Hoka Mach 5 Multi-tester Review: Is it still one of our favourite all-rounder running shoes?

There aren't many shoes we've spoken about as much as the Hoka Mach 4. It's one of the most versatile daily training shoes we've ever tried and can handle anything from comfy easy runs all the way up to race day.

As a result, we've been eagerly anticipating the release of the Mach 5, partly due to the Mach Supersonic being tailored more towards faster training and losing some of the versatility of the Mach 4.

Tom, Mike and Nick have been testing the Mach 5 out over many miles of running to see if still has the magic of the Mach 4.

Jump right in:

00:00 – Intro
00:14 – Stats
00:27 – Design
01:14 – How's The Fit?
03:13 – The Run Test
13:05 – Early Verdict

Subscribe to The Run Testers for more running gear reviews:

Some other videos you might find useful:

[RickK-vzin]

I always watch The Run Testers videos before I purchase new running shoes to get their opinions. I was looking for a daily trainer that could also be used on race days and this video sold me on the Mach 5. I'm not disappointed. When I wear these shoes my pace is usually a good 15 to 20 seconds faster than my other shoes. They are very comfortable right out of the box. I'm a 65 year old male and normally run a 5K every other day. My shoe rotation is Hoka Mach 5, New Balance More V4, and the Puma Velocity Nitro 2. Very happy with each shoe. Thanks for the great reviews.

[DesertTriDad]

I’m obsessed with this shoe, and the Mach 4. I’ve had several pairs, and I’ve never bonded with a Hoka in the past. As someone who has also trained in the speed 2, I personally can’t exclusively train in a plated shoes. I’ve experienced frequent little aches and pains with plates shoes, conversely I feel I got stronger in the feet and calves in not plated. I highly recommend the Mach, and I’ve found it really settles in after about 20 miles.

[wesw]

Absolutely great shoe. Wide 5mm rockered platform just works. On top of that the shoe is very light. Ideal daily trainer. Like these much more than my Novablast 2s.

[ginger]

Great review as always. You may not appreciate this but I skip straight to the verdict in all your reviews as its all the info I need. Love the timestamps on every video. Very professional 👏

[mkmstillstackin]

Love this review. Thanks guys. I'm a huge fan of the Mach 4 (on my second pair now) and looking forward to adding the Mach 5 and maybe the nitro velocity 2 in upcoming weeks.

[DriveandThrive]

The Mach 5 is my favorite running shoe so far. It’s like magic that is fast and comfortable how?! Usually fast shoes aren’t comfortable and comfortable shoes aren’t fast. I might race with these.

[peter]

Love the honest and well constructed reviews guys, as always. I love this shoe myself (probably at 140K as of right now) and use it as a daily trainer together with the Saucony Ride 15 (which I’m glad made your list of daily trainers). I truly think this shoe is saving hoka as the most exciting of their lineup! As opposed to saucony who is just killing it!

[Olie]

Had these for about a week now and think the upper is one of the best I’ve ever tried on. The way this shoe holds my foot is just so incredibly comfortable, would recommend anyone taking a look for that alone!

[johnf]

I have a pair of Mach 4's and I agree they are a little narrow in the toe box. I still love the shoe. I rotate them with my NB More V3. I use the Mach 4 for shorter distances.

[velpulasrinivas]

Good review. Can you suggest top 5 shoes which has VERY SOFT cushioning

[t.thompson]

Another great review guys! Keep up the great content your the best on the web for shoe reviews

[nehallavey-khan]

Hey guys - loving the detailed reviews! Just wondering how you would compare the Mach 5 and the Rincon 3? Are they for different use cases or is there a big overlap between the two shoes!

[Bodhished]

Why does low durability seem like a positive for me ☺️

[mv]

Thanks for the video. Question, does it have a good grip when it's a bit wet?

[Feanaro]

I wonder if this would be a good replacement for the Saucony Ride 14 which I’ve ran 200 miles in. It’s very comfortable and still looks almost new, but the sole is really firm to run on. I could transition the Ride 14 into my walking around shoe and save it for running on very abrasive surfaces.

[ninevrisesyrillas]

Could you say more about exactly where you think the saucony endorphin speed 2/3 (or other plated shoes) does better than the hoka mach 5 and vice versa? All across the board or intervals at 5K+ pace only etc.? I just did 1K threshold intervals in the mach 5 and liked the cushioning it provides vs. the hoka rocket x. Thanks!

[spotlight]

Does the rocker in the front end makes you feel that the drop is more than 5mm?

[STFUstranger]

hi, can i ask a question? in my country hoka mach 5 and magic speed 2 are around the same price. which one should i get for daily training? my race shoe is vaporfly next% 2.

[RainbowCharade]

OK, just bought the Mach 5, gone up to next half size, but still on the tight side in the forefoot (as at 2:10 in the video). With this I have a thumb's width at the end and they are a tad long. Should I try the wide version in my usual size? (Or is going to be "too wide")?

[sdantas]

I’m looking for shoes for my next Marathon (London) but I don’t want a carbon plated shoe. Mach 5 is one of my options (others are Adios 7, Noosa Tri 14, Streakfly and NovaBlast 3). Any thoughts?? TIA