Hoka One One Clifton 9 Introduction
When Working Warehouse introduced their finest promoting footwear of 2022, The Clifton was the #1 promoting working shoe in each the lads’s and girls’s classes. That is spectacular contemplating there have solely been 8 variations of the Clifton up to now and it goes up in opposition to stalwarts just like the Pegasus and Wave Rider which have been round for over 25 years.
There are a pair the reason why the Clifton sells so effectively however the primary cause is its thick, chunky midsole which gives deep cushioning. Whereas they aren’t the softest footwear available on the market by any means, they “look” very protecting and really fashionable. Not too long ago, Hokas have additionally been seen on the ft of celebs like Reese Witherspoon and Britney Spears.
I’ve run within the final 3 variations of the Clifton and the shoe has slowly developed through the years. It was a very smooth, plush driving every day coach, good for under gradual runs however through the years it grew to become firmer and extra versatile- a real every day coach.
I discovered the earlier model, the Clifton 8 to be a wonderful every day workhorse with no main weaknesses. I loved the stiffer forefoot which made it extra able to faster-paced every day runs nevertheless it had the distinguished bucket seat which poked into my arch (a trademark character of the Clifton franchise).
There was no Clifton replace final yr and the Clifton 8 was a whole revamp (higher, midsole and outsole) so it’s shocking that this yr’s Clifton 9 can also be a whole revamp. Notable updates embrace 3 mm of additional midsole stack peak, a tweaked CMEVA midsole and a retooled outsole.
It now weighs 8.7 oz (247 g) for a males’s US 9 which is 0.2 oz (6 g) lighter than its predecessor. It has gone as much as $145 which makes it one of the costly mid-range, impartial every day trainers available on the market.
Hoka One One Clifton 9 First Impressions
I attempted on 2 variations within the retailer: the huge and the common width model. The huge model felt snug however I didn’t like how clunky it seemed. The common width model felt snug a half measurement up from my common measurement and it seemed sleeker- extra streamlined so I bought the common width.
My first run within the Clifton 9 was a very gradual restoration run. I wore medium-thick socks and the higher felt manner too tight, particularly within the forefoot and toe field. I needed to cease to loosen the laces 3 occasions throughout that run to attempt to create more room within the shoe. I regretted not shopping for the huge model. After that run, I solely wore skinny socks and the match was significantly better nevertheless it was nonetheless not huge sufficient.
The final two footwear I examined had been the Invincible Run 3 and the Nimbus 25, two very smooth max-cushioned footwear so the Clifton 9 felt considerably firmer however I anticipated this. It felt similar to how I bear in mind the Clifton 8: very cushioned, easy with a mild Meta-Rocker midsole however the Clifton 9 felt softer.
The opposite noticeable factor for me on that first run was that there wasn’t the distinguished bucket seat sensation poking into my arch. This was one thing that I’d at all times really feel in earlier Cliftons.
Hoka One One Clifton 9 Higher
I’m unsure why however Hoka has an obsession with tremendous slender toe packing containers. Even in a half measurement greater than my regular measurement, the Clifton 9 (within the common width) was so slender that it gave me a black pinky toenail throughout my future in it.
I like to recommend the huge model you probably have regular width ft as a result of the conventional width model was even too slender for my extraordinarily slender ft. It matches true to measurement within the huge model.
The tongue has been modified from a semi-gusseted tongue, connected on each side to 1 which is connected on just one facet. I didn’t discover any tongue slide so I feel it’s an excellent change as a result of it permits for a extra relaxed midfoot.
Heel lockdown within the Clifton 9 is superb, with or with no runner’s knot. The ankle space and heel tab are very effectively padded so consolation across the rear of the shoe is top-notch. There’s nonetheless an elf heel tab which may be very 2020.
The higher is made from an engineered knit mesh which doesn’t really feel like a knit at all- there isn’t a stretchability so it’s of the utmost significance that you simply order the proper measurement. Breathability is best than the Clifton 8 as a result of knit mesh being thinner.
