I've been a runner for over 10 years. I tested the Hoka Clifton 9 and On Cloudmonster 2 to see which one is better.
As a fitness editor who has loved running for almost two decades, I have worn every type of sneaker. Some of my favourite brands right now? Hoka and On.
Both brands are relatively new to the running shoe community. Hoka was founded in 2009 and On in 2010. Despite the companies’ young ages, both have an impressive cult following for their sneaker innovations. Both brands have more cushioning within the midsole to absorb impact and feature a unique boat-like shape throughout the shoe to propel you forward. I tested 15 pairs of these shoes over the last two years, including the fan favourite Hoka Clifton 9 and On Cloudmonster 2.
Clifton 9
Cloudmonster 2
Both sneaker models have earned top marks from Women’s Health editors, myself included. News and features editor Currie Engel ran 400 miles in the Hoka Clifton 9 during marathon training blister-free, while I just ran a half marathon in the On Cloudmonster 2. Both pairs offer pluses and are some of their brand’s most popular models, so I took it upon myself to compare and contrast each. Let the battle of the trainers begin.
Hoka’s Clifton 9 maxes out on cushioning, but feels stiff
Although packed with cushioning, these shoes feel firm when pounding pavement. ‘They felt like an extension of my body, rather than a clunky training shoe,’ says Engel.
Associate Health and Fitness Editor Addison Aloian agrees and is currently training in them for her first upcoming half marathon. ‘I was initially worried that the cushioning wouldn’t be stable enough, but I was wrong—these keep me balanced and light on my toes,’ she says.
While both staffers swear by these for running marathons, I only wear the Clifton 9 for short, slower-paced easy runs and long walks. I’ve logged about a hundred running miles and thousands of steps during walks in them for over a year. After a thorough evaluation, I consider it my ultimate walking shoe. As much as I want to love it for long-distance running, it just doesn’t wow me like other shoes in my lineup. I find them quite stiff and have trouble hitting fast paces during runs when these are on my feet—I’m still trying to figure out why. It could be the stiffer midsole, fit, slightly lower heel-to-toe drop, or simply bad luck!
At first, I thought they needed to be broken in, but not much changed over time. The specs also say it’s more lightweight (0.14 ounces less) than the Clifton 8, but it feels slightly heavier to me than the older model. I know plenty of runners who consider the Clifton 9 their ride-or-die, so the most likely case is they’re not the right running shoe for me.
Clifton 9
On Running’s Cloudmonster 2 is a speedy workhorse that doesn’t let me down
I truly have no complaints about these kicks—WH editors deemed them the best On shoe for road running for a reason!
I rely on these versatile sneakers for racing, long runs, and speed work. I recently wore them during a half marathon. I feel like I’m flying while wearing these, and my paces reflect that. I’ve run over 200 miles in these and they’re still a workhorse!
These are solely made for running. It’s built with the brand’s innovative Speedboard, which is a flexible plastic plate wedged between the footbed and midsole that snaps back into place for a bouncy effect after my feet hit the ground. Because of these added features for speed, it seems like overkill to wear it for walking since they cost almost £200.
Plus, only having shoes specifically for running or walking will make them last longer. For context, you should replace running shoes every 300 to 500 miles to prevent injury (I learned the hard way).
But hey, you can take a stroll in them if you want to. WH fitness editor Talene Appleton says they’re one of her favourite walking shoes. 'Whenever I want to feel super comfortable in my shoes but don't want that tight, locked-in feeling like I do when I'm running, the Cloudmonster is my go-to,' she says.
Cloudmonster 2
Cushioning
Both shoes have maximum cushioning and very similar heel-to-drops (the height difference between the heel and forefoot) for long-lasting comfort and impact reduction. The Clifton 9 has a 5mm heel-to-drop, while the Cloudmonster 2 has a 6mm. That’s neither high nor low, so it hits the sweet spot. Lower drops cause more impact on the ankles, while higher drops put more stress on the knees and hips.
