The men's HOKA Clifton 9 has the cushion and comfort you crave for long runs, long walks and long hours spent on your feetmdashall in a sleek and lightweight package. Confident running starts with finding a shoe with the right balance of support, comfort and performance. The Clifton 9rsquos unrivaled cushioning and soft step-in feel make it easy to get excited about lacing up your shoes and going for a run. A tall stack of plush, compression-molded EVA foam turns hard surfaces like concrete and pavement into clouds, while HOKArsquos signature early-stage Meta Rocker gives you a smooth and effortless stride. The Clifton 9rsquos roomy toe box and padded upper hug your feet in a friendly embrace that will keep you comfortable all-day whether yoursquore running, walking or working. Plus, the flared heel collar wonrsquot rub or chafe and it comes in multiple widths, so itrsquos easy to find the perfect fit. With a comfortable fit right out of the box and responsive cushioning that makes running feel easy, itrsquos no wonder why so many runners say the Clifton is one of the best running shoes theyrsquove ever worn. So grab your pair of HOKA Clifton 9rsquos and say hello to your new daily running shoe. Watch Caroline in our HOKA Clifton 9 review to learn more.
The men's HOKA Clifton 9 has the cushion and comfort you crave for long runs, long walks and long hours spent on your feetmdashall in a sleek and lightweight package. Confident running starts with finding a shoe with the right balance of support, comfort and performance. The Clifton 9rsquos unrivaled cushioning and soft step-in feel make it easy to get excited about lacing up your shoes and going for a run. A tall stack of plush, compression-molded EVA foam turns hard surfaces like concrete and pavement into clouds, while HOKArsquos signature early-stage Meta Rocker gives you a smooth and effortless stride. The Clifton 9rsquos roomy toe box and padded upper hug your feet in a friendly embrace that will keep you comfortable all-day whether yoursquore running, walking or working. Plus, the flared heel collar wonrsquot rub or chafe and it comes in multiple widths, so itrsquos easy to find the perfect fit. With a comfortable fit right out of the box and responsive cushioning that makes running feel easy, itrsquos no wonder why so many runners say the Clifton is one of the best running shoes theyrsquove ever worn. So grab your pair of HOKA Clifton 9rsquos and say hello to your new daily running shoe. Watch Caroline in our HOKA Clifton 9 review to learn more.
The men's HOKA Clifton 9 has the cushion and comfort you crave for long runs, long walks and long hours spent on your feetmdashall in a sleek and lightweight package. Confident running starts with finding a shoe with the right balance of support, comfort and performance. The Clifton 9rsquos unrivaled cushioning and soft step-in feel make it easy to get excited about lacing up your shoes and going for a run. A tall stack of plush, compression-molded EVA foam turns hard surfaces like concrete and pavement into clouds, while HOKArsquos signature early-stage Meta Rocker gives you a smooth and effortless stride. The Clifton 9rsquos roomy toe box and padded upper hug your feet in a friendly embrace that will keep you comfortable all-day whether yoursquore running, walking or working. Plus, the flared heel collar wonrsquot rub or chafe and it comes in multiple widths, so itrsquos easy to find the perfect fit. With a comfortable fit right out of the box and responsive cushioning that makes running feel easy, itrsquos no wonder why so many runners say the Clifton is one of the best running shoes theyrsquove ever worn. So grab your pair of HOKA Clifton 9rsquos and say hello to your new daily running shoe. Watch Caroline in our HOKA Clifton 9 review to learn more.
The men's HOKA Clifton 9 has the cushion and comfort you crave for long runs, long walks and long hours spent on your feetmdashall in a sleek and lightweight package. Confident running starts with finding a shoe with the right balance of support, comfort and performance. The Clifton 9rsquos unrivaled cushioning and soft step-in feel make it easy to get excited about lacing up your shoes and going for a run. A tall stack of plush, compression-molded EVA foam turns hard surfaces like concrete and pavement into clouds, while HOKArsquos signature early-stage Meta Rocker gives you a smooth and effortless stride. The Clifton 9rsquos roomy toe box and padded upper hug your feet in a friendly embrace that will keep you comfortable all-day whether yoursquore running, walking or working. Plus, the flared heel collar wonrsquot rub or chafe and it comes in multiple widths, so itrsquos easy to find the perfect fit. With a comfortable fit right out of the box and responsive cushioning that makes running feel easy, itrsquos no wonder why so many runners say the Clifton is one of the best running shoes theyrsquove ever worn. So grab your pair of HOKA Clifton 9rsquos and say hello to your new daily running shoe. Watch Caroline in our HOKA Clifton 9 review to learn more.
