Products
HOKA Clifton 9
Nike Invincible 3
Tested using Methodology v0.8.2
Updated Oct 20, 2025 08:04 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Tested using Methodology v0.8.2
Updated Oct 21, 2025 08:04 PM
SEE PRICE
Nike.com
Weight
257.5 g (9.08 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.3 mm
Plate
None
Weight
287.3 g (10.13 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.4 mm
Plate
None
Our Verdict
HOKA Clifton 9
Nike Invincible 3
The Nike Invincible 3 and the HOKA Clifton 9 are both popular daily trainers with differing strengths. The HOKA is better cushioned and lighter, making it feel a bit more pleasant over longer distances. However, the Nike is a more premium daily trainer due to its bouncy ZoomX foam, resulting in a ride that feels more responsive underfoot. This added bounce makes the Nike more versatile, allowing it to handle some strides more easily. In contrast, the HOKA leans more toward consistent daily mileage with a balanced, reliable feel.
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))
- Invincible 3 (Electric Pack/Olympic Safari - (Men - US 9))
- Invincible 3 (Jade Ice/White-Clear Jade - (Women - US 7))
- Invincible 3 (Light Cream/Coconut Milk/Oxygen Purple/Light Orewood Brown - (Men - US 9))
- Invincible 3 (Phantom/Bright Crimson/University Red/Black - (Men - US 9))
- Invincible 3 (Photon Dust/Psychic Blue/Sail/Light Smoke Grey - (Women - US 7))
- Invincible 3 (Pure Platinum/Cool Grey/Vapor Green/Dark Obsidian - (Women - US 7))
- Invincible 3 (University Red/Blue Joy/Rugged Orange - (Men - US 9))
- Invincible 3 (White/Blue Tint/Sail/Blue Void - (Men - US 9))
- Invincible 3 (White/Bright Crimson/Sail/Black - (Men - US 9))
- Invincible 3 (White/Fire Red/Cement Gray/Black - (Men - US 9))
- Invincible 3 (White/Sesame/Anthracite/Coconut Milk - (Men - US 9))
Main Differences for
Marathon Racing
Marathon Racing
Threshold
Marathon Racing
5.9
6.9
Forefoot Energy Return
2.4
8.0
Heel Energy Return
2.2
8.1
Weight
6.1
4.9
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
6.1
4.9
Right Shoe Weight Photo
Left Shoe Weight Photo
Weight
257.5 g (9.08 oz)
287.3 g (10.13 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
Heel Stack Height
39.2 mm
38.2 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
30.9 mm
29.8 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.3 mm
8.4 mm
Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop
5.0 mm
9.0 mm
External Shape
3D Model Full Shoe
Outsole Heel Width
89 mm (3.5")
99 mm (3.9")
Outsole Arch Width
84 mm (3.3")
72 mm (2.8")
Outsole Forefoot Width
107 mm (4.2")
118 mm (4.6")
Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio
2.27
2.59
Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio
3.47
3.96
Internal Shape
3D Model Internal
Internal Length
274 mm (10.8")
272 mm (10.7")
Internal Heel Width
58 mm (2.3")
63 mm (2.5")
Internal Forefoot Width
87 mm (3.4")
93 mm (3.7")
Wide Sizing Available
Yes
Yes
Other Features
Other Features Photo
Tongue Gusset Type
Non-gusseted
Non-gusseted
Plate
None
None
Performance
Heel Energy Return
2.2
8.1
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Heel Energy Return
68.1%
81.2%
Forefoot Energy Return
2.4
8.0
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Forefoot Energy Return
68.6%
80.8%
Heel Cushioning
7.6
6.7
Heel Cushioning Picture
Heel Cushioning
Energy Absorbed At 550N
3.11 J
2.92 J
Energy Absorbed At 1100N
9.51 J
8.31 J
Energy Absorbed At 1900N
16.72 J
14.67 J
Forefoot Cushioning
7.9
5.9
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Forefoot Cushioning
Energy Absorbed At 800N
4.51 J
3.83 J
Energy Absorbed At 1300N
8.58 J
6.31 J
Energy Absorbed At 2050N
13.19 J
9.05 J
Heel Firmness
5.2
6.3
Heel Firmness
Firmness At 550N
51.9 N/mm
60.1 N/mm
Firmness At 1100N
104.0 N/mm
120.9 N/mm
Firmness At 1900N
214.1 N/mm
265.9 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
7.1
9.0
Forefoot Firmness
Firmness At 800N
92.3 N/mm
142.8 N/mm
Firmness At 1300N
178.8 N/mm
299.3 N/mm
Firmness At 2050N
334.6 N/mm
590.7 N/mm
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HOKA Clifton 9
Nike Invincible 3
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HOKA Clifton 9 vs Nike Invincible 3: Main Discussion
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