Hoka describes the cushioning in the Clifton 9 as ‘balanced yet springy’ enough to propel you forward. I didn’t experience the springy sensations I feel with other running shoes in my beloved lineup, but I can attest the super thick sole is the real deal and incredibly plush. The cushioning comes from the rubber foam midsole and doesn’t compress, making this shoe stellar at absorbing impact. I struggle with flare-ups of runner’s knee and this shoe didn’t aggravate it, which is a huge win! Although the sole is spongey, I find it too firm and stiff to gain speed.
On uses its signature CloudTec cushioning to mimic a pillow-like sensation—it checks off all my boxes! Similar to Hoka’s foam, CloudTec absorbs shock to minimise strain on the joints. This CloudTec foam compresses to conform to your feet when they hit the ground. In addition to cradling my feet, the shoe is supportive without weighing me down. Strangely, these weigh more than the Clifton 9 but they feel weightless. For context, the Cloudmonster 2 weighs 249 grams (8.8 ounces), while the Clifton 9 weighs 207 grams (7.3 ounces).
Fit
Finding a shoe that fits right is a tedious task for me. I have bunions, which make shoes fit tighter and can cause foot pain. I own the non-wide version of the Clifton 9 and find the toe box pretty narrow. Wide sizing is available, so I’m assuming that’s an easy fix. The fit is snug and has a generously long heel tab to help prevent ankle blisters (my worst nightmare). Despite the toe box being tighter than I’d like, my heel and midfoot are comfortable. Overall, they fit true to size, but I recommend going up a half-size if your usual size isn’t available in the wide option.
The Cloudmonster 2 does not come in wide sizing, yet has a very roomy toe box. I never have that throbbing sensation my bunion gets when I wear shoes for too long, making these amazing for long runs. The OG model is also roomy, but the newer edition feels even more spacious. I personally like that, but I did see some reviewers online say to size down a half-size for a more snug fit.
Durability
I find the Hoka Clifton 9 more durable. I notice the Cloudmonsters’ sole quickly gets discoloured and worn down, while the sole on the Clifton 9 still looks like it did out of the box after over 100 miles and a year. The Cloudmonster 2 has a steep price tag of $180, so it’s shocking that the sole diminishes so quickly. Although I wear the Cloudmonster 2 in wet terrain and for trail running, the Clifton 9 has a better tread thanks to its thicker outsole designed for high-friction. As for fabric, both shoes are still intact and have no holes after over 200 miles a year of wear.
Stability
The Clifton 9 doesn’t keep my feet as stable compared to the Cloudmonster 2. When I run in the Clifton 9, I always get blisters on my inner forefoot, which tells me that they make me overpronate. But, I think this truly depends on your personal foot structure, because Engel had the opposite experience. ‘With high arches, the shoe had exactly the kind of support I needed to keep me from overpronating—they weren't too bouncy nor too flat,’ says Engel.
The Cloudmonsters don’t make me overpronate. The Clifton 9 is described as having neutral stability, which means it’s supportive. For context, Hoka’s J-Frame is a firm J-shaped piece of foam placed at the inner side of the shoe to prevent overpronation.
Speed
The Cloudmonster 2 is built with a special Speedboard, a flexible plastic plate wedged between the midsole that snaps back into place for intense energy return. This helps propel me forward for speedy miles. It’s made with a blend of nylon wedged underneath the midfoot and designed to bend in a way that gives you a pop in each step. The Clifton 9 doesn’t feature any added innovations for speed, so it makes sense that I didn’t notice any extra oomph during runs. Hitting fast paces is tough enough, so having some assistance never hurts! The Speedboard mimics a pricey carbon-plated shoe but is more plush while maintaining firmness.
Which Shoe Is Best For You?
Here is my take: The Hoka Clifton 9 is best for runners who don’t struggle with overpronation and on days where speed doesn’t matter—such as easy or long runs. That’s why it’s so important to get fitted for running shoes and do a treadmill test at a running store.
The On Cloudmonster 2 is the ideal race and training shoe in my books—for short, long, and speedy runs. If you haven’t already noticed, it’s the winner! I glide through the streets and finish line effortlessly when these are on my feet and pain-free. I’m still in awe of how spacious they feel even though there is no wide sizing. I find them stable, but if you have flat feet and need extra frills like additional arch support, you should probably look elsewhere for extra precaution.
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