The Clifton, which is now on its 9th iteration, put Hoka on the map. When it first came out, there was nothing on the market as cushioned and as efficient as the Clifton with its Meta-Rocker geometry. Now, 9 years later, Clifton is even more loved and more popular. The Clifton 9 costs $145.

The Mach 5 received a major update this year to its midsole, outsole and upper. Its new ride is much more versatile while still being super light. The Mach 5 is becoming more and more popular. It also costs $140.

Which of these Hoka trainers is better suited to you?

The Clifton 9 has a single density CMEVA midsole with a thick stack height. It has a soft ride but without the feeling of sinking into the foam. It has plenty of cushioning for marathon distances and beyond.

The Mach 5 has a dual foam PROFLY+ setup with softer foam on the top layer and rubberised EVA on the bottom. The midsole of the Mach 5 is not as thick as that of the Clifton 9 but it still packs plenty of cushioning.

The Clifton 9 has a softer ride with deeper cushioning that’s more suitable for long runs and slow paced runs. The Mach 5 has a slightly firmer ride with more energy return that’s better for shorter distances and faster paced runs.

The Clifton 9 has a rocker-shaped midsole which Hoka calls the Meta-Rocker. This geometry helps to roll you through transitions which improves efficiency over long distances. The Mach 5 doesn’t have the Meta-Rocker that the Clifton 9 has.

On the outsole of the Clifton 9, there’s firmer, blown rubber on all the high wear areas. This increases the durability of the Clifton 9. The Mach 5 doesn’t have any outsole rubber on its outsole: it only has rubberised EVA foam which wears down much faster than traditional rubber lugs. The Clifton 9 is more durable than the Mach 5.

Stability is better in the Clifton 9 than in the Mach 5. The Clifton 9 has raised midsole sidewalls which help to guide your feet. It also has a bucket seat setup where your feet sit inside the midsole and not on top of it so there is a distinct cupping of the foot.

Ground feel is much better in the Mach 5 than in the Clifton 9. Not only is the Mach 5’s midsole thinner so your foot sits closer to the ground, but there is also no outsole rubber on it so you have a better feel of the surfaces below your feet.

The upper of the Clifton 9 is made of engineered mesh. It has a generously padded tongue, collar and heel tab. It has a gusseted tongue so that no tongue slide occurs and overall foot lockdown is superb. The fit of the Clifton is true to size but it has a narrow fit. It does come in a wide version if you need the extra width.

The upper of the Mach 5 is also made of engineered mesh but its upper is not as padded as the upper of the Clifton 9 so it’s more breathable. It has a thin, flat tongue which is also gusseted and foot lockdown is also superb. The Mach 5 fits true to size and is not as narrow as the Clifton 9. It’s not available in additional widths.

If you’re a runner looking for a plusher trainer for relaxed paces like easy runs and recovery runs, the Clifton 9 is the better option for you. It has a thick midsole with deep cushioning which doesn’t bottom out. The Clifton 9 is also the better shoe for long runs because of its Meta-Rocker which saves you energy over long distances. The Clifton 9 is also more stable than the Mach 5.

If you’re looking for a lighter trainer that can handle fast-paced runs better, the Mach 5 is the better option. Its PROFLY+ midsole has excellent responsiveness which makes it easy to pick up the pace. The Mach 5 has a lighter, more breathable upper which is more comfortable because it’s wider than the Clifton 9’s upper. The Mach 5 is not as stable but it’s the lighter, more versatile trainer.