Hoka One One Mach X 2 Introduction
When Working Warehouse points a warning on the product web page of a shoe, you already know that it’s a severe, widespread downside. “As a result of 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 Working Warehouse.
On Hoka’s personal US web site, out of 33 critiques, 16 folks (48%) have rated it 1 or 2 stars out of 5. Most of those low scores are a results of heel blisters as a result of Mach X 2’s poor design. It makes you surprise how this shoe ever handed the consolation check throughout improvement.
Fortunately, Working Warehouse has a 90 days return coverage and Hoka US has a 30 days return coverage however in case you bought it outdoors of the US and it offers you heel blisters, you could possibly be caught with an costly shoe that you would be able to’t use.
The unique Mach X was a beast of a pace coach. It had the whole lot that I would like in a pace trainer- a snug match, a full of life journey, good pace help, and excessive sturdiness. It was the proper coaching accomplice for the Hoka Rocket X 2, certainly one of my highest rated racing sneakers.
This yr’s Mach X 2 is primarily based on the Cielo X 1, not the extra well-liked 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 measurement final yr for the Mach X. This yr, once I tried the X 2 within the retailer, I additionally needed to go up a half measurement as a result of slender toe field. I’ve to go up a half measurement for many Hokas, though I’ve actually slender ft.
My first run within the Mach X 2 was an 11 km straightforward run. I used to be frightened in regards to the heel collar subject 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 snug coach higher. It’s manufactured from a brand new mesh which is ultra-thin and very 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 prime is sharp. The sharp edge is what pokes into some runners’ heels and causes blistering. The unique PUMA Deviate Nitro had the exact same subject.
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 ft once I’m carrying skinny socks. The tough tongue makes the shoe really feel much less premium.
The match of the Mach X 2 isn’t true to measurement. It has a very slender toe field so it’s a must to go up a half measurement. Alternatively, you will get the vast model if it’s obtainable.
Hoka One One Mach X 2 Sole Unit
The steps to make a shoe sooner are easy:
- Improve the stack top with out rising the load.
- 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 sooner, 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 attention-grabbing that Hoka doesn’t give their PEBA foam a reputation, like how Nike has branded theirs ZoomX, New Steadiness has branded theirs FuelCell and many others. Within the unique Mach X, the midsole was known as ProFlyX.
The tender journey makes it pleasing for sluggish 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 possibly can throw at it. I get pleasure from doing zone 3 and 4 runs within the Mach X 2 most.
Often, if Hoka places “X” within the title, it implies 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 the next diploma of flexibility than a carbon plate. On this model, Hoka prolonged the plate and gave it wings (to extend stability) and in addition made it curvier so it’s simpler whenever you’re attempting to select 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 might choose the opposite 2 coaching companions for interval coaching or V02 max exercises.
If you happen to’re a heel striker, the Mach X 2 has a really secure journey, though its heel top measures 44 mm. It feels lots 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 disenchanted with. The outsole rubber is softer than the common 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 sweet on dry surfaces, first rate 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 superb replace and the most effective pace trainers available on the market. It feels extra streamlined, extra versatile, lighter and most significantly, it feels sooner.
I additionally choose 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 sooner, 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 costlier 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 specifically have improved greater than the Mach X 2 this yr.
