4/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · May 28, 2026
6 mpw avg pace 7:30 13 miles in this shoe came from the ASICS GEL-Kayano 31
- Comfort
- 4/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 4/5
HOKA Clifton 9
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 8.0 oz · Men's 38/33mm · women's 37/32mm stack · 5mm drop
Variants of this shoe
- Clifton 9 GTX Waterproof
- Clifton 9 GORE-TEX Waterproof
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. The rating is based on 130 runner reviews and 10 other rated shoes in the Clifton product line.
Exceptional
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 is low when we have few ratings or when runners disagree.
Confidence
100 Very high
External retailer ratings
We break apart ratings from mass-market retailers and specialty running shops since they serve different audiences.
The middle of the bar marks the typical shoe at each type of retailer. The dot shows where this shoe ranks in comparison.
Based on
The bars show roughly how much each source contributes to this shoe’s rating. Their influence depends on how many reviews we’ve collected, how many earlier versions are in the product line, and the external ratings available.
- Our ratings
- External ratings
- Product line track record
What runners say
“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.”
“Light weight and outstanding cushioning; durability is the issue.”
“Started falling apart after only 3 months.”
“Basically impossible to get up on toes for strides or hill sprints due to wide landing platform.”
“Lasted about 500 miles before showing seam-tearing on inner edges.”
“Feels a little clunky during faster tempo runs and speed work.”
“Wear out so fast; must be selective about when to wear them.”
“Top started to see tears after 500 miles.”
“Not very good support, but excellent if you're a neutral runner.”
“Feels slow and bulky for long runs.”
“Need shoe goo on heels to extend lifespan.”
“Noticeable sinking feeling each step, but eventually adjusted.”
“Can't exceed easy pace in them.”
“Durable and comfortable but expensive.”
Prefer this shoe over another
60% 34/57
Where to buy
Report a wrong price
Prices last updated on Oct 22, 2026 at 8:30 AM 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.
Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.
Prices updated daily. Last checked Oct 22.
Amazon prices change often.
Buy at Amazon for $170
BuyPros
- Some reviewers find it light on foot for how much soft cushioning it has.
- Our ratings put its comfort among the best of any daily trainer.
- It is much lighter than the typical daily trainer for sale.
Cons
- Reviewers disagree about its durability: some report it wearing out sooner than they expected, and others report hundreds of miles without problems.
Rating & 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.
Better Shoes Rating
Better Shoes Rating of prior versions of the HOKA Clifton
Each dot is one version of the Clifton, placed by its rating and release year. The gold dot is this shoe.
Release year
-
2026 · 4 reviews
89 Good
80 Confidence
-
2025 · 11 reviews
93 Excellent
86 Confidence
-
Clifton 9 This shoe
2023 · 130 reviews
98 Exceptional
100 Confidence
-
2021 · 57 reviews
90 Very good
98 Confidence
-
2020 · 8 reviews
81 Good
89 Confidence
-
2019 · 68 reviews
79 Decent
99 Confidence
-
2018 · 48 reviews
80 Good
99 Confidence
-
2017 · 51 reviews
65 Below average
99 Confidence
-
2016 · 37 reviews
92 Very good
99 Confidence
-
2015 · 5 reviews
85 Good
89 Confidence
-
2014 · 16 reviews
96 Excellent
95 Confidence
Specs & fit
Sizing and ride details at a glance.
- Weight
- 8.0 oz
- Men's / women's
- Men's 8.7 oz · Women's 7.3 oz
- Release
- 2023 Q1
- MSRP
- $145
- Widths
- Medium, Wide
- Stack
- Men's 38/33mm · women's 37/32mm
- Drop
- 5mm
Available sizes
Men's
10.5, 11, 12
10, 10.5, 11.5
44.5, 45, 46
Women's
6, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 10
4, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 8
37, 38.5, 39, 40, 42
Runner reviews
Best shoe I've had in a while
5/5
Overall
Feels like the shoes are trying to make me go faster ;)
Anonymous runner · Dec 13, 2024
10 mpw training for 5K and 10K
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 5/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 4/5
Very good shoes, but overpriced
5/5
Overall
Enjoy these shoes and have out a lot of miles on them. Stand up well to mileage, a little clunky but I work out in them for extra support and they don’t hold me back. Definitely keep getting more expensive.
Anonymous runner · Dec 10, 2024
35 mpw training for 5K and 10K came from the Brooks Ghost 12
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 5/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 3/5
It’s a good shoe but it doesn’t last long
4/5
Overall
The hola Clifton 9’s are a good running shoe I have flat feet and have orthopedic souls they cushion my foot very well and feel great they feel very responsive and comfortable. They give you a little bit of height. I have heard that the toe box is too small but I bag to differ and I wear a size 11 and I have wide feet. They don’t last very long doo they only last 300 miles and they are a little bit expensive to buy each time I get them
Anonymous runner · Dec 9, 2024
40 mpw training for 5K and 10K
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 3/5
- Appearance
- 3/5
- Value
- 3/5
5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Nov 19, 2024
- Comfort
- 4/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 3/5
- Value
- 4/5
More from HOKA
Compared to other shoes
See how this shoe compares to others like it.
HOKA Clifton 9 In Context
Where It Ranks
More on the HOKA Clifton
- HOKA Clifton 11
- HOKA Clifton 10 next version
- HOKA Clifton 8 previous version
- HOKA Clifton 7
- HOKA Clifton 6
- HOKA Clifton 5
Reviewers Also Ran In
- HOKA Clifton 8 4 runners
- Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39 3 runners
- Brooks Ghost 14 2 runners