When I decided five years ago that it was time to switch to cushioned running shoes, I turned to the brand that staked their name on the cushioned running shoe category, and their Clifton 5 road shoe. I logged hundreds of miles on those shoes, then hundreds more on the Clifton 7. In that time, the Clifton line has become one of the most popular shoes on the planet. I’ve tried a bunch of other shoes over the last five years, but keep coming back to the Clifton for the vast majority of my running miles. The latest edition, Clifton 9 shaves a bit of weight while adding more cushioning and 2mm of stack height, while continuing to offer the stable, neutral, ultra-cushioned ride that these workhorse daily trainers have always delivered.
I logged just shy of 450 miles in 2023, almost all of them on the Clifton 9s. As a runner in my early 50s, I need all the help I can get when it comes to comfort while running, and mitigating post-run soreness. The Hoka Clifton line has always been one of the most important tools in that battle (along with liberal pre-and-post run stretching, and hydration). I plan to increase my mileage this year, and there’s no doubt the Hoka Clifton will be the shoes on my feet. If you’re looking for the best cushioned everyday runner, you should absolutely put the Hoka Clifton 9 at the top of your list. The Clifton is also a great option for dog walkers, it’s a versatile travel shoe, and perfect for on-you-feet-all-day jobs like retail and healthcare. Available in a wide array of colors, for both men and women.
Hoka Clifton 9 for Men on hoka.com
Hoka Clifton 9 for Women on hoka.com
Now available with GORE-TEX in the Clifton 9 GTX.