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 (15 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 (2 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.
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.
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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'm a week into this shoe. I'm impressed with how light it is given its high amount of cushioning. It feels good to run in. I do feel that the toebox is a little tight, so I've been preventatively using lotion to prevent blisters. I think the shoe lives up to its hype.
Erik · Jul 29, 2023
40 mpw training for a marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39
5/5
Overall
Clifton 9 is a solid update. The tab is way too large and the upper feels overly padded but it is definitely a clifton and good.
Bob K · Jul 28, 2023
25 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Saucony Kinvara Pro
4/5
Overall
John · Jul 22, 2023
training for a half marathon
4/5
Overall
Hoka, in general, but specifically the Clifton 9 lack durability. From the cushioning to the out sole, the lack durability.
Anonymous runner · Jul 21, 2023
40 mpw training for a marathon came from the Saucony Endorphin Speed 2
5/5
Overall
Needed a shoe that would protect my legs from constant pounding on concrete. Does this perfectly but their is a noticeable sinking feeling I got every step. Eventually I got used to it.
Anonymous runner · Jul 12, 2023
40 mpw training for 5K and 10K came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39
See how this shoe compares to others like it.
