Running shoes · owner-verdict comparison

Adidas Ultraboost 5 vs Hoka Clifton 9: what real owners say

Real owners rate these about evenly: 35% of 34 Adidas Ultraboost 5 owners recommend it, vs 38% of 24 for the Hoka Clifton 9.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Adidas Ultraboost 5

35%of 34 owners recommend
35% recommend · 21% neutral · 44% don't
Full owner report →

Hoka Clifton 9

38%of 24 owners recommend
38% recommend · 33% neutral · 29% don't
Owners praise
  • Very comfortable with plush cushioning
  • Great for long runs and easy daily miles
  • Comfortable for walking and all-day wear
Owners complain about
  • Not responsive or fast; feels ploddy when picking up pace
  • Cushioning wears out and feels dead quickly
Full owner report →

What Adidas Ultraboost 5 owners say

Say what you want about the design, these are insanely comfortable shoes. IMO look better in person.
ridukosennin on Reddit
I have Allbirds and UB 3.0s and I can say definitively my UBs are far more comfortable for me. It’s a treat to wear them haha
SunriseMoon on Reddit
Anyone have the issue of the footbed moving around in their Ultraboost 19s? It makes mine nearly unwearable. (It slides back constantly. No matter how tight or loose they are.)
Easy-Lucky-Free on Reddit

What Hoka Clifton 9 owners say

Hoka Clifton 9 are so good I have 2 pairs in different colors.
@agendasurf8604 on YouTube
I just got some and LOVE THE CLIFTON!
@danielsiminski5878 on YouTube
These are a absolute nightmare if you have flat feet and unwearable
@LAdogg4545 on YouTube