'The Hoka Clifton 9 Running Shoes Helped Me Hit A Huge Marathon PR'
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When I decided to run the Paris marathon this year, I knew I'd need a really good sneaker to train in. I wanted to crush my PR and feel good doing it. Enter the Hoka Clifton 9 running shoes.
I've trained for and finished one marathon before, during my junior year of college. I crossed the finish line with terrible knee pain, massive blisters, and a lot of regrets. I learned my lesson, and this 26.2 was going to be different.
Luckily, my marathon training just so happened to coincide with the Women's Health annual sneaker awards. Each editor gets a pair (or two) of shoes to test out in their go-to workouts and reports back to our fitness team. I received the Hoka Clifton 9, and they were truly a lifesaver. I am now completely obsessed with these running shoes!
Clifton 9
$145.00
They got me through my longest training runs without a blister in sight. The biggest test was the race: I finished my marathon with a shiny, new PR, and completely happy and healthy joints. Even though my Hoka Clifton 9s are looking a bit worse for wear now—that's what rainy, muddy, Parisian cobblestone streets will do—I know I'll replace my sneaks with another iteration of the Hoka Clifton 9.
What I Liked About The Hoka Clifton 9 Running Shoes
These sneakers aren't just super cute. In my experience, they also deliver on their promises for a "smooth ride" and easy, breezy running.
I was about halfway through my training when I got the sneakers. As a result, I didn't have time to do tester miles in them. I jumped right into a longer run, which could have been a disaster. I'll be honest: I've run in older Hoka sneaks that weren't as comfortable (and gave me gnarly blisters) on the first few runs. But despite being brand-spanking new, I was able to do a 10-miler without *any* blisters. Yes, this style is magical.
TLDR: In my experience, I can’t recommend these shoes enough—especially for long distance runners.
Fit: Go with your regular size for the best fit.
If it's difficult to find a running shoe that fits you, I am right there with you. I have wider feet and tend to overpronate, but the Clifton 9s met my high demands (literally).
The Clifton 9s fit well right out of the box and after miles of wear. When I was in need of a tighter fit after several runs, a quick tug of the laces provided an easy fix. Plus, I don't think my laces ever came undone during a run. That alone makes a big difference when you're running for hours at a time and have a million other things on your mind. I may have 99 problems but loose laces isn't one in the Hoka Clifton 9.
Cushion and comfort: They felt like an extension of my body, rather than a clunky training shoe.
I have actually never been so comfortable on a run as I was wearing my Clifton 9 sneakers. If I could wear these shoes on all my runs for the rest of my life, I would do it in a heartbeat. I'm not exaggerating.
Not only are the Clifton 9 snug and lightweight, but they also provide the kind of comfort that allowed me to forget I was logging (and slogging through) lots of miles. Instead, I was thinking about about the songs I was listening to, the beautiful scenery, and my pace. It was a refreshing mindset shift.
Worth noting: I still slide my Clifton 9s on for daily errands, easy hikes, and general NYC walk-arounds. The shoe's slight, 5 mm drop between heel and forefoot, as well as the durable rubber outsole, meant that I could run pain-free for miles and miles and miles and still want to wear them after.
In fact, the Clifton 9 have 3 mm more foam than its predecessor, the Clifton 8. That extra cushion translates to subtle pavement-pounding relief. They're neither responsive nor plush, but fall right in the middle, with a balanced cushion.
Stability: The Clifton 9 kept my knees healthy, and my ankles stable.
As I said, I've actually run in a variety of Hoka sneakers over the years. What made the Clifton 9 stand out: They protected my feet, and they definitely enhanced my runs.
The compression molded EVA midsole is designed to provide maximum comfort, and I can assure you, I was more comfortable than I've ever been. I wasn't worried about rolling an ankle or twisting a knee at mile two or 20, either. I felt safe and secure through rain, snow, and sweat.
With high arches, the shoe had exactly the kind of support I needed to keep me from overpronating. They weren't too bouncy nor too flat. I felt like I was running on clouds.
Take a peek at the variety of colorways available in the Hoka Clifton 9 running shoes:
Clifton 9
Clifton 9
$145.00
Clifton 9
Clifton 9
$145.00
Clifton 9
Clifton 9
$145.00
Hoka Clifton 9 Specs
Cushion: Early stage meta-rocker
Drop: 5mm
Stability: Neutral
Stack height: 29 mm heel /24 mm forefoot
Midsole: Compression molded EVA midsole
Outsole: Durabrasion rubber outsole
Weight: 7.3 oz (single shoe)
Retail price: $145
Hoka Clifton 9 FAQs
Do Hoka Clifton 9s run true to size?
Yes! While some running shoes require you to size up or down, the Clifton 9s truly fit to size. I'm usually a size 8, so I received a size 8 from our fitness team. It was a perfect fit; I had enough room to strike the ground without my toe grinding into the front of the shoe.
How do they fit?
The sneakers are roomy enough for wide feet, while still feeling snug. The shoe itself is made of breathable engineered knit fabric, which means heat and sweat don't get trapped inside. The compression molded EVA midsole provides bouncy ride and the recycled content mesh means makes for foot-hugging comfort.
Are Hoka Clifton 9 shoes good for running?
Without a doubt, these kicks are good for running. Whether you're out for a long run, short run, or a grocery store run, these are a solid choice. On the Hoka site, they're listed as "daily running" shoes, that offer a "balanced" ride.
The durabrasion rubber outsoles allow the Hoka Clifton 9 to endure quite a bit of wear and tear (and mileage) before the rubber wears down and you need to replace them. They can even stand up to the abrasive pavement lining the New York City streets and paths, but they max out eventually.
Five months after my race and nearly 400 miles later, I've retired my marathon sneakers for runs. I didn't recycle them, though. I still like to wear them to go out and about or to play a quick round of pickleball.
What’s the difference between Hoka Clifton 8 and Clifton 9?
There are two key changes debuted in the Clifton 9: more stack height and less weight. The Clifton 9 are 4 grams lighter in total weight, and have a 3 mm higher stack height. That means more plush, underfoot cushion.
The new model also features an improved outsole design for better traction and grip. The shoes are very similar in look and feel, but the Clifton 8 have a different type of midsole cushioning technology compared to the updated Clifton 9.
I tend to prefer the lighter weight of the Clifton 9, but the shoes are very similar in other fit and feel categories.
Hoka Clifton 8 Specs
Cushion: Max cushion
Drop: 5 mm
Stability: Neutral
Stack height: 26 mm heel / 21 mm forefoot
Midsole: Compression molded EVA midsole
Outsole: Hi-Abrasion rubber outsole
Weight: 7.6 oz (single shoe)
Retail price: $140
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