Customer Reviews Hoka Clifton 9

I am baffled as to why Hoka would change the fundamental profile of the Clifton. I have been wearing Cliftons exclusivelyfor years, becausethe combo of "Neutral" and "Balanced" works perfectly for me (and probably many of its fans). Now, the cushioning is "Plush". If I wanted a plush shoe, I would buy the Bondi. In fact, the Clifton 9 feels more like the Bondi in otherways. It is generallychunkier in appearance. In addition, the sole feels more rigid; while the 8 has more give and allows a more natural foot motion through each step, the 9 has a stiffer rocker. Hoka, Clifton devotees love the Clifton for the features that make it differentfrom the Bondi. A couple of general comments:while my pinkie toes will gladly take all the room that they can get, the extra volume in the toe box of the 9 does not translate to more room for my pinkies. The extra room is vertical, so there is a pointless andungainly pocket of air above my toes and forefoot. On the plus side: the stiff and aggravating band in the heel counter of the 8 is not in the 9 (phew!).

I am SO SAD. I LOVE Hokas and have been wearing the Cliftons for years. Ordered a pair of Clifton 9s for an upcoming trip and couldn't wait for them to arrive. Wow was I disappointed! They look great, but the fit is definitely not great. I could feel my toes hitting on the end, despite ordering the same size as what I'm currently wearing in my Clifton 8s. Not sure what or why Hoka did to an otherwise perfect shoe but please hit undo and go back to the far superior Clifton 8 model. These are headed back to Hoka tomorrow.

To compare the Clifton 8 to the 9, these new 9's are a little bit wider in the toe box a tiny bit longer. Much more cushy in the heel. They feel excellent on my feet (heel spurs, severe toe arthritis). I am not a runner, I'm a walker, and these are perfect for my daily walks and all baking marathons in my kitchen.

I needed new shoes to replace my Mach 4 shoe (which I love). I tried going to my local Hoka Store, but unfortunately, they had a low inventory of all shoes. They only had one shoe available to try on, the Bondi X. I fell in love with this shoe because of how bouncy I felt in them. Unfortunately, the store salesperson suggested I shouldn't buy them because I could get injured. Weird. I almost bought another brand, but I am glad I got these online. I purchased the Clifton 8's, Clifton 9, and the Bondi 8. I wanted to force myself to like the Clifton 8's because of the sale ticket price. However, I am glad I chose my initial choice and stayed with the Clifton 9's. They are light and lighter than the old Clifton 8's and Bondi. In my opinion, this shoe is the perfect outdoor running shoe. I've had horrible back, hip, and knee pain due to my sport. The Clifton 9's has decreased my aches and pain. My runs are enjoyable now. The technology of this shoe is phenomenal. This shoe was way more plush than the Bondi 8 and had a sleek look. For some reason, the Bondi is a wide shoe. Back to the Clifton 9's, I can't get over how bouncy I feel in these. I will be buying a second pair for sure in the future. I went with my usual size, but nothing changed here, which is also good. I am a 6.5 or 7 in Nike; I wear a 6.5 (not running shoes), and in Hoka, I am a 7. These shoes are not too big or too small because I go with how I feel running in a shoe. It would be great if Hoka stores had treadmills for customers to try out the shoe. I got my first pair of Hoka's at Snails Pace; they measured me and had me run. The Width is perfect. If you like the Mach 4, these might be your next favorite shoe. I do mostly road/street runs.

These are my second pair of Hokas that have fallen apart on the tread! I love the style, fit and variety of colors but after only 2 weeks they fell apart.

These 9's are different in a few areas, one of which - compared to the 8's - I do not like. The tongue being it. With the 8's I could slip them on without needing to touch the shoes. LOVED that. I cannot do this with the 9's because the area on the tongue where the laces go through is slightly lower compared to the 8's. So I am having to pull on the tongue after putting the 9's on. That's my only complaint! I love the change they made to the foam of the shoe, it feels slightly firmer/thicker/more dense, but still plush. They are still an extremely comfortable shoe, the only ones I wear currently after discovering them. I have had 3 knee surgeries over 10 yrs and wish I found these sooner than I did. Hoka and more specifically the Clifton style have made a big difference for me in comfort and support while I stay active.

I love my Bondi 7s/Clifton 8s. Something about this Clifton 9 made me so frustrated. Across the board I'm an 8B. I tried that size in this shoe to no avail. The fit was great except my toes would tap the top of the shoe. Okay.. 8.5B. Toe was perfect but my heel was sliding in the back. I realized my store carried wide therefore I gave this shoe one last try with the 8D and it was a perfect fit!! I NEVER would have expected to buy a wide shoe because I have regular feet. If you have the patience to fool with multiple sizes to find the right one, go for it! It's definitely more stiff and structured than it's counterparts which will take some adjustments.

The Clifton 8 was my first Hoka shoe. I tried numerous designs in the Hoka brand and settled on the Clifton 8. It was comfortable and a great fit for walking and everyday wear. I was excited when the Clifton 9 came out due to the new colors. The Clifton 9 is a horrendous redesign and fit for the following reasons. 1. The tongue of the shoe is way too long and comes up the front of my leg. 2. The sides of the shoe were designed taller so they now hit and rub against my ankle bones on the inside and outside of my foot. It hurts! 3. The foot bed was designed to be alot more narrow, especially in the ball of the foot and toe area. 4. The shoes height from the inside of the shoe where your foot sits, to the top of the shoe is shorter and runbs against the top of your foot. 5. The foot bed is harder. A LOT HARDER!!! The Clifton 9 It is extremely uncomfortable!!! It hurts to physically wear the Clifton 9 and no longer represents the Clifton model. The redesign is so drastic that Hoka created a new model and appears to have done away with the Clifton. Clifton 8 was an amazing shoe! Why did Hoka ruin the Clifton series shoe? Was it to save a few pennies?

