Hoka One One Mach X 2 Introduction
When Operating Warehouse points a warning on the product web page of a shoe, you already know that it’s a severe, widespread drawback. “As a consequence of heel match and minimal collar padding, some runners might 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 opinions, 16 individuals (48%) have rated it 1 or 2 stars out of 5. Most of those low rankings are a results of heel blisters because of the Mach X 2’s poor design. It makes you surprise how this shoe ever handed the consolation take a look at throughout growth.
Fortunately, Operating Warehouse has a 90 days return coverage and Hoka US has a 30 days return coverage however in the event you bought it exterior of the US and it provides you heel blisters, you could possibly be caught with an costly shoe you could’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 energetic trip, good pace help, and excessive sturdiness. It was the proper coaching companion for the Hoka Rocket X 2, certainly one of my highest rated racing footwear.
This yr’s Mach X 2 is based mostly on the Cielo X 1, not the extra widespread 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 fully 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 peak within the heel and forefoot nevertheless it prices $10 greater than v1.
Hoka One One Mach X 2 First Impressions
I needed to go up a half dimension final yr for the Mach X. This yr, 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 ft.
My first run within the Mach X 2 was an 11 km straightforward run. I used to be anxious in regards to the heel collar difficulty however I wore thick socks and fortunately, I felt no uncomfortable rubbing. The coach was comfy and it didn’t want any break-in interval.
The Pebax plate felt extra outstanding and the forefoot rocker was additionally extra noticeable than within the first model. I additionally loved the additional stack peak and the softer trip.
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 fabricated from 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 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 difficulty.
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 after 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 dimension. It has a extremely slim toe field so it’s important to go up a half dimension. Alternatively, you may get the vast model if it’s out there.
Hoka One One Mach X 2 Sole Unit
The steps to make a shoe quicker are easy:
- Enhance the stack peak 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 accomplished 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 trip 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 Stability has branded theirs FuelCell and so on. Within the authentic Mach X, the midsole was known as ProFlyX.
The tender trip makes it pleasurable 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.
Normally, if Hoka places “X” within the title, 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 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 more practical once you’re making an attempt 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 Stability 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 decide 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 trip, although its heel peak 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 disillusioned with. The outsole rubber is softer than the typical working shoe and on my pair, I’ve worn proper by way 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 feel the Mach X 2 continues to be an excellent replace and among the finest pace trainers in the marketplace. 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 in the marketplace 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 trip. 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 specifically have improved greater than the Mach X 2 this yr.
