- Weight: 232 g (men), 189 g (women)
- Stack height: 37mm/32mm (Men), 35mm/30mm (Women)
- Heel-toe distance: 5mm
- Type: Neutral/Street
The shoe
When it comes to different running shoes, there are the tough carbon plate shoes, the lightweight recovery shoes, the reliable stability shoes, and so on. But what about the shoes that are suitable for all types of running endeavors, from brisk runs to easy stride runs or long runs to race day itself? Thankfully, the Hoka Mach 6 is one of those versatile shoes that fills that gray area—as well as fulfilling the need for a little more speed.
An energetic road shoe with noticeable firmness, the Mach 6 is almost at odds with the rest of the Hoka family, which favors—and is, in fact, famous for—maximalist cushioning and pillowy, almost platform-like softness. Distinctly different from the Mach 5, the Mach 6 is designed to let you pick up the pace when you need to on your run—but, and crucially, this doesn’t come at the expense of comfort and support. It’s still a Hoka shoe, after all.
Here’s everything you need to know about the latest version of the responsive Mach series.
What’s new about the Mach 6?
The Mach 5 was fast – and now the Mach 6 is even faster. But the change isn’t so simple, as the Mach 6 has evolved in many areas from its predecessor. While the 5mm heel-toe gap remains the same between both shoes, the Mach 6 has a slightly higher stack height and the rocker feels more pronounced underfoot, resulting in a smoother and more efficient toe-off. In addition, the Mach 6 has a narrower, more streamlined shape – which in itself gives it the feel of 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, sleeker jacquard upper that offers more breathability, which is appreciated during longer efforts on warmer days. Another change – which I consider an improvement – is the construction of the midsole. Whereas the Mach 5 had a PROFLY construction midsole, which consisted of a softer foam directly under the foot and a stiffer, rubberized EVA foam underneath, the Mach 6 features a single-layer midsole made entirely of supercritical EVA foam and reinforced by a rubber outsole. This gives the shoe a stiffer, crisper feel, resulting in a noticeably more responsive ride – a real plus for those faster runs.
How does the Mach 6 fit?
While the Mach 6 runs true to size in terms of length (I wear a women’s UK size 6), as mentioned it is rather narrow in terms of width – you don’t need to tighten the laces to get a snug fit around the midfoot. As someone with narrow feet who appreciates a comfortable fit, I rate this highly. However, some feet might complain about the narrower geometry and tapered toe box and ask for a little more room – especially if they liked the slightly wider fit of the Mach 5. The good news is that the Mach 6 is available in both regular and wide fit – in all sizes – so if your foot felt tight enough in the Mach 5, it might be worth considering the wide option of the Mach 6.
The gusseted tongue feels sturdy and smooth, and stays in place well as you run. The heel also feels supported on a bed of ample padding, although – due to the low profile of the forefoot – the toes feel much closer to the ground. This gives the shoe (at least on the toes) a somewhat minimalist feel, which is particularly unusual for Hoka. In fact, since wearing these shoes, I’ve noticed more calluses forming on the tips of my toes (to be honest), suggesting that the toe box itself is perhaps a touch too narrow for my liking. While this doesn’t bother me or cause pain (my feet are used to weeks of high mileage and the grind of marathon training), some Mach 6 wearers may experience some discomfort or even blistering in the toe box.
What is it like to run at Mach 6?
The Mach 6 is a shoe that moves with you. Thanks to its firm midsole, it is responsive enough to energize even during lighter efforts – and when I first wore the Mach 6, I knew it was itching to go a little faster.
So I stepped it up a gear and wore the shoe for some steady and threshold efforts. The result? Plenty of propulsion to get me to the pace I needed, while still feeling comfortable thanks to the foot-hugging inner gusset. The shoe really comes into its own during mixed-pace workouts—including a 20-mile weekend run for me that was broken down into easy, steady and marathon tempo blocks—as it performs well for long periods at a range of speeds.
I also tested out the most eye-catching colorway of all: the so-called “Poppy/Squash” combination. Some might call it over the top – maybe even childish or garish. But this shoe deserves the attention and I’m completely taken with the fun, eye-catching aesthetic.
RW Verdict
The Mach 6 is like that annoying but awesome person you know who’s good at everything. In the world of running shoes, it’s a solid all-rounder – a reliable companion for everything from a quick lap around the block to a long Sunday run, or an easy jog to intervals. The narrow fit may feel restrictive for those with wider feet (but remember – it comes in a wide variant) and the rocker may be a touch too aggressive if you’re looking for a no-fuss everyday training shoe. However, it’s a solid choice for most types of training miles on the road – and if you want a fast shoe that doesn’t carry the cost of a carbon plate, it’s a great choice for race day too.
