Can I go straight from the Hoka Clifton 7 to the Clifton 9 and skip the Clifton 8?

Yes. Going Clifton 7 to Clifton 9 skips the Clifton 8, and neither update changed the ride, so you land on the same shoe two refinements later. The midsole is the one real difference: Compression-molded EVA (CMEVA) with an early MetaRocker to Lighter, more responsive CMEVA compound.

How much did the weight change across these two updates?

It nets out. The Clifton 7 and the Clifton 9 both weigh about 8.7 oz in a men's US 9, though the Clifton 8 sat at 8.8 oz in between.

Is the Clifton 8 the better buy than either of these?

On paper it splits them: 8.8 oz against 8.7 oz for the Clifton 7 and 8.7 oz for the Clifton 9, on a 29 mm heel and a $130 list price. Whether that is worth chasing depends on what the Clifton 8 update actually did, which the section above works through.

Did the Clifton get taller between the Clifton 7 and the Clifton 9?

Heel stack went 29 mm to 32 mm, by way of 29 mm on the Clifton 8. Drop held at 5 mm throughout, so the extra foam sits under both ends.

Where does the Clifton 9 sit in the Clifton lineup now?

Two versions on from the Clifton 7, and already replaced itself: the Clifton 10 arrived in 2025. If you are shopping old stock anyway, price the Clifton 9 against it before deciding.

Hoka Clifton 7 vs Clifton 9

Two versions apart. Updated July 30, 2026. Specs are men's US 9.

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THE SHORT ANSWER

Two updates and 3 years separate the Hoka Clifton 7 from the Clifton 9. Net change: 3 mm more heel stack, a new midsole, $15 more at list. Neither update in between changed what the Clifton is, so this is the same shoe refined twice rather than a new one.

Hoka Clifton 9Men's at Amazon Women's

Availability last checked Jul 30, 2026. Prices and stock change without notice.

Clifton 7 · 2020

Clifton 9 · 2023

The two updates in between

Each step has its own page with the full change list and the verdict on that update.

Step 1Clifton 7 to Clifton 82021Faithful successor
Clifton 7 vs 8 What replaced the Hoka Clifton 7?
Step 2Clifton 8 to Clifton 92023Refined, same shoe
Clifton 8 vs 9 What replaced the Hoka Clifton 8?

Clifton 7 vs Clifton 9: every spec, side by side

The net of both updates. Per-update change notes stay on the step pages above, because they explain changes measured from a different starting point than this table uses.

Spec	Clifton 7	Clifton 9
FIT AND WEIGHT
Weight	8.7 oz	8.7 oz
Widths	D, 2E	D, 2E
Upper	Soft sandwich engineered mesh with a gusseted tongue and pull tab	Recycled engineered mesh with a gusseted tongue
CUSHIONING GEOMETRY
Heel stack	29 mm	32 mm
Forefoot stack	24 mm	27 mm
Drop	5 mm	5 mm
MATERIALS
Midsole	Compression-molded EVA (CMEVA) with an early MetaRocker	Lighter, more responsive CMEVA compound
VALUE
List price at launch	$130	$145

Or buy the Clifton 8 instead?

The Clifton 8 is the value play if you find it discounted. It carries most of what the Clifton 9 added while selling as an older model, and moving one version at a time is the smaller adjustment.

Buy the Clifton 8

Sizes running out

Discontinued at retail. Amazon carries what remains, so treat an in-stock size as a closing window, and expect prices to swing.

Men's: Check remaining stock Women's: Check remaining stock

Availability last checked Jul 30, 2026.

Questions runners ask

Can I go straight from the Hoka Clifton 7 to the Clifton 9 and skip the Clifton 8?: Yes. Going Clifton 7 to Clifton 9 skips the Clifton 8, and neither update changed the ride, so you land on the same shoe two refinements later. The midsole is the one real difference: Compression-molded EVA (CMEVA) with an early MetaRocker to Lighter, more responsive CMEVA compound.
How much did the weight change across these two updates?: It nets out. The Clifton 7 and the Clifton 9 both weigh about 8.7 oz in a men's US 9, though the Clifton 8 sat at 8.8 oz in between.
Is the Clifton 8 the better buy than either of these?: On paper it splits them: 8.8 oz against 8.7 oz for the Clifton 7 and 8.7 oz for the Clifton 9, on a 29 mm heel and a $130 list price. Whether that is worth chasing depends on what the Clifton 8 update actually did, which the section above works through.
Did the Clifton get taller between the Clifton 7 and the Clifton 9?: Heel stack went 29 mm to 32 mm, by way of 29 mm on the Clifton 8. Drop held at 5 mm throughout, so the extra foam sits under both ends.
Where does the Clifton 9 sit in the Clifton lineup now?: Two versions on from the Clifton 7, and already replaced itself: the Clifton 10 arrived in 2025. If you are shopping old stock anyway, price the Clifton 9 against it before deciding.