HOKA Mach 6 Review Australia

Upper

Jon: "The upper of the Mach 6 is simple, but it gets the job done. It was a bit narrow in the midfoot and through the toe box, but it did not cause any hot spots or areas of discomfort. In fact, the snug fit works well for the designed purpose of this shoe, which is to go fast. It is not as stripped down as other lightweight uptempo shoes, but that could work in its favour for runners looking for a fast shoe in a more structured, comfort-minded package."

Kaleb: "The updated creel jacquard mesh upper was very comfortable and is a noticeable improvement from version 5. It provided an excellent balance of security and comfort, and I never experienced any points of irritation throughout the testing period. The Mach 6 was secure through the midfoot, allowing me to confidently pick up the pace without worrying about sliding around. Also, the forefoot offers enough room to keep my feet comfortable deep into longer efforts, which was a highlight of this update. If I am being super knit-picky, I would change the length of the laces, as they are slightly long. That said, they were by no means an issue."

Risa: "The Mach 6 upper is lightweight, soft, and comfortable. I instantly had a secure lockdown, and the shoe almost felt tailor-made for my foot. What more can you ask for from a shoe? I have narrower feet, but I think the shoe will work for runners with more standard foot shapes, as well. That said, I am not sure about my wide-footed friends. Overall, the Mach 6 is the best-fitting HOKA I have worn so far."

Midsole

Jon: "The Mach 6's supercritical EVA midsole is extremely lightweight, which I loved, but the midsole was not quite as soft or responsive as I expected. Given that it is a supercritical EVA compound, I imagined a softer step-in with a noticeable compression of the foam, but that was not my experience.

However, I would not say the Mach 6's midsole is firm, as it still feels protective underfoot. Also, even though the energy return was not as high as I had hoped, the ride was still very bouncy, and the combination of its low weight and midsole geometry made for a great underfoot experience on all my testing runs. I probably would not choose this shoe for my longer, faster training efforts over 15-20 kilometres because I typically prefer more protection for those runs, but on shorter speed days, the Mach 6 certainly delivered."

Kaleb: "Version 6’s SCF EVA midsole was the main highlight of this shoe, and its exquisite balance is what surprised me most. Out of the box, it felt soft and bouncy underfoot, helping fuel my excitement for the training miles to come, and on the run, the Mach 6 certainly did not disappoint. Though it is not the most explosive shoe, the SCF EVA midsole provides a bouncy return, which has no difficulty with tempo paces.

More impressive was how comfortable the Mach 6 felt at slower, daily paces. I felt like I could use the Mach for nearly any type of daily run, and the biggest improvement over the Mach 5, was the shoe's ability to handle distance. Earlier versions of the Mach were firmer underfoot, and though this helped for faster efforts, it did not provide the protection I typically like for longer, uptempo runs over the 10-12 kilometre mark. The Mach 6 was awesome in this capacity, and I could comfortably complete longer training runs while testing this shoe.

This shoe is best for runners who want a do-it-all trainer that can accommodate shorter-distance runs at swifter paces, efficient long-distance efforts, and everything in between. I might use the Mach X or even Cielo Road if I am working at a race pace or the Clifton or Bondi when I need to give my legs a day off from pounding the pavement. For everything else, the Mach 6 will get the job done.

Risa: "The first thing that stood out was how lightweight the Mach 6 was, weighing in at roughly 6.7 oz for a woman's size 8. The Mach 6's SCF midsole was also incredible, and having the supercritical foam underfoot made a huge difference out on the roads, providing a relatively soft underfoot feel with a nice responsive bounce.

This shoe is fun to do speed work in, but I was surprised at how much I enjoyed running in it for daily training runs. I quickly began reaching for the Mach 6 for just about any daily run I had on my schedule. That said, I did grab Mach 6 for a 12 kilometre race. Sadly, it was not protective enough for me over that distance, but I am sure, for some runners, the Mach 6  has more than enough protection for longer distances. Personally, I prefer max-cushion shoes for my long runs."

Outsole

Jon: "The outsole rubber offers excellent grip and traction, which lends itself perfectly to a fast and nimble running shoe. There is significant rubber coverage, so I would not hesitate to take my runs on fire roads or light trails while wearing the Mach 6."

