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Our first impressions as we put Hoka’s new Clifton 9 running shoe to the test

If you’re a Hoka fan (let’s be honest, who isn’t?) the Clifton range will need no introduction. Taking the running world by storm in 2014 with a fresh take on what constitutes comfort, the Clifton has remained one of the most popular running trainers on the market, gaining a reputation (not least among TikTokers) as being one of the most cushioned – and stylish – daily running shoes.

Fast forward to today, and there's a new Hoka Clifton about to hit the streets. Ahead of the launch, we got our hands on the Clifton 9 and tested the shoe for ourselves to see whether it’s worth the hype. Covering 75 km in the shoe over the space of two weeks, we took a close look at what’s changed compared to the Clifton 8 and assessed how well it performs. Stick around for the MH verdict on the all new Hoka Clifton 9.

In a hurry? Here's a quick breakdown of the new Hoka Clifton 9, including our main pros and cons of the shoe, our overall verdict, where you can buy it and for how much.

Verdict: ‘If it ain't broke don't fix it’, appears to be Hoka’s approach with the newest iteration of the Clifton. Which is no bad thing. While the 9 remains similar to the 8, it has seen a number of small upgrades including a new midsole, more stack height and a new breathable mesh knit upper.

In short, it’s a durable and dependable everyday trainer. Great for everything from short efforts midweek to longer runs at the weekend. It’s also a balanced, comfortable and supportive running shoe that you can bank on time and time again. If you’re a fan of the Clifton 8, or you’re new to Hoka and want a cushioned daily trainer that's also responsive, you’ll get along with the Clifton 9.

Clifton fans will recognise the 9 as a shoe that they know and love, with a few welcomed tweaks. Here’s a breakdown of the main features of the Clifton 9 and our first impressions of the shoe.

Out of the box, the feel of the 9 has changed considerably thanks to an all-new knitted upper. The upper section of the shoe feels more durable and premium than the 8, while still retaining the familiar Hoka fit (more on that later). This is particularly noticeable around the ankle, where Hoka have ditched the 8’s synthetic-feeling and slippy material in favour of a knitted and textured upper.

Initially, the shoe feels just as you’d expect from a Clifton: comfortable and snug fitting. The new EVA foam feels supportive and bouncy straight off the bat, with the familiar generous cushioning – a combination which has also seen the range prove popular for everyday lifestyle use among those who are on their feet all day.

Hoka describes the Clifton as ‘the ultimate pavement pounder’ and a shoe that possesses the ‘perfect balance of soft and light, for the ultimate smooth ride’. Strip away the marketing noise and does the shoe live up to Hoka’s claims? We ran 75km in the Clifton 9 over two weeks to find out, clocking up efforts over a range of distances, including quick 5ks to a slow 21km effort and everything in between.

After some concern over the tightness at the front of the shoe, the upper soon softened and the Clifton 9 positioned itself as one of our tester’s favourite go-to daily trainers. We like the 9’s balanced, rocker-like profile that helps to propel you forward as you run. The compression moulded EVA midsole also feels responsive underfoot, delivering a cushioned and comfortable feel. The build is also high quality, contributing to a snug fit around your foot and lower ankle.

Despite gaining 3mm in height, if you’re familiar with a max-cushioned trainer, the Clifton 9 doesn’t feel too lofty. Neither does it feel too cumbersome or heavy. In fact, it’s lighter than the Clifton 8, despite featuring more foam. When running on concrete, you'll notice the support the shoe provides over long distances, as well as the energy return you get from the foam. You’re not going to be setting any new PBs in the Clifton 9, but then again, that’s not what it’s built for.

At first glance, the Clifton 8 and Clifton 9 look very similar. The general shape and style of the shoe remains the same, the 9 features the signature max cushioned midsole, raised pull tab on the heel and bright colourways. Look a little closer and there’s some clear distinctions.

One of the most notable changes is the size and feel of the midsole. Sticking with the same EVA foam technology, the Clifton 9 features a new midsole that feels more dense and packed compared to the 8. It’s also a lot taller. With 32mm of foam at the heel, the shoe is 3mm taller, which is, surprisingly, just 1mm short of the super-cushioned Hoka Bondi 8.

The fit has also changed for the better. For many users (including myself) the Clifton 8 was too tight fitting at the front of the shoe, which caused rubbing and discomfort. Luckily, there's a wide version of the 8, which fixed this issue, but it’s an inconvenience Hoka appears to have addressed with the 9. While the 9 felt tight around the toes initially, the upper quickly softened. If you have wide feet, there’s also a wide version of the 9 available. Elsewhere, the fit also benefits from a new gusseted tongue, which helps to keep your feet feel supported.

The price of the Clifton 9 is about right for what you’ll expect to pay these days for a premium daily running shoe. Retailing at £130, it’s not exactly cheap, but it’s not ludicrously expensive, either. Considering its versatility as an everyday running shoe, you can more than justify the price by the changes Hoka have made from the 8 and the amount of regular and varied use you’ll get out of the shoe.

Hoka also offers a 30-day guarantee to all customers who buy a pair of their trainers. If you’re considering a Hoka shoe, the Clifton is the best place to start, but if you’re worried you won’t like them, you have the peace of mind that you can return them even after you’ve taken them for a spin. A no-brainer considering the Clifton 9 will set you back £130.

Bottom line, if you’re after a cushioned, durable and balanced daily trainer, then you’ll struggle to find a more versatile option than the Clifton 9.