Light and plush for everyday miles
The Women’s HOKA Clifton 9 is a popular running shoe known for its lightweight and cushioned design. As the latest iteration of the award-winning Clifton series, this shoe has received rave reviews from runners who appreciate its comfort and versatility. Its upper is made of a breathable engineered mesh material, and its midsole features HOKA’s signature Early stage MetaRocker for a comfortable and responsive ride. With a variety of attractive colour options, from neutral to fun, this shoe appeals to a wide range of preferences. The Clifton 9 offers a rejuvenated underfoot experience with its responsive new foam and enhanced outsole design. By eliminating overlays and hotmelts, the streamlined upper features a plusher heel, a reflective heel panel, and a refined tongue with a single side medial gusset, all crafted with thoughtful precision.
Price from £130 (UK)
Pros
Cons
The Women’s HOKA Clifton 9 is a highly anticipated update to the popular Clifton series, known for its lightweight and cushioned design. One of the standout features of the Women’s HOKA Clifton 9 is its comfort. The lightweight construction and plush midsole make it a great option for everyday training runs or long-distance races. The engineered mesh upper provides excellent breathability, keeping your feet cool and dry even on hot days. Additionally, the Early stage MetaRocker technology in the midsole offers a smooth and responsive ride, making it a favourite among many runners.
With a price tag of £130, the Clifton 9 falls on the higher end of the spectrum for running shoes. However, many runners believe that the comfort and performance it offers make it worth the investment.
A comparable shoe to the Clifton 9 is the Brooks Ghost 16, which also boasts a lightweight and cushioned design. Both are similar in weight, have breathable uppers, and offer a responsive ride. The Ghost 15 comes in at a similar price point of £135.
Out of the box, the Clifton 9 boasts a sleek and stylish design and modern vibrant colours that immediately catch the eye. options range from neutral to bold, catering to a wide range of preferences. Holding the shoe in my hand, it felt well-crafted and incredibly lightweight, and I was impressed by how soft the midsole felt. The overall shape and design create a sense of stability and comfort for the performance it’s about to deliver. It was impossible not to miss the reflective heel panel, but we’ll delve into that in more detail later. Slip on the Clifton 9, and you’ll immediately feel the softness of the engineered mesh upper and plush heel. The tongue, too, felt refined and comfortable.
During my first 4-mile run on the paths around my local park wearing the Clifton 9s, I couldn’t help but notice that they felt light and bouncy compared to my previous shoe. The Early stage MetaRocker technology definitely lived up to its promise of providing a smooth and responsive ride, which was a pleasant surprise for a shoe with so much cushioning. It quickly became apparent that I was now experiencing the benefits of a more lightweight shoe. They provided a delightful newfound springiness to my every stride.
The use of breathable engineered mesh fabrication in the uppers provides a comfortable and supportive fit for a variety of foot shapes. This material not only ensures breathability but also allows fresh air to circulate, keeping you comfortable and refreshed throughout your activities. Additionally, the breathable engineered knit upper, crafted from recycled materials, ensures cool comfort. This textile and synthetic upper also helps reduce the overall weight of the shoe while still maintaining its durability. With no overlays or hotmelts, the risk of chafing and irritation is minimised, allowing you to go the distance in complete comfort.
The Clifton 9 sole is equipped with HOKA’s signature Early stage MetaRocker technology in the sole, which is designed to promote a smooth and natural gait cycle. It helps guide your foot from heel-strike to toe-off for a more efficient stride. This is especially beneficial for longer runs where fatigue can cause improper form towards the end of the run.
The full compression moulded EVA foam midsole provides ample cushioning throughout the foot, making each step feel light and bouncy. The outsole has also been redesigned with strategically placed rubber pods for increased traction and durability, providing a confident grip on various surfaces.
The Clifton 9 features a reflective heel panel, adding an element of safety for those early morning or late evening runs. The reflective material is subtle but effective in making sure others can see you as you run, increasing your visibility when training in low-light conditions and reducing the risk of accidents.
One of the updates in the Clifton 9 is the refined tongue with a single-side medial gusset. This design ensures that the tongue stays in place, reducing any potential discomfort from it slipping or bunching up during runs.
One of the standout features of the Clifton 9 is its use of HOKA Early stage MetaRocker technology. This innovative design encourages a smoother, more efficient gait cycle. By promoting a rolling motion of the foot from heel to toe, it helps reduce the impact of each stride and allows for a more responsive and comfortable ride.
This technology has been praised by many runners for its ability to reduce strain on the feet and joints, making it a great option for both short and long-distance runs.
The Clifton 9 features a full compression moulded EVA foam midsole cushioning system. This technology provides maximum cushioning throughout the foot while remaining lightweight and responsive. The use of EVA foam in the midsole also offers a high level of energy return, giving you a little extra push with each step. This can be especially helpful during longer runs when fatigue may start to set in.
Constructed with durabasion rubber, the Clifton 9 outsole provides excellent traction and durability. The updated design offers a more aggressive tread pattern for improved grip on various surfaces, making them suitable for road running, light trails, and everything in between.
7.5 out of 10
The Clifton 9 is a great option for runners looking for a comfortable and lightweight shoe that still offers ample cushioning and support. Its use of HOKA Early stage MetaRocker technology makes it a responsive and efficient shoe, perfect for long distance runs. The breathable upper and reflective heel panel add extra elements of comfort and safety, making this an all-around versatile choice for runners of all levels. This shoe is definitely worth checking out. Give it a try and experience the difference HOKA technology can make in your run. So, lace up and hit the road with confidence in the Clifton 9. The possibilities are endless!
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About this review:
We purchased these products with our own money. Our review contains affiliate links, where we may earn a small fee from a purchase. All our reviews are honest and fair.
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