Hoka Mach 5 review
Hoka says the Mach 5 is the lovechild of the Mach 4 and Mach Supersonic, and pitches it as a ‘lively pavement pounder built for performance and ready to race’.
We’ll address that in due course, but what we’ll say first off is that, in our opinion, the brand has done a fine job on aesthetics.
There are at least 10 colour options for both men and women and the shoe looks incredibly sleek.
Hoka Mach 5 review
Comfort
Comfort is high from the off, with the lightly cushioned ankle collar and lay-flat tongue ensuring no irritation for this tester.
Fit proved to be true-to-size and the lacing system worked well with the heel counter to ensure a secure feeling. The articulated heel collar feels comfortable, too, and thanks to its shape, is easy to grab when trying to get these shoes on in a hurry, such as in transition during a triathlon.
Meanwhile, lightweight creel mesh upper hugs the foot nicely and offered impressive breathability in testing.
Underfoot comfort isn’t quite as high as you’ll find in more cushioned shoes, such as the Bondi or On’s new Cloudsurfer, and we certainly wouldn’t describe them as plush.
However, if you don’t mind a slightly firmer ride then you’ll find the Mach 5 provides ample comfort.
Ride
That all said, the low-profile cushioning, combined with the 5mm drop, arguably makes this shoe more responsive.
That brings us nicely onto the shoe’s ride, which is pretty darn delightful. While not on the same level as you’ll find in carbon shoes, there is an oomph to it, and when picking up the pace it feels smooth yet snappy.
There’s a useful amount of ground feel, too, while each foot strike felt adequately planted and stable.
Weight and grip
A weight of 252g per shoe (UK11) is decent, and only adds to the fleet-footed feeling when running, while we had no issues with grip, either.
All this adds up to a shoe that would be at home both in training and on race day.
Verdict: Comfort and a snappy ride combine in a lightweight package.
Score: 88%
Pair these with...
Shokz Openrun Pro
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It's available in blue, black, pink and beige.
See our list of the best running headphones for more options.
