The Hoka Clifton is a daily running shoe with a dedicated following. They are lighter and more racy than the Clifton 8. Clifton fans will love it, but it should also be considered by first-time Clifton shoe wearers and those who want a comfortable running shoe that can handle their first 5k or their next marathon training long run with ease.

But how does it compare to some of the best running shoes on the market? And should you consider the Hoka Clifton 9 over the Hoka Bondi 8? I've run some easy miles and fast tempo sessions in the Hoka Clifton 9 over the past few weeks. Here's what I think. I am completely enamored with the Hoka Clifton 9. For more information, read the Hoka Clifton 9 review below.

The Hoka Clifton 9 will be available starting February 15, 2023, priced at $145/£130. The shoe is available in men's and women's sizes. The men's Clifton 9 is available in sizes US 7 through US 16 and in two widths, regular and wide. Women's Clifton 9s are available in sizes US5 to US12 and in regular and wide widths.

Men's shoes weigh 8.7 ounces and have a 5 mm drop. Women's shoes weigh 7.3 ounces and have a 5mm drop as well. Men's shoes are available in orange, blue, black and white, and all black. Women's shoes are available in 11 colors.

Hoka added stack height in the Hoka Clifton 9, but reduced the weight - the shoes are 2 mm taller in the forefoot and heel for women and 3 mm taller for men, yet weigh less. The Hoka Clifton 8 weighed 8.9 ounces for men and 7.2 ounces for women.

Hoka modified the design of the Clifton 9 to make it lighter and more racy. It looks similar to the Clifton 8, but feels different underfoot. The main changes are in the upper and midsole foam, which will be discussed below.

In terms of fit, I found the Clifton 9 to be quite narrow in the foot width. I wear a UK5 in running shoes (US7 in Hoka) and a UK4 in everyday shoes. I don't have a particularly wide foot, but I have a fairly high arch, and in the past I have chosen wide-fitting shoes from Hoka.

I tested a pair of regular width Hoka Clifton 9's and experienced some friction on the inside of my foot on the first few runs. They gave a little after 20 miles or so, but if you have wider feet, I would recommend sizing up to a larger width, especially if you plan on wearing these for longer distances.

Upper

As mentioned, the upper of the Clifton 9 feels completely different. Hoka calls it a "breathable engineered mesh upper," and it definitely feels like it is moving toward the bootie uppers that have become popular in the running shoe world. Hoca said, "Removing the overlays and hot melt, the stripped back upper is consciously made with a more plus heel, reflective heel panel, one-sided medial gusset and streamlined tongue."

The upper wraps around the foot and provides some support when running. It is not overly tight across the top of the foot or around the toe box, and the gusseted tongue stops movement or bunching across the top of the foot.

Midsole

Hoka doesn't say that much about the Clifton's new midsole - it is still EVA foam, but it is definitely more responsive underfoot for a snappy running experience. It is definitely more resilient than the Clifton 8, with a slight increase in underfoot cushioning and energy return.

Comparing the Clifton 9 to the Bondi 8, the Clifton is always a lighter, snappier shoe. The Clifton has a rocker shape in the midsole for smoother transitions, while the Bondi is a thicker, heavier shoe, better suited for longer distances. The Bondi 8 is for women and weighs 8.9 oz. and 10. Men's 8 oz. 2 oz. may not sound like a lot, but you can feel it underfoot. The Clifton is still a gorgeous shoe, but there is no way you are feeling the pavement, it feels much lighter and more sensitive underfoot.

Outsole

The Clifton 9's rubber outsole is designed to be durable, with rubber lugs strategically placed in high impact areas. It is still best suited for road running, as it does not offer much grip, but this shoe should easily handle runs on concrete and light trails.

I wasn't a big fan of the Clifton line - I found the last few iterations a bit lackluster and not all that responsive underfoot, but the Clifton 9 surprised me. I wore them for easy miles and fast tempo sessions and found them to be more energetic than the Clifton 8 and Clifton 7, thanks to the new midsole foam. Nevertheless, they still feel like the Clifton, and Hoka has not reinvented the wheel.

As mentioned above, I had some issues with upper friction on my first run in the shoe, but after this I found it comfortable and reached for it most on long runs and easy recovery runs as I geared up for my next marathon. I especially appreciated the arch support when running on tired feet, and it was much lighter and snappier than the Bondi 8, which has a stiffer midsole. [This shoe has a huge stack height, but it doesn't feel like some of the super-plush, max-cushion running shoes on the market. Compared to the Nike Invincible 3, Asics Gel Nimbus 25, and New Balance 1080v12, you won't sink into this shoe. The shoe is certainly cushioned, but not overly soft and a bit more durable, especially if you're going to use it for tempo sessions or easy mile runs.

The Hoka Clifton 9 is the Clifton that many runners know and love, but with a few tweaks to make it more sensitive. It is an excellent everyday running shoe and is both lightweight and well cushioned. Fans of the Clifton line will be pleased, and beginners will be amazed by this comfortable shoe.

In short, max cushion running shoe fans looking for an ultra-soft, ultra-cushioned feel underfoot should consider Nike's Invincible 3 or Asics' Gel Nimbus 25.