What foot type is the best for the Clifton 9? As it has been previously, the Clifton 9 is ideal for a slightly pronated to neutral to slightly supinated foot type. This year, the Clifton 9 is a little bit more stable, making it suitable for those who tend to pronate a little bit. It also has enough lateral firmness to keep you on the right track if you are a slight supinator. And if you're a neutral foot type, you'll get along with most things quite well.
For my rotation, I would use this shoe for daily jogging, anything from a 30-minute jog up to my long runs on Sunday. I love getting in this shoe for those runs because it is cushioned, keeping me protected for those long times on my feet. It's also a little bit firmer, making it snappier through that toe-off. If you're doing a long run where you pick up or you just want to feel a little bit quicker when you're running, it's another really good option for that.
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Now let's jump into the nitty-gritty details of the Clifton 9. What's different, what stayed the same, and what features are we excited about in this new update? As always, we'll start with the upper and work our way through the shoe.
The Clifton 9 still has the same engineered knit that is slightly more breathable in the upper this year. We found it to have slightly more volume and a slightly more roomy toe box, accommodating those with slightly wider or higher feet. They've gone for a slightly longer Achilles flare, which we haven't noticed impacting performance at all, with a slightly softer ankle collar for a nice snug, tight, but still comfortable lock-down around the ankle. They've also slightly changed the gusset in the tongue, making it only gusseted on one side. In our testing, we haven't found that to adjust our lock-down at all. We're still feeling really secure across the saddle of the foot, even when going around corners.
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Getting into the outsole, we still have the same Durabrasion rubber in the outsole. Starting at the heel, we've got a slightly wider base, making it nice and stable for heel strikers. There's also slightly more coverage in the rubber in the outsole and a slightly deeper and longer guidance line. They firmed up the midsole just a touch, which allowed them to do wider and deeper guidance lines and flex grooves through the forefoot as well, making it slightly deeper and wider through the forefoot. Because it's firmer, it allows for a slight more flex through the forefoot and through your toe-off.
Diving into the midsole, there are a few slight tweaks, but the Clifton 9 still has the same compression-molded EVA. We just have a bit more stack height, so we've got three mil extra in the men's and two mil extra stack in the women's, for 29 and 24, and 32 and 27 in the men's. When adding stack height, we need to find a way to keep the shoe more stable.
Moving on to the ride, the Clifton 9 feels smoother than ever. The updated midsole geometry and added stack height provide a nice balance of softness and stability, making for a comfortable and responsive ride. The early stage Meta-Rocker is still present, providing a smooth transition from heel to toe and making the shoe feel more efficient.
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One area where the Clifton 9 has made a significant improvement over its predecessor is in the outsole. The Durable rubber outsole provides better traction and durability, especially in high-wear areas. The updated flex grooves in the forefoot allow for a more natural foot movement and greater flexibility.
Overall, the Hoka Clifton 9 is a solid update to an already excellent shoe. It's slightly more stable, slightly softer, and slightly more durable, making it a great option for daily training and long-distance running. The improved breathability and more accommodating fit make it a comfortable shoe for a variety of foot shapes and sizes. If you're a fan of the Clifton line, you'll be pleased with this latest iteration.
In conclusion, the Hoka Clifton 9 is a fantastic update to a beloved running shoe. With its combination of comfort, responsiveness, and durability, it's a great option for daily training and long-distance running. The improved fit, breathability, and outsole make it a better shoe than its predecessor, and the slight changes to the midsole geometry provide a smoother ride. Whether you're a neutral runner, a slight pronator, or a slight supinator, the Clifton 9 is definitely worth checking out.
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