Our reviews are 100% organic. We do not accept payment for reviews or bundle with advertising budgets. In most cases, the brand is providing the product to our reviewers free of charge. The difference between a durable training shoe and and speedy racing shoe can be substantial. Here are two models from Hoka that we’ve put to the test for both long distance training and speedwork sessions.
Mach 6
Hoka’s sixth version of the Mach road shoe adds durability and response without any changes in weight or stack height, resulting in a road shoe that’s ideal for training on a variety of terrain.
The Mach 6 has been updated with a midsole that’s a single layer SCF (super critical foam) which is responsive right out of the box. After about 200 miles in these shoes, we found that the initial responsiveness we felt was still there, offering a rocker-like propulsion with forward momentum, especially on hard surfaces.
Another major update includes strategic rubber outsole coverage, which means minimal weight with maximum durability. We tested this shoe on road , gravel, dirt and rocky trails and experienced minimal slipping with reliable traction. The durabrasion rubber outsole had minimal wear after our testing, with just a slight wearing down in the center of the forefoot of the shoe on the outer edges of the durabrasion rubber.
The upper jacquard fabric is light and breathable, but we also found it to be resilient to dirt and debris due to a thicker, tighter weave. The tongue has a dual internal gusset which keeps it from bunching under the classic lacing system. It’s got a honeycomb-shaped pattern that offers better ventilation near the toebox. We appreciated the added cushion around the ankle, as it held up incredibly well when sliding our feet in and out of the shoes, along with the padded heel pull on the back. This was one of the key design differences that stood out between the Mach 6 and the Mach X 2. More on that below.
Overall this shoe performed well with superior response on training runs and kept us from absorbing the force of longer miles on the road, while also allowing our testers to take the shoes on extended terrain.
Mach X 2
Built for speed, the second iteration of the Mach X includes an increased stack height, extra PEBA foam and an upgraded winged plate design. With a lightweight upper and full-length Pebax plate, the shoe’s design lends itself toward faster workouts and racing with a bouncy midsole that sits as the foundation of the shoe.
The increased stack height totals 5mm and when paired with the extra PEBA foam and increased rocker profile, gave our testers a midfoot bounce that worked to propel increased height and stride on hard, flat surfaces as well as steep descents. While the Mach 6 offered a stable, springy heel that generated strong support, the feel of the Mach X 2 underfoot was a bit softer. The extended Pebax plate is in place to generate more support, but our female testers found that it felt like too much in the midsole and not enough in the heel, making for great vertical propulsion but not enough forward momentum. The cutouts underfoot helped to reduce the weight but made for a noticeable lack of support in the heel, which worked against our testers when traversing steep inclines.
We tested the Mach X 2 on road, gravel and single-track trails, and found the cutouts also created a bit less traction on uneven terrain, even picking up a few rocks that lodged themselves in the cutouts. However, the sticky rubber zonal outsole kept incredible traction on road and asphalt, making for confident descents.
The lightweight woven textile upper wasn’t as soft as the jacquard fabric on the Mach 6 but offered breathability and the fast feel of a racing shoe. The collar around the ankle is thin and unreinforced which made for a tough entry when putting on the shoes, but the fit of the upper was secure as well as the gusseted tongue and classic lacing system.
After testing the Mach 6, the Mach X 2 felt like a shoe meant for fast, flat racing with its extra PEBA foam and increased rocker profile. These work best when on the track or when bounding through downhill repeats.
Both the Mach 6 and Mach X 2 are available at Hoka.com.
Mach 6 Features and Specs:
- Weight: 6.7 oz women’s / 8.2 oz men’s
- Stack Height (heel/toe, in mm): 35/30mm (women’s) / 37/32mm (men’s)
- Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm): 5mm
- Upper: Jacquard mesh
- Midsole: Super Critical Foam (SCF)
- Outsole: Durabrasion rubber
- MSRP: $140
MachX 2 Features and Specs:
- Weight: 8 oz women’s / 9.2 oz men’s
- Stack Height (heel/toe, in mm): 38/33mm (women’s) / 44/39mm (men’s)
- Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm): 5mm
- Upper: Woven textile upper
- Midsole: PEBA foam
- Outsole: Sticky zonal rubber
- MSRP: $190