Hoka One One Mach X 2 Introduction

When Operating Warehouse points a warning on the product web page of a shoe, you understand that it’s a critical, widespread drawback. “Resulting from heel match and minimal collar padding, some runners could expertise elevated heel rubbing.”- that’s the warning on the Mach X 2’s product web page on Operating Warehouse.

On Hoka’s personal US web site, out of 33 critiques, 16 individuals (48%) have rated it 1 or 2 stars out of 5. Most of those low scores are a results of heel blisters because of the Mach X 2’s poor design. It makes you marvel how this shoe ever handed the consolation take a look at throughout improvement.

Fortunately, Operating Warehouse has a 90 days return coverage and Hoka US has a 30 days return coverage however for those who bought it outdoors of the US and it provides you heel blisters, you could possibly be caught with an costly shoe which you could’t use.

The unique Mach X was a beast of a pace coach. It had every thing that I need in a pace trainer- a cushty match, a vigorous journey, good pace help, and excessive sturdiness. It was the right coaching companion for the Hoka Rocket X 2, considered one of my highest rated racing footwear.

This 12 months’s Mach X 2 is primarily based on the Cielo X 1, not the extra common Rocket X 2. Hoka says on their web site that it was impressed by the Cielo X 1’s race-ready geometry.

The Mach X 2 has been utterly redesigned. It now weighs 9.2 oz (261 g) for a males’s US 9, which is 0.2 (5.7 g) oz lower than its predecessor. It has 7 mm extra stack top within the heel and forefoot however it prices $10 greater than v1.

Hoka One One Mach X 2 First Impressions

I needed to go up a half dimension final 12 months for the Mach X. This 12 months, after I tried the X 2 within the retailer, I additionally needed to go up a half dimension because of the slim toe field. I’ve to go up a half dimension for many Hokas, although I’ve actually slim toes.

My first run within the Mach X 2 was an 11 km simple run. I used to be nervous in regards to the heel collar concern however I wore thick socks and fortunately, I felt no uncomfortable rubbing. The coach was snug and it didn’t want any break-in interval.

The Pebax plate felt extra distinguished and the forefoot rocker was additionally extra noticeable than within the first model. I additionally loved the additional stack top and the softer journey.

Hoka One One Mach X 2 Higher

The Mach X 2’s higher feels extra like a stripped-down, racing higher and fewer like a cushty coach higher. It’s product of a brand new mesh which is ultra-thin and intensely breathable.

There are cushioned pods contained in the heel collar to lock your heel down however the heel tab has no cushioning, and the sting on the high is sharp. The sharp edge is what pokes into some runners’ heels and causes blistering. The unique PUMA Deviate Nitro had the exact same concern.

The skinny tongue is gusseted and flat however the underside of it has tough edges which really feel scratchy and poke into the highest of my toes after I’m sporting skinny socks. The tough tongue makes the shoe really feel much less premium.

The match of the Mach X 2 shouldn’t be true to dimension. It has a extremely slim toe field so you must go up a half dimension. Alternatively, you may get the vast model if it’s obtainable.

Hoka One One Mach X 2 Sole Unit

The steps to make a shoe quicker are easy:

• Enhance the stack top with out growing the burden.
• Add extra premium racing foam.
• Make the plate steeper and extra aggressive.

Within the case of the Mach X 2, Hoka has finished the entire above. This has resulted in a quicker, snappier coach than the earlier model. I discover it simpler to extend my pace within the X 2 and it feels extra nimble.

The Mach X 2 has a softer journey than most pace trainers. That is due to how the PEBA foam in its midsole is tuned. It’s fascinating that Hoka doesn’t give their PEBA foam a reputation, like how Nike has branded theirs ZoomX, New Steadiness has branded theirs FuelCell and so on. Within the unique Mach X, the midsole was referred to as ProFlyX.

The comfortable journey makes it gratifying for gradual paces above 5:30 per km (8:52 per mile). It additionally shines throughout tempo, threshold and regular runs, making it a extremely versatile coach that may deal with most runs you may throw at it. I take pleasure in doing zone 3 and 4 runs within the Mach X 2 most.

Often, if Hoka places “X” within the identify, it signifies that it has a carbon fibre plate in it. Within the Mach X 2, it’s not a carbon plate however a Pebax plate. This provides it a better diploma of flexibility than a carbon plate. On this model, Hoka prolonged the plate and gave it wings (to extend stability) and likewise made it curvier so it’s simpler while you’re attempting to choose up the tempo.

The Pebax plate within the Mach X 2 isn’t as stiff because the carbon plates discovered within the New Steadiness SC Coach v3 and the PUMA Deviate Nitro v3 so it doesn’t really feel as quick as these pace trainers. The Mach X 2 has extra long-distance consolation and handles slower paces higher however I’d choose the opposite 2 coaching companions for interval coaching or V02 max exercises.

In case you’re a heel striker, the Mach X 2 has a really secure journey, although its heel top measures 44 mm. It feels so much decrease than 44 mm due to how a lot its midsole compresses when loaded. It has a firmer CMEVA body that cups your heel on each the medial and lateral sides, stopping lean bias. I discover that my foot strikes really feel planted, even when going round tight corners.

Outsole sturdiness is a side that I’ve been disillusioned with. The outsole rubber is softer than the typical working shoe and on my pair, I’ve worn proper by means of the rubber on the lateral heel- I’ve solely put 82 km on it. Traction is nice on dry surfaces, respectable on moist surfaces.

Hoka One One Mach X 2 Conclusions

The Mach X 2 doesn’t really feel as polished or as premium as the primary model. The blister-causing heel tab and the scratchy tongue are points which the unique Mach X didn’t have. Fortunately, I didn’t expertise any heel blisters throughout testing however the tough tongue was mildly irritating.

I believe the Mach X 2 continues to be a very good replace and the most effective pace trainers available on the market. It feels extra streamlined, extra versatile, lighter and most significantly, it feels quicker.

I additionally favor the Mach X 2 to Hoka’s different plated coach, the Skyward X, which feels overkill.

There are different pace trainers available on the market which have stiffer plates that really feel quicker, just like the Magic Pace 4, Deviate Nitro 3 and the SuperComp Coach v3 however the Mach X 2 has the bounciest journey. The Mach X 2 additionally has the thinnest and most breathable higher.

At $190, it’s overpriced for a pace coach, particularly contemplating its low sturdiness.

The PUMA Deviate Nitro 3 and the Adidas Boston 12 are solely $160.

It’s additionally dearer than the Endorphin Pace 4, Magic Pace 4, SuperComp Coach v3 and the Hyperion Max 2.

The Deviate Nitro 3 and the SuperComp Coach v3 particularly have improved greater than the Mach X 2 this 12 months.