Hoka Mach X 2 review: Can racing shoes become essential for everyday driving?

I realized I was in love about three miles away and that’s when it really hit me that this could be the one. The one I choose day after day, with whom I share miles, tears and laughter. I’m talking, of course, about my partner Hoka Max X 2 sneakers. From our very first run together, I realized that my love for these sneakers was not superficial. But I wondered: Could a lightweight, incredibly comfortable shoe designed for speed work stand up to daily workouts and my slower pace? It became my mission to find out.

Hoka’s latest version of the Mach X improves on many aspects of its predecessor: the midsole is a great combination of softness, comfort and responsiveness thanks to a combination of foam and Pebax plate. Weighing just eight ounces for a women’s pair, these shoes are incredibly lightweight and comfortable. The upper is very breathable and regulates temperature well, especially on long runs. There is a lot to love about these shoes and I was only able to miss a couple of times, and after running in them almost every day for almost three months, I found that they stand up to the test of daily training with little wear and tear.

Price: $190 | Weight (per pair): 8 oz | Drop: 5 millimeters | Top: Woven, breathable | Sole: Pebax board, PEBA and EVA foam | Sole: Rubber | Closing: Lace | Dimensions: 7-14 (men), 5-11 (women)

Best for:

• Operation speed
• Race preparation
• Daily running

Skip if:

• You don’t like the extra cushioning in sneakers
• You expect to run in wet conditions
• Are you used to running at a slower pace?

Features of Hoka Mach X 2

No defects in the midsole

The main highlight of the Mach X 2 is the midsole. Hoka has made significant improvements to the midsole of the original Mach X, resulting in a faster and more comfortable ride thanks to the shoe’s rocker profile and ample cushioning. The heel strike is smoother and the ride overall is more responsive and absorbent. The Pebax plate, which runs the length of the shoe and expands into the ball of the foot, is responsive and combines with PEBA and EVA foam to provide bounce, bounce and refinement. The overall feel of the shoe is balanced, even with the large amount of foam in the midsole.

My left knee hurts in almost every shoe I try. I feel it in the third mile of my runs, but when it doesn’t happen, I know I have good shoes on my hands, well, feet. That said, I’ve never felt any knee pain on the Mach X 2, whether I’m running two or ten miles. My anecdotal evidence combined with the material achievements of the Mach X 2 is enough to convince me that this shoe is in the right place.

Breathable and lightweight

The woven upper of the Mach X 2 is truly breathable—so breathable that you can easily see what color socks you’re wearing through the upper when you put them on. This ultra-breathable design provides excellent temperature regulation, especially during hot, long runs, but it also means your socks will get dusty, and if you’re running in the rain, you’ll likely encounter wet feet. so be prepared.

Heel counter needs improvement

No shoe is perfect, and the Mach X 2’s heel counter is too minimal in my opinion. It has no heel support at all and actually collapses when I run. It also makes it difficult to get your shoes on and off—there’s nothing to grab onto when you slide your foot into the shoe. I understand the idea of ​​a minimal heel and how it plays into the whole “race day” aesthetic, but I think Hoka could have made this aspect of the shoe a little more substantial and not only remain lightweight, but also provide a more comfortable experience. That being said, I’ve never had any issues with chafing or blisters due to the minimal heel – I just think it could be more comfortable.

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Final verdict

From a performance standpoint, there is nothing I don’t like about this shoe. Every detail about the running shoe is exactly how I would like it to be, except for the fact that since I use these ultra-technical, high-quality shoes as my daily trainer, our time together won’t be that long. how I wish it were. At some point I’ll have to admit to overusing these shoes, but three months later the ride is still as smooth and comfortable as ever. If you love Hoka and want to love it even more, consider getting the Mach X 2. Just don’t blame me when they ruin your other daily trainers. You have been warned.