Details
Brand
Hoka One One
Heel To Toe Drop
5mm
Breathability
8/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Full RMAT® outsole• Very lightweight• Extremely durable and stable• Excellent traction
Upper
The upper section of the Mach is stretchy and breathable. It doesn’t absorb much water, meaning that it’s ideal for flat trail runs, even when the conditions are wet or muddy. The engineered mesh is well done, not sloppy at all, its density varies throughout the shoe, becoming denser near the medial side in order to lend more support, and less so on the lateral side to help with breathability. Because of the stretchiness of the upper, it’s fairly comfortable while still feeling secure. You may want to shy away from trail runs because the stretchiness can cause toe bangs, but the upper is durable and ready to go for road runs.
Midsole
The Mach’s midsole is made of PROFLY technology and provides extra stability. Its oversized foot frame lets your foot sit deep inside the midsole in a “bucket seat” design, which is more comfortable than the usual midsole design (having the foot on top of the material of the midsole). This PROFLY technology is related to the Pro2Lite midsole from the Clayton (1 and 2), Tracer, and Speed Instinct—just bigger and better. The midsole on the Mach is dual density: firm near the forefoot, and softer around the heel, giving runners support when they land and speed when they push off again. The midsole is resilient, responsive, and absorbs shock well. The Meta-Rocker technology featured in all Hoka shoes has a low heel-toe difference plus a carefully molded outsole, this supports a runner’s natural form while keeping you safe and promoting a guided gait cycle.
Outsole
The Hoka One One Mach features a full RMAT® outsole with flex grooves. This gives it the stability that is so important, plus allows runners to have easy ground contact because of the soft cushion. The outsole provides excellent durability—high mileage should be no problem here—and the traction leaves nothing to be desired. The flexibility aspect is solid and the entire outsole is also nicely lightweight—which seems to be the trademark feature of this shoe. Soft rubber provides a nice grip. Overall, the outsole should help promote running efficiency.
Breathability
The Hoka One One Mach is fairly breathable—the shoe features a breathable knit upper, especially on the lateral side, where it becomes less dense specifically to help with breathability. Many reviewers complained of blisters, but the cause of these blisters seemed to be primarily from the shoe structure and the narrow toe box. So as far as the breathability goes, runners should be safe because of the first-rate knit upper.
Comfort
This is the one category—perhaps the only category—where the Mach missed the mark. The midsole is comfortable—largely because of the bucket seat design—and the upper is stretchy enough to provide some comfort as well. But this shoe isn’t as soft as other Hoka shoes, while they’ve been described as feeling like a marshmallow, the Mach is stiffer, designed for faster runs. The overall configuration of the shoe, including the narrow toe box and the arch structure, might cause blisters. If you have a wider foot, this might not be the shoe for you as far as comfort is concerned. Besides the midsole and the upper, the Hoka One One Mach’s only redeeming feature in the comfort category is its Meta-Rocker technology that provides a smooth landing.
Style
The Mach’s color options are more muted and subdued than many running shoes—choices include white and coral, light blue and royal blue, and black or red. None of the color schemes are neon or fluorescent, instead, the Mach offers a low-key option for runners who prefer something less vibrant. The fact that it’s so lightweight adds a nice touch to the style as well. The branding on these shoes is less discernable than that of other Hoka shoes—many reviewers have appreciated this less blatant approach—and the overall impression from runners and reviewers is that the Mach is fashionable enough to wear even when you’re not going on a run.
Durability
By all accounts, the Mach is very durable, especially in the outsole and midsole areas—which is important, considering the amount of wear and tear placed on both. The full RMAT® outsole is the feature that helps the most with durability. The upper is also made of a tough mesh material, which is especially thick on the medial side. The Mach should be able to last for hundreds of miles without any issues, and its durability is one of its best features.
Protection
The overall sturdy design of this shoe offers good protection. The midsole absorbs shock well, protecting your joints from any and all unwanted injuries, and the stability of the outsole also helps to guard you on those long road runs. Because of the stiffness of the shoe—reviewers have reported the shoe being especially stiff when right out of the box—you may not feel particularly safe. But, although the flexibility isn’t perfect, it does begin to bend after the first few miles and because of the midsole and outsole, you can rest assured that you’re protected whether or not you always feel like it.
