Clifton 9
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.... Show more
Maverick13
originally posted on dickssportinggoods.com
Don't seem lasting - Fabric ripping after light use
My dad has been using Clifton's (6 &8) for while and always speaks highly of how comfy his shoes are.I decided to give the 9's a try.If your are buying these shoes, just know that Hoka will take no responsibility when it comes to warranty and will blame the customer. My new Clifton 9 shoe started showing fabric rip with light use in 4-5 months and when I contacted Hoka they said it's regular wear and tear and not covered by warranty.After multiple attempts to get an answer explaining how such an expensive shoe rips in 4-5 months due to regular wear and tear, another warranty claim was opened.The response this time was the rip is regular wear and tear and accidental damage. How the same claim went from wear and tear to include accidental damage is something ... MoreMy dad has been using Clifton's (6 &8) for while and always speaks highly of how comfy his shoes are.I decided to give the 9's a try.If your are buying these shoes, just know that Hoka will take no responsibility when it comes to warranty and will blame the customer. My new Clifton 9 shoe started showing fabric rip with light use in 4-5 months and when I contacted Hoka they said it's regular wear and tear and not covered by warranty.After multiple attempts to get an answer explaining how such an expensive shoe rips in 4-5 months due to regular wear and tear, another warranty claim was opened.The response this time was the rip is regular wear and tear and accidental damage. How the same claim went from wear and tear to include accidental damage is something no one from the warranty team seems willing to reply to. So in short the fabric rip was blamed on me and Hoka takes no responsibility.So just wanted to mention here if anyone has had better experiences with other brands, don't expect that here because with Hoka you must have done something to the shoe.... Show more
HQ
originally posted on hoka.com
Durability is subpar.
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.... Show more
Matt
originally posted on REI
First week of wearing them
I was having foot pain in many different shoes I wear. Done some research and noticed doctors nurses police officers runners etc wearing hoka. Seen multiple people who are on their feet for long periods of time all day so I asked a few questions done some research and decided to get a pair to try. I've been having bad foot pain and I'm thinking it may be plantar fasciitis so with having the pain on the first day i decided to wear them i noticed by the end of the day i not so much pain. Came home and thought maybe it's just cuz it's a new shoe like the other ones it's been a solid week so far and the pain is fully going away. When I get up in the morning the nagging pain isn't there so I believe my mind is made up on these shoes. I will for sure have to update this ... MoreI was having foot pain in many different shoes I wear. Done some research and noticed doctors nurses police officers runners etc wearing hoka. Seen multiple people who are on their feet for long periods of time all day so I asked a few questions done some research and decided to get a pair to try. I've been having bad foot pain and I'm thinking it may be plantar fasciitis so with having the pain on the first day i decided to wear them i noticed by the end of the day i not so much pain. Came home and thought maybe it's just cuz it's a new shoe like the other ones it's been a solid week so far and the pain is fully going away. When I get up in the morning the nagging pain isn't there so I believe my mind is made up on these shoes. I will for sure have to update this review but this first week of wearing them I gotta say has been amazing. I will for sure recommend and for sure buy more pairs if all continues to go well !!!!!!! The shoe fit for me is decent but I think my next pair of Clifton 9 I will go with the wide pair the regular fit is tight just snug they may stretch out more like I said it's only the first week so far. The sizing was true to size... Show more
JOSH
originally posted on hoka.com
I love these shoes
As a multi-national champion runner, I have been sponsored by two shoe companies in the past. I have also extensively worn the product of one other manufacturer. I have worn endless running shoes over a very long period starting in high school. I just got my first pair of HOKA shoes for my birthday and here I am on the website looking for a second pair. They are the perfect combination of cushioning without sacrificing road feel. In addition, the styling puts other manufacturers to shame. I am so enthusiastic about these shoes that I purchased stock in Hoka's parent company yesterday! One mention about sizing. I have always worn 10.5 C and mine are 11.5D and I would not have known that had I not tried them on at the local Hoka dealer. I see that below there must be ... MoreAs a multi-national champion runner, I have been sponsored by two shoe companies in the past. I have also extensively worn the product of one other manufacturer. I have worn endless running shoes over a very long period starting in high school. I just got my first pair of HOKA shoes for my birthday and here I am on the website looking for a second pair. They are the perfect combination of cushioning without sacrificing road feel. In addition, the styling puts other manufacturers to shame. I am so enthusiastic about these shoes that I purchased stock in Hoka's parent company yesterday! One mention about sizing. I have always worn 10.5 C and mine are 11.5D and I would not have known that had I not tried them on at the local Hoka dealer. I see that below there must be only one choice of what the shoes are best for. I sorry one cannot make multiple choices in these shoes are good for many purposes from casual wear to running.... Show more
Sandy
originally posted on hoka.com
I love these Shoes .... A Great Testimonial and short story!
