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Quick Overview
- Distance Tested: 250km
- Terrain: Road
- Shoe Type: Neutral
- Weight (Men’s): 232 g (Women’s): 189g
- Heel-to-Toe Drop: 5 mm
- RRP: £140
First Impressions
The first thing that hits you is the weight—or lack of it. The Mach 6 feels incredibly light in hand, and you immediately notice the pronounced rocker rolling into the toe. The tongue also stands out with its slightly padded Hoka logo. I’m not entirely sure why it’s padded, but it looks great and adds a premium feel. The shoe is flexible, sleek, and overall just a very clean, attractive design.
Fit & Comfort
The fit is consistent with other Hokas I’ve worn. As usual, I had to size up from my standard UK 9 to a UK 9.5, which is pretty normal for me in Hoka models.
The Mach 6 does run on the narrow side, which works perfectly for my narrow feet, but it’s something to keep in mind if you prefer a roomier toebox. Comfort-wise, it was instant from the first stride. That familiar Hoka rocker is alive and well in this model, giving you that smooth, rolling feeling from the moment you set off.
Performance on Terrain
The Mach 6 is designed as a road shoe, and despite the outsole looking fairly minimal, it’s an absolute weapon on tarmac. It handled wet, slippery conditions impressively well—both uphill and downhill—which really surprised me.
I also took it off-road onto a light trail during a month-long trip to Australia (I even used it for my first ever parkrun at a Two Rivers Winery in Denman, NSW). While it coped reasonably well, the soft cushioning made it feel slightly unstable on uneven terrain. It can handle light trails, but this shoe is definitely happiest on the road.
Cushioning & Ride Feel
The ride is plush, though not as soft as some of Hoka’s more cushioned models. The rocker gives an effortless roll into each stride—whether you’re sprinting uphill, pushing a tempo, or cruising through a half-marathon session.
The midsole offers a great blend of cushioning and bounce. It feels steady and confidence-inspiring at all paces, with just the right amount of springiness for hill days. The updated midsole formula is a noticeable improvement and adds to the shoe’s versatility.
Pros
- Extremely lightweight
- Handles a wide range of distances
- Excellent midsole cushioning and energetic bounce
- A really nice-looking shoe (seriously, it’s a good-vibes shoe)
Cons
- Not the most breathable — my feet definitely heated up during runs in Australia
- Narrow fit — great for me, but may be a limitation for wider-footed runners
- Not cushioned enough for heavy back-to-back training days
Value for Money
At £140, the Mach 6 offers excellent value considering how much it can handle. From half-marathon efforts to hill repeats and tempo sessions, this little lightweight shoe does a lot.
It’s also a perfect travel shoe thanks to its low weight and compact feel. Mine came with me to Australia over Christmas, and it meant I never missed a training day on the road.
Final Thoughts
The Hoka Mach 6 is a small but mighty shoe. It’s great on longer training runs, and even better on hill work, and tempo sessions. It could absolutely be used for race day too, thanks to its lightweight and responsive ride—though it won’t replace a carbon-plated racer.
I’ve had a lot of fun in these, from an Australian parkrun to everyday shifts at work, and they’ve held up impressively well. They’ve helped push my fitness on hill and tempo days, and they’re a solid addition to my rotation.
If you’re looking for a second shoe specifically for faster sessions, the Mach 6 is a fantastic choice. If you want a shoe to train and race a full marathon, though, I’d steer you towards something more cushioned—like the Hoka Clifton.
Fun Fact
While Hoka hasn’t given any official naming origin, the “Mach” name is a nod to Mach speed – the speed of sound – and the shoe was originally designed to be the fastest shoe in the Hoka early “fly” collection, alongside the Cavu and Elevon.
