Hoka Mach 4 Review
The Things You Must Know
Weighs 8.2 oz. (238 g for US M9.0/ 6.8oz. (229 g) to make a US M9.0/6.8 oz.
Height of the stack is 29mm in heel and 24mm forefoot. Drop : 5mm
Great for light-weight, but well-cushioned daily miles
We are one iteration from matching Speed Racer’s Badass Mach 5. JEREMY: When I was in school we were taught about Mach numbers. These are just a ratio between one’s speed and the speed of sound. To skip beyond the hours of boring physics and aerodynamics talk, none of us will be running faster than the speed of sound, so this ratio is basically an irrelevant intro line to HOKA ONE ONE’s Mach 4.
Maybe the HOKA Ma Mach 4 will make you feel like the supersonic runners that you have always wanted to be. The Mach has been one of the most overlooked shoes in HOKA’s arsenal for some time, with much more attention given to the Clifton Rincon Carbon X . That might be changing after this newest iteration, as the Mach 4 comes out with a new and improved design that has added additional underfoot cushioning, as well as an updated upper.
THOMAS: The Mach 4 was not something I had in mind. In the past, the Mach felt firm and clunky, and – warning, incoming dad joke coming – more like the HOKA mock series. Ooof, that was bad, I am reaching a little. All that to say, I’m happy I did not sit this one out because this shoe has legend-potential.
The Good
JEREMY – Let’s go from the top. The mesh upper fits like a glove. It is well-made and comfortable. You can keep your Achilles healthy with the “elf ear” heel. Also, the tongue is securely held in place by the gusseted tongue.
Moving on to the midsole, the PROFLY cushioning is quite soft and provides plenty of cushion in such a light package (9.2 ounces for US M11.5). The combination of the classic HOKA metarocker and the lightweight midsole makes it easy to find your stride. The dovetail heel enhances that rocking action and reduces forces on the heel when striking your foot, particularly downhill. The shoe is very durable thanks to its rubberized EVA foam sole. There is barely any wear after nearly 100 miles. I usually get about 450-500 mi in Cliftons. And I anticipate a similar life with Mach 4.
AUSTIN: In August I named the Topo Athletic Phantom my favourite shoe for 2020. That’s something that I’ve been thinking about ever since I first started running with the HOKA ONE ONE Ma 4. Get ready. Although I love the Phantom, it is now number two. The Mach 4 reigns. It’s solid and comfortable to step in. The Mach 4 is true to size and I encountered no slippage in the heel. My wife calls the new heel design “hoof heel” and I am going to go with a split heel. The official terminology according to HOKA is “dovetailheel,” a term Thomas used during the Carbon X 2 reviews. The Mach 4 is clearly influenced by the HOKA TenNineClifton Edge. This was a more radical introduction to the extended-heel movement. This design pattern is expected to be used in more models by 2021. The design is actually quite cool.
While I do not have experience with Mach predecessors, the Mach 4, version 4 is a great choice. Although the Mach 4 was bulky out of its box, it is light and easy to hold. The ride is described by a term I invented: the “coiled marshmallow”. Trademark pending Runners love HOKA because of its amazing marshmallow feeling. However, I avoid Bondi models as their cushioning can make it difficult to switch between feet. Due to the soft feel underfoot, however, the Mach 4 feels surprisingly responsive. The ride never turned to mush or gave way even at longer distances. It is not necessary to wear outsoles for 40 miles.
MEAGHAN (I’ll be straight to it). The Mach 4 has been a delight to run in. From the comfortable step-in feel to its smooth, responsive ride out on the roads, this shoe quickly made it to the top of my rotation. Although it sounds complicated, the upper features heat-pressed TPU embroidered yarns. It provides structure and support. It has nice padding at the collar and the heel is flared to prevent any Achilles rubbing. The pull tab also doubles up as an extra button.
