HOKA Mach X 3 review

We believe the HOKA Mach X 3 is a strong pick for:

• Runners with narrow feet seeking a high-cushioned shoe for long runs and tempo workouts.
• HOKA fans who enjoy the Mach 6 but want a plated version with extra foam underfoot.
• Those who liked version 2’s ride but struggled with heel rubbing. This update solves that issue.

We think the biggest drawback of the HOKA Mach X 3 is its overly snug, tapered toebox—it restricts comfort and toe movement, which becomes problematic during long runs. In our experience, this narrow design limits its versatility, especially for runners with medium or wide feet. For a more accommodating fit, we recommend the Adidas Adizero EVO SL or the New Balance SuperComp Trainer v3, both offering greater comfort for extended sessions.

Additionally, we believe the Mach X 3 doesn’t quite justify its premium price given its modest energy return in the heel and increased weight. Based on our testing in the lab, shoes like the ASICS Megablast or the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 deliver superior bounce.

The maximalist build of the HOKA Mach X 3 suggested strong shock absorption, but we still put it to the test. Our measurements confirmed it, showing a solid 151 SA in the heel and 125 SA in the forefoot.

That’s excellent impact protection for any runner, across any distance.

For a supertrainer, the HOKA Mach X 3 will likely disappoint heel strikers in energy return. In our lab test, we measured only 58.9%, which is very low for this price point. The forefoot, however, reached a stronger 69.3%, showing where the shoe truly shines.

It's obvious that this split comes from the foam layout. The forefoot contains far more bouncy PEBA while the heel relies heavily on supercritical EVA. With PEBA usually reaching 70-80% energy return and EVA around 50-60% here in our lab, the Mach X 3’s mix naturally favours forefoot-oriented runners.

To earn the supertrainer label, a shoe must deliver a high stack height. In our lab, we confirmed that the HOKA Mach X 3 meets this standard with 42.9 mm in the heel.

The midsole is built with two layers separated by a Pebax plate. The upper layer uses PEBA foam, while the lower one relies on EVA. As expected from such a towering setup, ground feel is nearly absent, but bottoming out is simply not possible.

If most supertrainers hover around 40 mm in the heel, 30 mm is the benchmark they aim to exceed in the forefoot. The Mach X 3 succeeds here as well, measuring 33.4 mm, which is almost the same height as an average running shoe’s heel.

HOKA consistently shows the largest gap between its stated drop and the real one we measure in the lab. This happens because the brand doesn’t follow the World Athletics measurement points that we apply to every shoe.

Our test revealed an actual 9.5 mm drop instead of the claimed 5 mm, which much better represents how the Mach X 3 feels on the run.

The top foam layer is a plush and bouncy generic PEBA compound that performs beautifully, just like in the HOKA Rocket X 3. We measured its softness at 14.4 HA, and we also verified that HOKA still refuses to give this foam a name.

In our view, forefoot and midfoot strikers will benefit most from this setup since the shoe packs significantly more PEBA up front. Heel strikers, on the other hand, will mostly engage the dull EVA layer during landings.

The supercritical EVA layer is a bit firmer to enhance stability and durability, measuring 20.4 HA on our Shore A durometer. That’s still an average reading, and the shoe never feels harsh or overly firm underfoot.

The rocker of the HOKA Mach X 3 is really noticeable, with a high toe spring and a long heel bevel that together try to promote effortless forward momentum. We found this geometry ideal for maintaining cadence during tempo runs, especially for heel strikers.

This doesn’t come as a surprise, since HOKA is the brand that made the rocker design a defining feature in modern running shoes.

The Pebax plate retains the same design as its predecessor, closely resembling the spoon-shaped geometry HOKA uses in its supershoes.

In this model, it functions less as a stiffening element and more as a subtle stabiliser, providing a mild propulsion effect while effectively separating the PEBA and EVA layers.

The Mach X 2 already had a snug fit, and this new version takes the classic HOKA feel even further. We noticed it immediately after lacing up and later confirmed it through our custom gel-based fit test.

Once the gel solidified in the refrigerator, our measurement revealed a notably narrow width of just 91.6 mm.

Our second measurement confirmed the tight fit of the Mach X 3. We tested it and found only 70.8 mm in this area, which makes toe splay hard to achieve.

However, this isn’t unexpected for us. HOKA usually follows a tapered shape that contrasts with options like Topo’s roomy front design, and we think it’s great that there are choices for every foot shape.

In contrast to the narrow width, the toebox height offers enough space.

We had no trouble moving our toes freely, and our measurement confirmed it with a higher-than-average 28.5 mm reading.

The HOKA Mach X 3 delivers strong traction, scoring 0.58 in our wet concrete test. This result outperforms most competitors and ensures reliable grip in both dry and rainy conditions. It's also an upgrade from the previous version’s 0.50.

The outsole keeps the same design as last year, confirming that the Mach X 3 is more of a refinement than a full overhaul. As we noted, it fixes the major flaws of version 2 while preserving what already worked well.

