Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 8.5 oz · 5mm drop · 40/35mm stack · Medium/Wide
Variants of this shoe
Some shoes have multiple versions of what is essentially the same shoe, with variations in style or materials. We try to group these together. Retailers sometimes list a version number wrong, and our system can treat those mislabeled names as variants.
How it ranks
The HOKA Clifton 9 is one of the strongest daily trainers in our data. Comfort and cushioning are its strongest sub-ratings. Most runners who came to it from another shoe preferred it. The rating rests on 130 runner reviews and 10 other rated shoes in the Clifton product line.
Confidence
How settled the rating is against every other rated shoe. A shoe can rate high on confidence with relatively few reviews of its own when its product line has a long record and external ratings from retailer sites agree. Confidence will score low when we have few ratings or when runners disagree.
Confidence
100/100
“At $140, performs like $170–$180 models from Nike, Saucony, Asics, and On.”
“The cushion is amazingly balanced and creates an exceptional, very durable ride.”
“One of the softest Cliftons to date, yet maintains a lightweight, responsive ride.”
“Early-stage rocker allows for effortless, smooth roll-off through every stride.”
“Pleasantly light and well cushioned for heel, mid-foot, and forefoot striking.”
“Foam is very durable, still holding up well at nearly 700 miles.”
“Highly protective and soft; makes the miles fly by.”
“Widens out just enough in the forefoot to eliminate arch issues.”
“Extra 3mm stack height while remaining lighter than the previous model.”
“Surprisingly light for soft cushioning; handles long miles comfortably.”
60% 34/57
Truffle Salt (and 1 other)
Buy at Dick's Sporting GoodsReport a wrong price
Prices last updated on Sep 13, 2026 at 7:31 PM UTC (14 hours ago).
Our prices come from feeds the retailers send us. We refresh them every day, but a feed is sometimes wrong. Tell us and we will look into it.
Report a wrong price
Prices last updated on Sep 14, 2026 at 8:30 AM UTC (1 hour ago).
Our prices come from feeds the retailers send us. We refresh them every day, but a feed is sometimes wrong. Tell us and we will look into it.
Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.
Prices updated daily. Last checked Sep 14.
Amazon prices change often.
Buy at Dick's Sporting Goods for $150
BuyRating & Confidence vs. other shoes for sale
Each dot is one rated shoe for sale, placed by its rating and by how much evidence sits behind it. Shoes toward the top right are both well rated and well established.
50
60
70
80
90
100
25
50
75
100
Better Shoes Rating
Each dot is one version of the Clifton, placed by its rating and release year. The gold dot is this shoe.
Release year
2026 · 3 reviews
86 Good
70 Confidence
2025 · 11 reviews
95 Excellent
87 Confidence
Clifton 9 This shoe
2023 · 130 reviews
99 Exceptional
100 Confidence
2021 · 57 reviews
95 Excellent
97 Confidence
2020 · 8 reviews
81 Good
83 Confidence
2019 · 68 reviews
87 Good
97 Confidence
2018 · 48 reviews
88 Good
97 Confidence
2017 · 51 reviews
64 Below average
98 Confidence
2016 · 37 reviews
98 Exceptional
98 Confidence
2015 · 5 reviews
97 Exceptional
90 Confidence
2014 · 16 reviews
99 Exceptional
97 Confidence
Sizing and ride details at a glance.
Men's sizes
10.5, 11, 12
Women's sizes
6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10
5/5
Overall
I have been running for nearly 50 years with many, many miles on my legs. I look for a good cushioned shoe that I can wear on both trails and roads. This Cliffton 9 has more than met my expectations.
Antonio Melchor · Nov 25, 2023
training for a half marathon came from the HOKA Torrent
4/5
Overall
I use this as a trainer for my easy runs. The feel rather 'slow' and bulky to use them on long runs, for that I prefer Mach 5 or X. Even some of the older Rincons got a 'quicker' feel in them.
Bart van Aalst · Nov 16, 2023
7 mpw training for 5K and 10K came from the HOKA Mach 5
5/5
Overall
Went from the On Cloudsurfers to these as trainers, 300 miles later I'm still running on pillows.
Anonymous runner · Nov 8, 2023
5/5
Overall
These shoes have a lot of cushion. Since switching to them, I get injured less often.
Taylor · Jul 31, 2023
40 mpw training for 5K and 10K came from the ASICS GEL-Excite 7
5/5
Overall
Found the Clifton 9 to be wider and more comfortable than the 8. Love them both but the 9 is a definite improvement.
Dave · Jul 31, 2023
20 mpw training for 5K and 10K came from the HOKA Clifton 8
See how this shoe compares to others like it.
