Hoka Clifton 9 GTX review

We highly recommend the Clifton 9 GTX for:

• Fans of Hoka seeking a waterproof running shoe for wet conditions.
• Anyone looking for a cushioned daily trainer enhanced with Gore-Tex.
• Runners in the hunt for a lightweight, waterproof shoe that isn't designed specifically for trail running.

While this shoe offers decent breathability through the tongue, we hold the view that it's not the best choice for summer runs. The toebox is completely sealed and lacks ventilation. For warmer weather, opt for the regular Clifton 9, which is also lighter and $15 cheaper.

Furthermore, if you're planning mountain adventures, our conclusion is that it's better to skip the Clifton. Although it can handle fire roads or smooth trails occasionally, there are several superior trail running shoes with Gore-Tex. Consider options like the Salomon Speedcross 6 GTX or the Hoka Speedgoat 5 GTX for a more suitable, trail-proof experience.

Gore-Tex is a membrane designed to let air and water vapor escape from the shoe, while preventing liquid water from getting in—as we carefully explained in our guide about uppers. It does this using tiny ventilation holes that are smaller than water particles.

In practice, however, our lab analysis show that Gore-Tex shoes have almost no ventilation. Yet, the Clifton 9 GTX scored a 3 out of 5 in our breathability test. How did they do it? Well, Hoka crafted the shoe to let air out through the tongue, as shown in the video above.

However, be aware that this shoe might feel warm in the summer. The overall breathability score of 3 out of 5 reflects the general airflow, but the toebox tends to be warmer compared to running shoes with effective ventilation in this area.

When we moved the cut-in-half shoe over the light, it became clear that it blocks all airflow. There's simply no air movement, but we wanted to confirm this with the microscope.

Here, our initial thoughts were confirmed. The knit looks incredibly thick and dense, with no visible holes for air to escape.

Hoka used a thick knit combined with a GORE-TEX Invisible Fit membrane in the Clifton 9 GTX, as we found out by inspecting the cut upper.

One of the standout perks of GTX uppers is their ability to enhance durability, thanks to the additional layer they bring to the shoe.

The Clifton 9 GTX perfectly exemplifies this benefit. During our first Dremel test, where we used the tool at 5K RPM with a force of 3.2N, we noticed only minimal damage to the jacquard knit upper.

But hold on, because the heel area outperformed the toebox in our rigorous back-to-back Dremel tests.

Scoring a perfect 5 out of 5, it's highly unlikely that any runner will be able to rub or wear down the heel area.

So far, we're really impressed with the Clifton 9 GTX's durability performance. Now, let's take a closer look at the outsole.

The outsole design in the waterproof version is identical to the regular edition.

First, we were curious about the hardness of the Durabrasion rubber used by Hoka. Using our durometer on the Shore C scale, we measured a hardness of 79.1 HC. This result is right in line with the average, and slightly harder than the regular Clifton 9 (76.0 HC).

With its average rubber hardness, we anticipated typical durability from the Clifton 9 GTX.

However, our Dremel test revealed a pleasant surprise: only a minimal 0.5-mm indentation in the outsole. This positive outcome is a clear indicator of fantastic durability.

With a solid 3.3 mm of thickness, you can confidently expect this shoe to withstand plenty of wear and tear. There's no need for any head-scratching here—it's clearly built to last.

One common worry we all share in the lab about Gore-Tex shoes is the potential weight increase due to the added Gore-Tex membrane.

Yet, the Clifton 9 GTX pleasantly surprised us, weighing in at just 9.6 oz (271g) on our scale. This is lighter than most cushioned daily trainers on the market, even with its waterproofing.

It's also a mere 0.9 oz heavier than the standard version, so we're thrilled to report that waterproofing adds less than an ounce to the shoe's weight. This seems like a more than fair trade-off for those who need this feature.

As a modern daily trainer, we expected decent cushioning in the heel, and that's exactly what we found.

With a heel stack height of 37.2 mm, the Clifton guarantees a comfortable ride for all runners, particularly those who are heel strikers.

In the forefoot, we measured a stack height of 28.6 mm, which is more than the average shoe.

This guarantees two things: ample cushioning for those long runs in the rain and no ground feel at all.

