Running shoes · owner-verdict comparison

Hoka Clifton 9 vs Saucony Triumph 22: what real owners say

Real owners rate these about evenly: 38% of 24 Hoka Clifton 9 owners recommend it, vs 42% of 53 for the Saucony Triumph 22.

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

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 →

Saucony Triumph 22

42%of 53 owners recommend
42% recommend · 15% neutral · 43% don't
Owners praise
  • Plush, cushioned feel that owners describe as soft and comfortable underfoot
  • More stable heel and forefoot than the Triumph 20/21, especially for wider feet
  • Great daily trainer for easy, recovery, and middle-distance miles
Owners complain about
  • Noticeably heavier and bulkier than the Triumph 20/21, a jump many owners call out by name
  • Feels clunky and dense underfoot, described repeatedly as running 'like a brick'
  • Feet run hot, especially on the forefoot, with some reporting it takes 150km+ to fade and complaints of near-zero breathability
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Hoka Clifton 9 if
  • ✓Runners wanting a cushioned daily trainer for easy miles
  • ✓Walkers and retail workers on their feet all day
  • ✓Long-distance runners valuing stability and rocker feel
  • ✓Wide-foot runners who benefit from the wide option
Skip it if
  • Runners wanting a fast, responsive shoe
  • Those bothered by a high heel collar rubbing the Achilles
Get the Saucony Triumph 22 if
  • ✓Daily-trainer runners logging easy/steady miles who want max cushioning and protection
  • ✓Runners with tired legs on recovery days seeking a soft, plush, protected ride
  • ✓Walkers and all-day-on-feet wearers who value comfort over performance
  • ✓Fans of a firmer, wider, more stable heel-strike feel versus the 20/21
Skip it if
  • Weight-conscious runners chasing speed, tempo, or race-day performance
  • Anyone prone to hot feet or needing breathable uppers for summer running

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

What Saucony Triumph 22 owners say

“Still enjoying mine.”
— @thomasn1279 on YouTube
“these have been very comfortable from the start and i love throwing them on on days when my legs feel tired”
— @OGPixelProphet on YouTube
“Sounds like the best thing about the 22sis that the 21s are going cheap now”
— @Onyourtodd on YouTube

Hoka Clifton 9 vs Saucony Triumph 22: frequently asked questions

Is the Hoka Clifton 9 or the Saucony Triumph 22 better?

Real owners rate these about evenly: 38% of 24 Hoka Clifton 9 owners recommend it, vs 42% of 53 for the Saucony Triumph 22.

Who should get the Hoka Clifton 9?

Owners point the Hoka Clifton 9 at runners wanting a cushioned daily trainer for easy miles, and walkers and retail workers on their feet all day.

Who should get the Saucony Triumph 22?

Owners point the Saucony Triumph 22 at daily-trainer runners logging easy/steady miles who want max cushioning and protection, and runners with tired legs on recovery days seeking a soft, plush, protected ride.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Hoka Clifton 9 is not responsive or fast; feels ploddy when picking up pace. For the Saucony Triumph 22, it's noticeably heavier and bulkier than the Triumph 20/21, a jump many owners call out by name.