Responsiveness
The Hoka One One Mach is somewhat responsive largely because it’s so lightweight, the 8.20 oz weight (for a men’s size 9) is lighter than equivalent shoes. The PROFLY technology in the midsole also helps in this area, particularly in the toe-off, and the RMAT® outsole doesn’t hurt either. However, the Mach’s responsiveness isn’t perfect: the fact that the structure of the shoe is stiff detracts from the responsiveness somewhat.
Support
The midsole is the feature of the Hoka One One Mach that offers the most support. The midsole is dual density: it’s soft in the heel area and firm near the forefoot, which offers runners that extra little support when you land, especially as you grow fatigued and your form begins to slip. The heel counter is only minimally structured, providing great support as you run. In general, you should feel that your feet have great support from the moment you slip them into the Mach until your run is over.
Terrain
This shoe isn’t necessarily trail-focused, but it could work well for some terrain.;The fact that the knit upper dries so easily means that the Mach can travel in all types of weather and still keep your feet dry. Be aware, however, that the fabric’s weave is sufficiently open to let in fine dirt as you run. Be conscious, too, that this shoe is not the best choice for steep or intense terrain—because of the stretchy knit upper, the midfoot hold is not ideal. Its lack of lugs is also a detriment to its trail running capabilities, the Mach works better for road runs because of the flatter bottom. The Hoka One One Mach is okay with flat trails, but overall, stick to using this shoe for your road marathons.
Price
Compared to similar shoes, the Hoka One One Mach’s price is average or even a little below average—and considering its excellent durability, you’ll definitely be getting the maximum bang for your buck. Hoka also offers free shipping and free returns (within thirty days of your initial purchase). Keep an eye out for sales and discounts once the Mach has been on the market a little longer, but don’t worry if you have to pay full price: it will be worth it.
Drop
The drop (distance between the heel and forefoot height) of the Hoka One One Mach is 5 mm. This is a fairly standard drop size for running shoes—perhaps a bit larger than normal. All runners perform differently with different drop sizes, but 5 mm is something that should work for everyone.
Stability
The Hoka One One Mach is a very stable shoe. It has a full RMAT® outsole that really helps provide a solid base, the dual density midsole provides stability as well because of the bucket seat design of the heel. The stiff structure of the shoe itself, although sacrificing comfort, offers stability as well. If you’re an overpronator, you probably already know that finding a shoe with good stability is especially essential for you, and even though the Hoka One One Mach isn’t specifically motion-control, it would still be a good choice.
Flexibility
The Hoka One One Mach is not very flexible. Because it’s designed for faster runs, the shoe is stiffer than other Hokas, so it doesn’t bend and move quite as much as what might be desired. However, even if the outsole and midsole are tighter, the upper is very stretchy and flexible. Reviewers with wider feet have stated that they appreciated this feature: the stretchiness of the upper meant that they weren’t too uncomfortable in the shoe. So even though the flexibility aspect of the Mach isn’t faultless, it isn’t unbearable, either.
Traction
Traction is one of the most important features of any shoe: you don’t want to slip and fall as you’re running. The layer of RMAT® that stretches the entire length of the outsole helps the Mach give runners the optimal amount of traction. You can feel safe even in wet and slippery conditions because of the excellent traction of this shoe. Although the Mach is ideal for road runs, it works for some trail runs as well, the bottom is flatter, with no lugs, so the traction won’t be great on more intense trail runs with steep or extreme terrain. But for a short and/or flat trail run, the flex grooves should provide sufficient traction.
Bottom Line
Although the Hoka One One Mach isn’t particularly comfortable or flexible, it outshines its competition in virtually every other category. The high-tech RMAT outsole and PROFLY midsole provide runners with extra stability and support, the shoe is breathable, flexible, and fashionable. It’s lightweight and is a good choice for road runs (of any length because of its excellent durability) and some trail runs. If you’re looking for a durable, quality running shoe, this is the choice for you.