A nice mix of foams lies beneath the foot. It is made up of the soft, lightweight PROFLYTMmidsole. Rubberized foam below. It gives the shoe a light, bouncy ride without weighing you down. My W7.5 came in right at 7 oz. Pretty amazing for all that cush and a 27 mm stack height.
THOMAS: To avoid re-hashing the previous reviewers, I will stick to what I like about the shoe. The shoe’s upper feels great. I love the “elf-like” heel at the back. The way the heel functions during running is great, and you can use it as a pull tab to put your shoes on. As you can see, the tongue is securely attached. The art of finding the correct tongue height is difficult. Although this one looks a bit short, the padding and thickness are perfect. These laces were very functional. However, Lock Laces worked well for me.
Hoka One One Mach 4 Conclusion
JEREMY: The HOKA Mach 4 lands in the daily trainer category. The HOKA Mach 4 is great for distance running and long runs. But, it wouldn’t work well for me on speed days or training. I like it a bit more than the Saucony Ride 13 and its cushioning. This is an excellent option for those who want to train hard and can wear it on days where your feet need extra cushion.
AUSTIN: This shoe is great for recovery and easy runs. The ride was responsive even at higher speeds, but I felt I had to work harder for quick turn. Chuck Yeager is the only person I can see breaking the sound barrier. However, with great training and HOKA’s amazing Mach update you could certainly set new records if your unsure about plated shoes, or just want to conserve some green.
MEAGHAN : I have quickly made the HOKA ONE ONE Ma 4 my go-to daily trainer. It is responsive, lightweight, and has plenty of cushioning. This one is a must-have.
THOMAS : I think the Mach 4 will be a favorite of HOKA. In fact, it might replace the Clifton during my easier days. The ASICS GEL NIMBUS Lite 2 shoe was a good match. These shoes are great options for stacking miles with comfort. As I mentioned above, pair the Mach 4 with the Carbon X 2 and you have a dynamic duo for all your running needs. Unless you hit the trails, then you need yet another Hoka. Check out the YouTube video review for Meg and mine.
The HOKA ONE ONE Mach 4 releases on March 1, 2021. It can be purchased at Running Warehouse for $130. Click the link to see more.
Shop MACH4 – WOMEN daily training HOKAONEONELIGHT
New Upper Design Locks In Comfort
The biggest change to the HOKA Mach 4 is the refined upper shape and makeup.
The mesh upper in previous models was designed to secure the foot with special detailing at the midfoot, and additional panels for breathability.
Now, the Mach 4 sports a sleek, redesigned mesh upper knit from heat-pressed TPU yarn for added durability and structure to last through everyday mileage. This upper helps to maintain the shoe’s light feel.
The updated upper also works with the reconstructed heel collar to create a super-secure feel that our reviewers loved.
Reviewer: “My heel feels fixed and there is a good bucket-seat feel in my footbed. I always land in the middle,” said one.
For comfort, the Achilles is not touched by the pull tab. This construction is paralleled by the flared heel counter in the outsole to create a speedy vibe.
The collar is great and I like the heel counter. The upper is super comfortable and adjusts really easily,” says one Fleet Feet reviewer.
Mixed foam produces a flexible bounce
Fleet Feet reviewers loved the Mach 4’s bouncy ride. HOKA decided to use ProFly foam with dual density for the most responsive, cushioned ride.
The midsole is mostly constructed of the ultra-light ProFly foam that fosters a springy toe-off and cushioned landing. This, combined with a rubberized, EVA outsole, adds to the responsive ride of the Mach 4.
“The softer top layer adds plenty of cushion, and the firmer bottom layer feels stable,” says one reviewer. The soft cushioning can sometimes make me feel as though I need to get out of my shoe. But the Mach is more responsive and agile.
Although the Mach has a responsive, snappy feel, it is still soft enough that you can use it for daily or track training. Fleet Feet reviewers praised its pavement cushioning which can withstand heavy mileage.
Meta-Rocker early in stage allows for smooth transitions and landings that allow for comfortable flying through your workouts.
