5/5
Overall
Joe Donajkowski · Jul 10, 2023
15 mpw training for 5K and 10K came from the Brooks Ghost 14
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 5/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 5/5
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 (16 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
Clifton 9
5/5
Overall
This is the first Clifton that I have gotten along with. This is an excellent training shoe, and have bought a second pair so that I can rotate them for my road runs. The cushioning is soft, yet responsive. My first run out of the box was 10 miles easy. I had no issues with hot spots, blisters, upper pinching, or anything else. The padding on the elf heel is a little too thick in my opinion. It does not negatively impact the ride or performance of the shoe, but I wish it was toned down a bit.
Todd V. · Jul 7, 2023
35 mpw training for a half marathon came from the New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 v11
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 5/5
4/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Jul 6, 2023
- Comfort
- 4/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 3/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 4/5
Consistent and comfortable
5/5
Overall
Been running in the Hoka Cliftons for years. Even with minor changes, the fit is consistent and comfortable. I love this shoe.
Anonymous runner · Jul 6, 2023
25 mpw training for a half marathon came from the New Balance 880v8
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 4/5
Best HOKA Clifton Model Yet
4/5
Overall
As a Run Specialty store employee over the past ten years, I've been fortunate enough to log miles in countless pairs of shoes. I remember when the first HOKA Clifton 1 came into the shop. I took it out for a 16 mile run in the heat, and despite it being sweat-logged half-way through, I knew HOKA had a bright future. Fast-forward nine models and I can confidently assert that this is HOKA's best Clifton yet. While one of the softest Clifton's to date, the model still maintains its lightweight, responsive ride. Most notably, the Clifton 9 improves upon its predecessors by improving its profile and width. Unlike the v7 and v8, the Clifton 9 widens out just enough in the forefoot to get rid of arch issues that I'd heard numerous runners (including myself) note wasn't quite right. At $140, the Clifton performs more like $170-$180 models seen across other brands (e.g. Nike, Saucony, Asics, and On). This currently fills the 'everyday', long run, and MLR fartlek roles within my rotation.
BruceDentonQ · Jul 5, 2023
90 mpw training for ultramarathons came from the Saucony Triumph 20
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 4/5
- 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