HOKA Mach X 2 Review
Specifications & Fit
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 8.9 oz (size 9) | Women's: 7.7 oz (size 8) |
| Stack Height | 46 mm (Heel), 41 mm (Forefoot) | 5 mm Heel-Toe Offset |
| Terrain | Road |
| Stability | Neutral |
Individual Thoughts
The HOKA Mach X 2 has quickly become a standout in my running shoe rotation, and I love its versatility! It feels fast and durable, and I can even race in it.
When my legs felt fatigued, the Mach X 2 became my go-to choice for an effortless ride. Although it's not a carbon-plated shoe, the Mach X 2 still offers a similar level of performance in terms of responsiveness and efficiency, all at a comparable price point.
Unfortunately, the heel caused irritation, which kept me from giving the Mach X 2 a perfect score. Despite this setback, it remains a strong contender for those looking for a versatile, high-performing uptempo running shoe.
I've been testing the new HOKA Mach X 2 for the past few weeks, and I have to say, it's a great update from HOKA. I've used the Mach X 2 for long tempo runs and some intervals, and I'm very impressed.
The shoe felt incredibly light and stable at both fast and slow paces. The PEBA foam midsole, combined with the propulsive Pebax plate, provided exceptional energy return, propelling me forward. It's similar to the feeling I get from the Cielo X 1 and my favorite shoe, the Rocket X 2. I also ran in the rain, and the outsole, with its strategically placed rubber, gave me secure traction.
The Mach X 2's supportive woven upper is highly breathable and provides a reliable hold on any type of run. Throughout testing, my foot always felt very stable, and I really appreciated the updated lacing system.
That said, after my first test run, I developed a blister on my left heel. At first, I thought, "Maybe it's me and not the shoe," since I don't usually get blisters, so I gave the Mach X 2 the benefit of the doubt. Unfortunately, the irritation didn't improve with additional runs. As it turns out, I wasn't the only one with this issue; my fellow testers, Connor and Aleisha, had similar experiences.
It was disappointing because I was thinking, "This is exactly the shoe I've been looking for in terms of the ride," and the Mach X 2 is probably one of the best shoes I've run in over the last two years. I just hope HOKA addresses the issue with the heel cup moving forward, because, if they do, the Mach X 2 would be excellent all around!
For runners who don't want to wear a carbon-plated shoe every day but still want the feel of a speedy super trainer, the Mach X 2 is a great option. It's truly a shoe for all situations: slow, long, fast runs, and race day. So if you're looking for a super trainer that offers lightness, super foam, and a plate, the HOKA Mach X 2 is the shoe you need.
The HOKA Mach X 2 is a huge upgrade for the series, and if it wasn't for the heel fit issues, I would put this as a top contender for fun shoes to bring out nearly any day of the week. The Mach foam compound and geometries really shine and make it easy to pick up the pace or just cruise. Some elements remind me of the Cielo X 1 (a great addition this past year), and some elements from the standard Mach blended for a true performance daily trainer. While I think the Mach X 2 has great versatility as a super trainer, it will shine best on progressive long runs, longer tempo workouts, or even some faster daily training. Overall, it's a bouncy shoe that just makes you want to pick up the pace!
Our In-Depth Look
Upper
Aleisha: "The woven upper gives the Mach X 2 more of a race-day feel with its lightness and breathability. However, the toe box was a tad roomy and almost felt half a size too big, but that was not a big issue overall. The offset of the lacing hugged my foot nicely, giving a secure lockdown while leaving enough room to keep my feet comfortable.
My biggest issue was the Mach X 2's heel fit, as the lack of padding caused significant irritation and even blisters. This was the only major fault of the shoe, and sadly, it will keep the Mach X 2 from securing a place in my running rotation. Even though it's nothing that a bit of tape on my heels can't fix, I do not want to have to worry about it as I get ready for a run. I understand HOKA designed the Mach X 2 with more of a race-day feel, but given my preferences, I'd trade the weight savings for more comfort."