Last updated at 02/16/2026 07:29:39
HOKA Clifton 9 'Black Rainbow'
originally posted on dickssportinggoods.com
Heard a lot of hype and read a lot of positive reviews during my research, and narrowed my choice down to two brands (ON & HOKA). I decided on the Clifton 9's as my 1st choice. Initially, I felt a little slippage in the heel, so I tied the laces in a heel lock which helped with the slippage. However, it applied to much pressure on the tongue which made my ankle sore. This made me think I purchased the wrong shoe after just one walk. I took out the heel lock the next day and readjusted the tongue several times during the walk until I found the sweet spot and was able to continue my walk. I walk at a very brisk pace and depending on the day/weather, travel between 2-4 miles. If the comfort level continues, I'm going to consider buying the waterproof version of the ... MoreHeard a lot of hype and read a lot of positive reviews during my research, and narrowed my choice down to two brands (ON & HOKA). I decided on the Clifton 9's as my 1st choice. Initially, I felt a little slippage in the heel, so I tied the laces in a heel lock which helped with the slippage. However, it applied to much pressure on the tongue which made my ankle sore. This made me think I purchased the wrong shoe after just one walk. I took out the heel lock the next day and readjusted the tongue several times during the walk until I found the sweet spot and was able to continue my walk. I walk at a very brisk pace and depending on the day/weather, travel between 2-4 miles. If the comfort level continues, I'm going to consider buying the waterproof version of the Clifton 9 for those slightly rainy days that I walk in. Overall, while I consider this shoe expensive compared to previous purchases of other brands, I bit the bullet and paid full price for these shoes. Time will tell if the expense of this shoe is in fact worth all the hype. As for size, depending on the Hoka model, it is sometimes recommended to size up a half size. I found my regular size 10M true to size with no need to size up.
originally posted on REI
My first pair of Hoka’s were the Bondi 8 which I bought before the end of the outdoor running season for me in 2022. I put well over 600 miles on the Bondi 8’s with probably 400 from a treadmill. My feet and legs love the Bondi 8 for their plush cushioning and stable wide forefoot and heel.I picked up the Clifton 9 to add to the rotation with a new pair of Bondi 8’s. I wear a 10.5 2E US and the Clifton 9 runs true to fit. A majority of my outdoor runs are on concrete sidewalks around my neighborhood which I know is harder on the outsole of any shoe. That said, I put the Clifton 9’s into the rotation on July 3rd and as of the end of November I had about 280 miles on them. I have nearly 100 miles more on my second pair of Bondi 8’s and they definitely don’t feel the ... MoreMy first pair of Hoka’s were the Bondi 8 which I bought before the end of the outdoor running season for me in 2022. I put well over 600 miles on the Bondi 8’s with probably 400 from a treadmill. My feet and legs love the Bondi 8 for their plush cushioning and stable wide forefoot and heel.I picked up the Clifton 9 to add to the rotation with a new pair of Bondi 8’s. I wear a 10.5 2E US and the Clifton 9 runs true to fit. A majority of my outdoor runs are on concrete sidewalks around my neighborhood which I know is harder on the outsole of any shoe. That said, I put the Clifton 9’s into the rotation on July 3rd and as of the end of November I had about 280 miles on them. I have nearly 100 miles more on my second pair of Bondi 8’s and they definitely don’t feel the wear the Clifton shows. Additionally, the cushioning in the Clifton 9 has seemed to be breaking down at a faster rate. I would go as far as to say that my first pair of Bondi 8’s feel like they still have more cushioning than the Clifton’s do. They are a good shoe but have some shortcoming's, primarily the durability as noted in the title.I had not been tracking every mile on my first pair of Hoka’s but when I got my second pair of Bondi 8’s I started just to see what kind of mileage I was getting from my shoes given their cost. They are a decent shoe but have some shortcoming's, primarily the durability as noted in the title. You can see by the last photo what the Bondi 8 outsole wear is compared with the Clifton 9.
