Clifton 9 is a neutral running shoe with very good cushioning that I recommend both for beginners and as a quantity shoe for experienced runners. It has a very good stability, and the outsole is made of durable rubber with a lightly patterned design that provides a good grip whether you run on asphalt or gravel roads.
While living in Finland, I used the Hoka Clifton often, even on snow, and it was excellent for this purpose. One of the main updates besides the running characteristics is the durability of the outsole. The first models had a fairly sensitive outsole that made them easy to wear out when running on the tarmac. Now an extra rubber layer has been added to make the shoes more durable.