Hoka Mach 7 Overview | Firmer Really feel, Identical Versatility, Nonetheless a Winner

I’ve been a fan of the Mach sequence from Hoka since model 4 got here on the scene. Whereas it and its successor, the Mach 5, didn’t final very lengthy, the miles had been enjoyable and pleasurable whereas they lasted.

Sturdiness was significantly improved for the Mach 6, however the experience was noticeably totally different and turned away some die-hard Mach followers. (Coach Amanda waves her hand right here.)

Gone was the comfortable high layer of EVA over a more durable rubberized EVA layer. As a replacement was a full slab of supercritical EVA and a skinny rubber outsole, which improved grip and sturdiness.

I used to be capable of get near 200 miles on my pair of Mach 6 earlier than I moved on to newer pastures, and I felt like 225 to 250 miles was simply attainable.

The Mach 7 picks up the place the 6 left off, with the identical supercritical EVA midsole and a barely much less restrictive Creel Jacquard higher. Not a lot has modified, however because the outdated saying goes, “if it ain’t broke, don’t repair it!” And that’s precisely what Hoka did with this replace.

Hoka Mach 7 Overview

The most important visible change is traces of the midsole, which have modified solely barely, however they’re extra aesthetic and don’t change the character of the midsole.

I believed the midsole on the Mach 7 felt barely firmer than the Mach 6, and whereas I donated my outdated pair I used to be fortunate sufficient to have an area retailer with the Mach 6 nonetheless readily available to go and ensure my suspicion.

The firmer experience shouldn’t be an issue, although. There’s a refined bounce after a soft-ish touchdown that will get you rolling by means of your stride and on to the subsequent.

I’m both in higher form than I used to be a 12 months in the past (unlikely) or the Mach 7’s potential to deal with quicker quick intervals has improved over the Mach 6, which I attributed to the extra firmness of the midsole.

The rocker shouldn’t be overly pronounced, it’s simply sufficient to help your stride whether or not you’re working straightforward or tempo/threshold efforts.

Restoration runs aren’t what the Mach 7 is greatest fitted to. The shoe, whereas comfy, lacks the plush really feel within the higher and midsole for these additional straightforward days.

Moreover, I discovered I used to be all the time both a number of seconds quicker than the excessive finish of my straightforward tempo vary, or mindfully protecting myself 15 to twenty seconds slower than it.

Until I consciously slowed all the way down to a shuffle I wasn’t actually capable of cruise alongside at what felt like a mild restoration tempo. The responsiveness and rocker made it extra of a chore to actually calm down and shuffle alongside.

I did make an effort to place the Mach 7 by means of all of my paces throughout a 9 mile future beginning out at straightforward tempo, progressing to a couple miles every at marathon and threshold paces, then a number of intervals at interval and repetition paces earlier than one final mile at straightforward tempo to chill down.

The Mach 7 dealt with all paces with aplomb. I’d usually reserve interval and repetition paces for one thing just like the Topo Cyclone or Adidas Takumi Sen, however the Mach 7 did properly beneath these circumstances.

I didn’t discover any life-changing grip with the brand new sticky forefoot rubber, however grip was simply nearly as good because the Mach 6, even within the afternoon after a mid-day rain bathe.

The rubber outsole together with the uncovered sections of the midsole have held up properly over the past couple weeks so I count on sturdiness to be simply nearly as good as was the Mach 6.

Coach Amanda: I agree the 7 is firmer and that is going to be hit and miss on who enjoys it. Whereas the 6 wasn’t my favourite, I’ve been working it in fairly a bit currently and there’s a noticeable distinction within the two footwear. Which do I like higher? I don’t know, they nearly really feel like two totally different experiences.

The 7 is a agency experience, the 6 is a softer experience, each mean you can choose up the tempo, each have the decrease stack that I’m presently preferring…powerful selection. It’s the identical midsole foam, so now I’m questioning if the shoe is simply going to really feel totally different after I hit 250 plus miles? As a lighter runner than Tim, I’m able to get an extended life span from the shoe.

In comparison with current runs within the Asics Superblast 3 I didn’t know the identical tendency to overrun that Tim did. The max cushioned Superblast coach has that true racing foam which simply type of propelled me, the place the Mach I may comprise my paces higher.

Hoka Mach 7 Match & Really feel

Staying true to its performance-oriented roots, the Mach 7 does supply a comfortable match. I discovered the higher on model 7 to be simply as comfortable however extra forgiving than model 6.

Foot safety is high notch with the narrower match and gusseted tongue. There may be ample padding across the ankle with out getting overly crowded and heavy.

The heel counter within the Mach 7 is a bit more versatile than its predecessor, and it felt extra comfy with out sacrificing maintain. The tapered toe field doesn’t supply a lot wiggle room, however the top on the toe field retains it from feeling too cramped up entrance.

The format of the padding within the gussetted tongue modified from the Mach 6 to the 7, with much less padding all through, however a bit extra on the high the place you tie the laces.

Hoka determined to chop the tongue on the Mach 7 a number of millimeters shorter, and I observed the laces crept up nearly over the tongue on an extended, hilly run.

The Hoka Mach 7 is a performance-oriented light-weight coach with a quicker experience.

Its barely comfortable however nonetheless responsive foam works properly with the rocker to roll you alongside, it doesn’t matter what velocity you’re working at.

In brief, it’s a shoe that you may pair with a giant max cushion cruiser and a plated speedier shoe for a really succesful three shoe rotation.

And with its improved potential to hit quick intervals you possibly can even save on the plated race shoe or tremendous coach and run a two shoe rotation should you’re extra wallet-conscious.

Coach Amanda: I hate lengthy tongues, in order that was an enchancment for me. I didn’t discover the laces shifting, however principally as a result of I form of stopped fascinated about the shoe as soon as I put it on. Probably the most preferrred working situation.

Related Footwear to the Hoka Mach 7

We’ve examined a number of mild weight every day coach footwear that really feel related, however totally different primarily based on the model match. 

Hoka Mach 6 vs 7

As famous should you cherished the 5 we haven’t fairly made it again there. Whereas they didn’t make any important modifications to the tremendous vital EVA foam the shoe does really feel noticeably totally different when placed on subsequent to the Mach 6.

We are able to’t determine if this is because of a break in wanted or if it’s simply the extra rubber? Doesn’t solely make sense to make use of as a result of the main focus of their modifications was actually across the higher. For those who discover the Hoka Mach 6 on sale we are saying go for it, until you get pleasure from a firmer really feel.

The 7 is barely heavier with somewhat extra outsole protection for each sturdiness and traction.

The 7 has a extra breathable higher.

However for $30-$50, we’d save on the shoe for now and open up these funds for one more pair later.

Coach Amanda plans to maintain working in each fashions as a constant a part of her rotation. There’s one thing to be mentioned for not having a max cushioned shoe on on a regular basis and as a substitute getting again to one thing somewhat extra responsive even in every day miles.