originally posted on REI
So far only limited experience with these shoes. After hip replacement a few years ago, I no longer run but I do a lot of walking and hiking. I bought these shoes for walking and so far I have put about 15 miles on these in two sessions. I absolutely love the cushioning in these shoes and that is the main reason I purchased them. What I'm finding is that the toe box of these shoes is a little narrower than I would like but I will eventually get used to that. Since I'm walking 7 to 8 miles at a crack, I also think any new shoes would need some getting used to. Overall, at this point early in the life of these shoes, I'm very pleased with purchase. I would recommend these shoes but I might suggest going up a half size or looking for wide pair in your true size if you ... MoreSo far only limited experience with these shoes. After hip replacement a few years ago, I no longer run but I do a lot of walking and hiking. I bought these shoes for walking and so far I have put about 15 miles on these in two sessions. I absolutely love the cushioning in these shoes and that is the main reason I purchased them. What I'm finding is that the toe box of these shoes is a little narrower than I would like but I will eventually get used to that. Since I'm walking 7 to 8 miles at a crack, I also think any new shoes would need some getting used to. Overall, at this point early in the life of these shoes, I'm very pleased with purchase. I would recommend these shoes but I might suggest going up a half size or looking for wide pair in your true size if you have average to wide forefoot.
| Release Date | 02/21/2023 |
HOKA Clifton 9 'Black Rainbow'
Heard a lot of hype and read a lot of positive reviews during my research, and narrowed my choice down to two brands (ON & HOKA). I decided on the Clifton 9's as my 1st choice. Initially, I felt a little slippage in the heel, so I tied the laces in a heel lock which helped with the slippage. However, it applied to much pressure on the tongue which made my ankle sore. This made me think I purchased the wrong shoe after just one walk. I took out the heel lock the next day and readjusted the tongue several times during the walk until I found the sweet spot and was able to continue my walk. I walk at a very brisk pace and depending on the day/weather, travel between 2-4 miles. If the comfort level continues, I'm going to consider buying the waterproof version of the ... MoreHeard a lot of hype and read a lot of positive reviews during my research, and narrowed my choice down to two brands (ON & HOKA). I decided on the Clifton 9's as my 1st choice. Initially, I felt a little slippage in the heel, so I tied the laces in a heel lock which helped with the slippage. However, it applied to much pressure on the tongue which made my ankle sore. This made me think I purchased the wrong shoe after just one walk. I took out the heel lock the next day and readjusted the tongue several times during the walk until I found the sweet spot and was able to continue my walk. I walk at a very brisk pace and depending on the day/weather, travel between 2-4 miles. If the comfort level continues, I'm going to consider buying the waterproof version of the Clifton 9 for those slightly rainy days that I walk in. Overall, while I consider this shoe expensive compared to previous purchases of other brands, I bit the bullet and paid full price for these shoes. Time will tell if the expense of this shoe is in fact worth all the hype. As for size, depending on the Hoka model, it is sometimes recommended to size up a half size. I found my regular size 10M true to size with no need to size up.
