REASONS TO BUY
Provides a beautifully balanced ride
Super versatile
Comfortable without being plush
Lightweight
REASONS TO AVOID
Upper material stains quickly
Some runners might desire more cushion
Hoka Mach 6 - Women's Review
This versatile shoe is perfect for training runs of all styles and distances
For versatility and a lightweight bounce, we recommend the updated Mach by Hoka.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
RELATED: Best Running Shoes for Women of 2024
Our Verdict
The Hoka Mach 6 is back and better than ever. With an incredibly lightweight profile and precise super-critical foam, this pavement pounder is ready to tackle runs of all speeds and distances. The interior of the Mach 6 has been redesigned, resulting in a shoe that is snug in all of the right places. The responsive outsole can help you kick it into high gear when necessary but is happy to cruise at your LSD (long slow distance) pace when the time is right. If you want a speed-focused shoe that feels spry and versatile, the Mach 6 comes with some of our highest approval.
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Hoka Mach 6 - Women's | |||||
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| Awards |  |  | |  | |
| Price | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $139.95 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $160 List $129.95 at Amazon | $120 List $89.95 at Amazon | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers |
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| Bottom Line | For epic versatility in a single shoe, we recommend this lightweight superstar | This running shoe offers the performance technology and comfort needed to be your go-to shoe, no matter your running goals | With strong responsive bounce and enough comfort for long runs, this shoe will suit marathon hopefuls and speed demons alike | While not a race-focused shoe, this affordable and bouncy option will keep your legs turning over quickly and easily | The structure and comfort of this shoe make it a highly recommended option for long distance runners who want a reliable road running steed |
| Rating Categories | Hoka Mach 6 - Women's | Asics Novablast 4 -... | Puma Deviate Nitro... | Saucony Kinvara 14... | Brooks Adrenaline G... |
| Cushioning and Landing Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Responsiveness (25%) | |||||
| Stability (20%) | |||||
| Upper Comfort (15%) | |||||
| Weight (15%) | |||||
| Specs | Hoka Mach 6 - Women's | Asics Novablast 4 -... | Puma Deviate Nitro... | Saucony Kinvara 14... | Brooks Adrenaline G... |
| Sizes Available | 5 - 11 US, regular & wide | 5 - 12 US, regular | 5.5 - 11 US, regular | 5 - 12 US, regular & wide | 5 - 13 US, narrow, medium, wide & extra wide |
| Style | Daily | Neutral | Neutral/race | Neutral | Supportive |
| Measured Heel Stack Height | 34 mm | 40 mm | 34 mm | 30 mm | 34 mm |
| Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop | 2 mm | 9 mm | 8 mm | 5 mm | 12 mm |
| Plate Type | None | None | Carbon | None | None |
| Rocker Angle | 24.5 deg | 22.0 deg | 12.5 deg | 26.0 deg | 26.5 deg |
| Rocker Apex Location | 65.38% | 69.48% | 68.82% | 68.15% | 71.43% |
| Measured Weight | 6.27 oz | 7.36 oz | 7.02 oz | 5.55 oz | 8.21 oz |
| Upper | Creel jaqquard | Engineered knit mesh | Mesh | Mesh | Engineered air mesh |
| Midsole | Supercritical EVA | FF Blast Plus Eco | Nitro/Nitro-Elite | PWRRUN, PWRRUN+ | DNA Loft v2 |
| Outsole | Rubber | AHAR outsole | PumaGrip ATR Rubber | XT-900 rubber | Rubber |
| Heel Tab Type | Extended heel pull | Finger loop | None | Finger loop | None |
Show full specification details ▼Hide full specification details ▲
Our Analysis and Test Results
Performance Comparision
This easy-to-wear shoe can hang on distance days, tempo runs, and everything in between.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Landing Comfort and Cushioning
Hoka has created a seemingly simple and responsive road running shoe with beautiful landing comfort. The Mach 6 has a total underfoot stack of 34mm, as measured by our in-house testing team. The lightweight, low-profile footbed feels comfortable and padded without being clunky.
The 5mm drop helps the Mach feel unimposing on your feet, while its specifically placed cushioning provides a much-needed buffer between you and the road on long runs. One of the wonderful things about the updated Mach is that it feels significantly more cushioned than it is. It feels like a wear-all-day kind of shoe, but it is ready to ratchet up the speed when you are. The Mach 6, however, is not a plush running shoe. Its lightweight textiles and prime cushioning make it comfortable but with very little bulk. If you want a classic Hoka marshmallow as your next running shoe, the Mach won't be up to the task. But if you want a versatile shoe that will be with you on tempo runs, LSD days, and race day.
It is not the plushest shoe on the market, but its lightweight undercarriage provides bounce and protection perfect for the average runner.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Responsiveness
The outsole of the Mach 6 is superior to that of its predecessor. The previous version was made of lightweight, abrasive materials that provided some bounce but not necessarily the kind of responsiveness runners crave in their road shoes.