Kaleb: "Version 5 of the Mach had an exposed outsole, which raised some concerns in terms of durability and traction, but the Mach 6 utilises strategically placed rubber to provide all-new levels of durability and traction. After +50 kilometres in this shoe, I have not noticed any signs of wear, and I do not doubt that the Mach 6 will last a big chunk of mileage. Furthermore, as someone who always appreciates a rubber outsole, I found the Mach 6 to be much grippier than the 5. I had no trouble cornering or maintaining speed, and this helped give me the confidence to reach for the Mach 6 when faster workouts were on the schedule."

Risa: "I got roughly 50 kilometres in my Mach 6s, which is not as many miles as I would typically like to truly assess a shoe's durability. However, given how it has held up so far, it seems like the outsole will deliver solid durability. I would like to note that I had no issues with grip on my runs, and the Durabrasion rubber definitely gave me the confidence I needed to push the pace."

Comparable Shoes

HOKA Mach 6 v. ASICS Novablast 4

Jon: "Both these shoes are lightweight and fast, but the underfoot experience is quite different. Not that this is a bad thing, but worth noting. The HOKA Mach 6 is extremely lightweight and has less cushioning underfoot than the Novablast 4. The Novablast 4 is one of the most versatile shoes I have ever run in, and since versatility is my favourite characteristic in a running shoe, I absolutely love the Novablast.

However, the Mach 6 offers a really fun and lightweight ride, and I could definitely see myself choosing them over the Novablast on training days that call for a 5K or mile pace. The Mach's lower to-the-ground profile makes them very nimble, but the shoe still has enough protection to get through those tough, 10-12 kilometre speed training sessions. If you already have a daily trainer you love, then the Mach 6 would be a fantastic addition to your shoe rotation. If you are looking for one shoe to do it all, then it is hard to beat the Novablast 4."

Risa: "Another uptempo shoe that I really love is the ASICS Novablast 4. It does not have a supercritical foam midsole, but the FLYTEFOAM BLAST PLUS ECO foam is soft and bouncy, providing that ever-sought-after wow factor. The Novablast 4 is more cushioned than the Mach 6, so it was a better option for picking up the pace over longer distances. With the Mach 6, you get a shoe that is about an ounce lighter with a more connected-to-the-ground feeling, making it better for shorter, faster runs. Both are incredible options and if you are deciding between these two models, then I think it is a matter of whether you are a runner who prioritises lightweight responsiveness versus protection over longer distances."

HOKA Mach 6 vs. New Balance Rebel v4

Jon: "I find the Mach 6 and Rebel to be very similar. Both of these shoes excel at speed work and feel almost weightless on foot. The Mach 6 upper fits my foot better and gives me the secure lockdown I look for in an uptempo shoe, but I would give the edge to the Rebel v4 in the midsole department, as I find the FuelCell foam to feel more responsive and energetic than the Mach's supercritical EVA.

Neither of these shoes inspires a ton of confidence that they would feel great during 25-30 kilometre runs, but I can attest that the Rebel v4 will get things done up to the 20 kilometre mark. Honestly, I did not even want to try running that long in the Mach 6s out of fear that my legs and feet would feel too beat to run comfortably the next day. Overall, I would give the edge to the Rebel because I like the underfoot feel of the foam better, and it is one of the best-looking running shoes I can remember. Though, I would not bat an eye if someone told me they preferred the Mach 6."

Kaleb: "If you have followed my reviews over the years, you know how much I love the New Balance Rebel line. They are responsive and protective, allowing me to tackle a variety of runs, all using one shoe. The Mach 6 is very similar in this capacity. You can do shorter, faster runs while wearing the Mach or longer, slower runs without skipping a beat.

The Mach 6 is protective and responsive, but I would give the Rebel a slight edge in both categories. Though, I preferred the on-foot comfort of the Mach 6. If you prefer a little more comfort, I would recommend the Mach, but if you need more speed and agility, I would recommend the Rebel. Regardless of your preference, you cannot go wrong with either model, especially if you are looking for that one shoe to cover most of your daily mileage."

HOKA Mach 6 vs. Saucony Endorphin Speed v4

Risa: "If you are a runner interested in adding an embedded plate to the mix for fast training runs and are okay with spending a little more money, then the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 is an excellent option within the uptempo training category. The Speed 4 also has more cushioning than the Mach, making it slightly more protective over distance. The Endorphin Speed's embedded nylon plate also makes it more efficient and snappy compared to the Mach 6. I like having a dedicated race-day shoe, but if I was looking for one shoe to race and train in, I would choose the Speed 4 out of these options. If you want a versatile and fun training shoe that is also a little cheaper, then I would recommend the Mach 6."