Let the battle for high cushion plated race training partners commence! We are so stoked with some of the shoes that are coming out lately and the Hoka Mach X is a prime example and one we have been waiting for. It is awesome looking and performance is really solid, easy to recommend to anybody. This is not just for elite runners who are looking for a long run training partner, it really can be used by anybody. While we have a seen these Pebax plated midsoles before, the combination has never worked as well as it has here.
Quick Details, Specs, and Availability
- Weight – 9.4oz or 266g for a US Men’s 9, 8oz or 227g for a US Women’s 7
- Cushion – 39mm of cushion and a 5mm heel/toe drop
- Pricing – $180 USD
- Colors – 2 colors
Performance Review
We weren’t sure entirely what to expect from the Mach X going in. Our hopes were incredibly high, given a number of factors. First, we love the Mach 5 and the PROFLY midsole, but in order for it to be an effective distance training and even racing shoe, that upper needed work and we definitely needed more cushion. The good news is the Mach X delivered on a few of these areas and more.
Now we have seen some folks complain about the weight on here but we have to call BS because at just over 9oz, you are getting a lot of cushion and a fairly robust upper that is comfortable enough for a marathon length run. That’s pretty impressive and also comparable to every other shoe in the market. If we were talking about them being 12oz or more, it’s a different story, but half an ounce here there is not a huge deal.
As for the shoe, the step-in is really solid and the lockdown is incredibly secure. The upper is breathable and effective on hot days, so definitely race ready. It is comfortable enough for a more average runner to wear them as their race day shoe as well as their training shoe, whereas elite runners will probably step up to the Rocket X 2 for more performance when racing.
The middle is actually a mix of PEBA and EVA with that Pebax plate in between. We have seen some conflicting discussions on this, but all of our testers loved the responsiveness of the shoe. They also didn’t feel it lost a lot of its pop, but others have reported that. Having logged over 150 miles on the shoe personally, I can say I still find them quite fun to run in and they definitely have a lot of life left in them.
Coming out of this review, we feel like people who will complain about the Mach X are probably people who may not love running in Hoka in the first place. Don’t expect this to change you because the thing that makes the Mach X so good is the fact that they’re just a better version of other things you have tried in their lineup. So if you were looking for a shoe in this area, you need to consider it and put it had to head against the rest.
Construction and Materials
Upper
The Hoka Mach X features a recycled creel jacquard material that offers lightweight breathability, while its gusseted upper construction effectively prevents tongue migration and ensures a secure and locked-in feel during your runs.
Midsole
The Hoka Mach X features a ProFlyX™ midsole that cleverly sandwiches a Pebax® plate between layers of resilient PEBA and EVA foams, resulting in a unique combination of soft cushioning and high-rebound energy return. The highly-resilient PEBA foam offers a plush and responsive feel, while the Pebax® plate adds an extra boost, making it easier to achieve fast-paced miles with added propulsion and efficiency.
Outsole
The Hoka Mach X incorporates a rubberized EVA material that enhances durability and provides reliable traction on various surfaces, making it suitable for both road and trail running. The rubberized EVA not only offers a responsive and cushioned feel but also ensures long-lasting performance, allowing runners to confidently tackle their training sessions with grip and stability.
Overall Conclusion
The Hoka Mach X knocks it out of the park for us. It is definitely going to be in the running for our top shoes of the year because it works so well and satisfies a lot of what we’re looking for. That dual layer PEBA midsole paired with a Pebax plate, along with their meta rocker means you get a nice efficient stride and a decent amount of speed and all with very little effort. The jacquard mesh upper holds you well and a slightly wider toebox is accommodating so it keeps your foot relaxed throughout the run. Hoka crushed this one.
Learn more on the Hoka website
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Check Out Other Reviewers Thoughts
As always, we gather together some of our favorite reviewers so you can get a well-rounded view of the shoe. Here are our favorites.
