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Road Running Shoes • July 7, 2022

Hoka Mach 5 Review: Chim-Chim Would be Proud

hoka mach 5 cover

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What You Need To Know

Weight

8.5 oz. (242 g) for a US M10.5 / 6.8 oz. (192 g) for a US W7.5

Stack Height/Drop

29 mm in forefoot, 24 mm in heel (5 mm drop)

Midsole

Updated Profly+ formula (lightweight EVA) on top of rubberized EVA

Key Features

Lightweight creel mesh upper with a lay-flat gusseted tongue, improved formulation of ProFly+

On The Run

🟢 Lightweight and responsive

🟢 Disappears on the foot

🟢 One of the best shoes of 2022

Price

$140

The Intro

THOMAS: My relationship with the Hoka Mach line has been a roller coaster ride. We’ll skip Mach 1 through 3, which aren’t worth mentioning, and are basically the part where you’re sitting there waiting for the coaster to blast off. Let’s jump straight to the exciting part of the ride. Our team loved the Mach 4 when it came down the tracks in 2021, mentioning it in our B.I.G. Awards as one of the top daily trainers. It was even a hit with runners at large, though some felt it was overly hyped.

We’ve been knocking Hoka’s lack of innovation with its foams for a while now, so we got our hopes right up when we heard about the Mach Supersonic and its Supercritical ProFly+ midsole at the end of 2021. As you probably know by now, the shoe itself dashed our hopes. The formula wasn’t quite right, leaving us feeling cheap, blocky, and flat.

After that, I didn’t have high hopes for the Hoka Mach 5 (Go, Speed Racer, go!). Instead, I wondered if Hoka would shrink back into its regular EVA shell for safety. Despite the heights reached with the Mach 4, the Mach Supersonic weighed heavily on my mind. Any guesses about how this one goes before we get into it? Why didn’t Speed check the trunk to make sure Sprite and Chim-Chim weren’t stowed away?

Here are some of the need-to-know specs on the Hoka Mach 5. The upper is a lightweight creel mesh with a lay-flat gusseted tongue and thin pillows where the laces apply pressure. The stacked midsole has an improved formulation of ProFly+ on top of a rubberized EVA foam with a 5mm drop. The Mach 5 is intended to be an uptempo trainer with a snappy ride. My US M10.5 weighs 8.5 oz (242 grams).

Let’s move to the review.

MEAGHAN: Much like Thomas, my love of the Hoka Mach started last year with version four. It’s a fun ‘uptempo’ shoe that still looks and feels like your traditional Hoka, but with a little more pop. Hoka may have won me over with the all-white colorway before I even laced up the shoe, but the new and improved formulation of ProFly+ is the real star here.

LINDSAY: I’m going to start this off with a shoutout to my dad, who can now say, “I told you so.” He’s a die-hard Bondi fan going on about four years now, and every time we talk about running shoes, he tells me to give Hoka a try. Like the stubborn teen he knew 15 years ago, I never took his advice. For whatever reason, I thought all Hoka shoes had too much cushion and that they’d made me look weak as a road runner.

Boy, I was wrong. I love the Hoka Mach 5. I haven’t stopped running in it since I got my pair because I truly enjoy the ride and look forward to each go around the city. I’m writing this after my Sunday long run and have yet to take my shoes off. Literally, they’re on my feet right now. I also took an unplanned nap in the Mach 5 the other day after a run. Not sure what that says about me, but it says something for Hoka’s comfort. Let’s get into more of the good stuff.

hoka mach 5 angle

The Good

THOMAS: In the first quarter-mile of my first run in the Mach 5, I mentioned to Meaghan, who was also wearing the shoe, “Damn, I think I’m going to like these.” We cruised a familiar route, enjoying some unseasonably cool Mid-Atlantic weather. The trainer’s stacked midsole felt fantastic. As my foot landed, the Profly+ took the brunt of the impact and responded with a bouncy sensation. The rubberized EVA adds stability and rigidity, while the soft feel of Profly+ layers on for a snappy ride. In subsequent runs, the higher temperatures gave the Profly+ a different feeling. One run in 90-degree humidity soup made the Profly+ feel extra squishy. The stark change makes me think that the foam is sensitive to hot and cold and may provide a different ride in the extreme climate swings. At least the rubberized EVA has held up well and provides surprisingly good traction.

