HOKA Clifton 9 First Look

Background
The story of two Salomon employees who wanted to find a better way to go down the French alps and invented the HOKA brand has been told before, but it is perhaps worth noting that in a time of minimalist shoes, creating a maximal cushioned shoe, that was almost inconceivably lightweight was a complete revolution.

It’s not just the maximalist midsole that mark the HOKA blueprint though, with every shoe in the range making sure your foot sits low down within the shoe, you get a snug, comfortable feel, and improved stability that HOKA call an active foot frame.

Lastly there is the meta-rocker, that curved shape underfoot that gives a smooth transition, making your feet work like wheels, with a boost of propulsion at just the right time.

The Clifton comes into the HOKA range as a shoe that makes the most out of all these attributes but adds a touch of pace. Lightweight and responsive, it gives you speed for a quick 10k, but is durable enough for your daily training or long-distance runs. It’s a pavement pounder with a touch more performance than most.

Closer Look
Featuring a lower weight, but increased stack height, the HOKA Clifton 9, a shoe famed for its already low weight and deep cushioning, doubles down on what makes it so great.

In fact, the 3mm extra in the midsole takes it close to their deepest cushioned shoe, the Bondi, although it still offers a slightly firmer, faster feel than their Max cushioned recovery run/long distance shoe.

The foam they use is a brand new CMEVA or, Compression Moulded Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate if you prefer to use the full title, which lets HOKA provide that signature combination of soft and light cushioning.

They have also updated some important details around the shoe, the outsole has an improved design, but still uses the long-lasting toughness of Durabrasion rubber for your traction. It also features a reflective heel panel, streamlined and gusseted tongue, and an even plusher heel for improved comfort.

A breathable engineered knit upper not only offers a foot hugging fit, but with a snazzy lightning bolt style design embossed into the surface, it also provides a premium look to your new favourite runners.