My first pair of Hoka’s were the Bondi 8 which I bought before the end of the outdoor running season for me in 2022. I put well over 600 miles on the Bondi 8’s with probably 400 from a treadmill. My feet and legs love the Bondi 8 for their plush cushioning and stable wide forefoot and heel.I picked up the Clifton 9 to add to the rotation with a new pair of Bondi 8’s. I wear a 10.5 2E US and the Clifton 9 runs true to fit. A majority of my outdoor runs are on concrete sidewalks around my neighborhood which I know is harder on the outsole of any shoe. That said, I put the Clifton 9’s into the rotation on July 3rd and as of the end of November I had about 280 miles on them. I have nearly 100 miles more on my second pair of Bondi 8’s and they definitely don’t feel the ... MoreMy first pair of Hoka’s were the Bondi 8 which I bought before the end of the outdoor running season for me in 2022. I put well over 600 miles on the Bondi 8’s with probably 400 from a treadmill. My feet and legs love the Bondi 8 for their plush cushioning and stable wide forefoot and heel.I picked up the Clifton 9 to add to the rotation with a new pair of Bondi 8’s. I wear a 10.5 2E US and the Clifton 9 runs true to fit. A majority of my outdoor runs are on concrete sidewalks around my neighborhood which I know is harder on the outsole of any shoe. That said, I put the Clifton 9’s into the rotation on July 3rd and as of the end of November I had about 280 miles on them. I have nearly 100 miles more on my second pair of Bondi 8’s and they definitely don’t feel the wear the Clifton shows. Additionally, the cushioning in the Clifton 9 has seemed to be breaking down at a faster rate. I would go as far as to say that my first pair of Bondi 8’s feel like they still have more cushioning than the Clifton’s do. They are a good shoe but have some shortcoming's, primarily the durability as noted in the title.I had not been tracking every mile on my first pair of Hoka’s but when I got my second pair of Bondi 8’s I started just to see what kind of mileage I was getting from my shoes given their cost. They are a decent shoe but have some shortcoming's, primarily the durability as noted in the title. You can see by the last photo what the Bondi 8 outsole wear is compared with the Clifton 9.
So far only limited experience with these shoes. After hip replacement a few years ago, I no longer run but I do a lot of walking and hiking. I bought these shoes for walking and so far I have put about 15 miles on these in two sessions. I absolutely love the cushioning in these shoes and that is the main reason I purchased them. What I'm finding is that the toe box of these shoes is a little narrower than I would like but I will eventually get used to that. Since I'm walking 7 to 8 miles at a crack, I also think any new shoes would need some getting used to. Overall, at this point early in the life of these shoes, I'm very pleased with purchase. I would recommend these shoes but I might suggest going up a half size or looking for wide pair in your true size if you ... MoreSo far only limited experience with these shoes. After hip replacement a few years ago, I no longer run but I do a lot of walking and hiking. I bought these shoes for walking and so far I have put about 15 miles on these in two sessions. I absolutely love the cushioning in these shoes and that is the main reason I purchased them. What I'm finding is that the toe box of these shoes is a little narrower than I would like but I will eventually get used to that. Since I'm walking 7 to 8 miles at a crack, I also think any new shoes would need some getting used to. Overall, at this point early in the life of these shoes, I'm very pleased with purchase. I would recommend these shoes but I might suggest going up a half size or looking for wide pair in your true size if you have average to wide forefoot.
These are my second pair of Hokas, first being the Mach 5, and I think I am now a Hoka fan boy. One of the things that first noticed was the fit on these were a bit more snug compared to the Mach 5. My right foot I guess is a tad wider, so I had a hot spot on the side of my big toe. The feel when running isn't like the Mach 5.The Clifton 9 felt more solid and less lively than I thought it would be. The cushion I felt came to play during my long runs. My feet felt less tired and when I land, the shoe's cushion it/absorb the landing. It does not have the pop or bounce back the Mach 5 have, so they kind of feel "boring" but my knees and feet thank me at the end of the week.Overall, I think these are great shoes for daily easy runs and long easy runs, but not for ... MoreThese are my second pair of Hokas, first being the Mach 5, and I think I am now a Hoka fan boy. One of the things that first noticed was the fit on these were a bit more snug compared to the Mach 5. My right foot I guess is a tad wider, so I had a hot spot on the side of my big toe. The feel when running isn't like the Mach 5.The Clifton 9 felt more solid and less lively than I thought it would be. The cushion I felt came to play during my long runs. My feet felt less tired and when I land, the shoe's cushion it/absorb the landing. It does not have the pop or bounce back the Mach 5 have, so they kind of feel "boring" but my knees and feet thank me at the end of the week.Overall, I think these are great shoes for daily easy runs and long easy runs, but not for faster pace work. The toe box is not as spacious, but the cushion does work to absorb miles. Were these shoes really shine for me is in the durability. As of this writing, I have 178. 5 miles on the shoes in less than a month, and the sole still looks pretty new. So I will definitely be clocking over 300 miles on these.