The toe box is roomy, the shoe saddle locks down over the arch, and there was no heel lift. I also feel like the minimal tongue adds to the performance feel. It’s not a surprise that I had to cinch the laces down on my narrow foot, but I was surprised that Meaghan, with her wide feet, also cranked her laces down. Even with the lacing, the shoe’s upper disappeared on my foot.

Oh, and I absolutely love the colorway I got to review. It has some serious 90s styrofoam cup vibes to it.

MEAGHAN: The Mach 5 feels as dreamy as it looks. The Profly+ is soft and responsive, and paired with a firmer EVA below, you get a really great ride. From walking around to post-run strides, this combo provides a comfortable, bouncy ride no matter the pace. The forefoot is roomy enough for my toes to spread out, and flat laces provide a solid lockdown. The light padding through the collar and heel added to the overall comfort, and I didn’t have any issues with rubbing or hot spots.

LINDSAY: Who doesn’t like a nice white running shoe? Pair that with a few copper hits, and you have one of the sharpest colorways I’ve ever seen. The upper is a single layer of mesh that keeps the shoe light and breathable. Compared to the Mach Supersonic and Mach 4, the foam midsole has more volume and a slightly wider footprint, but it still feels lightweight and springy. This version has much more snap, crackle, and pop than its predecessors — two thumbs up for the upgraded ProFly+ foam.

Coming off a mild ankle sprain, I was grateful for the rubberized EVA foam, which absorbed much of the impact. Despite my high road mileage, I feel like the platform offers plenty of durability for the GRIT miles to come. Although it’s considered a daily tempo trainer, I was able to take the Mach 5 out for long runs, speed workouts, and hill sessions where the shoe held its own with each workout. I enjoyed the high energy return and smooth ride each time.

Shop Hoka Mach 5 – Men Shop Hoka Mach 5 – Women hoka mach 5 laces

The Bad

THOMAS: Hoka may have designed the Mach 5 for uptempo running and racing, but I feel it fits better as a daily trainer. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, just different. Either way, it’s a damn fine lightweight trainer.

MEAGHAN: I think I crave more cushioning and support when talking about the long run days (15+ miles). Other than that, I don’t have anything negative to say.

LINDSAY: Ok, Hoka, cover your ears. I have to point out a few faults, but none of which would deter me from reaching for the Mach 5. I know I talked up the colorway, but after 30 miles, the white upper started to look a little dirty. The copper stitching only contributed to that look rather than sparkling like it did out of the box. The black colorway I’ve seen gives off zebra vibes that I’m not here for either. If you get the black colorway and feel like you’re riding a zebra, don’t worry because the laces are so long that you can securely strap yourself on for the ride. Two times over. Moving on.

The first time I put the Mach 5 on, I noticed it was a little on the long side and left some extra room in front of the toes. I wasn’t sure how that would come into play, but I’m happy to say it didn’t bother me. It may be worth going a half-size down if that sort of thing grinds your gears. The tongue is thinner than the Mach 4, and it’s missing most of the plush compared to the Mach Supersonic. It also comes up higher on the ankle, but I didn’t notice any rubbing.

Shop Hoka Mach 5 – Men Shop Hoka Mach 5 – Women hoka mach 5 side and outsole

Hoka Mach 5 Conclusion

THOMAS: The Mach is bach (i.e. back)! We’ve already included it in our Best of 2022 Daily Trainers (So Far), which it more than deserves. The shoe put a smile on my face every time I ran in it. The Mach 5 is light, snappy, and comfortable — a hard combo to knock. We’ll continue to put miles in the shoe to see how the foam holds up, but I strongly feel the new ProFly+ will add longevity to this comfy trainer. Other shoes that I’d compare it to are the ASICS Nimbus 24, Glideride 3, the Puma Velocity 2, New Balance Rebel 2, and the Nike Pegasus 39.