Hoka One One Clifton 9 Sole Unit
There are many runners who need Hoka to vary the Clifton’s midsole foam from EVA to TPU, a supercritical foam or one thing else which gives extra power return however the cause Hoka makes use of compression moulded EVA is that it’s extremely light-weight and it permits them to cram lots of foam into the Clifton’s midsole whereas holding it underneath 9 oz (255 g) for a males’s commonplace measurement.
The brand new formulation of CMEVA within the midsole of the Clifton 9 has been improved to be softer and lighter nonetheless it nonetheless doesn’t have a lot power return. The midsole has 3 mm of additional stack peak nevertheless it’s lighter than the earlier model on the similar time.
The journey of the Clifton 9 is on the softer facet. You may anticipate a softer and squishier journey than different mid-range every day trainers just like the Ghost 15, Pegasus 39, Journey 15 and Novablast 3 so when you want a agency driving every day coach, the Clifton 9 isn’t for you.
I benefit from the Clifton 9 for straightforward paces slower than 5:30 per kilometre (8:52 per mile). I really feel that its smooth journey makes it much less suited to quick paces in contrast to the Clifton 8 which may deal with quicker paces higher. The Clifton 9 has extra long-distance consolation so it’s higher for lengthy runs.
One of many Clifton’s fundamental defining traits, aside from its jumbo midsole is its Meta-Rocker geometry. The shoe’s rounded toe and heel create a curved midsole for smoother and quicker transitions as a result of the runner doesn’t land flat-footed. The Meta-Rocker makes lengthy runs within the Clifton 9 really feel actually environment friendly and energy-saving, as if the shoe helps you alongside the best way.
Stability within the Clifton 9 is superb. Not solely does it have a really huge base nevertheless it additionally has a midsole rim which cups your foot and guides it by means of the gait cycle. This impartial coach ought to be effective for even gentle overpronators attributable to its excessive stability stage.
The Clifton 8 had a redesigned outsole with diagonal flex grooves within the forefoot as an alternative of lateral flex grooves so the Clifton 8’s forefoot was stiffer than earlier Cliftons. The Clifton 9 additionally has diagonal flex grooves, much like the Clifton 8; the stiffer forefoot makes the forefoot extra snappy and it helps the rocker operate extra successfully.
The outsole has a good quantity of rubber safety and you may anticipate comparable sturdiness to the Clifton 9. I haven’t seen vital outsole put on throughout my testing of the shoe. Outsole grip is common on moist surfaces as a result of the outsole design is flat.
Hoka One One Clifton 9 Conclusions
The Clifton 8 was one of the widespread trainers final yr and the Clifton 9 shall be one of the widespread this yr. The vast majority of runners desire a snug working shoe which has a extremely cushioned journey and a good weight; the Clifton 9 delivers all 3 (if you are going to buy the proper measurement).
The principle distinction between the Clifton and different mid-range, impartial every day trainers is that the Clifton appears prefer it’s a max-cushioned coach due to its gigantic midsole so it provides you the notion that it’s softer, plusher and extra protecting than its rivals.
Don’t anticipate a enjoyable, bouncy journey from the Clifton 9 although since you’ll be disappointed. This coach was designed to be a protected and predictable every day coach in the identical vein because the Brooks Ghost and the Nike Pegasus.
The Clifton 9 is an enchancment over its predecessor and I like to recommend upgrading when you want a softer journey with extra cushioning. The poking arch sensation has been dialled down and it isn’t as distinguished so it feels extra snug for flat-footed runners.
The principle factor you should watch out of is its sizing- the common width has an especially slender toe field so most runners might want to get the huge model.
The Clifton 9 can also be overpriced. For $5 much less, you may get the Hoka Mach 5 (one other every day coach).
Aside from sturdiness, the Mach 5 beats the Clifton 9 in each different facet: it’s lighter, quicker, extra energetic and it has a extra snug match.
