HOKA Mach X Review
X-Powered Updates Fuel the HOKA Mach's All-New Speedy Performance
Likes
- Versatile ride with energetic foam and efficient plate
- Secure lockdown and inherently stable platform
- Lightweight, irritation-free upper
Dislikes
- Wish it had more PEBA for even faster paces
- Could be slightly lighter
What's New
Ever wonder what the lightweight HOKA Mach would be like if it was a super shoe? Speculate no longer as HOKA introduces the new Mach X, their new lightweight performance trainer that features a new Pebax plate and a PEBA-based supercritical midsole foam. With all the upgrades, the Mach X almost looks like an entirely new shoe, and on the run, this shoe promises high-octane performance to complement your training needs with all the comfort you expect from a HOKA.
Those are not the only updates to get excited about, as the Mach X also features a lightweight jacquard mesh upper with a gusseted tongue that will ensure runners remain comfortably locked in while pushing fast paces, high tempos, or just collecting daily miles around the neighborhood.
Last but certainly not least, the Mach X, which in previous versions was designed with a rubberized foam outsole, now offers a healthy amount of Durabrasion rubber on the forefoot and heel, which promises to provide a dependable grip regardless of pace or type of road surface. The new outsole will also deliver the durability runners need to get them through even the most enduring training cycles.
The Bottom Line
When HOKA released the Rocket X 2, it seemingly marked a new chapter for the brand within their performance models, and the excellent performance of the new PEBA super foam midsole left everyone eagerly anticipating what HOKA would release next. Well, when our testing team heard that the new Mach X would feature a Pebax plate and a hearty slab of the same PEBA foam that fuels the Rocket X, we knew we were in for a treat.
The new Mach X is like no other Mach we have seen before, and honestly, it does not even look like any Mach of old. Previous versions were lightweight, comfortable, and could support faster training efforts, but they were seemingly missing the magic touch that only super-critical foam can deliver in terms of responsiveness. With all of HOKA's updates to the midsole, the performance of the Mach has been elevated to all-new heights, and this lightweight trainer will deliver top-end speeds with the comfort to keep chewing up mileage. Dear Rocket X fans, I think we have found your ideal training partner as you prepare for your next big race.
Not only is the shoe more responsive and efficient, but the layer of EVA foam in the midsole offers an inherently stable platform that helps give the shoe a surprising amount of versatility, and our testers found that the Mach X felt just as good on daily runs as it did on hard workout days. Furthermore, the Mach X, and its new high-performance updates, do not sacrifice any of HOKA's signature comfort. The updated upper offers a highly secure hold through the midfoot before opening up in the forefoot, leaving plenty of room for toes to splay comfortably. Our testers loved the balance of comfort and performance, noting that the irritation-free upper was a clear highlight throughout testing.
In future iterations, our testers would love a bit more of that awesome PEBA foam compound in the midsole, and the Mach X could be a hair lighter. Regardless, this shoe delivers HOKA comfort with a ride that pairs well with nearly any run at any number of paces. Now that sounds like a Mach made in heaven. Puns aside, if you are in the market for a new lightweight performance trainer, we highly recommend trying the HOKA Mach X. In our opinion, it's the best Mach to date.
Our In-Depth Look
Upper
Connor: "The Mach X is built to be a faster, speedier training option, and the light jacquard mesh upper offers the perfect balance of minimal weight paired with enough support to go the distance. Upon initial step in, the shoe fits seamlessly and disappears once you start running. It has a nice lockdown with plenty of support for daily miles and a performance feel that can easily pick up the pace."
Kaleb: "The Mach X's jacquard mesh upper is comfortable with a more performance-minded fit. It is lightweight and breathable, and it is incredibly secure. The gusseted-tongue and lace construction work incredibly well together, and the Mach X provided a comfortably snug hold through the midfoot that gave me the lockdown I needed to push the pace.
I have an incredibly average-shaped foot, resting firmly between wide and narrow, and I loved the overall feel of the Mach X. The comfortably snug hold was awesome. That said, runners with wider feet might want to try these on before hitting the road."
Midsole
Connor: "The Mach 5 is a fun daily trainer, but I still find that it leans more toward the training end of the spectrum. The Mach X gets the big performance bump I was looking for, and it is now much better suited for a workout day.
It is fast enough for tempo runs and offers all the responsiveness you need to flow effortlessly through your faster efforts. The PEBA foam is identical to what is used in the Rocket X 2, giving the Mach X a really responsive underfoot feel. The thing is, I wish HOKA utilized more of the compound in the midsole (ideally 100% or very close).
I feel the bottom layer of foam, though adding some durability and stability to the midsole, limits the shoe's true capabilities in terms of responsiveness. The shoe feels great overall, but I think the Mach X could be an even more responsive shoe with the help of a few additional tweaks to the midsole.
As for the Pebax plate in the shoe, it does a good job stabilizing the PEBA foam, but I did not overly notice it once I started running. The Pebax plate is much more flexible than a traditional carbon fiber plate, making the Mach X feel more natural through the gait cycle and still delivers a more responsive ride."