MEAGHAN: The Hoka Mach 5 has become one of my favorite trainers as I’m starting to base build for the fall marathon season. It’s light, comfortable, and provides just a bit of pop. If you’re looking for a shoe that works for those easy hour days that can also pick up the pace, the Mach 5 is a great option.

LINDSAY: Like father, like daughter. I might be Hoka’s newest fan, thanks to the Mach 5. It’s responsive enough for speed workouts with enough cushion for longer runs. All that for $140? Sign me up. I’d recommend this shoe to anyone looking for a balanced road runner. It’s a considerable upgrade from the firm stepchild that was the Supersonic while holding on to the favored features of the Mach 4.

You can pick up the Hoka Mach 5 for $140 at Running Warehouse (featuring free 2-day shipping and 90-day returns) by using the shop link below.

Shop The Shoe

Hoka Mach 5-mens shop
Shop Hoka Mach 5 Men
Hoka Mach 5-women shop
Shop Hoka Mach 5 Women

 

hoka mach 5 profly plus

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Hoka Mach 4 | Exceptional Lightweight Daily Trainer

3
Comments

Have something to say? Leave a Comment

  1. Sean says:

    Loved the Mach 4 … for about 150 miles. Then they started to turn into bricks. I know others have had a similar experience. Any early thoughts on how these might hold up for longer, maybe based on any observations about materials/design/etc.? Because if they maintain performance for the industry standard, whoa nelly.

  2. Sarah says:

    Second the tad long…I bought my usual size hoping that unlike the Saucony Endorphin series and Asics Metaglide 3 (God I love this shoe) I’ve bought I wouldn’t have to go 1/2 a size up. Now wondering if I will need to go 1/2 down. Happy I bought from Running Warehouse so I can make the adjustment after I take these for a real spin!

  3. To tell the truth, sometimes it is truly difficult to find really decent shoes for running which would meet all necessary parameters and characteristics, but Hoka Mach 5 has a great deal of advantages. It is so cool that these shoes have such unique distinctive features and stand out with such a high efficiency. It is so important to feel maximum comfort in shoes while running because it affects the success of your sport activity to a global extent and if you feel discomfort, it is necessary to change your shoes. I really like that Hoka Mach 5 are universal shoes and that you can use them for different workouts. Also, I fall in love with the visual component of them because it has such an interesting and original concept, being not typical. For me, buying Hoka Mach 5, you understand that the price justifies the quality and that it will be a long-lasting purchase.

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Authors

Thomas Neuberger
Founder
  • Strava
  • Instagram

As the founder of Believe in the Run, Thomas’s goal is to help runners pick the shoes and gear that will make their running experience the best that it can be. 

More from Thomas
Shoe Size

10.5

Fav. Distance

26.2

PRs
  • 10:28

    50 Mile
  • 5:43

    50K
  • 3:20

    26.2
  • 1:36

    Half Marathon
meaghan nyc marathon
Meaghan Murray
Boss Lady
  • Strava
  • Instagram

Meaghan signed up for her first marathon three weeks before the race, because it was $10 more than the half she planned to run. She learned everything in running the hard way. Now a USATF & UESCA certified run coach, she loves encouraging friends to go for big goals as she continues to chase faster times. She enjoys a hot cup of coffee, a cold martini, and making bagels for friends and family.

More from Meaghan
Shoe Size

7.5

Fav. Distance

26.2

PRs
  • 2:45

    Marathon
  • 1:21

    Half Marathon
  • 18:51

    5K
lindsey 4
Lindsay Agro
Baltimore Road Reviewer
  • Instagram

Lindsay is an optometrist by day and runner by… all other hours. Originally from south Florida, Lindsay started running with Believe Run Club when she moved to Baltimore and the rest is history. When she’s not running or fixing eyeballs, you can find her exploring with her dog, Iris, or grabbing a beer with friends.

All-time favorite shoes: Asics Novablast, Saucony Endorphin line, Nike Vaporfly NEXT%

More from Lindsay
Shoe Size

7

Fav. Distance

10-Mile

PRs
  • 3:35

    Marathon
  • 1:42

    Half Marathon
  • 44:52

    10K
  • 22:08

    5k
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