The midsole of the new Mach is stuffed with more traditional-feeling, supercritical foam, while its outsole is adorned with durable, specifically-placed rubber for bounce and traction. All of this comes together in one lightweight package to create a shoe perfect for tempo runs where you'll be running at varied speeds. The updated shoe body feels svelte while in motion without being too narrow. The tapered heel collar provides a precise fit, adding to the overall responsive feel of the shoe.
The Mach 6 isn't a race-specific shoe, but it is worthy of being considered as a weekend warrior's marathon steed.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
The responsiveness of the Mach 6 is great for everyday, but lacks the true energy return of a racing shoe. It has a moderate rocker that allows you to feel speedy but can comfortably support less powerful runs. The Mach does not contain a carbon-fiber plate, which has become par for the course in the world of racing shoes. The Mach's natural rigidity and precise foam make it peppy but without the unforgiving feel of a racing platform. While it may score slightly lower than race-specific shoes, its comfort and forgiving fit and feel make up for this in spades. If you want a versatile shoe that is suitable for all road run types, this is one that we highly recommend.
We think the Mach 6 offers a beautiful balance of the attributes the average runner seeks.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Stability
The Mach 6 is not a shoe suitable for correcting overpronation, but if agility is what you're after, this is a shoe that will get you where you need to be. The lightweight materials that make up the Mach have a rigidity to them, which includes a slight amount toward the rear of the shoe. This structure helps stabilize your rearfoot as you run without significantly impacting your gait pattern.
For most runners, the stability of the Mach will be perfect. It certainly does not feel overbuilt but stays strong as your feet begin to fatigue. The updated upper holds stronger than that of the previous version, providing an additional bit of inherent stability. If you typically run in stability shoes and are looking to diversify your running shoe collection with a speed-forward training shoe, the Mach is the shoe to fill that gap.
The build of the Mach helps keep things organized without feeling imposing or overdone.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Upper Comfort
The comfort updates on the Hoka Mach 6 are noticeable from the moment you strap these shoes onto your feet. The new creel jacquard upper has zonal breathability, which is a fancy way of saying that the outer layer of the textile is a bit stiff, and the inner layer is more breathable, forgiving, and flexible.
This new design helps the Mach form to fit your feet while also reducing the occurrence of blisters, hot spots, and other discomfort. The gusseted tongue offers no cushion but lays flat and stays out of the way during uptempo runs. Even though the tongue is not cushioned, it is entirely functional and doesn't slip or bunch.
What Did Our Mens' Testing Team Think?
Last time around, our men's testing team raved about the Hoka Mach, but they aren't fans of the more tapered upper that this version has brought us. They felt that the toe box was a bit cramped, which inhibited natural gait patterns at top speeds. If you have a wide forefoot, this might be a perspective to consider as you shop.
This design presumably allowed Hoka to shed weight while maintaining and even improving this shoe's upper comfort. The fit of this version of the Mach is significantly improved, and while it is not a plush running shoe for luxurious comfort-seekers, its low-profile, simplistic fit remains comfortable on long and short runs alike.
The upper mesh of the Mach is comfortable and lightweight. Its tongue lacks cushioning, but we never had any discomfort while running in them.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Weight
The updated Mach 6 weighs 6.27 ounces, which is on the lighter end of the spectrum. Since it is a shoe that is primed and ready to tackle tempo runs with you, this is the perfect weight.
These shoes feel light and spry on the run, but offer just enough meat to be stable, dynamic, and long-lasting, The lightweight upper helps keep the weight down. Overall, the Mach is a lightweight, dynamic shoe that is ready to tackle the breakneck speeds you throw at it.
The lightweight materials that make up the Mach allow it to be peppy and comfortable.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Should You Buy the Hoka Mach 6?
If you want a versatile training shoe that is as comfortable as it is speedy, this is one of our top recommendations. It doesn't exactly offer plush underfoot cushion, but it remains comfortable even during long efforts. If you are on the hunt for a single shoe that can fulfill most of your running needs, the updates to the Mach 6 make it a worthy contender. It doesn't offer robust traction, making it a poor crossover as a trail running shoe. Aside from that, the Mach is likely to be the running shoe you've been looking for.
This shoe quickly became our go-to daily runner. We think that most runners will agree with our assessments, provided they are looking for a versatile and lightweight shoe for all road running occasions.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
What Other Road Running Shoes Should You Consider?
If versatility in a lightweight shoe is what you are after, the Saucony Kinvara 14 is another great option to consider. The Kinvara is another speed-focused shoe that does not have a carbon fiber plate. The result is a softer-soled shoe that can keep up during uptempo efforts but is happy to throw down comfortably mellow miles, too. If a true racing shoe is what you are seeking, the Puma Deviate Nitro 2 is a plated option that provides a great balance between comfort and responsiveness.
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Ally Arcuri
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