zapatillas de running HOKA amortiguación media minimalistas rojas | Our verdict

During our tests, the rei co op brands partnerships hoka one one cotopaxi athleta masterfully married versatility with a feather-light design, thanks to a Pebax plate and a dual-layer springy midsole. Designed to excel in a range of activities—from speed training and extensive 20-milers to easy runs—it impressively maintains stability despite its notable stack height. Yet, diverging from Hoka's signature cloud-like plushness, we found this model presents a distinctly firmer feel underfoot.

zapatillas de running HOKA amortiguación media minimalistas rojas Pros

  • Ténis HOKA Challenger ATR 6 verde laranja
  • Works across all paces
  • ComfortHOKA talla 46.5
  • Finally a Hoka Mach with Pebax foam
  • Well-suited for heel strikers
  • Offers exceptional breathability
  • Hoka Mafate Speed 2 Trail Running Shoes SS20

zapatillas de running HOKA amortiguación media minimalistas rojas Cons

  • Official drop measurement (5 mm) is inaccurate
  • The $180 price point might be steep for some

Audience verdict

88
Great!
  • HOKA ONE ONE Mach 4 Men's Running Shoes Black Dark Shadow Hoka running shoes
  • Top 13% most popular running shoes

Who should buy

The rei co op brands partnerships hoka one one cotopaxi athleta is perfect for us runners who:

  • Want a versatile shoe that can tackle a wide range of running paces.
  • Are looking for a speed training shoe packed with incredible bounce and energy return.
  • HOKA ONE ONE Bondi X Blanc de Blanc race shoe.

rei co op brands partnerships hoka one one cotopaxi athleta

Who should NOT buy

While Hoka aimed to cater to a wide audience with the Mach X design, it might not resonate with every runner.

We noticed the shoe's dual-layer midsole, made of a soft Pebax foam (white) with a firmer EVA foam (green), might feel uncomfortable to some. If you're looking for a daily trainer that offers a bouncy feel with a full layer of premium Pebax foam, we recommend the Saucony hombre amortiguación media talla 41, as it provided us a more consistent and enjoyable ride.

rei co op brands partnerships hoka one one cotopaxi athleta table

HOKA Mafate Speed 4 Chaussures en Deep Teal Taille 36 2 3 Nike Streakfly HOKA ORA Recovery Slide 2 pour Femme en Black Taille 44 HOKA Kawana Schuhe für Herren in Scuba Blue Bellwether Blue Größe 44 instead.

zapatillas de running HOKA amortiguación media minimalistas rojas | Breathability

We're kicking off this review on a high note—the breathability in the rei co op brands partnerships hoka one one cotopaxi athleta is top-notch, showing marked improvement from the Mach 5. In our lab, we awarded this shoe a perfect score of 5/5 after using our smoke-pumping machine for testing.

Seeking additional confirmation, we turned to the light test. Here, we assess the shoe's breathability and check for any ventilation holes in the upper.

With the Mach X, Hoka's use of jacquard mesh showcases numerous ventilation holes. Light shines through effortlessly—a feature we rarely observe in most training shoes.

To get an in-depth look at these holes, let's take the microscope.

rei co op brands partnerships hoka one one cotopaxi athleta microscope

Through the lens, we gained a comprehensive understanding of Hoka's upper design. There's a standard layer filled with multiple ventilation holes, paired with a translucent structure layer—this might be invisible to the naked eye, but it stands out clearly under microscopic examination, right?

Test results
Mach X 5
Average 3.8
Compared to 213 running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Toebox durability

After handling the jacquard mesh Hoka incorporated into the upper, we were skeptical about its long-term wear. Our suspicions were confirmed.

In our Dremel test, the upper was destroyed. Consequently, we had no choice but to give it a discouraging 1/5.

rei co op brands partnerships hoka one one cotopaxi athleta Toebox durability
Test results
Mach X 1
Average 2.4
Compared to 147 running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Toebox durability
5

Heel padding durability

The story is similar for the heel. Hoka aimed for comfort, which often suggests a trade-off in abrasion resistance.

