Hoka Clifton 9 vs Brooks Ghost 16
Hoka Clifton 9 wins — Hoka Clifton 9 wins for long-distance runners, plantar fasciitis sufferers, and anyone who prioritizes maximum cushionin…
Scores: Hoka Clifton 9 9/10 · Brooks Ghost 16 8/10
Hoka Clifton 9 wins for long-distance runners, plantar fasciitis sufferers, and anyone who prioritizes maximum cushioning and a lower drop. Brooks Ghost 16 wins for heel strikers who want a traditional feel, longer shoe life, and a stable platform. For most casual-to-intermediate runners, Ghost's 500-mile durability and balanced fit make it the safer all-purpose choice.
Hoka Clifton 9 lists at $145 while Brooks Ghost 16 lists at $140 — Brooks Ghost 16 undercuts Hoka Clifton 9 by $5 (4%).
Spec-by-spec comparison
| Hoka Clifton 9 | Brooks Ghost 16 |
|---|
| stack_height | 36mm heel / 29mm forefoot | 32mm heel / 20mm forefoot |
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| drop | 5mm heel-to-toe drop | 12mm heel-to-toe drop |
|---|
| weight | 8.1 oz (men's 9) | 9.6 oz (men's 9) |
|---|
| foam | CMEVA compression-molded EVA foam | DNA Loft v3 foam |
|---|
| upper | Engineered mesh | 3D Fit Print engineered mesh |
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| fit | Wide toe box, standard to wide available | Balanced fit, narrow to wide available |
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Hoka Clifton 9
What works
- 36mm stack height provides maximum cushioning for long runs and all-day standing — effective for plantar fasciitis management
- Wide toe box is notably wider than Ghost's standard fit — better for bunion-prone or wide-footed runners
- 5mm drop is lower than Ghost's 12mm — more Achilles-friendly for heel-strike-to-midfoot transition
What doesn't
- Maximal stack height makes the shoe feel 'rocker-board' — takes 2-3 runs to adjust if you're coming from traditional trainers
- CMEVA foam compresses faster than Brooks' DNA Loft v3 — noticeable wear at ~350 miles vs Ghost's 500-mile durability
- Narrow heel can feel unstable during lateral movements — Clifton is a straight-line road runner, not a versatile trainer
Brooks Ghost 16
What works
- DNA Loft v3 foam lasts 500+ miles with consistent cushioning — outlasts Clifton's CMEVA foam by ~40%
- 12mm drop and balanced platform suits heel strikers transitioning from walking shoes — no adjustment period
- Ghost's neutral balanced fit accommodates a wider range of gaits than Clifton's specifically wide toe-box design
What doesn't
- 9.6 oz is 1.5 oz heavier than Clifton — perceptible over 10+ mile runs
- 12mm drop is high — not ideal for midfoot or forefoot strikers trying to reduce heel load
- Less cushioning depth than Clifton — plantar fasciitis users may prefer Hoka's stack height
Bottom line
Our pick: Hoka Clifton 9.
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