I bought a men’s wide because I have trouble finding women’s shoes that fit comfortably. The pros are: the color (I got the oatmeal ones), the style (not too bulky, really light shoe), and the support is phenomenal! (Walked around all day in them running errand, so far and my legs weren’t tired or hurting at the end of the day.) The top is also made of cloth, so they are stretching some as I wear them. The only con is that they still aren’t wide enough. I think even their ww is still a little narrow. Might try a double wide in the future. By the end of the day, my little toe and the edge of my foot hurts. I got these with hopes of exercising more, so I’m hoping with more water & losing weight, and as I break them in, that issue won’t be there. They’re the closest ... MoreI bought a men’s wide because I have trouble finding women’s shoes that fit comfortably. The pros are: the color (I got the oatmeal ones), the style (not too bulky, really light shoe), and the support is phenomenal! (Walked around all day in them running errand, so far and my legs weren’t tired or hurting at the end of the day.) The top is also made of cloth, so they are stretching some as I wear them. The only con is that they still aren’t wide enough. I think even their ww is still a little narrow. Might try a double wide in the future. By the end of the day, my little toe and the edge of my foot hurts. I got these with hopes of exercising more, so I’m hoping with more water & losing weight, and as I break them in, that issue won’t be there. They’re the closest thing I’ve found to working, so I’ll keep them for now!For reference, I’m a women’s 9 wide or 9.5 regular width.
Love, love, love these shoes! I was looking for an every day walking shoe. Boots tend to not have the flexibility to walk all day and in outdoors. These shoes are water resistant and will keep your feet dry. You may feel a little cool from the winter outdoor elements, but you really don’t feel the wind.I usually wear a women’s 12 B but I like the D in a men 11.5 for Long, distant walking. It helps with the push offs and it has a wider shoe bed.But these are perfect so much so I went back to purchase another pair in my size was gone :-(Also, I will say, I’m not crazy about the word in big bold, white print Hoka I wish these came in other colors, and less pronounced, perhaps are all black version.Other than that comfortability wise, great shoe, in fact, I like ... MoreLove, love, love these shoes! I was looking for an every day walking shoe. Boots tend to not have the flexibility to walk all day and in outdoors. These shoes are water resistant and will keep your feet dry. You may feel a little cool from the winter outdoor elements, but you really don’t feel the wind.I usually wear a women’s 12 B but I like the D in a men 11.5 for Long, distant walking. It helps with the push offs and it has a wider shoe bed.But these are perfect so much so I went back to purchase another pair in my size was gone :-(Also, I will say, I’m not crazy about the word in big bold, white print Hoka I wish these came in other colors, and less pronounced, perhaps are all black version.Other than that comfortability wise, great shoe, in fact, I like these better than the Bondi because the toe bed is wider, and less likely to dig in your end step.
I've had my Hoka Clifton 9 shoes now for 3 months now and logged 18 runs and 66 miles so far. I run 2-3 times a week anywhere between 3-6 miles. I am a cyclist and don't particularly enjoy running but I've learned through the years that it regulates my weight more effectively than if I simply stayed on my bike. I rotate using these shoes with two trail running shoes (Nike Pegasus 4 GTX and the Saucony Peregrine 13) and recently the Asics Gel Nimbus 25.I love these shoes, and my Garmin data backs it up. The Cliftons were the tool of choice on almost half of all my runs since they moved into my shoe rotation. AND, they've become my go to shoe for casual wear as well. The fit is true to size and I was pleasantly surprised the toe box on the regular size fit my wide ... MoreI've had my Hoka Clifton 9 shoes now for 3 months now and logged 18 runs and 66 miles so far. I run 2-3 times a week anywhere between 3-6 miles. I am a cyclist and don't particularly enjoy running but I've learned through the years that it regulates my weight more effectively than if I simply stayed on my bike. I rotate using these shoes with two trail running shoes (Nike Pegasus 4 GTX and the Saucony Peregrine 13) and recently the Asics Gel Nimbus 25.I love these shoes, and my Garmin data backs it up. The Cliftons were the tool of choice on almost half of all my runs since they moved into my shoe rotation. AND, they've become my go to shoe for casual wear as well. The fit is true to size and I was pleasantly surprised the toe box on the regular size fit my wide feet.Performance wise, these shoes are comfortable, have great cushioning with decent rebound without feeling mushy under feet. I can walk around in these shoes all day long and on days where mileage, not speed is my goal, these shoes fit the bill. I'm not seeing any abnormal wear yet since the shoe is still relatively new.Overall, this is a top performer for me.