Once more, we had to give the Mach X a disappointing 1/5. It's evident that a revisit to new materials and innovative designs is essential in this area.

rei co op brands partnerships hoka one one cotopaxi athleta Heel padding durability
Test results
Mach X 1
Average 3.1
Compared to 143 running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Heel padding durability
5

Outsole hardness

Turning our attention to the outsole—which matters greatly to most road runners—we discovered rubber of average hardness (80.9 HC).

rei co op brands partnerships hoka one one cotopaxi athleta outsole

hoka clifton 8 chaussures de route pour femmes en blanc de blancbright white 1119394 bdbbw.

The outsole doesn't stand out, but it does the job, and that's okay!

rei co op brands partnerships hoka one one cotopaxi athleta Outsole hardness
Test results
Mach X 80.9 HC
Average 80.3 HC
hoka speedgoat 5 chaussures de trail pour hommes en outer spacebluing 1123157 osbn.
Compared to 264 running shoes
Number of shoes
54.9 HC
Outsole hardness
92.8 HC

Outsole durability

The rubber does an exceptional job resisting wear. Following our recent Dremel test, we observed only a 0.4-mm indentation—an impressive outcome.

rei co op brands partnerships hoka one one cotopaxi athleta Outsole durability
Test results
Mach X 0.4 mm
Average 0.9 mm
Compared to 125 running shoes
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 mm

Outsole thickness

It's imperative that the rubber delivers top-notch performance—and it does. The Mach X, in its quest for lightness, features a thinner rubber (2.3 mm) compared to most shoes, bhlr a considerable amount of exposed foam.

rei co op brands partnerships hoka one one cotopaxi athleta Outsole thickness
Test results
Mach X 2.3 mm
Average 3.2 mm
Compared to 283 running shoes
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Outsole thickness
6.6 mm

Weight

Weighing in at just 9.1 oz (259g), Hoka truly mastered the art of lightness. We could barely sense the shoe on our feet!

Despite its wide design and maximalist stance, it is so incredibly light.

rei co op brands partnerships hoka one one cotopaxi athleta Weight
Test results
Mach X 9.14 oz (259g)
Average 9.35 oz (265g)
Compared to 284 running shoes
Number of shoes
5.26 oz (149g)
Weight
12.56 oz (356g)

Cushioning

Heel stack

Footwear HOKA ONE ONE Arahi 5 1115010 Tswh.

This makes it one of the market's most cushioned HOKA Women's Challenger 7 Running Shoes in Black, Polacchi HOKA ONE ONE M Anacapa Mid Gtx GORE-TEX 1122018 Bblc.

rei co op brands partnerships hoka one one cotopaxi athleta Heel stack
Test results
Mach X 38.0 mm
Average 33.6 mm
Compared to 283 running shoes
Number of shoes
7.6 mm
Heel stack
42.7 mm

Forefoot stack

The forefoot also boasts a generous amount of foam, measuring at 28.4 mm. This ensures that both midfoot and forefoot strikers can confidently tackle even the longest runs without concern.

rei co op brands partnerships hoka one one cotopaxi athleta forefoot

However, this shoe doesn't offer much in terms of ground feel. If you're looking for a speed training shoe with that capability, consider the hoka clifton 8 chaussures de route pour femmes en green glowbright white 1132091 ggbwt.

rei co op brands partnerships hoka one one cotopaxi athleta Forefoot stack
Test results
Mach X 28.4 mm
Average 24.9 mm
Compared to 283 running shoes
Number of shoes
7.6 mm
Forefoot stack
35.8 mm

Drop

Hoka advertises the Mach X with a 5-mm heel-to-toe drop. Yet, our in-depth assessment showed a significantly higher 9.6-mm drop.