Kaleb: "Initially, I was not wowed by Mach X's supercritical foam, Pebax plated midsole. It performed well over the first couple of runs with an ability to handle fast paces. Still, I expected just a tad bit more from the midsole, especially given how well the new Rocket X 2 performs. After the initial runs, I started to feel more of the magic. The midsole seemed to break in a bit after 5-6 miles, which really changed the running experience. I started to feel the snappiness of the plate and the soft bounciness of the supercritical foam. Also, the early-stage meta rocker geometry was very smooth and efficient through the gait cycle.
Throughout testing, I enjoyed longer efforts and, of course, faster, uptempo training runs, but I think the Mach X excelled when intervals, long-distance fartleks, and progression runs were on the schedule. I could also comfortably knock out daily runs while wearing the Mach X, but I think there are better shoes for the daily grind given my preferences and training needs."
Outsole
Connor: "The Mach X's outsole is thin and lightweight, exactly what you want in a performance trainer. With over 75 miles in the shoe, durability has held up well, and since the surface is not all exposed EVA foam, you get a little extra bite. I ran mostly on the roads, but even with some light fire road use, the outsole held up very well."
Kaleb: "The Durabrasion rubber outsole provided good traction that helped support speedy efforts. I felt like I could really claw at the ground to get the most out of my stride. That said, the is a cutout along the cent of the outsole, exposing the shoe's Pebax plate, and unfortunately, it was a bit of a rock collector. Besides that, I had no issues with the outsole. Furthermore, throughout testing, the outsole has shown very little sign of wear,"
Comparable Shoes
Connor: "As a faster performance shoe with a more adaptable plate and an injection of super foam in the midsole, I would put the Mach X in a very similar category to the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3. Both are relatively unique options that deliver that bouncy and efficient feel while still having the ability to handle some daily training or long runs.
The Endorphin Speed 3 offers more super foam underfoot, delivering a little more pop during fast workout days, while the Mach X feels fast but a little more comfortable for daily miles. There are not too many other shoes in this specific category that are overly similar to the Mach X in design and concept, but one other comparison could be the New Balance Fuelcell Rebel v3. While it does not feature a plate, it does have plenty of Fuelcell super foam underfoot, which makes it a shoe that can handle a variety of paces really well, like the Mach X."
Kaleb: "Comparable shoes that came to mind when testing the Mach X were the Endorphin Speed and ASICS Magic Speed. All shoes have relatively similar constructions and are excellent for uptempo paces, steady efforts, or daily mileage. They are also good race-day options for less experienced runners or those who prefer less aggressive options over elite racing shoes.
In my opinion, the overall performance of the Mach X is somewhere between the Endorphin and Magic Speeds, and preference will come down to your specific training needs. I would also like to add that the Mach X felt incredibly stable for a performance trainer with soft supercritical foam in the midsole, and I never had to worry while navigating through busy city streets. Also, the Mach X remained comfortable and irritation-free from the initial step-in to the last mile of testing, which I think gives the Mach X a slight advantage over the competition."
Individual Thoughts
The Mach is a shoe series I have run quite a bit in since the original was launched several years ago. I have tested each version, including previous attempts at making a faster feeling Mach, for example, the Mach Supersonic. Over the years, I found that I rarely use the Mach for tough workout days when I am trying to hit my top paces. It has always been a faster daily trainer, but previous iterations have lacked the level of responsiveness I need to attack my fastest workouts, and I favored other options over the Mach in those scenarios.
Then, the Rocket X 2 debuted earlier this year, and I knew HOKA was onto something special, and I was left eagerly awaiting the release of the new Mach X. I will come straight out and say it, this is my favorite Mach to date and definitely the fastest. Immediately upon slipping the shoe on your feet, it feels locked in and ready to go. It has all the comfort to enjoy easy daily miles, and I found myself using it for warm-ups, workouts, and even cool-downs without needing to switch shoes. The foam has entirely transformed this shoe, but my only small complaint is that I wish it had more super-critical PEBA foam.
I think the Mach X is a really good training option, and with a few additional tweaks, which I am sure we will see in the next version, this shoe will be excellent. Overall, the Mach X was a fun shoe that I think HOKA fans and Mach loyalists will really enjoy running in, as well as runners looking for a shoe that can handle well at nearly any pace. If you need one shoe for daily training, workouts, and maybe even some racing, the Mach X can perform with the best.
I have tested a couple of versions of the Mach and have always appreciated the shoe's lightweight feel and efficiency for uptempo training runs. The Mach X takes things to the next level with the addition of supercritical foam and Pebax plate, and the shoe has all-new levels of energy return.
That said, it took a few miles for the midsole to come alive, but once it did, the ride was surprisingly lively with a responsive bounce and an energetic snap from the plate; long steady efforts, progression runs, intervals, fast 5k's, and 10k's, even race day efforts are all on the cards when the Mach X is laced-up. Also, I never had any discomfort from the shoe's upper, which was incredibly secure, providing me with a comfortably snug performance fit without sacrificing HOKA's signature comfort.
It is not as explosive as an elite racer, like the Rocket X, nor is it designed to be, but the HOKA Mach X provides all the features and performance to compete with the very best within the lightweight performance category, like the Endorphin Speed and Magic Speed. Furthermore, I would argue that it is more comfortable than most other shoes in the lightweight performance category. I would have appreciated a little more PEBA foam underfoot, as I think that would elevate the top-end speed of the shoe while also providing slightly softer landings, but this is me being knit-picky, and I thoroughly enjoyed the Mach X for my faster-paced training runs, as well as a variety of other runs.