place, creating stability from the back forward. The midfoot doesn't have extra structures for lateral support, but the engineered mesh upper is strong. The outsole extends upward ever so slightly, which helps feet stay comfortably locked into place. The 6mm drop (our measurement, Hoka claims 5mm) forces the heel to sit on a similar plane as the toes, unlike more traditional road shoes with a 10-12mm drop. This further encourages comfortable stability.
Upper Comfort
The upper mesh of the Clifton 9 is comfortable, but not necessarily more so than many other shoes. The mesh is breathable, which helps keep feet cool on warm days. The plush tongue is partially adhered, so besides providing comfort, it stays where you want it once the laces are locked down. The toe box is rather spacious but not dramatically so. A wide option of the Clifton is available, which allows for a bit more flexibility when choosing a size that serves your feet. Our testers found this shoe comfortable all around, but its highly shaped heel cup might not appeal to all runners. The heel tab extends up higher than most, and the thickness on the lateral edges of the cup might not suit all anatomies. The balance between softness and strength around the heel collar is good, so we never had any issues with discomfort, but it is easy to see how different ankle bones might find discomfort with this shape. As per usual, we recommend trying this shoe on before shelling out the cash because of these quirks.
Weight
With each women's size 6.5 shoe weighing 7.16 ounces, the Clifton 9 is pretty lightweight considering the cushioning it offers. It is not super often that ultra-comfy shoes weigh in on the lower end of the spectrum, but the Clifton is an outlier. The majority of the weight lives in the outsole of the shoe, which can feel a bit clunky at first.
Should You Buy the Hoka Clifton 9?
For long-distance road enthusiasts or people who spend many hours on their feet, we recommend the Clifton 9. It is a bouncy shoe constructed with underfoot comfort in mind, making it a standout choice for pavement pounding. The responsiveness via the meta rocker lends itself well enough to leg turnover, making some speed work and PRs possible in this comfy road kick. If you are in the market for a stable shoe with bouncy underfoot cushion, the Clifton is a worthy contender. We also crowned it one of our favorites in our best walking shoe review.
What Other Running Shoes Should You Consider?
The Clifton 9 is beloved for its underfoot cushion. If the cushion is what is speaking to you, the Hoka Bondi 8 is another high-stack shoe that is worth checking out. If the comfort element appeals to you, but you are indifferent toward the stack height, the New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v13 is a super comfortable choice with a more traditional ride. The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 is another reliable choice with great landing comfort, a traditional fit, and extra lateral support.