Customer Reviews Hoka Clifton 9 GTX®

This was my 4th pair of Hokas. After 8 or 9 months the tread started peeling dramatically, making them a tripping hazard. This had never happened to any of my other pairs, even after 2 years. Dealing with Hokas customer service was a headache, ending in them telling me this was normal wear and tear. I will be looking elsewhere for shoes from now on. (This was the only pair of shoes I had bought directly from the Hoka website)

I placed 2 orders and both arrived on 11/20/25 in used condition. I will be returning both orders tomorrow on 11/21/25 to UPS.

Tested these on a really extreme trip to Universal Studios for 3 days to put it to the real test and the first day was just horrible and it was horrible. Good luck standing on them all day and walking would not recommend feet swollen up.

I received a pair that had clearly been worn for more than just a try-on. There were creases in the upper, they had a musty smell, and the outsole had particles in the grooves as well as dirt, indicating that they were obviously worn outdoors. The midsole was also dusty and this was disappointing coming from Zappos. I did NOT try these on and file a return immediately.

I was excited to try out these HOKA shoes due to a recommendation from a friend but after my recent experience with the Clifton 9 GTX, I'm left feeling pretty disappointed. After just 10 months of moderate use, the outsole on one of the shoes started peeling off. For context, I don't use these shoes for anything extrememostly indoor walking around a medical clinic and a bit of outdoor walking. No running, hiking, or heavy activity. At first, I was impressed with the comfort and support the Clifton 9 GTX offered, especially with the GORE-TEX lining that helped keep my feet dry during outdoor walks in unpredictable weather. The cushioning was great, and they provided the usual soft, responsive feel that HOKA is known for. But that's where the positives end. The shoe's durability did not meet my expectations. After less than a year of fairly light, everyday use, the sole started to separate. It's frustrating to see such a critical issue with a brand I thought I could trust. So, I reached out to HOKA for a warranty claim, hoping for some resolution, but was met with disappointment. They returned the shoes with the note that the damage was deemed "accidental," and therefore not covered under warranty. For a shoe that costs this much, I was expecting better quality control and customer service. It's incredibly frustrating to feel like I'm being dismissed when I'm clearly not using the shoes in extreme conditions. I understand that wear and tear can happen, but peeling outsoles after 10 months of light use shouldn't be considered "accidental damage." Back to my Brooks and ASICS.

After one month of wear

I bought my Clifton 9 Hokas in April and by June the tread was separating from the sole. Not only that but it wasn't coming all the way off so I usually found out about it by getting it caught on something and nearly falling on my face. Their warranty program is klunky and means I have to end my shoes back and be without them for 1-3 weeks before they let me know if they'll give me a credit to buy more?!?! No thanks. I'll just never buy them again. Lesson learned, this is apparently a problem with their soles that's well known. Not gonna spend another hundred or more dollars to find out if they fixed it.

My daughter wore these for a month (no running). The sole delaminated. Hoka says this is normal wear and tear, with an exclamation. Ha! I've put over 2,000 miles on 4 pairs of Hoka. No more.

I thought it was soft inside. I have RA I'm on my feet 16 hours daily I'm a nurse this tennis shoes are not good for my feet

Long time Hoka lover and purchased these on 3/15/25. The tread is coming apart after 2 months! I wore the for my last half marathon and was severely disappointed when I saw the tread coming off. This is also dangerous for runners! Will have to throw them away.

I never write reviews but i had to on this one. While the shoes are comfortable and my feet dont hurt at the end of the day, i had to give them 1 star. The tread on the bottom started peeling off after only two months. And i don't even use these shoes to run around and exercise. I wear them at work where i stand in one place all day. So how could the tread come off you say? No clue. Needless to say I'm very disappointed in my first pair of hokas and may never get another pair due to this.

My feet hurt MUCH WORSE when I wear these shoes that ever before

I much prefer the Bondi. The fit of the Bondi is more true to size and secure to my foot providing more support and cushion. I am a nurse and do not get the proper support from the Clifton. I would like to return/exchange them for a pair of Bondi 9's.

I finally made a full price purchase for nice Gore-tex shoes and it hurts more than just my wallet. The tongue applies so much pressure to the top of my foot I kept feeling like I have to adjust it or the laces but it turns out it's how they sew the tongue to the rest of the shoe. I unfortunately threw away the shoebox and am stuck with these painful cushioned shoes.

The heel part on the side kept jabbing on my foot making it very uncomfortable. Also felt a little too big. Thought it was because of the gtx so tried original version. Same problem. Hoka Clifton 9 is not the same fit as Hoka Clifton 8 in my experience.

The bottoms of the shoe started coming apart within 3 months of my daughter wearing these at her part time job. These cost way too much to have this to happen.

I have owned several pairs of Clifton sneakers and probably run/walk 7+ miles every day. They hold up great and are very comfortable. I got these because I do run in rain or bad weather sometimes. There are several reasons I don't like these goretex shoes. The tongue is completely attached on both sides making it lumpy if you tie your shoes tight. The goretex in the tongue adds more to the uncomfortable feel in the tongue as it is rigid unlike soft fabric tongues and bulky making it feel like you have a piece of hard plastic on top of your foot. It also tends to wrinkle and hold the wrinkle no matter how loose you tie the laces making lumps in the tongue that are very uncomfortable. I kept the pair, because I had worn them a few times and they were now used and also very expensive. I think I ended up hurting my toes, feet and running in an odd way because I can't lace them tight enough for my feet. The tongue is just too rigid and not forgiving and so uncomfortable that I lace slightly loose and it still hurts the top of my feet. I think I might have to retire them already and I just got them in January. So bummed and thinking I might have to switch brands due to expense of the shoes, how quickly they wear out and comfortability

Normally a hoka lover and have worn their shoes consistently for years. generally wear the Bondi's but was recommended to try the Cliftons by the hoka staff and HATED them. the toe box is so tight and the lacing of the shoe rubs the tendons on the top of your foot and ankle. as a long distance D1 runner, I was hopeful that the extra cushioning of the shoe would help protect my bones and reduce injury but be less chunky than the Bondi which I use for walking since I work at a hospital and am on my feet so much. however I was ultimately super disappointed and dissatisfied with this shoe

I have had these GTX for just barely over a year (purchased 10/23). I only wear them to walk my dog when the conditions outside are wet. So, they are NOT worn daily. I wear my regular Clifton 9 shoes on the other days. I am SO disappointed in how quickly and totally the treads on these shoes disintegrated! I literally must throw them away. I have since purchased other pairs of the GTX and am regretting that now. Comfortable and great walking shoe but lifespan is horrible!! If I could post a picture, I would to verify my concerns.

Really poor glue use under lose part after 20 days of use

I bought this product, cause nurses was telling its good if your on your feet for a long time. It actually hurt me and my foot has gotten injury swollen unbearable to walk. I definitely want to return if I can. Cause that's a lot of money I spent to think I was getting a perfect tennis shoe.

I've been wearing the Cliftons for years, and after my feet got soaked walking in the rain, I decided I needed the GTX. They are not the same fit or feel at all. They run small, so I sized up, but the next size was right lengthwise, but they were swimming on me. Normally, I would have tied the laces tighter, but there is no way to do that with this shoe because the tongue is attached to keep out water and debris. Very sad that these didn't work because I want a waterproof shoe that I can walk all day in, and Hokas are my go to shoe.