This results in an 8.6-mm heel-to-toe drop, quite a departure from the 5-mm drop claimed by the brand. However, this discrepancy isn't unusual for us, as we often find Hoka's measurements significantly different from ours.

Why the difference? We measure every shoe according to the World Athletics guidelines, but many brands don't follow these standards. We've explained this in full detail in this guide.

The insole, at 4.8 mm thick, is a bit thicker than usual but feels perfectly normal. We didn't have any problems with it and found it quite comfortable.

Hoka has consistently designed the Clifton as a balanced shoe in terms of midsole softness, and the 9 GTX is no exception.

With a CMEVA midsole hardness of 23.9 HA, it doesn't feel too soft or too firm, just balanced!

After placing the shoe in the freezer for 20 minutes to simulate cold conditions, our Shore A durometer recorded a hardness of 27.8 HA.

That's only a 16.1% increase, a fantastic result for an EVA-based midsole. This is especially important since, as a Gore-Tex edition, this shoe is designed for winter running.

You definitely don't want it to turn into a brick under your feet in cold conditions, and thankfully, it stands up well to the challenge.

The Clifton 9 GTX earns our nod for stability, ideally suited for neutral runners and those with mild stability needs.

Let's explore how Hoka accomplished this great level of stability.

From our first strides, we noticed the Clifton was incredibly rigid, a feeling that our manual assessment confirmed. We gave it a 5 out of 5 in rigidity.

This kind of result is usually seen in carbon-plated shoes, yet the Clifton doesn't have one.

The heel counter is also quite stiff, scoring a 4 out of 5. Why did Hoka choose this design? It seems that they traded a bit of comfort for enhanced guidance in the stride, particularly beneficial for heel strikers.

Thankfully, the heel counter is exceptionally well-padded, so it shouldn't cause any problems for most runners. The only noticeable issue is that the heel counter extends further laterally and can pull slightly when lacing the shoe tightly.

Another impressive trick up Hoka's sleeve for boosting stability is the midsole width. Measuring a vast 120.9 mm, the Clifton 9 GTX offers an immense width that effortlessly absorbs those slightly off-balance landings.

What really amazes us is how the shoe manages to be so light despite its dimensions...

And the heel follows the same design pattern as the forefoot, measuring a hyper-wide 97.2 mm.

This, along with the stiff heel counter and the rigid platform, are the key reasons why the shoe feels incredibly supportive.

In our 90-degree bend test, we had to apply 29.4N of force to bend the shoe.

Hence, the shoe is rigid torsionally, but we can consider it moderately flexible lengthwise. This design is practical, especially since Hoka intends for this shoe to be suitable for walking or even gym workouts if needed. 

We conducted the same bending test to check if the underfoot stiffness changed after spending 20 minutes in the freezer. In this scenario, the shoe became noticeably stiffer, requiring 38.0N of force.

That's a 29.1% increase, which is better than the average, but still a significant change. It will make the shoe feel stiffer in harsh, teeth-grinding cold conditions.

Hoka consistently delivers performance-fit uppers, and the Clifton 9 GTX is an extraordinary example.

While it straddles the line of being average at 97.3 mm, those with normal and wide feet will find just the right amount of space—enough for comfortable toe movement but not too much to feel loose.

The big toe area has an aggressive taper, measuring 75.7 mm with our external calipers. This design might not be the best for those with wide feet...

The standard Clifton 9 comes with the classic Hoka semi-gusseted tongue. However, that's not ideal for a waterproof shoe.

That's why we were thrilled to discover in our lab that this model has been upgraded to a fully gusseted tongue. This is definitely great news!

The Clifton 9 GTX boasts 7.4 mm of padding in the tongue, ensuring comfort during even the longest runs.

This is also a key benefit for those who prefer to tie their laces really tight, a common practice in wet conditions.

Hoka omitted the heel tab in this version of the Clifton, adding only a small tail to the heel. However, we can't really classify it as a pull tab, it's just a extended collar.

The insole is completely removable, allowing you to insert your own orthotics or maybe your favorite insole from another running shoe.

We're big fans of reflective elements on winter-running shoes, as they're essential for those who often run in nighttime conditions. But what really excites us is 360-degree reflectivity, and that's exactly what the Clifton 9 GTX offers.