29% of 24 verified Hoka Clifton 9owners don't recommend it — based on real owner comments from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube.
For balance: 38% recommend it. This page collects the complaints so you know what you're signing up for — read the full owner report for both sides. How we score
“These are a absolute nightmare if you have flat feet and unwearable”— @LAdogg4545 on YouTube
“it has no pop unlike the Saucony Tempus”— @johnag007 on YouTube
“too many better shoes out in recent years to go back to it”— @SeoulMan2020 on YouTube
“you will be disappointed to know that it still exists in this model”— @TristWallace on YouTube
“With cliftons lately the foam gets compressed and feels hard after a few miles.”— @30bananaguy on YouTube
“really enjoyed them until the foam died after 100 miles”— @edwardcreighton2638 on YouTube
“this shoe is very uncomfortable as middle sole poking my feet”— @currylaksa on YouTube
“I tried these on and it felt ok but I tried on a pair of Brooks Ghost Max 2 right after and those felt better to me”— @MotoMedicine904 on YouTube
“Huge downside is I have never had the sole of a running shoe wear out more quickly. They lost almost all of their "bounce" within like 150 miles. I was very disappointed.”— drew-careymore on Reddit
“I pushed mine to about 140 miles + whatever milage I have from daily walking in it for about 6 months - looking for replacement shoes now”— kitchishere on r/RunningShoeGeeks
“Hoka Clifton’s hurt my knees and I don’t like the high back because it rubs the back of my heel wrong and I have to tape.”— Strict-Wonder-7125 on r/Marathon_Training
“Mine feel kinda dead after 100-150 miles. I may just run them to 200 n call it”— scroller52 on r/RunningShoeGeeks
Not complaints — practical notes from owners that didn't affect the score.
“The Clifton 9s were my first running shoes. I had to retire them after three months at around 320 miles.”— kizeltine on r/RunningShoeGeeks