Small changes in Technology has transformed the latest HOKA Mach shoe into a more energy efficient and versatile ride
PHOTO: HANIDA HUSSEIN, SPORTPLUS.SG
HOKA continues its revolution in running shoes, announcing the release of its eagerly anticipated HOKA Mach X, a pace-pushing trainer to complement the much-hyped HOKA Rocket X 2.
While much of the attention has rightly been given to HOKA's top-of-the-line race day super shoe, regular runners know that its not the super shoes that are going to keep you company for most of your runs, and you need a decent rotation for a variety of your runs and workouts.
Enter HOKA Mach X, the latest iteration from the HOKA Mach series which has undergone a significant redesign that I initially couldn't recognise that this was a shoe from the HOKA Mach series.
PHOTO: HANIDA HUSSEIN, SPORTPLUS.SG
While the HOKA Mach series has been around for years, and is known to be a versatile shoe that is lightweight and allows you to transition easily between speed work and daily training, some feel it was still missing an X factor to take it to the next level.
Well, HOKA Mach certainly found it's X, because HOKA Mach X is almost like an entirely new shoe, featuring a Pebax plate and a PEBA-based supercritical midsole foam, the same that's used for the HOKA Rocket X 2, along with other upgrades.
Mach X also has a lightweight jacquard mesh upper complete with a gusseted tongue, which keeps your foot comfortably locked in even when cornering or transitioning from slow to fast or high tempo paces.
PHOTO: HANIDA HUSSEIN, SPORTPLUS.SG
On the grippiness front, the HOKA Mach X also fared pretty well across different surfaces of terrain - possibly due to the Dubrasion rubber used on the forefoot and heel of the shoe.
Having brought my pair of HOKA Mach X out for five runs over the past week covering a total of 45km, here are my thoughts on HOKA's latest pace-pushing trainer.
PROS
Lightweight: One of the first things I always look at in any running shoe is the weight. While the HOKA Mach X still isn't the lightest daily trainer around, its design from the upper right through to the outsole appears seemless, making the weight of the shoe equally distributed.
This means I do not need to worry about running around in a clunky shoe, particularly if its a shoe that is meant for versatility between slow and fast runs.
PHOTO: HANIDA HUSSEIN, SPORTPLUS.SG
Secure Lockdown: Minimal movement of my feet in the shoes when I corner or transition between slow and fast.
Responsiveness: This is a pretty responsive shoe, and I have no doubts its due to the changes made to the midsole and foam - which has enhanced this HOKA Mach X shoe into a pretty versatile ride that feels more energetic and efficient.
Irritation Free: No hot spots on any part of my foot, which is pretty critical for any runner. A nice, comfortable pain free experience.
PHOTO: HANIDA HUSSEIN, SPORTPLUS.SG
CONS
Laces: Unless I do a runners knot, the laces tend to come off a little too easily for my liking, and I've had to re-tie my shoe laces quite a few times which can be a little distracting on my longer runs.
Stiffness: Depending on your running gait, whether you have a greater tendency to pronate or supinate, and if you land more on your heels, this shoe may feel a bit more stiff underfoot if you intend to take it out for longer runs.
While this is not something I felt for shorter runs up to 10km, I did start to feel the stiffness when I clocked a 12km run.
In Summary
HOKA has made some big moves in its latest trainer, and it is certainly in the right direction. The small changes in technology has made the latest iteration of the HOKA Mach X a more energy efficient and versatile ride that would complement your race day shoes and recovery run shoes well, and definitely a pair I would include in my shoe rotation when training for a marathon.
If you are new to running, you do want to note that this is not a race day shoe, and more a shoe that you can lace up to clock your daily or weekly miles, even if it has certain key features taken from HOKA's race day shoe - the HOKA Rocket X 2.
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