I have worn the Clifton 7 and the Mach 5 for the last year -- both were supremely comfortable. The Clifton 9 is a different bird. Not nearly as smooshy as the 7, and it feels more structured (not in a good way), somewhat elevated and more like walking on a brick than a cloud. Also doesn't compare to the Mach 5, which isn't as could-like, but still supremely comfortable as a walking and workout shoe. I use them mainly for power walking on the treadmill and walking around the neighborhood -- a total of about 3.5 miles per day. I am returning my Clifton 9s --I tried to break them in by wearing for 2 days, but it just didn't work.

I have 2 pairs of Clifton 8s and loved them! I was really excited to transition to the Clifton 9s for marathon training but feel let down. The side of the shoe rubs up against my ankle bone, like the dip is in the wrong spot. I need more toe box space so I got a wide but after each of my 3 runs in these my toes really hurt. I bought a 3rd pair of Clifton 8s yesterday.

We dissapointed that these are not as comfy as my other hooks. They are described as "plush" but wearing them they are very firm. Will be returning

This is my 5th pair of Clifton shoes. This updated model seem to be more narrow compared to the Clifton 8. Also this is NOT a plush shoe as advertised, especially compared to the 8's and all previous models I've owned. Thankfully, Hoka still has the Clifton 8 available in my size because I will be returning the Clifton 9. Such a disappointment!

I know that is a very bold statement "These changes my life". I am obese, have diabetes, plantar fasciitis in my right foot only, lower back pain, and arthritis in both knees. I do not run, heck I don't even walk for exercise. I researched these shoes for over a year with friends, co-workers, and complete strangers, before FINALLY going to a store to try them myself. I went in with pain, I had been out for hours shipping and running around. I put them on and still sat waiting, because I was afraid to stand up and be disappointed. When I got up, I had NO plantar fasciitis pain, knee pain, lower back pain AT ALL. I stood up without teetering because somethinging hurt or I had to get myself balanced before waking. I walked around the store for 20+ minutes, no pain. For me standing or walking without pushing a cart, I'd be hurting. I almost cried. I put my foot up on a foot up on a stool to tie the shoes better, I WAS BALANCED, I felt balanced, on ONE foot without holding onto anything or anyone. That was shocking. That's when I understood, why I didn't hurt. My body was better aligned, making me more stable, feeling more stable, which I believe has helped me with my pains. I'm not a doctor or in any kind of medical field. I just know how I feel, now. I wear these around the house, I don't like wearing shoes inside, but these make my day so much better. The pains come back immediately when I'm barefoot or even wearing my memory foam slippers. I mean it when I say, these changed my life. I purchased the white and the black with rose gold. I was only going to get ONE pair of shoes. But, I wasn't leaving without my basic colors. Now I'm looking for FUN colors, I'm thrilled to have the ability to walk further, WANT to get out more, and hopefully get back into walking to loose this weight. This can be a difficult decision financially, but these are absolutely worth it. I wish I hadn't waited so long.

LOVE THE COLOR. It's very comfortable, I can only wear HOKA 7, this number series. Dr suggested I try them. Love them

Got these from a local store and I'm not impressed. They come up higher in the back and they are higher on the side around my ankle. My Clifton 8' were the bomb- no sure why they changed the design. Would have love more fun colors and kept the same design. I did go with a different Hooka that was higher priced- but I already miss my 9.5 wides!

I was very excited to try the new Clifton 9's since I have thoroughly enjoyed my Clifton 8's. I am overall disappointed in them. They run much bigger, and the toe space doesn't hug your foot well. The sole is much chunkier, which is normally not a big deal, but a smaller sole is what I appreciated in the Clifton's. I don't like the material used as it doesn't hug the foot as well. I was really looking forward to them but I'm disappointed.

I am so bummed! I really wanted to love these but I am having to return due to them not being comfortable. They are not as plush and bouncy as my Mach 5s or Clifton 7s. I wore them this morning to workout and my feet were hurting the whole time. They are true to size but these feel more narrow in the front. My other Hokas fit perfect all around. I absolutely love the Egg Nog and the Pink ones but unfortunately am going to have to return them both. I will stay with my Mach 5s for sure.

Was looking forward to these Clifton 9s, but disappointed: - tongue pushes against the front part (by talus?) of my foot, gets uncomfortable - shoe is stiffer overall. didn't have to break my 8s in but these are rougher - seems to run larger, which you could size down for if not for the discomfort in other areas - subjective: mesh pattern, thinner sole, all around look on the 8s much better Wish the previous model was available in my size and color. Please bring those Clifton 8s back!!

The Clifton 9 is nothing like the previous Clifton models. Horribly uncomfortable! If you are a Clifton 7 or 8 fan, this shoe is not for you. Do not buy it! I am SO DISAPPOINTED! Why the company would so drastically alter a proven product is beyond me. I tried it on at the shop and spent 30 minutes walking in it and could not believe the change in the shoe. I did not buy it. I then ordered new pairs of the Clifton 8 that I found online.

Several of my fellow nurses have these shoes and I liked the fact that the sole is wider that the part of the shoe your foot is in, gives more stability when walking. So i ordered these and I'm so happy I did because they are so comfortable and I love the colors! Very happy with my purchase. Now if you only had size men's 16 wide/x wide for my son that would be spectacular!!