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 satisfying whereas they lasted.

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

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

I used to be in a position to 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 previous 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 strains 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 previous pair I used to be fortunate sufficient to have an area retailer with the Mach 6 nonetheless readily available to go and make sure my suspicion.

The firmer journey is just not an issue, although. There’s a delicate bounce after a soft-ish touchdown that will get you rolling by means of your stride and on to the following.

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

The rocker is just not overly pronounced, it’s simply sufficient to help your stride whether or not you’re working simple 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 further simple days.

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

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

I did make an effort to place the Mach 7 by means of all of my paces throughout a 9 mile long term beginning out at simple tempo, progressing to some miles every at marathon and threshold paces, then a number of intervals at interval and repetition paces earlier than one final mile at simple 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 effectively underneath these circumstances.

I didn’t discover any life-changing grip with the brand new sticky forefoot rubber, however grip was simply pretty much 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 effectively during the last couple weeks so I anticipate sturdiness to be simply pretty much 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 completely different experiences.

The 7 is a agency journey, the 6 is a softer journey, each can help you decide up the tempo, each have the decrease stack that I’m presently preferring…robust selection. It’s the identical midsole foam, so now I’m questioning if the shoe is simply going to really feel completely different once 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 latest 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 form of propelled me, the place the Mach I might comprise my paces higher.

Hoka Mach 7 Match & Really feel

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

Foot safety is prime notch with the narrower match and gusseted tongue. There’s 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 structure 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 prime the place you tie the laces.

Hoka determined to chop the tongue on the Mach 7 a number of millimeters shorter, and I seen 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 journey.

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

Briefly, it’s a shoe that you would be able to pair with an enormous max cushion cruiser and a plated speedier shoe for a really succesful three shoe rotation.

And with its improved skill to hit quick intervals you possibly can even save on the plated race shoe or tremendous coach and run a two shoe rotation in case 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 transferring, however largely as a result of I sort of stopped fascinated with the shoe as soon as I put it on. Essentially the most ideally suited working state of affairs.

Comparable Footwear to the Hoka Mach 7

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

Hoka Mach 6 vs 7

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

We will’t resolve 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 target 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 take pleasure in a firmer really feel.

The 7 is barely heavier with a little bit 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 an additional 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 a little bit extra responsive even in day by day miles.