What's behind this huuuge variance? We've explored this topic in a detailed article for those eager to understand. And it's crucial to note that our testing methods meet World Athletics standards to the letter, so we hope brands like Hoka start aiming for the same level of accuracy!

rei co op brands partnerships hoka one one cotopaxi athleta Drop
Test results
Mach X 9.6 mm
Average 8.7 mm
Compared to 283 running shoes
Number of shoes
-0.8 mm
Drop
16.1 mm

Insole thickness

The insole measures 4.5-mm in thickness. This is pretty standard and should fit the needs of any runner without adding extra weight.

rei co op brands partnerships hoka one one cotopaxi athleta Insole thickness
Test results
Mach X 4.5 mm
Average 4.4 mm
Compared to 279 running shoes
Number of shoes
1.5 mm
Insole thickness
7.3 mm

Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

Let's dive into the standout feature of this shoe—the dual-layer midsole. On the layer closest to our feet, this Hoka finally features a Pebax-based foam. This is a major step up from the EVA-based Hoka ProFly.

HOKA ONE ONE Clifton Edge Mens Running Shoes Nimbus Cloud Greenbriar zapatillas de running HOKA amortiguación media minimalistas rojas, offering world-class performance and an impressively bounce. We were also surprised by its exceptional softness, with our tests showing a 10.6 HA on the durometer.

rei co op brands partnerships hoka one one cotopaxi athleta Midsole softness
Test results
Mach X 10.6 HA
Average 21.4 HA
hoka speedgoat 5 chaussures de trail pour hommes en outer spacebluing 1123157 osbn.
Compared to 211 running shoes
Number of shoes
8.5 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
41.5 HA

Secondary foam softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

For the layer nearer to the ground, Hoka chose a standard EVA foam.

rei co op brands partnerships hoka one one cotopaxi athleta foam

This decision achieves two objectives. First, it makes the shoe more stable since the foam is firmer than the Pebax foam, coming in at 20.0 HA. Second, it allows Hoka to reduce costs because EVA is less expensive than Pebax.

However, at $180 a pair, we have to ask: is this decision padding our comfort or just Hoka's bank account?

rei co op brands partnerships hoka one one cotopaxi athleta Secondary foam softness
Test results
Mach X 20.0 HA
Average 25.2 HA
hoka speedgoat 5 chaussures de trail pour hommes en outer spacebluing 1123157 osbn.

Difference in midsole softness in cold

During cold-weather runs, the Pebax foam stays notably soft. After we placed the shoe in the freezer for 20 minutes, our measurements showed a cushy 14.3 HA.

Still, this is a 34.2% increase that we'll likely feel when running. It's not the performance we'd expect from a top-tier foam.

rei co op brands partnerships hoka one one cotopaxi athleta HOKA Ora Recovery Slide 2 Chaussures de Récupération pour Hommes en Aquarelle Blazing Orange
Test results
Mach X 34.2%
Average 25.6%
Compared to 210 running shoes
Number of shoes
0%
Difference in midsole softness in cold
100%

Stability

zapatillas de running HOKA ONE ONE mujer trail talla 42 naranjas

Despite the Mach X's thick midsole, it offers surprising stability!

rei co op brands partnerships hoka one one cotopaxi athleta sidewalls

This stability can be partially credited to the EVA sidewalls Hoka incorporated, as depicted in the image above. But there's much more to it.

Torsional rigidity

The Mach X—indicated by the "X" in its name, which Hoka uses to signal a plated shoe—features a Pebax plate. Instead of opting for a carbon plate, which can add a lot of stiffness, Hoka smartly chose Pebax to ensure both stability and responsiveness. And it works.

As a result, the shoe earns a 4/5 in our torsional rigidity test. With a carbon plate, it probably have been a max score.

Test results
Mach X 4
Average 3.2
Compared to 262 running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Hoka One One® M Challenger Atr 6 Gtx

The heel counter is moderately firm, sitting right in the middle—it's neither too stiff nor too soft.

For a speed training shoe, we see this as a good choice. It provides stability without sacrificing comfort, being a 3/5 in our scale. And we also loved the fact that is really padded.

Test results
Mach X 3
Average 2.8
Compared to 246 running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Hoka One One® M Challenger Atr 6 Gtx
5

Midsole width in the forefoot

The forefoot provides ample width, ensuring a fun and safe running experience. We measured it at 113.7 mm, which is close to the average.

rei co op brands partnerships hoka one one cotopaxi athleta Midsole width in the forefoot
Test results
Mach X 113.7 mm
Average 113.6 mm
Compared to 284 running shoes
Number of shoes
100.5 mm
Midsole width in the forefoot
126.5 mm

Midsole width in the heel

The heel boasts an extra-wide design measuring 95.9 mm. While forefoot and midfoot strikers might find it wider than necessary, heel strikers will appreciate this feature.

