Hoka Clifton 10 vs 9 | Which Is Better In 2026?
In this article, I’m going to share my honest Hoka Clifton 10 vs 9 comparison in detail after personally owning both Hoka running shoes.
I’ll be comparing these two head-to-head in categories like price, comfort, traction, stability & support, breathability, weight, and durability.
Then, at the end, I’ll share which product offers the best overall value for the money and provide my overall recommendation for which you should buy.
Also, if you’re interested in learning more, I have tested each product individually in my Hoka Clifton 10 review and Hoka Clifton 9 review.
Editor’s Note: we updated this review on 12/17/2025 with new stability findings on the Clifton 10, updated miles, and durability findings for both models.
Our Verdict
| Comparision | Product | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Top Walking Shoe  | 8.6 | Check Lowest PriceRead Review | |
 | 8.2 | Check Lowest PriceRead Review |
Choose Clifton 10 if you want
✔ Maximum amount of cushioning
✔ Enhanced stability for consistent performance
✔ More room in the toe box for wider feet
✔ Versatility across different running paces
✔ A higher drop (8mm) that benefits heel strikers
The Clifton 10 excels as a go-to shoe for versatile training. Its firmer feel and wider platform make it suitable for everything from slow paced runs to daily walking miles. The extra cushioning and higher stack provide long-lasting comfort for high-mileage training.
Choose Clifton 9 if you want
✔ Maximum soft cushioning, with higher sensitivity
✔ A narrower, more traditional fit
✔ Plush comfort for easy and recovery runs
✔ A lower drop (5mm) for a more natural feel
The Clifton 9 remains an excellent choice for users who prioritize cushioning comfort, without going overboard. Its softer ride makes it particularly well-suited for recovery days and slower paced runs when protection and comfort are more important than speed.
Hoka Clifton 10 vs Hoka Clifton 9 Price Comparison
At the time of this writing, the Hoka Clifton 9 is 20% cheaper than the 10.
Hoka Clifton 10 Price: $150
Hoka Clifton 9 Price: $115
Check the latest prices and availability here:
(Don’t pay retail):
Help Keep Us Independent: We refuse brand sponsorships and buy all our gear ourselves. By purchasing through our links, you support honest, real-world testing and help us stay 100% unbiased—all at no extra cost to you.
Comfort
Both the Hoka Clifton 9 and 10 are very comfortable shoes, yet with some differences. The primary differences lie in the overall geometry and midsole construction.
| Feature | Clifton 10 | Clifton 9 |
| Heel Stack Height | 42mm (men’s) | 32mm (men’s) |
| Forefoot Stack | 34mm (men’s) | 27mm (men’s) |
| Heel-to-Toe Drop | 8mm | 5mm |
| Cushioning Feel | Firmer, responsive | Softer, plush |
The Hoka Clifton 10 features a much chunkier midsole with significantly more stack height than its predecessor. This higher stack represents 10mm of additional cushioning in the heel compared to the Clifton 9.
According to Hoka, the new drop (increasing from 5mm to 8mm) was implemented because over time, the heel tends to compress, causing the drop to become even less than intended. The higher 8mm drop is designed to provide better midsole geometry longevity throughout the shoe’s life.
The stack height does make a big difference in shock absorption but also does take away from sensitivity and trail feel. I felt the extra foam did help in overall “maximum” cushion and “foamy feel”.
The Clifton 9 did have a better overall fit. While the 10 has the added stack height and cushion, the internal mesh is much more comfortable in the 9. The 9 also has a more traditional fit and softer EVA midsole.
Both shoes have more than enough room in the toe box and a nice voluminous fit without compromising on the stability and support aspect.
The extra foam in the Clifton 10 also addresses durability concerns, specifically to reduce the “bottoming out” effect that some runners reported around 200-300 miles with previous models. This makes the Clifton 10 a potentially more reliable option for long-term durability.
Hoka Clifton 10 Comfort: 4.5 out of 5
Hoka Clifton 9 Comfort: 4 out of 5
Winner: Clifton 10
Traction
Both the Clifton 10 and 9 are similar when comparing traction. They both feature the same rubber outsole which performs exceptionally well.
However, during our testing we utilized both shoes for running, walking and trail running. The Clifton 9 was much better when it came to traction on the trail.
The 9’s outsole is much grippier, especially in wet weather. I felt I was able to hold a much better edge with the 9 going uphill compared to the 10.
