Hoka Mach X3 Review – Better, But Not Perfect

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The Hoka Mach X3 is one of the shoes I was most excited to test in 2025. After being left disappointed with the Mach X2 (thanks to a heel design that tore up my Achilles despite an otherwise solid platform), I was eager to see whether Hoka fixed the issues while keeping the promise of a versatile super trainer.

Stats & Features

• Price: £170 RRP (discounts available via clubs/affiliates)

• Drop: 5 mm

• Stack height: ~44 mm heel

• Dual foam setup: PEBA layer on top, EVA “chassis” underneath

• PEBA plate with winglets for stability

• New woven mesh upper + redesigned heel (Clifton-style)

• Weight: 292 g (UK 10) — about 20 g heavier than Mach X2

The outsole carries over from the Mach X2 with the same rubber coverage and wide base for stability. The big changes come in the upper and heel — Hoka have clearly reworked the fit to eliminate the Achilles-cutting issue.

Performance

On the run, the Mach X3 feels very similar to the Mach X2 from midsole down. The dual foam setup still delivers a nice balance of cushioning and pop: the PEBA foam gives spring off the toe, while the EVA chassis and winged plate add a sense of stability.

The downside is weight. At nearly 300 g, the Mach X3 is heavy for a super trainer. The thicker woven upper adds comfort but at the cost of speed. For runners who never had issues with the Mach X2 heel, the X3 doesn’t offer much reason to upgrade. But if the fit killed the X2 for you, the X3 is a big improvement.

Across my 30–40 miles of testing, I’ve used the shoe for both easy runs and faster efforts. It’s versatile and soaks up different paces well, which is exactly what a super trainer should do.

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What I Liked 👍

• The updated heel — finally comfortable, no more Achilles issues

• Stable ride thanks to the EVA frame + winged plate

• PEBA foam offers a lively toe-off

• Handles multiple paces well (easy runs to quicker workouts)

• Good outsole coverage and durability

• Solid width and stable platform

What I Didn’t Like 👎

• £170 price tag — feels too high given the competition

• Woven upper feels coarse and could be refined

• Heavier than expected for a super trainer (~292 g)

• Doesn’t stand out enough in a crowded “super trainer” category

Conclusion

The Hoka Mach X3 fixes the fatal flaw of the Mach X2’s heel, making it runnable again for those who struggled with fit. It offers a stable, versatile ride that can handle a variety of training runs.

But at nearly £300 g and £170 retail, it blends into a crowded market of super trainers (Nike Zoom Fly 6, Saucony Speed 5, ASICS Novablast/Superblast, Boston 13). In fact, shoes like the Adidas Adizero Evo SL undercut it badly on price while delivering just as much fun.

Still, for runners seeking a mild-stability super trainer that can do a bit of everything, the Mach X3 is worth considering. It might not be groundbreaking, but it’s reliable, stable, and finally comfortable where it counts.

Rating: A solid update with some flaws — better, but not perfect.

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