Hoka Clifton 9 Running Shoes Review 2026: Still the Best Everyday Trainer?

Our verdict

Three months and 500 kilometres into testing the Hoka Clifton 9, it has comfortably earned its place as our default recommendation for an everyday running shoe. The new CMEVA foam midsole is the perfect balance of plush cushioning and just-enough responsiveness for anything from a 5k recovery jog to a two-hour Sunday long run.

At around £130-145 on Amazon UK, the Clifton 9 is premium but not flagship-tier priced. For reference, the Nike Vaporfly 3 costs £250 and is designed for racing only; the Clifton is what you wear every other day. If you run 3+ times a week and want one shoe that handles everything short of race-day, this is the one.

Who is the Clifton 9 for?

The right trainer for runners training 3-5 times a week who want one shoe for easy runs, long runs and recovery. It is particularly good for heel-strikers and runners carrying some extra weight because the 32 mm heel stack absorbs impact better than flatter trainers.

It is the wrong shoe if you want a responsive racing shoe (look at the Mach 6 or Rocket X 2 for that), if you do mostly trail running (try the Speedgoat 5), or if you are a midfoot striker who wants a lower drop (try Altra Escalante at 0 mm).

Cushioning and the all-day feel

The CMEVA foam in the Clifton 9 has a distinctive soft-but-stable feel. On a 20 km Sunday long run we felt no calf fatigue at kilometre 18 compared to our previous Brooks Ghost 15s where we would start to feel the pavement. The 32 mm heel stack swallows road vibration without feeling mushy.

The trade-off is responsiveness. You cannot pick up pace on a Clifton the way you can on a plated racing shoe. For intervals or tempo runs, keep a second pair (we use Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 for that). For everything else, Clifton.

Durability: how long do they actually last?

Hoka claims 400-500 miles (640-800 km). In our testing across mixed UK pavement, gravel paths and occasional towpath, we got 500 km before the midsole lost noticeable cushioning feel, and 720 km before outsole wear became structural.

This is above average for the premium daily trainer category. Nike Pegasus 40 dies around 550 km for us, Brooks Ghost 15 around 650 km. The Clifton 9’s Durabrasion rubber outsole is the stand-out durability feature.

UK weather: wet roads, cold mornings

Grip on wet pavement is competent but not outstanding. On dry tarmac or dry brick it is confident. In a heavy downpour we slipped once on painted zebra crossing paint, which is a known weakness of most road shoes.

The engineered mesh upper dries quickly after rain: 90 minutes drying in our 18°C hallway after a soaking at km 6 of an 8km run. Waterproof Gore-Tex variant (Clifton 9 GTX) exists for £30 more if you want dry feet in persistent rain.

Sizing and fit

The Clifton 9 runs true to size in length. Width is where you need to be careful: the standard width is medium-narrow and some wide-footed runners find it tight across the forefoot.

Hoka sells a Wide variant (noted as ‘2E’ in US sizing) which is the one to get if you have ever felt squeezed in Asics or Adidas shoes. In our 3-person test team, two runners went standard, one needed Wide.

Clifton 9 vs alternatives

Against the Brooks Ghost 15 (~£120), the Clifton feels more cushioned and slightly lighter, but Ghost has better grip on wet UK roads.

Against the Nike Pegasus 40 (~£115), Pegasus is cheaper and more responsive; Clifton is plusher and lasts longer. Different shoes for different runners.

Against the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 (~£180), Endorphin adds a carbon plate and is faster but more fatiguing on long runs. Clifton is the better daily; Endorphin the better tempo shoe.

Frequently asked questions