Hoka Mach 7 Review: Hoka’s True All-Rounder

Introduction to the Hoka Mach 7

LINDSAY It’s been a while since I’ve worn Hokas, so it’s safe to say I was pretty excited for this one. When most folks think of Hoka, they think of our nurse friends walking around in their super-cushioned shoes for 12-plus-hour shifts. The Mach line, especially now with the 6 and 7 iterations, is a swift reminder that Hoka is flourishing across many other footwear channels — or at least running.

Straight out of the box, the Mach 7 was one of the sleekest-looking shoes I’ve seen in a while. Ryan was quick to point out that it looks very similar to the Mach 6, but that’s men for you. I personally think this shoe got a glow up (again). At its core, it has the same features the Believe in the Run team loved in the 6: the creel jacquard upper, the supercritical foam midsole, and rubber outsole. So why spend the extra dollars if the Mach 6 is now going on sale? Well, I’ll give you a few reasons to stew over.

RYAN: Wow, I can’t believe I’m being bashed in an intro. Listen, all I did was say that one shoe reminded me of another — its very own predecessor, no less. But, if that’s men for you, then I guess I’m men. Anyway, I don’t even mind the assessment, because I quite liked the Hoka Mach 6. In fact, it felt like just the right place to jump into the Mach lineup after several up and down generations from the tempo (or tempo-ish) trainer.

As you’ll no doubt remember, the Hoka Mach 4 was our first taste of Hoka really trying to pick up the pace. We were ready to let it replace the Clifton in our rotations, and we felt like Hoka might finally have plans of breaking out of its compression-molded, well, mold. Then it completely lost its way with the Mach Supersonic, found it again with the Mach 5 (shout out to Speed Racer), spun it off into a true supertrainer with the Mach X line, and made what I think is the best Mach yet in the Mach 6.

So, yes, I think it’s perfectly fine that I compared one Mach to another — if this is Between 2 Shoes, we’re coming out pretty close to a tie. And, if you actually put the Mach 6 and Mach 7 side by side, you’ll see what I mean. Almost every detail on the spec sheet is the same, with Supercritical EVA midsoles, creel jacquard uppers, and clean lines throughout. The difference, though, is that I think the Mach 7 looks better thanks to just a few added details.

And, as they say, look good, run good, so let’s see just how fast Mach 7 can be.

What we like about the Hoka Mach 7

LINDSAY: The Mach 6 was the “lightest, most responsive Mach to date.” Curiously, the Mach 7 wasn’t advertised as such, probably because it actually gained weight overall. I kept this caveat in the “Things We Like” section because the Mach 7 is still a very light shoe, and the minuscule bit of weight gain is just because there’s more of that supercritical foam. At least that’s what I gather, and there are no complaints here.

Hoka’s Mach 7 picks up what’s advertised as an “aesthetic overhaul,” which I think is very honest. This shoe looks different! The most noticeable change is a reduction in the heel counter’s height, which now has more width without slippage. The midsole coverage is a bit wide underfoot and extends more in both the heel and toe directions. This shoe looks and acts more like the lively trainer it’s supposed to be. I noticed a subtle bounce response, but still no rocker feel. The tongue is unobtrusive and stays in place with the gusset; no disappearing acts like the team noticed in the Mach 6. If I had a ruler and both shoes, I might say the tongue is even a tiny bit longer. Finally, there is excellent traction on the outsole, as was the case previously.

While running in this shoe, it never felt like there was too much between my foot and the ground. Not in an uncomfortable way, but more in a way that allowed me to use my feet efficiently. Sometimes you get a cushioned shoe that completely separates you from the ground, making you feel like you’re running on those jumping-kangaroo shoes. Suffice to say, it was nice to feel supported while still staying connected to the run.

RYAN: Now, I’d imagine this is where you expect me to give my impressions of the Hoka Mach 7 on the run. After all, it’s all about the things we like. Unfortunately, I didn’t actually get that many miles in this shoe. I’ve been battling an adductor strain, tendinopathy, or something, and it’s kept me from pretty much anything the Mach 7 would prefer. Instead, I’ve been rocking Hoka’s lower-stacked trainer to the gym for my YouTube-fueled PT exercises, and I’ve been loving it all the way.

