HOKA'sThe 'Mach 6' Provides a Breezier Acceleration Feeling Thanks to Its Enhanced Resilience

HOKA's popular speed model, 'Mach'. It's a series favored mainly by runners who seek speed in their training and races. The 'Mach', known for its natural rebound unique to models without plates, has been said to enhance its rebound and propulsion by adopting a new foam material in its midsole. So, how has 'Mach 6' been updated from its predecessor?
 
Developed for runners who want to run faster, 'Mach' is a series that excellently balances cushioning, resilience, and lightness. Its light ride feel and design that easily produces speed have been endorsed by advanced runners.
 
Last summer, in response to HOKA's athletes' desire to improve the quality of their training, the 'Mach X', which combines the Mach's softness, explosiveness, and a propulsive Pebax® plate, made headlines. The current 'Mach 6' is a pure successor to 'Mach 5' and does not come with a plate.

Adopts New Material: Super Critical Foam

"The most significant update is a change in the foam material of the midsole," says Masanao Ando, Assistant Manager and Field Experience Rep at HOKA.

"Mach 5 used a two-layered midsole called PROFLY+ that implemented a lightweight and highly resilient material on its top layer, whereas Mach 6 employs a new foam material, Super Critical Foam, in a single-layer structure.

"Super Critical Foam is an EVA-based material made through supercritical foaming. By subjecting the resin to high pressure and temperature, bringing it to a 'supercritical fluid' state – between gas and liquid – and then injecting it into a molding die, denser foam parts can be produced, which allows us to achieve higher rebound and strength. Besides, it can shorten the manufacturing cycle and enhance production efficiency."

The use of Super Critical Foam has enhanced energy return, making it possible to have a more breezy and buoyant ride feel than the previous model.

Thick-soled Model that Combines Lightness & Cushioning

"Both the forefoot and heel areas of the sole are 8mm thicker than Mach 5, which in turn increases its cushioning. For men's shoe size 28cm, it weighs about 232g. Since Mach 5 weighed about 232g for size 27cm, Mach 6 has managed to be lighter even though the soles are thicker."

For men's size 28cm, the forefoot and heel areas of the sole measure 32mm and 37mm thick, respectively. While it's slightly thinner than 'Mach X' (forefoot 34mm, heel 39mm), it is thicker than HOKA's flagship cushioning model, 'Bondi 8' (forefoot 29mm, heel 33mm/ size 27). For reference, 'Bondi 8' weighs about 307g for size 27. It's easy to see that 'Mach 6', despite its thick sole, is incredibly lightweight.

In the outsole, a durable and wear-resistant dural abrasion rubber is installed. Although the 'Mach 5' had a rubberized EVA outsole integrated into the lower part of the midsole, this time, durability seems to have been prioritized due to the single-layer midsole.

A clear Jacquard mesh that balances breathability and support is adopted for the upper. Equipped with a dual internal gusset that suppresses tongue deviation, it is designed to offer a sense of oneness with your foot even during speed runs.