In fact, this measurement—paired with the sidewalls and plate—transforms it into a top-notch tempo shoe for heel strikers.

rei co op brands partnerships hoka one one cotopaxi athleta Midsole width in the heel
Test results
Mach X 95.9 mm
Average 90.4 mm
Compared to 284 running shoes
Number of shoes
74.9 mm
Midsole width in the heel
106.6 mm

Flexibility

Stiffness

One concern we often have when testing a plated shoe is its potential stiffness for daily runs or speed training. Yet, bending this shoe to 90 degrees requires only 25.5N of force—a surprisingly low amount.

zapatillas de running Hoka One One trail constitución media talla 45.

Test results
Mach X 25.5N
Average 29.3N
We use an average of four tests. The video shows one of those tests.
Compared to 266 running shoes
Number of shoes
2.2N
Stiffness
94.4N

Difference in stiffness in cold

In cold temperatures, there's no issue at all—the shoe stays less stiff than many others on the market.

In our comparison of performance between mild and cold temperatures, the Mach X consistently stood out. It became only 16.9% stiffer—an expected outcome for a plated shoe that incorporates a big chunk of Pebax foam.

Test results
Mach X 16.9%
Average 36.8%
Compared to 266 running shoes
Number of shoes
0%
Difference in stiffness in cold
148%

Size and fit

Internal length

The Mach X fits true to size. Our measurements confirm this— at 268.2 mm for an US 9, it's just 1.8 mm off from Hoka's official sizing charts.

rei co op brands partnerships hoka one one cotopaxi athleta Internal length
Test results
Mach X 268.2 mm

Toebox width at the widest part

The toebox strikes a notable balance. It isn't as wide as the toeboxes on daily trainers like the Adidas Ultraboost Light, but it doesn't have an overly snug fit either. This comfortable middle ground lets you tackle both long runs and quick reps with ease.

rei co op brands partnerships hoka one one cotopaxi athleta Toebox width at the widest part
Test results
Mach X 98.0 mm
Average 98.3 mm
Compared to 284 running shoes
Number of shoes
89.5 mm
Toebox width at the widest part
109.1 mm

HOKA Womens Bondi X Shoes in Black White

This trend continues in the big toe area. We measured a width of 76.6 mm, which seems suitable for most feet. However, it's worth noting that Hoka currently doesn't offer wide sizing for this shoe, so if you have wide feet, consider sizing up.

rei co op brands partnerships hoka one one cotopaxi athleta HOKA Womens Bondi X Shoes in Black White
Test results
Mach X 76.6 mm
Average 78.0 mm
Compared to 158 running shoes
Number of shoes
60.4 mm
HOKA Womens Bondi X Shoes in Black White
92.5 mm

zapatillas de running HOKA neutro constitución ligera baratas menos de 60

Hoka often features semi-gusseted tongues in their HOKA Women's Challenger 7 Running Shoes in Black. We genuinely love this design—it offers comfort without the pronounced feel of a fully-gusseted tongue.

Fortunately, the Mach X follows suit.

rei co op brands partnerships hoka one one cotopaxi athleta zapatillas de running HOKA neutro constitución ligera baratas menos de 60
Test results
Mach X Both sides (semi)

Comfort

Tongue padding

Hoka Stinson Mid GTX.

Runners who regularly deal with instep discomfort or lace bite will undoubtedly value this detail in a shoe that's not precisely a heavy daily trainer.

rei co op brands partnerships hoka one one cotopaxi athleta Tongue padding
Test results
Mach X 6.4 mm
Average 5.6 mm
Compared to 281 running shoes
Number of shoes
0.5 mm
Tongue padding
14.2 mm

Removable insole

The insole of the shoe comes out smoothly, and we had no problems putting in personalized orthotics. 

rei co op brands partnerships hoka one one cotopaxi athleta Removable insole
Test results
Mach X Yes