Hoka Mach X 2 Review: The Ride Is Real But That Heel Counter Needs Some Work

The Hoka Mach X 2 is a speed training shoe that on paper delivers all the goods including speed, cushioning, and a smooth ride – the previous version was also a hit for me, and because of all this, I had high extremely hopes.

The Mach X 2 is good on so many levels but there are a couple of quirks that you need to know about, quirks that for some will mean these won’t hit the mark BUT for others they’ll be a total HIT! Read on to find out more about how they perform on the run, and if they’re right for you, but before we get to that, let’s break down the basics of what this shoe is offering in terms of key specifications and features.

Key specifications

• Price: $190 at hoka.com (US) / £170 at sportsshoes.com (UK)
• Weight: 9oz / 255g (Men’s US size 9)
• Drop: 5mm heel-to-toe
• Stack height: High
• Support: Neutral
• Midsole: PEBA foam (top layer), EVA foam (bottom layer), includes a Pebax plate
• Upper: Breathable woven material
• Outsole: Rubber compound with cutouts to save weight
• Best for: Speed training

Fit and feel

Right out of the box, the Hoka Mach X 2 is an eyecatcher – it’s light, sleek, and feels ready for action.

The woven upper with reflective highlights on the ‘HOKA’ logo makes it stylish for those early morning or evening runs. But as soon as I laced them up, I started to notice something a little off.

They fit true to size, with a medium width, so the fit is spot on with that familiar comforting Hoka feel, for the most part. The upper is breathable and light, making them perfect for warm weather runs but here’s where things don’t quite meet par for the course.

The heel counter, which granted, does keep your foot locked in and comfortable, has comfort issues due to the minimal and harsh edge of the heel counter.

At first glance, it seems like a smart weight-saving move, and a similar, but not the same, design works very well on the Rocket X 2 and Cielo X 1, but if you’re prone to heel irritation or blistering (and even if you’re not), this could be a dealbreaker for many. I started feeling some discomfort just a few kilometers in – more on that in my performance review below.

Hoka Mach X 2 VS Mach X (original)

The Hoka Mach X 2 introduces several updates over the Mach X 1, focusing mostly on performance enhancements.

Sleeker upper: The upper is now lighter and more minimal, with less padding around the collar and heel. While this reduces weight, it compromises comfort, particularly in the heel area, where some runners (myself included) experienced rubbing and blisters.

Improved midsole: Hoka added more PEBA foam for enhanced cushioning and bounce, giving the shoe a springier feel than the Mach X 1. The Pebax plate has also been extended under the forefoot, boosting stability during faster runs and sharp turns. The rocker geometry has been fine-tuned also, offering smoother transitions from landing to take off – this has hugely improved the smoothness of the ride. Despite the changes, the Mach X 2 maintains the same weight as the previous version (9 oz for US men’s size 9), balancing the added foam and plate with the lighter upper.

Outsole cutouts: New cutouts in the outsole help shave off weight but may trap larger stones on gravel runs. In some areas, the outsole lacks rubber, relying on exposed foam, which could affect durability over time.

Performance review

Now let’s get into what the Hoka Mach X 2 was designed for: performance.

Ride and cushioning

For me, the heart of this shoe is the midsole; It’s now packed with more PEBA foam (in the top layer of foam) that delivers a cushioned yet springy, responsive ride, and there’s more EVA foam in the bottom layer of foam too. The Pebax plate extends further in this version too, giving you more lateral stability, and more energy return. The stability is good for urban running, weaving through pedestrians, or taking tight corners – you can see me demonstrate this in my video below.

I found that at faster paces, between 4 mins/km (6 mins/mile) to 5 mins/km (8 mins/mile) the Mach X 2 really hits its stride. Every time I picked up speed, it felt like the shoe was propelling me forward as intended. It’s not mushy like some high-cushion shoes; instead, it gives back the energy you put in. Hoka tends to nail it when it comes to high energy return/cushioned running shoes.

The more extreme rocker geometry also contributes to a super smooth ride from landing to toe take off – bringing great improvements over the original Mach X.

For runners at slower paces

Even during recovery run pace, the Mach X 2 feels cushioned and stable – heel strikers will appreciate the compression and smooth transitions, but it loses some of that snappy feel. It’s comfortable, and the ride is still great, just not exhilarating at slower speeds.

Stability and traction

Stability is critical in a high-stack shoe, and the Mach X 2 deliver surprisingly well. The winged Pebax plate helps keep your foot aligned during sharp turns or uneven surfaces.

The outsole, while grippy on roads, might not be great if you run on gravel of a certain size.

The foam cutouts designed to save weight can trap larger stones, and while this won’t be a problem for runners who run strictly on road surfaces, anyone who vears onto light trails or gravel roads may have this happen to them.

The outsole does also have areas where the midsole EVA foam creeps onto the outsole (the orange sections in the photo above) – these areas will have less traction and will be less durable over time. If you’re sticking to clean asphalt, you’ll be fine but if you mix in gravel or rougher terrain, you might start seeing wear in these areas sooner than expected.

The heel counter issue

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room, well at least from my experience running in the Mach X 2 – the heel counter. It’s thin, and when the top flap folds back during a run, it can become rather sharp, and causing friction.

By the end of my first session, I had a blister (that rarely happens, and I test nearly 100 different running shoes every year). And for a shoe that’s priced at $190, that’s a hard pill to swallow.

Now, of course, not everyone will experience but some will. If your foot shape works with the design, you might get away without any discomfort.

This is such a shame because this shoe is nearly perfect otherwise. The only advice I can offer here, is to try the shoe out – if it the heel counter is fine for you then you’re going to absolutely love this speed training shoe, otherwise, you can always return them.

Are they worth buying?

At $190 from hoka.com, expectations should be high. It excels in speed, cushioning, providing a smooth ride, and overall stability, making it a versatile training partner for anyone pushing their pace. The breathable upper and reflective accents are great for various conditions, too.

But here’s the rub: that heel counter. For some, this will be a non-issue, but some runners will feel the burn from this, and so it’s hard for me to recommend these without reservations. For most non-elite runners out there, comfort should never be a compromise in a performance shoe – especially not one at this price point.

That said I do recommend giving them a try, because if you don’t get this problem at the heel, then you will be in for a winner of a shoe! If the heel issue gets you too, then just make sure you stop before you get a blister, and return them from whence they came!

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Fantastic cushioning and bounce
• Responsive Pebax plate for speed training
• Stable even with high stack height
• Breathable and lightweight upper

Cons:

• Uncomfortable heel counter for some runners (myself included)
• Outsole cutouts can trap stones
• Pricey for a shoe with potential comfort issues

Alternatives to consider

Not sure if the Hoka Mach X 2 is the one for you? For a full list of my current top rated tempo running shoes, check out my ‘best speed training shoes roundup‘.

Final thoughts

The Hoka Mach X 2 is undeniably a fast, cushioned shoe with impressive versatility. If you’re a runner who thrives on speed work and can handle the minimalist heel design, you’re likely to love it. But for those who are sensitive to heel irritation, this one might fall short.

What’s your take? Have you tried the Hoka Mach X 2? Did you experience the heel discomfort, or was it fine for you? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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