17.02.22

Review — Hoka One One Mach 4

First time on foot, these are maybe the most comfortable pair of shoes I’ve run in. The engineered mesh upper is snug but breathable, and thanks to the subtle heel flare you won’t experience any irritating rubbing or blistering.
Hoka One One Mach 4
Hoka One One Mach 4
Hoka One One Mach 4
Hoka One One Mach 4
Hoka One One Mach 4

Product— Hoka One One Mach 4
Release Date— Monday 1st March 2021
Reviewer— Jamie Kavanagh | @jamiekavanagh

Having run in a couple of different Hoka’s, I was pretty intrigued by the Mach 4 – same maximalist style that Hoka is known for but lighter, a lower stack height and far less cushion compared to some of the other models on offer. I’d read a lot of rave reviews online but it took me a while to get my hands on a pair. Having missed out on the OG colourway on launch, I was pretty happy to finally get my hands on a pair at Up There Athletics.

First time on foot, these are maybe the most comfortable pair of shoes I’ve run in. The engineered mesh upper is snug but breathable, and thanks to the subtle heel flare you won’t experience any irritating rubbing or blistering. The fit is slightly narrower than other Hoka models I’ve tried, but I found this to only help with the lockdown when laced up and there is still plenty room in the toe box.

The ride is where it really differs to other Hoka models. The 'Profly' midsole gives it a firmer feeling closer to that of a Nike Pegasus, and gives it a nice pop upon toe-off, especially when picking up the pace. This combined with the lightweight design makes for a really nice snappy ride. Even with the reduced stack height, there’s still enough cushion under that firm layer to save your legs on longer sessions.

The Mach 4 is a really excellent option for those seeking an everyday shoe that can be used for both longer efforts as well as faster sessions. At the time of writing this I’ve put in excess of 600kms in my pair and used them for countless weekend long runs as well as tempo sessions during recent marathon builds.

Hoka One One Mach 4
Hoka One One Mach 4
Hoka One One Mach 4
Hoka One One Mach 4
Hoka One One Mach 4