The reduced stack height of the 9 also provides you with the ability to change your stride earlier, the responsiveness and ground feel is much better than the 10.
However, during our testing we noted that the 10 has slightly firmer torsional stability which helped with traction on uneven terrain compared to the previous model.
The Clifton 10’s ride is noticeably firmer compared to the Clifton 9, which had a softer cushioning feel. Both models feature Hoka’s signature MetaRocker geometry that creates a smooth ride through the gait cycle, but the forefoot rocker is slightly more prominent in the Clifton 10 due to its firmer ride.
For heel strikers, the higher drop and more aggressive heel bevel of the Clifton 10 provide smoother transitions when initiating contact with the ground.
Both shoes have excellent traction whether you are on a trail or pavement. The Clifton 9 slightly edges out the competition here due to the better grip during testing as well as better sensitivity.
Hoka Clifton 10 Traction: 4 out of 5
Hoka Clifton 9 Traction: 5 out of 5
Winner: Hoka Clifton 9
Hoka Clifton 9 Vs Hoka Clifton 10: Which Fits Better?
Both shoes feature a jacquard mesh upper, but there are notable differences in how they fit and feel on your foot. I tested the Clifton 9 in 10.5 men’s normal width, and Clifton 10 in a 10.5 wide due to the early concerns of fit with the 10.
Both have non-compressing uppers, unlike the Hoka Speedgoat 6. Both allow expansion of your foot for any swelling without that annoying compression, especially on the tongue of the shoe.
Clifton 10:
- Wider last with roomier toe box
- Non-gusseted tongue
- Slightly softer and smoother upper material
- True to size fit that accommodates more foot shapes
Clifton 9:
- Narrower overall fit
- Gusseted tongue (attached on one side) to prevent sliding
- Often required a half size up or wide version for proper fit
- More structured feel around the midfoot
The wider toebox in the Clifton 10 is one of the most significant improvements for runners who found the Clifton 9 too restrictive.
Both the Clifton 9 and 10 feature industry standard lacing systems. During my testing, I did not need to use any specialized lacing techniques with either of these Hoka shoes.
Although I felt my personal fit of the Clifton 9 was slightly better, the 10 fits more people universally. Therefore, through our OBJECTIVE testing the standards the 10 gets the crown here.
Hoka Clifton 10 Fit : 4.5 out of 5
Hoka Clifton 9 Fit : 4 out of 5
Winner: Clifton 10
Stability and Support
Despite having a higher stack height, the Clifton 10 actually offers improved stability compared to the Clifton 9. This is primarily due to its wider platform and more structured design.
The Clifton 10 features a new rear-foot focused Active Foot Frame. This design raises the midsole sidewalls so your foot sits inside the cushioning rather than just on top of it, creating a bucket-seat style of stability that guides your stride naturally.
The wider hind foot of the Clifton 10 contributes to this enhanced stability, making foot strikes feel more planted and secure. This makes the Clifton 10 potentially more versatile for different types of runs, from easy recovery runs to progression runs at faster paces.
The active foot frame design in the Clifton 10 provides more support for those who need it, without feeling intrusive for neutral runners.
Hoka Clifton 10 Stability & Support: 4.5 out of 5
Hoka Clifton 9 Stability & Support: 4 out of 5
Winner: Clifton 10
Breathability
The Hoka Clifton 9 boasts slightly more breathability than the 10. The Jacquard mesh is a little thinner allowing a more permeable membrane for breathing.
While I was running the air ventilation pockets in the Clifton 9 were more efficient and cooling. To be clear, I tested both running shoes without the waterproof Gore-tex membrane, the Clifton 9 only has the option of the GTX membrane. The Gore-tex membrane reduces breathability of any shoe.
Due to the air ventilation pockets of the 9, it slightly wins by a small margin here. However, both shoes are very breathable and can be used in hot weather running.
Hoka Clifton 10 Breathability : 4 out of 5
Hoka Clifton 9 Breathability : 4.5 out of 5
Winner: Hoka Clifton 9
Durability
With any Hoka shoe, you know you are getting quality materials with a design meant to last. I have tested the Clifton 9 for over 100 miles now, and the Clifton 10 at 80 miles. Overall, you are easily getting your money’s worth.
Both the Clifton 10 and Clifton 9 feature similar outsole designs with strategically placed rubber in high-wear areas and exposed foam in others. This design helps reduce weight while still providing adequate traction and increasing longevity.
