HOKA Clifton 9 vs Mach 6

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

HOKA Clifton 9
HOKA Mach 6

Tested using Methodology v0.8.2

Updated Oct 20, 2025 08:04 PM

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Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Oct 29, 2025 03:35 PM

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Hoka.com

Our Verdict

HOKA Clifton 9

HOKA Mach 6

The HOKA Clifton 9 and the HOKA Mach 6 are both daily trainers, but each caters to slightly different preferences. The Clifton 9 is a more basic, reliable option, offering simplicity and stability for everyday mileage. The Mach 6, however, is more versatile thanks to its lighter weight, superior bounce, and more responsive cushioning. The Clifton is a good choice if you're looking for a straightforward workhorse. Still, for runners wanting more agility, responsiveness, and versatility in daily training, the Mach 6 will be the better pick.

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Variants

  • Clifton 9 (Black/Black - (Women - US 7))
  • Clifton 9 (Black/Rose Gold - (Women - US 7))
  • Clifton 9 (Evening Sky Coral - (Women - US 7))
  • Clifton 9 (Frost/Gold - (Men - US 9))
  • Clifton 9 (Lettuce/Solar Flare - (Women - US 7))
  • Clifton 9 (Nimbuscloud/Steel Wool - (Men - US 9))
  • Clifton 9 (Oat Milk/Barley - (Men - US 9))
  • Clifton 9 (Olive Haze/Mercury - (Women - US 7))
  • Clifton 9 (Sandstone/Cream - (Women - US 7))
  • Clifton 9 (Solar Flare/Lettuce - (Men - US 9))
  • Clifton 9 (Stardust/Electric Cobalt - (Men - US 9))
  • Clifton 9 (Sunlit Ocean/Lilac Mist - (Women - US 7))
  • Clifton 9 (Vanilla/Astral - (Women - US 7))
  • Mach 6 (Black - (Men - US 9))
  • Mach 6 (Black/Electric Tangerine - (Men - US 9))
  • Mach 6 (Black/Fuchsia - (Women - US 7))
  • Mach 6 (Black/White - (Men - US 9))
  • Mach 6 (Black/White - (Women - US 7))
  • Mach 6 (Cielo Blue - (Women - US 7))
  • Mach 6 (Cloudless/Waterpark - (Women - US 7))
  • Mach 6 (Dusk Shadow - (Men - US 9))
  • Mach 6 (Electric Cobalt/Varsity Navy - (Men - US 9))
  • Mach 6 (Frost/Gold - (Men - US 9))
  • Mach 6 (Lava - (Women - US 7))
  • Mach 6 (Oat Milk/Barley - (Men - US 9))
  • Mach 6 (Pale Dusk/Gull - (Women - US 7))
  • Mach 6 (White - (Men - US 9))
  • Mach 6 (White/Lettuce - (Women - US 7))
  • Mach 6 (White/Nimbus Cloud - (Men - US 9))
  • Mach 6 (White/Nimbus Cloud - (Women - US 7))
  • Mach 6 (White/Solar Flare - (Men - US 9))
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Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 

5.9
7.0

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

2.4
7.0

Heel Energy Return 
 

2.2
6.3

Heel Stack Height 
 

39.2 mm
37.1 mm

Weight  

6.1
7.0

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

6.1
7.0

Right Shoe Weight Photo  

Left Shoe Weight Photo  

Weight 
 

257.5 g (9.08 oz)
233.6 g (8.24 oz)
Show Text 

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo  

Heel Stack Height 
 

39.2 mm
37.1 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

30.9 mm
31.2 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

8.3 mm
5.9 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

5.0 mm
5.0 mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Outsole Heel Width 
 

89 mm (3.5")
88 mm (3.5")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

84 mm (3.3")
61 mm (2.4")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

107 mm (4.2")
108 mm (4.2")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

2.27
2.37

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.47
3.46

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Internal Length 
 

274 mm (10.8")
271 mm (10.7")

Internal Heel Width 
 

58 mm (2.3")
59 mm (2.3")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

87 mm (3.4")
92 mm (3.6")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

Yes
Yes

Other Features  

Other Features Photo  

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Non-gusseted
Semi-gusseted

Plate 
 

None
None
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

2.2
6.3

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

See details
See details

Heel Energy Return 
 

68.1%
74.1%
Show Text 

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

2.4
7.0

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

See details
See details

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

68.6%
76.0%
Show Text 

Heel Cushioning 
 

7.6
6.8

Heel Cushioning Picture  

Heel Cushioning  

See details
See details

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

3.11 J
2.86 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

9.51 J
8.53 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

16.72 J
15.28 J
Show Text 

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

7.9
7.8

Forefoot Cushioning Picture  

Forefoot Cushioning  

See details
See details

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

4.51 J
4.51 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

8.58 J
8.38 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

13.19 J
12.61 J
Show Text 

Heel Firmness 
 

5.2
5.9

Heel Firmness  

See details
See details

Firmness At 550N 
 

51.9 N/mm
60.0 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

104.0 N/mm
111.1 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

214.1 N/mm
235.8 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Firmness 
 

7.1
7.6

Forefoot Firmness  

See details
See details

Firmness At 800N 
 

92.3 N/mm
100.0 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

178.8 N/mm
186.2 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

334.6 N/mm
385.5 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

6.6

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

See details

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

7.32 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

7.07 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

6.92 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

6.81 J

HOKA Clifton 9

HOKA Mach 6

Comments

  1. Comparison

HOKA Clifton 9 vs HOKA Mach 6: Main Discussion

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