One reviewer said, “I love shoes for speedwork but the Mach 4’s are my favorite.” We loved that the forefoot accommodates many foot shapes and adds stability to every phase of your gait cycle.
Another user reviews, “I really enjoyed the wider forefoot.” The stability that it provided to my landings was noticeable. I felt my foot moving more freely during speed workouts. Although the Mach 4 doesn’t have a blown rubber sole, its wider forefoot creates traction and more contact with pavement. The Mach 4 isn’t ideal for weather conditions that are messy, however testers discovered it had enough grip on track and concrete.
Hoka Mach 3 Vs. Hoka Mach 4
The Mach 4 continues to use the same HOKA technology from the Mach 3 (namely MetaRocker, ProFly midsole) but the Mach 4 has a lighter weight and is more mobile.
The Mach 4 is similar to the Mach 3. It features the same ProFly dual density midsole. HOKA merged the foams from the midsole in its latest update, to give the shoe a lighter feel and reduce the size.
While the upper of both the shoes is made from mesh, it remains well ventilated and breathable. The Mach 4 however uses TPU yarn heat-pressed to give the shoe a more stable and durable feel.
Although the Mach 3 does have a pull tab in the heel, overall the heel collar retains a traditional form.
HOKA sought to challenge that in the Mach 4 by implementing an anatomical heel collar that contours to the shape and movement of your heel, really driving home the bucket seat feel of the shoe.
An Achilles heel flared pull-tab has two main purposes. First, it creates an easy-on/easy-off experience within the Mach 4 and secondly, it helps to prevent blisters from occurring by rubbing the heel against the skin.
Reviewers found the Mach 3 to be stiff. The Mach 4 however felt lighter and allowed for more smooth transitions.
The Hoka One One Mach 4 Look Great, And Run Even Better
These springy shoes are a great option for a wide range of runners.
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Hoka One One Mach 4 runs shoes with springy foam that are ideal for both speedy and long training runs.
The Mach 4 features some of Hoka One One’s highest performance models. However, it does not have the same tech features.
The shoes look damn good, too, and lots of people noticed them during the testing process.
Just about every single time that I purchase a new pair to try out and review, I take photos to upload them to Instagram Stories.
This happens on a fairly consistent basis. I’ve worn nearly all the brands I can remember so I know what I think about the latest footwear trends. When I uploaded a photo of Hoka One One’s Mach 4 road shoe, that’s exactly what happened. A few people immediately hit me with the reaction, and others hopped into my DMs to say they liked the look or to ask how the shoes perform on the road.
Should You Buy Hoka One One Mach 4?
The Mach 4 is a powerful daily running shoe. It is versatile and can be used for a multitude of purposes, so it will fit a broad range of needs. Hoka’s work will be appreciated by those who are already familiar with running gear. It is also important to note that new runners need to be aware of this review. Look no further if you are looking for a pair of running shoes that will make your sport more fun. Even if you don’t know the brand, these are great options.
Although these shoes may be more expensive than some others in this space, they’re a great choice for running shoes.
Hoka One One
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New Upper Design Locks In Comfort
The HOKA Mach 4, with its refined makeup and upper form, is the most significant change.
In previous models, the mesh upper was intended to lock the foot into place with specialized detailing around the midfoot and added panels for breathability.
Mach 4 has a sleek new mesh upper that is made of heat-pressed TPU yarn. It features an improved design and more durability. This material keeps the shoe light and comfortable.
We loved the combination of the updated upper with the rebuilt heel collar for a more secure fit.
“My heel feels locked in place, and there’s a nice bucket-seat-like feel in the footbed I land right in the middle of the shoe every time,” says one reviewer.
To reduce rubbing and discomfort on the Achilles, all pull tabs on the heel are flared at the Achilles. It is also complemented by the outsole’s flared heel counter for a light and fast feel.
The collar is great and I like the heel counter. One Fleet Feet customer said that the upper was super comfy and easily adjustable.
.Hoka Mach 4 Review