The generous amount of extra cushioning in the Clifton 10 was specifically designed to address durability concerns, they engineered the outsole to be much more stiff, but become softer as it gets to the midsole for cushion.
This is great because there’s no reason for the outsole to be very soft. Adding that stiffness enhances the strength that we’ll have against the ground to hold up against bottoming out. The same engineering goes for the Bondi 9, no longer do maximum cushioned shoes cause massive durability concerns.
Overall, both models have really good durability which has been time-tested during our objective scoring process.
Hoka Clifton 10 Durability : 4 out of 5
Hoka Clifton 9 Durability : 4 out of 5
Winner: Tie
Weight
We weighed both shoes on our scale, with the Clifton 10 weighing 11 oz and the Clifton 9 at 12 oz. This was such a surprise because of how much more cushioning the Clifton 10 has than the 9.
Both shoes are about mid-weight for running shoes, but maximum cushioning and shock absorption which is usually directly proportional to weight.
Overall, these are not ultralight running shoes; they are crafted to be lightweight for their class with ultimate durability and comfort.
Hoka Clifton 10 Weight : 4.5 out of 5
Hoka Clifton 9 Weight : 4 out of 5
Winner: Clifton 10
Hoka Clifton 10 Overall Rating: 8.6/10
- Comfort: 4.5 out of 5
- Traction: 4 out of 5
- Fit: 4.5 out of 5
- Stability and Support: 4.5 out of 5
- Breathability: 4 out of 5
- Weight: 4.5 out of 5
- Durability: 4 out of 5
Total: 30/35
Hoka Clifton 9 Overall Rating: 8.4/ 10
- Comfort: 4 out of 5
- Traction: 5 out of 5
- Fit: 4 out of 5
- Stability and Support: 4 out 5
- Breathability: 4.5 out of 5
- Weight: 4 out of 5
- Durability: 4 out of 5
Total:29.5/35
Hoka Clifton 9 vs Hoka Clifton 10 Which One Is Better Overall?
The updated specs on the Clifton 10 really added the extra edge in scoring during our testing as well as the new engineering that fixed the issues with the Clifton 9.
Both the Clifton 10 and Clifton 9 deliver excellent experiences, but they serve slightly different purposes and user preferences.
The Clifton 10 really knocks it out of the park when it comes to all-day comfort as well as enhanced stability for a maximum cushioned shoe.
The good news is that both shoes continue the Clifton legacy as excellent daily trainers that balance cushioning with performance.
Your specific foot shape, style, and performance preferences should guide your final decision between these two outstanding options in Hoka’s lineup.
Whether you choose the latest iteration with the Clifton 10 or stick with the tried-and-true Clifton 9, you’ll be getting one of the most popular running shoes on the market that delivers Hoka’s signature blend of cushioning and performance.
For Walking and All-Day Wear
While both shoes are designed primarily for running, many people also use HOKA shoes for walking and all-day comfort due to their exceptional cushioning.
For walking and everyday use:
- The Clifton 10’s wider fit and extra cushioning make it excellent for all-day comfort
- The Clifton 9’s softer feel might be preferred for those who don’t need the additional width
- Both provide excellent support for extended periods of standing or walking
Overall, you cannot go wrong choosing either shoe, getting either for under $155 is a steal.
Check Current Prices
The Clifton 10 retails for $150, a slight increase over the Clifton 9. However, with the release of the newer model, you can often find the Clifton 9 at a significant discount as retailers clear inventory.
How We Personally Tested Our Methodology
I personally tested both the Clifton 10 and 9 on numerous trails with altering terrain, as well as flat asphalt and concrete with the sole intention of providing you with the most unbiased review possible. We test our gear with our OBJECTIVE testing standards to make sure every review or comparison is as accurate as possible.
Mountaineer Journey is a 100% independent publisher with years of testing and reviewing outdoor equipment.
We currently pay for the products we test ourselves; no company or manufacturer pays us to sway our opinions or decisions.
Tyler is the founder Mountaineer Journey and a professional Mountain Guide with 15+ years of technical experience in trekking, mountaineering, and trail sports. Having logged thousands of miles from rugged alpine summits to urban paths, Tyler provides rigorous, field-tested insights on hiking, walking, and trail running gear. All reviews are 100% unsponsored and unbiased, ensuring you get honest scoring based on real-world performance. His mission is to help outdoor enthusiasts of all levels find reliable equipment that ensures comfort, safety, and performance on any terrain.
