Brooks Ghost 15 vs. Hoka Clifton 9 (2023 Comparison)
These two shoes are direct competitors for daily training and long runs. As we will see, they take the DNA of each brand with characteristics whose relevance will depend on each runner.
First of all, we find relatively high stacks with 35 mm heel height for the Brooks Ghost 15 and 40 mm for the Hoka Clifton 9.
The underfoot feel is soft in both cases, with slightly more firmness on the Clifton. The two shoes deliver a moderate bounce–the ride is smooth but without any mind-blowing energy return either. The shock absorption is good, allowing great comfort even during long distances.
The first point where these two shoes diverge is the drop: the Ghost has a classic drop of 12 mm while the Clifton has a low (5 mm) drop. This is a matter of personal preference. There’s no reason to change if you already run with a specific configuration.
Secondly, the foot lockdown is good for both of these shoes, but they are loose, which can be more difficult to adjust if you have narrow feet. Conversely, runners with wider feet will be thrilled!
Let’s also note that the Clifton is lighter with 248 g/8.7 oz (men’s model) compared to 286 g/10.1 oz for the Ghost, or 38 g/1.4 oz less.
Finally, if sustainability is an essential criterion, you’ll enjoy the new Brooks Ghost and its carbon-neutral footprint. Last but not least, both shoes are vegan.
Ghost or Clifton: Which One Is Best for You?
These running shoes are very good and very similar in performance and comfort.
As we have seen, the main difference is their heel-to-toe drop. We recommend choosing the configuration you are used to (i.e., low or standard/high drop).
Side-By-Side Comparison
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| Overview | ||
| Description | The Brooks Ghost 15 is an eco-friendly shoe that offers comfort and lockdown for daily training. | The Hoka Clifton 9 is a lightweight running shoe combining comfort, versatility and cushion. |
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| Facts | ||
| Terrain | Road | Road |
| Support | Neutral | Neutral |
| Heel stack height | 35 mm | 40 mm |
| Forefoot stack height | 23 mm | 35 mm |
| Heel-to-toe drop | 12 mm | 5 mm |
| Weight (men) | 286 g | 248 g |
| Weight (women) | 258 g | 205 g |
| Features | Vegan, Wide feet, Recycled materials | Vegan, Recycled materials |
| Athletes | ||
| Release year | 2023 | 2023 |
| Technologies | ||
| Outsole | Segmented Crash Pad | Durabrasion Rubber |
| Midsole | DNA LOFT v2 | Compression-molded EVA foam (CMEVA), Early Meta-Rocker Geometry |
| Upper | Engineered Air Mesh, 3D Fit Print | Breathable technical mesh, gusseted tongue |
| Cushioning | ||
| Cushioning | Soft | Balanced |
| Responsiveness | Medium | Medium |
| Use | ||
| Distance | Mid, 10K, Half marathon, Long, Marathon | Mid, 10K, Half marathon, Long, Marathon |
| Speed | Slow, Moderate | Slow, Moderate, Fast |
| Workouts | Daily running | Daily running |
