Dicks Hoka Clifton 9 (2024)

FAQs

What is Hoka Clifton 9 good for? ›

The Hoka Clifton 9 is best for runners looking for a neutral daily trainer, running shoes designed for those with a neutral pronation pattern, where the foot only slightly rolls inward. They're also great for covering long distances at a slow pace and for building mileage while training for a longer run or race.

The difference between the Hoka One One Clifton 9 running shoes and the Hoka One One Clifton 8 running shoes is that the Hoka Clifton 9 has a re-engineered midsole geometry – pairing a higher stack height with firmer foam for a balance of stability and softness.

Hoka was purchased on April 1, 2013 by Deckers Brands, the parent company for UGG, Teva and other footwear brands.

The HOKA Clifton 9 was released on February 19, 2023.

It is the ninth edition of this model of shoe. HOKA has been around since 2009 and has made a name for itself for the maximalist style of its shoes, as each design is created to provide maximum cushioning.

Recommended use cases: Everyday training, half-marathons, Fartleks, Tempo runs. Footstrike orientation: Midfoot/forefoot (full contact), heel strikes. Recommended pace: 4:30 min/km (7:00 min/mile) and slower. Median lifespan: 400 miles.

Hoka, owned by Deckers (DECK), the company behind Ugg and Teva shoe brands, hit $892 million in sales in 2021, a 56% increase from the year prior.

Nothing feels quite like HOKA. We create our unique on-foot experience with three core technologies that are in every pair: the Cushioned Midsole, our Active Foot Frame™, and the MetaRocker™. Together they create a specific performance for each HOKA style. Racers get more speed.

Both Kendter and Schaeffer recommend the King of Cushion for plantar fasciitis sufferers. “The Clifton 9 is great because it has balanced cushioning [and] a compression molded foam midsole,” says Kendter.

What is the difference between Clifton 9 and Bondi? ›

The Bondi 8 is made with engineered mesh, while the Clifton 9 uses an engineered knit upper. Both feel soft and padded in the tongue and heel collar, but reviewers found that the Bondi's upper felt a bit more premium overall. Both shoes fit true to size, but the Bondi 8 felt a bit narrower than past models.

Compared to some of Hoka's previous, heavier models, the Clifton 9s outright fly. That's just to say, if you want to run anything from a 5K to a marathon in the Clifton 9s, you'll feel exactly as fast as you should in a racing shoe.

Who is this shoe for? The HOKA Clifton 9 is a neutral road shoe, offering a balance between comfort and responsiveness. I would say this errs more on comfort, and would recommend it for everyday running: perfect if you're training for 10K or half marathon and are going to be clocking up those road miles.

Neutral shoes also still work well for slight pronation or supination and for those who use corrective orthotic inserts. I experience hip dysplasia and arthritis on one side, so one of my feet pronates while the other has a more standard strike, so a neutral shoe like the Clifton 9 works well as a slate for my inserts.

One key feature that sets Hokas apart is their wide toe box. Dr. Miguel Cunha, founder of Gotham Footcare, explained to Today this design “allows for a more comfortable fit for those with a broader forefoot and can minimize the risk of developing uncomfortable conditions, like bunions or ingrown toenails.”

Hoka Clifton 9

There's also a wide version for those that need it. Improved arch support will excite flat footers, but some may find it a bit distracting. It's a great shoe for everyone from beginners to seasoned vets and can handle jogging, easy running, recovery runs, and long runs.