Image credit: Canva/HOKA/Women’s Running

As HOKA running shoes go, the Mach is a pretty versatile, accessible option. Plenty of runners would rather not fork out for a multi-option running shoe rotation, especially considering the price of the average shoe these days, and the HOKA Mach 7 claims to provide a balance alternative that can be used for most of your weekly sessions. Let’s see whether the latest iteration delivers…

Hoka Mach 7 technical details

• RRP: £140
• Drop: 5mm
• Weight: 203g
• Sizes: UK women’s 3.5-9.5 (wide fit option available)
• Heel stack: 37mm
• Foam: Supercritical EVA midsole

Who is this shoe for?

The HOKA Mach 7 is a great running shoe for beginner runners who don’t want to fork out for multiple pairs of shoes. If you’re taking your running seriously and want to start working in tempo runs and interval sessions, the Mach 7 is a great choice for a range of training sessions. The heel stack is lower than your average beginner shoe, with a slightly smaller drop, so if you prefer a super plush feel then you might be better off opting for something like the HOKA Clifton 10. The Mach is perfect for shorter distances and a variety of training sessions – I even wear mine in the gym!

How does this shoe fit?

As always, I opted for a half size up in these shoes. The upper feels nice and snug, with no movement around the heel, so it was a secure fit. I haven’t had any issues with rubbing or chafing. There’s enough room in the toe box, though I’d perhaps prefer slightly more space – luckily, there’s a wide fit option, which I’ll definitely be giving a go.

Is it comfortable?

The Mach 7 is pretty comfy, but not in the classic max-cushioned sense. If you like to feel the ground beneath your feet and keep things well ventilated then it’s a great shoe, but it’s more of a multi-session workhorse than a typically squishy trainer. I had no rubbing or chafing issues, the tongue doesn’t budge at all and I love the lighter upper for true breathability.

HOKA Mach 7 vs HOKA Mach 6

The key technical details of the HOKA Mach 6 that we loved so much have remained much the same in this new version. Impressively, the price hasn’t budged – no mean feat in this economy. The 5mm drop is also identical, but the Mach 7 boasts a slightly higher heel stack overall, by an extra 2mm. Both version use almost exactly the same materials, including the EVA midsole foam – essentially, if you were expecting a total overhaul then you’ll be disappointed. The only key difference is a more durable heel, a slightly softer tongue and a more breathable upper. If you’re a fan of the Mach 6, you’ll likely love this shoe, especially with its more up-to-date aesthetic design, which is more noticeable than any functionality changes.

HOKA Mach 7 running review

I’ve felt the benefits of the lightweight, airy bounce that the Mach 7 offers, particularly for shorter speed sessions. There’s a really balanced feel to this shoe, with a decent propulsion that’s softened by the squishy midsole. I love the reduced stack height and lower drop – it gives more of a sense of control and connection with the ground.

Long miles in this shoe haven’t been quite so successful. Less cushioning meant that the soles of my feet felt the impact of the pavement after a while, so I won’t be throwing out my max-cushioned trainers any time soon. For anything up to 10K they’ve provided a great comfort-to-speed ratio, though, so if that’s what you’re looking at for long runs, they could be the answer.

There’s no plate in the Mach 7, but the slightly firmer, lighter feel makes them perfectly adaptable to speed work. This is where the shoe really shines, with push-offs that feel easy and landings that feel nimble.

It’s a really stylish shoe that works well on road and track, for a variety of training types. I just wish it had the longevity for half marathon and marathon training runs – then I wouldn’t have need for a shoe rotation at all.