Greetings!First and foremost, I was never a person who never really cared or put much effort into purchasing shoes. However, that all changed with my first pair of Hoka Cliftons, roughly 5 years ago. I was introduced to this company by a friend who recommended them for my foot problem known as plantar fasciitis, which I had lived with for over a year. This is a painful condition I developed in my feet from wearing shoes that were not supportive, nor did they have the proper amount of cushion. I resisted buying these shoes for over 6 months. and I finally came to the conclusion that I had to do something to make my feet feel better. I drove to Road Runner Sports, located in Centennial Colorado, where they took a complete analysis of my feet. Upon finishing, they ... MoreGreetings!First and foremost, I was never a person who never really cared or put much effort into purchasing shoes. However, that all changed with my first pair of Hoka Cliftons, roughly 5 years ago. I was introduced to this company by a friend who recommended them for my foot problem known as plantar fasciitis, which I had lived with for over a year. This is a painful condition I developed in my feet from wearing shoes that were not supportive, nor did they have the proper amount of cushion. I resisted buying these shoes for over 6 months. and I finally came to the conclusion that I had to do something to make my feet feel better. I drove to Road Runner Sports, located in Centennial Colorado, where they took a complete analysis of my feet. Upon finishing, they recommended the Hola Clifton, which I quickly purchased on the spot! At this time, I was in the middle of painting my house, and I did not want to sacrifice a pair of Hokas to dirt, dust, debris, and paint over spray. However, I was done with my foot pain, and decided to give them a shot. To my disbelief, within a week my pain was almost gone, and within 2 weeks it had vanished. To be honest, I wish I would have known about these shoes earlier, but you don't know, what you don't know.... ya know!?Fast forward to now, I currently own 51 pairs and counting! Not to mention the pairs I have already worn out and donated to the landfill! My background is in automotive painting, and part of my job was matching colors, which I still do today with my clothing, as well as the massive color pallet from Hoka! I match every part of my outfit from head to toe, including my sun glasses. What started out as a solution to my foot pain, has ended up a huge passion in creativity and fashion! Whether you want a shoe for comfort, walking, running, hiking, a day at the lake, etc. Hoka has you covered! Take it from a guy who fell in love with this brand, and grab a pair... or 2... or 3!Thanks for reading!Kevin... Show more
Kevie
originally posted on hoka.com
My 15th Hoka Clifton-Lighter but still breaking in
I'm a long time runner, with well close to 43K logged miles the last 30 years. I switched to Hoka in 2016 and this is my 18th pair, most of them Clifton's. I wasn't quite ready for a new pair for a few months, but stopped in a running store and made an impulse buy due to the weight being a bit lighter and good reviews from the store manager as well as online (a phone can help in situations like this).I've only run in the Clifton 9 (size 11) 3 times, and so it may be too soon to tell. While they are comfortable and responsive there is some unusual rubbing on both inner ankles that is more noticeable when I walk in them moreso than running. I haven't compared them to my two Clifton 8's but there has to be some difference in how they are made to cause this. The other ... MoreI'm a long time runner, with well close to 43K logged miles the last 30 years. I switched to Hoka in 2016 and this is my 18th pair, most of them Clifton's. I wasn't quite ready for a new pair for a few months, but stopped in a running store and made an impulse buy due to the weight being a bit lighter and good reviews from the store manager as well as online (a phone can help in situations like this).I've only run in the Clifton 9 (size 11) 3 times, and so it may be too soon to tell. While they are comfortable and responsive there is some unusual rubbing on both inner ankles that is more noticeable when I walk in them moreso than running. I haven't compared them to my two Clifton 8's but there has to be some difference in how they are made to cause this. The other odd thing is when I take them off there are red marks on both feet where the upper holes have been laced. I like a reasonable snug fit, and don't want to feel any slippage so trying to loosen them is probably not going to work, but it's a relatively minor issue that hopefully will work itself out as the shoe breaks in.Yesterday's workout included some 1 min intervals so gave me a good chance to see how they respond to some increased cadence and force, and they were comfortable. No issues there.I have another 10 runs on a pair of 2022 Clifton 8's before the 9's go fully into my rotation with my newer 8's.... Show more
STC
originally posted on hoka.com
My new go-to running shoe
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.... Show more
ADP
originally posted on REI
Not at all what I expected
Wore these for 2 days working. Walked about 12 miles between the 2 days and was thoroughly disappointed. Killed my feet and back, sounds like you are walking on suction cups due to the tread design. Initially felt comfortable, but 1 hour into wearing them the first day, I had wished I had another pair of shoes to change into. Felt like a soft cushiony no support experience while walking around. First day was walking between a grassy area and sidewalks. By the end of the night my feet and backed ached beyond belief. Gave them the benefit of the doubt the second day since they were new and not broken in and formed to my feet. What a mistake. 2nd day was all walking on a cement floor, and 2 hours into my shift I was so uncomfortable, it was beyond belief. I could not ... MoreWore these for 2 days working. Walked about 12 miles between the 2 days and was thoroughly disappointed. Killed my feet and back, sounds like you are walking on suction cups due to the tread design. Initially felt comfortable, but 1 hour into wearing them the first day, I had wished I had another pair of shoes to change into. Felt like a soft cushiony no support experience while walking around. First day was walking between a grassy area and sidewalks. By the end of the night my feet and backed ached beyond belief. Gave them the benefit of the doubt the second day since they were new and not broken in and formed to my feet. What a mistake. 2nd day was all walking on a cement floor, and 2 hours into my shift I was so uncomfortable, it was beyond belief. I could not wait to get off work and get out of these shoes. The memory foam or whatever they use for a cushion inside the shoe has no support, just a squishy feel under your feet. I was o pumped for my first pair of Hoka shoes after reading reviews and recommendations for someone that is on their feet all day. Not sure where all the top reviews came from but this will not be one of them. If your purchase these be prepared for a very wide shoe base and platform. Kind of an odd, orthopedic look to the shoe that you do not observe from the pictures on display. Swapping out for the Bondi 8 and hoping for a better experience on my second try. Hopefully the exchange experience goes well with their advertised exchange policy and I do not get any hassles after wearing them for 2 days. I do not recommend these shoes for anyone standing or on their feet all day.... Show more
Bruster
originally posted on hoka.com
Very Nice Running 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.... Show more
Chh2035
originally posted on dickssportinggoods.com