The Hoka Mach 4 has been completely redesigned (in a good way). You won’t even recognize what Hoka has done to the Hoka One One Mach 4. I’ve always felt the Hoka Mach (and Hoka Cavu for that matter) were underrated shoes from Hoka. The Mach 4 has been drastically updated and nothing like you’ve felt before in previous versions. That being said, it’s a good thing because it brings the shoe into people’s minds more often. I’ve always felt the Mach gets passed by as a great daily trainer. If Hoka hadn’t done a major revamp of the Mach, I’m not sure how long we would continue to see it out!
Hoka One One Mach 4 Quick Stats:
Weight: 8.2 oz
Heel to Toe Drop: 4 mm
Hoka Mach 4 Intro:
As I mentioned, the Hoka Mach has always gotten a little lost in Hoka’s mix. At around $140 many people want more cushion for that price or just gravitate towards the Hoka Clifton. I’ve always felt the Hoka Mach is like if the Hoka Clifton and Hoka Bondi had a firm baby but no one seems to agree.
Hoka One One Mach 4 Fit:
The Mach uses an engineered mesh. Compared to other Hoka models, the Hoka Mach 4 is wider (which is good because it does not come in wide).
The one weird thing about the Hoka One One Mach 4 are the shoelaces. Why are they so long? It’s easy to fix by putting new shoes laces in. The shoe lace has gotten caught a few times in random things. I would love to hear why Hoka made them so long.
In Hoka running shoes, I wear anywhere from a size 10-11 wide and the 10.5 fits well. I appreciate the extra width that the Hoka One One Mach 4 has.
Hoka Mach 4 Ride:
Hoka uses the “PROFLY” midsole which makes it a lot firmer than shoes like the Hoka Clifton but also a lot lighter than shoes like the Hoka Bondi.
The Hoka One One Mach 4 has a rubberized EVA foam outsole which makes it durable as well. I’ve run about 100 miles in the Hoka Mach 4 without much signs of wear. The first time I took them out, I felt like I had run in them for a while.
So what is with the back of the Hoka Mach 4?
Hoka calls this the “dovetail heel”. You’ve seen this back in the Clifton Edge as well but the Mach is more pronounced. It helps minimize heel striking and provides comfort while running downhill. Since moving to an area with a lot of downhill, I’ve noticed these feel more comfortable than many models running downhill. I’m guessing Hoka has decided many of their upcoming models will include this heel.
Hoka uses a dual-density foam in the Hoka Mach 4. What does that mean? Iy’s both firm and soft but not too much of either, Just underneath the foot is the PROFLY foam. Underneath that is a firmer and rubberized foam that makes it both more durable and gives it a responsive ride. The perfect mix of firm and soft makes it great for tempo runs or easy days without it being too bulky.
So far I’ve run a few different types of runs in the Mach 4. For me, it fits best as a daily run shoe or long run tempo. I like the ability to do both. I prefer lighter shoes for faster workouts and softer shoes for recovery runs.
Hoka One One Mach 4 Conclusion:
If you’ve run in the Mach before, get ready for an entirely different ride. It’s not bad but the shoe has been completely undated. I think this is something Hoka needed to do for a while because the Mach has gotten lost in the mix.
If you’ve never run in the Mach before, it’s a great shoe for tempo runs or daily runs. It’s lightweight, yet durable and responsive. The Hoka Mach 4 is starting 2021 as my favorite updated shoe of the year (which is tough because I’ve always liked the Mach). It’s more responsive than the Clifton, more cushion than the Cavu, and more durable than the Ricon.
My Current Shoe Rotation:
Easy/Daily Runs Saucony Freedom 3, Brooks Glycerin 18, Hoka Mach 4, Nike Pegasus 37, New Balance 1080 v10, Diadora Mythos Blushield Blushield Hip 5, Hoka Bondi 7, Asics GlideRide.
Speed Work: Brooks Hyperion Elite 2, Nike Tempo Next%, New Balance Fuelcell TC Shoe Review, Reebok Float Ride Run fast Pro,
Long Runs: Hoka Clifton Edge, Under Armour Sonic HOVR 3
Trail Running/Hiking: Hoka Torrent 2, Saucony Peregrine 10, New Balance Hierro v5
Races: Asics MetaRacer, New Balance Fuelcell 5280, Nike Next%, Saucony Endorphin Pro, New Balance fuelcell TC, Reebok Run fast Pro
You Can See All Current Shoe Reviews Here.
Looking to learn more about running shoes? In my ebook, I talk about why you need a good running shoe, a shoe’s anatomy, neutral vs. stable, and even myths of running shoes.
Questions for you:
Have you tried the Hoka Mach or Mach 4?
What is your favorite versatile shoe?