HOKA ONE ONE Mach 4 Review
Big Updates Promise Big Performance
Likes
- Highly versatile
- Comfortable fit
- Soft and responsive cushioning
- Lightweight
Dislikes
- May lack high-end durability
- Overly long laces
What's New
The HOKA ONE ONE Mach 4 features a myriad of updates that have evolved the shoe into a whole new beast. The PROFLY midsole and rubberised EVA outsole offer an improved running experience that is both soft and responsive, giving the Mach 4 the versatility to handle any type of run from uptempo workouts to marathon distances. Additionally, the heat-pressed TPU mesh upper is lightweight, breathable, and provides a comfortable yet locked-down fit that will work for a wide range of foot shapes. Finally, the extended and flared heel collar construction reduces Achilles irritation and conveniently doubles as a pull tab.
The Bottom Line
HOKA's Mach series has taken tremendous leaps forward with the release of the Mach 4, and the running community is already raving about the changes to this previously overlooked daily trainer. If you've run in the Mach 3, then you will more than appreciate the Mach 4's improvements in comfort and performance. The PROFLY foam is plush without sacrificing any responsiveness, and the early-stage Meta-Rocker design works with the swallowtail heel to deliver an ultra-smooth ride that has a propulsive snap at toe-off. The list of improvements does not just end there, as the Mach 4 is upgraded with an engineered mesh that provides runners with a superb midfoot lockdown that adapts to the foot. With all these new features, the versatile Mach 4 has quickly become a top pick here at Running Warehouse, and this versatile daily trainer will make for a fantastic addition to any runner's shoe rotation.
Shoe Performance
Shoe Softnessi
FirmSoftRide/Energy Returni
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protectioni
LowHighFlexibilityi
RigidElasticUpper Supporti
StructuredAdaptableSpecifications & Fit
How It Fits
Shoe Specs
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softnessi
HOKA may have found the perfect balance between softness and responsiveness in the Mach 4. The PROFLY midsole is luxuriously soft and will deliver continuous comfort throughout your runs. Our tesers really appreciated this upgraded feel and it will surely impress runners looking to test out the Mach 4 for themselves.
Justin: "The Mach 4 has a good amount of softness to it and a good bit of bounce as well. I was pleasantly surprised by the way I've felt running in the Mach 4. It almost feels like a 'super foam' to me."
Connor: "The Mach 4 offers the perfect amount of soft midsole cushioning without being overly squishy. The top layer of foam is extremely soft while the bottom layer is slightly firm to offer a balanced underfoot experience. The shoe delivers a plush feel that has the comfort to go pretty much any distance while still feeling fast and somewhat nimble for the amount of cushioning it provides."
Ride/Energy Returni
Once again, the perfect balance of softness and responsiveness is a highlight of the Mach 4's ride. The combination of PROFLY foam midsole, rubberised outsole, and early Meta-Rocker design creates an incredibly snappy ride that efficiently propels runners through their gait cycle. The Mach 4 has the versatility to tackle training runs at just about any pace, and given the price, these shoes are a high-value buy that runners should not pass up.
Justin: "The Mach is not the bounciest shoe on the market. However, when you combine the bounce with the softness and weight, it is tough to compare to many other shoes out there. I really like the feel it has for both long runs and workouts. It is a 'best of both' shoe for me: soft and bouncy."
Connor: "The Mach is built with a very similar design to the Carbon X 2 racing shoe, so the energy return is phenomenal. It offers a bouncy ride that is propulsive but remains versatile enough to use for a variety of training runs. Since the shoe doesn't have a carbon plate, you really get to feel the underfoot experience of the foam and the toe-off offers a nice snap."
Underfoot Protectioni
Designed to handle long training runs, the Mach 4 provides plentiful protection that will keep runners comfortable no matter the distance. The PROFLY foam is not only protective but also lightweight, which further adds to the allure of the Mach 4.
Justin: "The protection in this shoe is great. Pair that with the underfoot experience and weight, and it is tough to beat in this category. I felt that ultra-marathon distances were doable in the Mach."
Connor: "The Mach has a large stack that offers plenty of protection for nearly any distance. I've used these shoes for slower recovery efforts as well as steady long runs, and they never left me feeling beat up afterward."
Flexibilityi
While our testers found the Mach 4 to be fairly rigid, they did note that the shoes still maintained a slight flex, which worked with the Meta-Rocker design to create an ultra-smooth ride. With the midsole seamlessly propelling runners through their gait, it is easy to pick up the pace or casually cruise in the Mach 4.
Justin: "The Mach doesn't flex a lot. There isn't any issue with this lack of flex, though, as the Meta-Rocker design allows me to move through my gait smoothly."
Connor: "The Mach 4 features flex grooves throughout, which helps add to the smooth ride. With that being said, the sheer amount of underfoot foam does put the shoe slightly more on the rigid side of the spectrum."
Upper Supporti
The updated upper on the Mach 4 features a heat-pressed TPU embroidered yarn design (please pardon the mouthful). This breathable and lightweight engineered mesh delivers a supportive fit and a secure lockdown. A roomy forefoot and anatomical Achilles construction adds even more comfort to this new upper.
Justin: "I thought the upper in the Mach 4 was perfect for me. It has enough space in the forefoot for some room, but it also has a solid fit in the midfoot and heel. I was really impressed with the fit and feel of the upper."
Connor: "For such a light and thin upper, I felt it did a great job in offering adequate support for daily training. It's very breathable and provides a nice lockdown when picking up the pace."
Men's HOKA Mach Running Shoes
Women's HOKA Mach Running Shoes
Individual Thoughts
The Mach 4, in my personal opinion, is an early contender for shoe of the year. I love the versatility of the Mach 4 and was especially impressed with how the shoe performed during long runs and workouts. I was also blown away by the cushion-to-weight ratio and underfoot experience, which has been rarely matched in other shoes I have run in. The closest comparison is the Skechers Razor 3, but the Razor didn't feel quite as protective as the Mach 4 to me. Ultimately, I really don't have any complaints about the Mach 4, but if I had to criticise something, then I could stretch to say that there may be some durability issues with the rubberised EVA outsole. I have noticed some higher-than-usual wear on the outsole after about 240+ kilometres on them.
Shoe Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
The HOKA Mach 4 has been completely redesigned from top to bottom. Although it is inspired by earlier versions, the Mach 4 is difficult to compare to any of its predecessors. This is simply because it is a far superior shoe in nearly every way compared to the previous Mach series shoes. HOKA has evolved the Mach 4 to become one of the most versatile running shoes on the market. The Mach 4 is fast and responsive, making it ideal for uptempo training sessions. With the PROFLY midsole and ample stack height, the Mach 4 is also soft and protective, delivering high-quality comfort that runners will love for long daily training runs. HOKA has completely reworked the Mach 4's geometry, which now features a swallowtail heel that is combined with extra flex grooves along the outsole to create a buttery-smooth ride through the gait cycle.
As you may be able to tell, I thought the Mach 4 performed very well in a variety of categories, and it has become my favorite HOKA trainer. This has made it difficult for me to find any serious problems to complain about. I did find the shoelaces to be too long and had to tuck them in to keep them from flopping around. But overall, this is a relatively small issue that can be easily overlooked. I am very interested to see where the Mach goes from here, as HOKA has already made huge upgrades that performed phenomenally for daily training, workouts, and everything in between.