Torsten: "For the most part, the new woven upper was great. The lightweight feel and highly secure fit were excellent and highlighted the shoe's speedy nature. Again, I experienced irritation in the heel, which prevented the Mach X 2 from being nearly perfect for me and my needs, and it is something I hope HOKA corrects in the next version."
Connor: "The Mach X 2 is such a big upgrade over the first version, but the one issue is the upper fit, specifically the heel fit. No matter how I laced up the shoe or what sock I wore, I could not avoid getting some light rubbing and irritation on the heel. Eventually, I was able to alleviate this with some tape, but that is my only criticism about this shoe. Overall, I felt the upper material offered a nice, lightweight design while still providing enough support and lockdown for longer runs."
Midsole
Aleisha: "I can be a little bit particular with my choice of shoes, but the Mach X 2 really surprised me, and it was up there with some of my other favorites! It worked well for all of my runs, from easy mileage to faster intervals. The effortless and smooth ride was a highlight for me, and I can't express that enough! The Pebax plate combined with the MetaRocker gave a smooth heel-to-toe transition into a snappy toe-off. While the midsole leans slightly toward the softer side, it still maintained excellent energy return and responsiveness."
Torsten: "The feel of the underfoot is great, and I appreciate the thicker midsole with 5 mm more PEBA foam. The midsole is soft, and the energy return is similar to the Cielo X 1—very bouncy and snappy."
Connor: "HOKA has not necessarily been known for their midsole compounds in past years, but as of recently, they have been doing a great job of adding Peba-based foams into a variety of models, and the Mach X 2 offers a nice slab of it for a fun and bouncy ride. There is a layer of EVA beneath and a somewhat flexible Pebax plate helping to stabilise the lower Durometer Peba compound. Overall, I think the setup works really well, and the bouncy yet inherently stable feel offers a nice balance for fast running, easy running, and everything in between. The new midsole setup and geometries make this shoe even more fun and a much more lively experience than its predecessor."
Outsole
Aleisha: "There is not much to say about the outsole other than I expect it to be very durable. After logging about 60 kilometres thus far, there are only minimal signs of wear. I did not have any issues with the traction. In wet conditions, I only experienced the slightest bit of slippage."
Torsten: "The outsole with the strategically placed rubber gave me a very secure grip on the road as well as the track. I ran in the rain while wearing the Mach X 2, and the outsole did not skip a beat, giving me secure traction throughout the test run."
Connor: "The outsole of the Mach X 2 has held up well over the first 80 kilometres and offers a little extra bite over an exposed outsole that was common in earlier versions of the standard Mach. The rubber is thin, so weight is not a huge factor, and the extra grip paired with added durability seems to be a net positive for the shoe."
Comparable Shoes
HOKA Mach X 2 vs. Saucony Endorphin Speed 4
Aleisha: "The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 is the only other shoe I have used within the same category. I'd say that both shoes offer distinct running experiences. The Mach X 2 delivers a much smoother, more cushioned ride and it felt so effortless to run thanks to the PEBA foam and Pebax plate.
In comparison, the Speed 4 didn't blow my mind like the Mach X 2 did. Although it is also a versatile shoe, it just doesn't have the same snappy ride and is more suitable for easy runs and threshold efforts. The only thing I would say is that the Speed 4 has a more comfortable upper whereas the Mach X 2 offers more of a race-day feel."
Torsten: "Compared to other uptempo shoes such as the Saucony Endorphine Speed 4 or the Mach X from HOKA, I find the Mach X 2 much more reactive, and the energy return of the X 2 is much more explosive. It's a lot of fun to run in."
Connor: "The Mach X 2 is playing in the super trainer space, and I would say it is comparable with the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4. The Endorphin Speed feels a little bit speedier and utilises 100% super foams, as opposed to a partial setup, but the Mach X 2 is very close and feels more balanced and comfortable for a wide range of training needs."