Although a fair amount of foam is exposed, HOKA has historically managed this layout effectively in most of their shoes, and we think that early wear shouldn’t be an issue. However, the small cutouts can trap stones when running off paved surfaces.

The towering stack height of the Mach X 3, combined with its Pebax plate, produced a notably stiff result in our 30-degree bend test. At 17.8N, it’s even stiffer than some supershoes like the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5.

One of the few downgrades of the HOKA Mach X 3 comes from its weight. As we tested, the addition of a more structured upper with thicker padding—similar to what happened with the ASICS Superblast and Superblast 2—brought a noticeable increase in heft.

In this case, the weight jumped from 8.7 oz (247g) to 9.3 oz (264g). In our opinion it’s not a deal-breaker, but with this heavier-than-ideal figure, the shoe loses part of its appeal. And we think this marks the absolute limit for HOKA if they want to keep it like a real contender in the supertrainer category.

The new upper of the HOKA Mach X 3 was designed to fix the problems found in version 2. HOKA introduced a fresh design built with a warp-knit material.

In terms of ventilation, it’s fair but not outstanding. We rated it 3/5, which means it can feel slightly warm during hot-weather long runs.

When we tested the upper against the light, we discovered that HOKA followed its usual approach:  solid breathability in the toebox while keeping the rest of the structure more reinforced for support.

The knit itself feels comfortable and well-made. Under the microscope, it shows a clean and uniform pattern that reflects good construction quality, even if it’s not the most advanced or premium upper on the market.

However, runners who expect a plush, cushioned interior will find it lacking. From all the supertrainers we tested in the lab, the Mach X 3 stands out as one of the least comfort-oriented options so far.

The raised midsole sidewalls and winged plate contribute to a sense of stability. But still, with its towering stack height, it’s unrealistic to expect rock-solid control, and we wouldn’t suggest it for runners who need extra support.

From our view, it’s clearly designed as a neutral model, though HOKA has added some smart elements to help with balance.

One feature that noticeably enhances stability is its ultra-rigid construction, which earned a 5/5 in our manual test. That level of rigidity is usually seen in carbon-plated supershoes, but the Mach X 3’s towering stack height makes it possible here as well.

The heel counter has been completely redesigned to prevent slippage and now includes a subtle reinforcement for better structure, now scoring 2/5 in our test. With the added foam, it also feels noticeably more comfortable.

What sets the HOKA Mach X 3 apart from most supertrainers is its compact build, with just 115.4 mm in the forefoot.

This design is a double-edged sword, as it gives the shoe a quicker, more agile feel but reduces stability, making it best suited for neutral runners like we said before.

The compact design extends to the heel, measuring only 89.1 mm.

Sure, it's a low number for a supertrainer, but this makes the Mach X 3 an interesting option within HOKA’s lineup for runners who dislike oversized models like the bulky Skyward X.

We didn’t expect outstanding durability from the upper given its design, and our assumption proved correct, as it scored just 2 out of 5 in our test.

The redesigned heel is a clear improvement, and its durability meets expectations with a solid 4/5 score, making it a reliable component.

The outsole is built with compression-moulded rubber that not only provides strong traction but also impressive durability. After our Dremel test, we recorded just 0.8 mm of wear, confirming its solid resistance.

There’s also plenty of rubber at 2.5 mm thick. So, even though the coverage isn’t overly generous, a runner would need to be extremely tough on outsoles to wear this one down prematurely.

The insole measures 5.0 mm thick, making it slightly above average.

The insole feels rather cheap and could definitely be of higher quality. Still, it’s common for brands to cut costs in areas where runners are less likely to notice. Luckily, you can take it out.

Thanks to its PEBA-based foam, the HOKA Mach X 3 performs well in cold conditions, losing only 15% of its softness.

HOKA added two reflective heat-bonded overlays on the lateral side of the forefoot for enhanced visibility.

We found a standard lacing system with punched eyelets, including the usual extra hole for alternative techniques like a heel-lock knot. The flat laces perform adequately.

As for padding, the tongue adopts the same strategy many brands now use in their tempo trainers. Instead of a full-length foam layer, cushioning is limited to the pressure zone on top of the instep to cut down some weight. In this area, we measured a 6.4 mm thickness.

The Mach X 3 really let us down with its tongue. For a shoe in the premium price range, it’s surprising that it isn’t attached to the midsole for a more secure lockdown. Moreover, the build quality could be much better, as the rough edges make it feel unfinished.

The HOKA Mach X 3 is priced similarly to most top-tier supertrainers, slightly below some competitors like the Pegasus Premium but far from budget-friendly. While it represents a considerable investment, we believe its price is justified when compared to its direct rivals.

The new heel design features HOKA’s signature extended collar, and it’s a relief in every sense. The previous version was problematic for many runners, causing heel slippage and blisters. This time, HOKA went back to their usual proven design that completely resolves those issues.