Between my wife and I we own several pair of Clifton 8 shoes and love them. Since experiencing plantar fasciitis and most recently Achilles tendonitis, they are the only shoe I can wear for any length of time. I recently purchased this pair of Clifton 9 shoes and immediately noticed they'd made much more than cosmetic changes from the Clifton 8. As soon as I start walking in them my Achilles pain returns and immediately goes away as soon as I take them off. They aren't as comfortable and what used to be a silky fabric liner is now a course mesh that despite wearing good Bombas socks and fitting properly, are rubbing my heel and back of my angle raw. I wouldn't buy these again but will probably look for another Hoka model that is more like the Clifton 8. If you make ... MoreBetween my wife and I we own several pair of Clifton 8 shoes and love them. Since experiencing plantar fasciitis and most recently Achilles tendonitis, they are the only shoe I can wear for any length of time. I recently purchased this pair of Clifton 9 shoes and immediately noticed they'd made much more than cosmetic changes from the Clifton 8. As soon as I start walking in them my Achilles pain returns and immediately goes away as soon as I take them off. They aren't as comfortable and what used to be a silky fabric liner is now a course mesh that despite wearing good Bombas socks and fitting properly, are rubbing my heel and back of my angle raw. I wouldn't buy these again but will probably look for another Hoka model that is more like the Clifton 8. If you make other than cosmetic changes to a shoe, why use the same name vs. giving these a new name? It is deceiving. I can't imagine why they'd scrap a shoe design as good as the 8 for this design. I'll be returning them.
I bought the Hoka Clifton 9s in Mid June. I was training for the Chicago Marathon. My running shoe prior was the brooks adrenaline gts 22. These were night and day different. I knew I had a lot of miles to log still before the Marathon and didn't know if they would hold up. I bought a pair of New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12 in August. I wanted a second pair to roate in. The New Balance was okay but no where near as great at the Clifton 9s. I honestly thought I would be buying the new balance as my race day shoes because they would have "more life" than the Hookas. I decided to trust the mileage I had on my hookas and ran with them for the marathon. They were perfect. Over 300 miles logged in Clifton 9s and I have experienced no joint pain while wearing these shoes.
I just bought these to replace the first pair of these I bought about 10 months ago. I'm new to running and these are the first pair of actual running shoes I've ever tried. So I really don't have much to compare them too. Aside from just the Sketchers I ran in before, and of course these are far more comfortable, supportive, and cushioned for running then those were. In the 10 months I've owned them they wore well, lasted long, and became better fitting and comfortable as they broke in. On initial purchase I found them tight in the toe box. I have wide feet. 2E. And the 9.5 2E were still tight. However, opening up the laces and widening the shoe as much as possible helped. In fact, when I just bought the new ones, I did this from the start, and they were good from ... MoreI just bought these to replace the first pair of these I bought about 10 months ago. I'm new to running and these are the first pair of actual running shoes I've ever tried. So I really don't have much to compare them too. Aside from just the Sketchers I ran in before, and of course these are far more comfortable, supportive, and cushioned for running then those were. In the 10 months I've owned them they wore well, lasted long, and became better fitting and comfortable as they broke in. On initial purchase I found them tight in the toe box. I have wide feet. 2E. And the 9.5 2E were still tight. However, opening up the laces and widening the shoe as much as possible helped. In fact, when I just bought the new ones, I did this from the start, and they were good from the first run. Honestly, these shoes seem great and do the job. I'm 58, male, running for a couple of years now. I'd like to try other shoes, but liked these well enough to buy the exact same pair again to use while I investigate other Hoka models and or other brands. I easily got 400 miles plus out of these...though I perhaps wore them longer than I should have. One star off for the tight toe box.
| Release Date | 02/21/2023 |
