I realized I was falling in love about three miles in—that’s when it really hit me that this could be the one. The one I’d pick day-in and day-out, the one I’d share miles and tears and laughs with. I’m talking, of course, about my pair of Hoka Mach X 2 running shoes. From our very first run together, I could tell my love for these shoes wasn’t just surface-level. But, I did wonder: Could a lightweight, incredibly comfortable shoe built for speedwork hold up to the abuse of daily training and my slower pace? It became my mission to find out.

Hoka’s latest version of the Mach X perfects many of the aspects of its predecessor—the midsole is a sublime mix of cushiony comfort and responsiveness, thanks to a combination of foam and a Pebax plate. At just eight ounces for a women’s pair, these shoes are incredibly lightweight and comfortable. The upper is ultra-breathable, and regulates temperature well—especially on longer runs. There’s a lot to love about these shoes and only a couple of misses I could, and after running in them nearly every day for almost three months, I’ve found that they hold up to the trials of daily training with little wear and tear.

Hoka Mach X 2

Price: $190 | Weight (per pair): 8 ounces | Drop: 5 millimeters | Upper: Woven, breathable | Midsole: Pebax plate, PEBA and EVA foams | Outsole: Rubber | Closure: Laces | Sizes: 7-14 (men), 5-11 (women)

Best for:

  • Speed work
  • Race training
  • Everyday running

Skip if:

  • You don’t like extra cushioning in your running shoes
  • You anticipate running in wet conditions
  • You’re used to running at a slower pace
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Hoka Mach X 2 Features

No Faults In The Midsole

The crowning achievement in the Mach X 2 is its midsole. Hoka made huge improvements to the midsole of the original Mach X, and the resulting ride is fast and more supportive, thanks to the shoe’s rocker profile and ample cushioning. The heel landing is smoother, and the overall ride is more responsive and absorbent. The Pebax plate that runs the length of the shoe and fans out in the ball of the foot is responsive, and combined with the PEBA and EVA foam, is bouncy, springy and refined. The overall feeling of the shoe is balanced, even with the generous amount of foam in the midsole.

My left knee gets sore in almost every running shoe I try. I feel it by mile three of my runs, but when I don’t, I know I have a good shoe on my hands—er, feet. That being said, I have not once felt knee pain in the Mach X 2, whether I’m on a two- or ten-mile run. My anecdotal evidence, paired with the material advancements of the Mach X 2, are enough to convince me that this shoe is where it’s at.

Breathable And Lightweight

The woven upper on the Mach X 2 is really breathable—so breathable, in fact, that you can easily see what color socks you’re wearing through the upper when you’ve got these on. That ultra-breathable design comes with superior temperature regulation, especially on hot and long runs, but it also means you’ll get dust on your socks, and if you’re running in rain, you are most certainly going to encounter wet feet, so be prepared.

Heel Counter Needs Improvement

No shoe is perfect, and in my opinion, the heel counter on the Mach X 2 is way too minimal. It doesn’t support the heel at all, and actually folds down when I run. It also makes getting the shoes on and off pretty difficult—there’s nothing to grab onto when sliding your foot into the shoe. I get the idea of the minimal heel counter, and how it plays into the whole “race day” aesthetic, but I think Hoka could have gone a little more substantial with this aspect of the shoe and not only stayed lightweight, but provided a more comfortable experience. That being said, I’ve never had an issue with rubbing or blisters due to the minimal heel counter—I just think it could be cushier.

Final Verdict

In terms of performance, there’s nothing I don’t love about these shoes. Every detail is exactly as I’d like it to be in a running shoe—other than the fact that since I’m using these ultra-technical, high-end shoes as my daily trainers, our time together won’t be as long as I’d like it to be. I’ll have to reckon with my over-use of these shoes at some point down the line, but three months in, the ride is still as smooth and supportive as ever. If you love Hoka and want to love it even more, consider picking up the Mach X 2. Just don’t blame me when they ruin every other daily trainer for you. You’ve been warned.