Hoka Mach 6 – tried, tested and reviewed
Weight: 232g (men’s), 189g (women’s)
Stack height: 37mm/32mm (men’s), 35mm/30mm (women’s)
Heel-to-toe drop: 5mm
Type: Neutral/Road
The shoe
When it comes to distinct running footwear, you’ve got your go-hard carbon plate shoes, your take-it-easy recovery shoes, your dependable stability shoes, and so on. But what about the shoes that could serve all manner of running efforts, from peppy tempos to easy runs with strides, or long runs to race day itself? Thankfully, the Hoka Mach 6 is one of those versatile shoes that fills that grey area – as well as a need for a bit more speed.
An energetic road shoe with noticeable firmness, the Mach 6 is almost incongruous with the rest of the Hoka family, which favours – and is indeed famed for – maximalist cushioning and pillowy, near-platform level plushness. Quite a departure from the Mach 5, the Mach 6 is designed to help you push the pace when you need to on your runs – but, crucially, this does not come at the cost of comfort and support. It is still a Hoka shoe, after all.
Here’s the low-down on the latest iteration of the responsive Mach range.
What’s new about the Mach 6?
The Mach 5 was fast – and now the Mach 6 is even faster. But the change is not as simple as that, since the Mach 6 has evolved from its predecessor in many areas. While the 5mm heel-to-toe drop remains consistent between both shoes, the Mach 6 has a slightly larger stack height and the rocker feels more pronounced underfoot, lending itself to a smoother and more efficient toe-off. In addition, the Mach 6 boasts a narrower, more streamlined shape – which, in itself, makes it feel like a ‘fast’ shoe – as well as a slightly thinner toe box.
A lighter shoe than the Mach 5, the Mach 6 also features a new, more stripped-back creel jacquard upper that offers more breathability, which is appreciated on those longer efforts on warmer days. Another change – which I see as an upgrade – is the midsole set-up. While the Mach 5 featured a PROFLY constructed midsole, comprising a softer foam directly underfoot and a stiffer, rubberised EVA foam beneath it, the Mach 6 boasts a single-layer midsole made completely from supercritical EVA foam, which is bolstered by a rubber outsole. This gives the shoe a stiffer, snappier feel, resulting in a noticeably more responsive ride – a real plus for those quicker runs.
How does the Mach 6 fit?
While the Mach 6 fits true to size in terms of length (I wear a women’s UK size 6), it is, as mentioned, on the snug side when it comes to width – you don’t need to pull the laces tightly to get a close fit around the midfoot. As someone with a narrow foot who enjoys a cosy fit, I rate this highly. However, some feet may bemoan the slimmer geometry and tapered toe-box and cry out for a bit more space – especially if they appreciated the slightly wider fit of the Mach 5. The good news is that the Mach 6 comes in both a regular and a wide fit – across all sizes – so if your foot felt snug enough in the Mach 5, it might be worth exploring the wide option for the Mach 6.
The gusseted tongue feels sturdy and smooth and stays in place nicely during a run. The heel also feels supported on a bed of ample cushioning, although the toes – due to the low-profile of the forefoot – do feel a lot closer to the ground. This gives the shoe (at least at the toes) something of a minimalist feel, which is particularly strange for Hoka. In fact, since wearing these shoes, I have noticed more calloused skin start to develop over the tips of my toes (just keeping it real), which suggests that the toe box is perhaps a touch too slim even for my liking. While this doesn’t bother me or cause any pain (my feet are used to high-mileage weeks and the trials and tribulations of marathon training), some Mach 6 wearers may experience some discomfort or even blistering in the toe department.
What’s it like to run in the Mach 6?
The Mach 6 is the sort of shoe that puts in the effort with you. Thanks to its firm midsole, it has the snappy responsiveness that helps to energise even your easier efforts – and I knew from my first few wears in the Mach 6 that it was itching to go a little faster.
So, I stepped things up and wore the shoe for some steady and threshold efforts. The result? Plenty of propulsion to get me to the paces I needed, all while feeling comfortable thanks to the foot-hugging internal gusset. The shoe particularly comes into its own for mixed pace sessions – including, for me, a weekend 20 miler broken up into easy, steady and marathon pace blocks – as it can perform well, over long periods, at a range of speeds.
I also tested the most eye-catching colourway of them all: the so-called ‘Poppy/Squash’ combo. Some may call it OTT – perhaps even puerile, or garish. But this shoe deserves the attention and I fully embrace the fun, eye-catching aesthetic.
RW verdict
The Mach 6 is like that annoying but amazing person you know who is good at everything. In the world of running shoes, it is a solid all-rounder – a trusty companion on anything from a short loop around the block to a Sunday long run, or an easy effort to intervals. The snug fit may feel restrictive for those with wider feet (but don’t forget – it is available in a wide option) and the rocker perhaps a touch too aggressive if you’re looking for a no-fuss daily trainer. However, it’s a solid choice for most kinds of training miles on the roads – and, if you want a quick shoe that doesn’t entail the cost of a carbon plate, it’s a good pick for race day, too.
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