See, Lindsay already pointed out what makes the Mach 7 such an effective shoe for life at the gym: its consistent sense of ground feel. It’s not a daily trainer that makes you feel like you’re walking on clouds, even though you pretty much are. The 37 mm of Supercritical EVA in the heel is protective, but not numbing, allowing me to feel stable and supported through a full range of motion. Perhaps the best thing I can say is that it’s only medium-soft, meaning that you don’t feel like your ankles are about to give out every time you do a side lunge.

Also, Hoka’s decision to split the outsole into sticky rubber in the forefoot and Durabrasion rubber in the heel is as smart as can be. It’s a choice that works well for gym rats and runners alike (both of which are me). I tend to heel strike, which means I’ll take full advantage of the Durabrasion compound, but I’ll be back to making sharp turns and cuts before too long, and I know the sticky rubber will come in handy, too.

Alright, with that performance stuff out of the way, let’s talk about what really matters: looks. Top to bottom, I think the Mach 7 is an aesthetic improvement over the very simple Mach 6. Maybe it’s because last year’s shoe shipped in a very simple beige colorway, or maybe it’s because Hoka added a few more lines to the creel jacquard mesh, but either way, I like this year’s look a whole lot better.

The review colorway we were sent adds just enough green details to stand out, while the white base keeps it very clean for casual wear — it’s a lot like the effect New Balance pulled off with its Ellipse v1, which is the shoe I’m wearing as I write this. Granted, Hoka’s shade of green is just a little bit brighter than New Balance’s, but it’s nowhere near the neon hues we’re used to from Under Armour, so I’ll keep wearing it.

Last, but certainly not least, I’m so glad Hoka trimmed its elf ear heel. I think the previous design was just a little bit too tall to the point where it felt kind of silly to pull on and off. I never had any issues with rubbing from the upper, so I never felt like I needed a whole Legolas back there in place of a simple pull tab.

What we don’t like about the Hoka Mach 7

LINDSAY: The only challenge is the lack of versatility with this shoe. I wouldn’t grab it for short, speedy reps or for any longer runs over 10 miles. I took it for an 11-mile run, and it was feeling pretty flat by the end. The Mach 7 can hold its own for shorter durations, up-tempo, or easy stuff, though. Otherwise, I don’t really have anything to hate on!

RYAN: Despite having mostly used this one in the gym, I know exactly where Lindsay is coming from. As the Hoka shoe with more ground feel, it’s probably not the one you want to bust out for a marathon-building long run. I felt nice and comfortable in this one up to around six or seven miles, but don’t think I’d reach for it for double digits. It could probably handle that, especially if you like a nice, medium-soft trainer, but there are shoes on my shelf with more bounce for about the same price.

Also, as with most daily trainers, the Mach 7 might become a victim of a crowded market. It’s competing with the likes of the New Balance Ellipse and Adidas Evo SL and trying to make headway — much easier said than done.

Final thoughts on the Hoka Mach 7

LINDSAY: Ok, so I guess Ryan was right. This is a lot like the Mach 6, and I say that in the best way possible. Just a little cosmetic sprucing from its predecessor, and here we are for another year of fun Hoka Mach running.

The Mach line is aging like fine wine. My sense is that the real deal-breaker here is going to be your aesthetic preferences and how badly you want to save a few bucks on the Mach 6 while it’s still on sale. Honestly, the full price point is also so reasonable for this quality of a shoe. I’ve seen a lot less cost a bit more.

Perhaps Ryan can help with a little internal debate I’m having: is the geometry of the midsole placement in the 7 compared to 6 just a change in my imagination or does it create the touch of bounce we hoped for?

RYAN: It’s always nice to be told that you’re right, but this time, I have to share the credit. While Lindsay said I’m right in comparing the Mach 7 to its predecessor (favorably, I might add), I’d say she’s also right in her assessment that a slight change in geometry adds a bit of boune to the shoe. Yes, it feels a lot like the Mach 6 before it, but I’d say it looks better, feels a little more lively, and shines while doing double duty in the gym.

As you might guess, though, I’m a little worried about the Mach 7 as it relates to its competition. I think the Evo SL is a lot more fun for workout days and longer runs, while the Ellipse v1 is a knockout for easy miles. Add in the fact that Hoka’s Mach X 3 is a proper supertrainer for workouts, and I’m not sure where the Mach 7 finds its lane — unless you’re like me and currently splitting time in the gym.

You can pick up the Hoka Mach 7 for $145 from Running Warehouse (featuring free shipping and 90-day returns) by using the buttons below.