REASONS TO BUY
Great underfoot cushion
Secure heel cup
Relatively lightweight
REASONS TO AVOID
Less responsive than some
Collar won't be comfortable on all runners
Basic upper through forefoot
Hoka Clifton 9 - Women's Review
With a thick underfoot stack and an ability to conform to your foot shape, this is a comfortable shoe for moderately-paced daily
Credit: Ally Arcuri
RELATED: Best Running Shoes for Women of 2024
Our Verdict
The Hoka Clifton 9 has undergone a transformation in recent years, with its updates culminating in a shoe that provides fantastic underfoot comfort and cushion. Don't let its boat-like countenance fool you; the Clifton is an exceptionally comfortable daily running or walking shoe that will make you feel like you're walking on clouds. With a chunky stack of EVA foam, this shoe is cushy and protective. It lacks responsiveness, so if that is your priority, the Clifton probably won't be your best match. But if a daily runner with good underfoot cushion with a fair amount of tech is what you're after, this might be a great road shoe for you.
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Hoka Clifton 9 - Women's | |||||
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| Awards |  |  |  | | |
| Price | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $139.95 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $120 List $89.95 at Amazon | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| 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 | For epic versatility in a single shoe, we recommend this lightweight superstar | While not a race-focused shoe, this affordable and bouncy option will keep your legs turning over quickly and easily | The structure and comfort of this shoe make it a highly recommended option for long distance runners who want a reliable road running steed |
| Rating Categories | Hoka Clifton 9 - Wo... | Asics Novablast 4 -... | Hoka Mach 6 - Women's | Saucony Kinvara 14... | Brooks Adrenaline G... |
| Cushioning and Landing Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Responsiveness (25%) | |||||
| Stability (20%) | |||||
| Upper Comfort (15%) | |||||
| Weight (15%) | |||||
| Specs | Hoka Clifton 9 - Wo... | Asics Novablast 4 -... | Hoka Mach 6 - Women's | Saucony Kinvara 14... | Brooks Adrenaline G... |
| Sizes Available | 5 - 12 US | 5 - 12 US, regular | 5 - 11 US, regular & wide | 5 - 12 US, regular & wide | 5 - 13 US, narrow, medium, wide & extra wide |
| Style | Neutral/maximum | Neutral | Daily | Neutral | Supportive |
| Measured Heel Stack Height | 34 mm | 40 mm | 34 mm | 30 mm | 34 mm |
| Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop | 6 mm | 9 mm | 2 mm | 5 mm | 12 mm |
| Plate Type | None | None | None | None | None |
| Rocker Angle | 18.5 deg | 22.0 deg | 24.5 deg | 26.0 deg | 26.5 deg |
| Rocker Apex Location | 68.02% | 69.48% | 65.38% | 68.15% | 71.43% |
| Measured Weight | 7.16 oz | 7.36 oz | 6.27 oz | 5.55 oz | 8.21 oz |
| Upper | Engineered mesh | Engineered knit mesh | Creel jaqquard | Mesh | Engineered air mesh |
| Midsole | EVA foam | FF Blast Plus Eco | Supercritical EVA | PWRRUN, PWRRUN+ | DNA Loft v2 |
| Outsole | Durabrasion rubber | AHAR outsole | Rubber | XT-900 rubber | Rubber |
| Heel Tab Type | Extended heel pull | Finger loop | Extended heel pull | Finger loop | None |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
With a 34mm stack underfoot in the heel and a 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
With strong stability, a bit of responsive pep, and prime underfoot cushioning, the Clifton 9 is a high scorer all around.
Credit: Prudence Amsden
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.
While running in the Clifton, we perceived this level of underfoot cushion, but seeing it measured further confirms just how plush the under carriage of this shoe is.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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 insole's build creates a cradle-like sensation for your feet, preventing them 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.
The Clifton is a lighter-weight option that still offers great landing comfort and cushioning.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
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 reign supreme. 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.
Just look at that stack. If underfoot cushioning is your jam, you'll love the updated Clifton.
Credit: Jessica Riconscente
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.
The secure heel cup and wide base of support provide great stability without feeling overbearing.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
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 width-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 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.
The upper of the Clifton isn't silky-smooth, but it remains comfortable throughout long efforts.
Credit: Prudence Amsden
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. Most of the weight lives in the outsole of the shoe, which can feel a bit clunky at first.
For a shoe with pillowy underfoot cushion, the Clifton weighs in on the lighter end of the spectrum.
Credit: Prudence Amsden
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.
The Clifton provides everything many runners desire in their running shoes. We recommend it to those looking for a comfortable shoe with some stability and pep.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
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 Asics Gel-Kayano 30 is a top recommendation to take for a spin. The Hoka Mach 6 is a slightly more high-tech running shoe but comes equipped with a base of lightweight foam for long-run comfort. The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 is another reliable choice with great landing comfort, a traditional fit, and extra lateral support.
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Ally Arcuri
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