I Walked 100 Miles In The Hoka Mach 6 — Here’s My Verdict

Posted by author February 7, 2025 Fitness

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There’s nothing like a spring in your step when running or walking. After all, there’s no better feeling than gliding with ease through the streets, trails, or parks.

And the right workout shoes can deliver that extra oomph you need to crush your next workout. A lot of sneakers on the market help propel you, but one recent addition that stands out? The Hoka Mach 6. And, I’m not the only one—the Mach 6 just won the best walking shoe in the Women’s Health Fitness Awards.

Hoka Mach 6

Cushion	Firm
Heel-To-Toe-Drop	5 mm
Arch	Neutral
Weight	6.70 oz
Sizes	5—11

For a little back story, Hoka was founded in 2009 in the French Alps by two trail runners—Nicolas Nicolas Mermoud and Jean-Luc Diard. They wanted to make running down mountains feel easier. Its first-ever shoe launched in 2010 was the Mafate for trail running, which is now on its fourth edition. Now, Hoka has shoes for road running, racing, walking, and hiking that are loved by professional athletes—and me.

I’ve been a Hoka stan for years. So of course I had to take the Mach 6 out for a spin as soon as I snagged the new model pair. After wearing it for nearly a year (it launched in February 2024), I have extensive thoughts on its performance, cushioning, fit, and stability for running and walking. Read on to see if it’s right for you.

SHOP THE HOKA MACH 6

How The Hoka Mach 6 Performed

The Mach 6 is a total workhorse and puts a spring in your step whether you’re walking or running. Compared to the Mach 5, this version has lighter and more resilient foam that provides a massive pop. So, it allows me to crank up the pace easily, even when my legs feel heavy and tired. It performs similarly to my favorite Mach X shoes minus the Pebax plate, a flexible piece of plastic sandwiched between the midsole that helps propel you forward during runs.

The cushioning is relatively low-key and makes me feel connected to the ground without sacrificing support, which is great if you dislike bulky sneakers.

During a 5K, I’m able to sprint without feeling weighed down. There’s one drawback though—the soles get super hot when I’m doing anything faster than a nine-minute pace. I’m unsure if it’s a structural issue or my form, but I haven’t experienced that with other shoes. Despite making my feet feel hot, these do deliver what Hoka promises—speed!

I would prefer more traction on the sole, too. I’ve had a handful of times where I almost slipped on gravel, sandy, and more textured surfaces, so I only recommend these for road running.

When it comes to walking, these give me the ultimate pep in my step. Whether I’m fast walking on my under-desk treadmill or leisurely strolling, I think these are a solid daily shoe. They offer consistent, reliable comfort. For example, I went to a wedding in the city and had to take public transportation there and back. There was no chance I was wearing heels during that commute, so I slipped on the Mach 6 to avoid the pain. They were especially a godsend when I took off my heels at the end of the night!

Read more: The Best Hoka Running Shoes

Fit: These shoes are narrow and snug.

Standard Hoka sizing runs true to size and narrow, and this shoe is no different. When I first tried on my usual size, it was immediately too snug. (So keep that in mind if you have wide feet.) Wide sizing is available, and as someone with bunions, I felt immediate relief. The toe box in the standard six made my feet feel cramped and I knew I’d experience throbbing, but the wide version gives my toes adequate room to spread. If you’re someone with narrow, slimmer feet, you’d love the regular fit.

Stability: These distribute impact evenly, but are designed for neutral aches.

I have neutral arches, so these shoes are ideal for my feet. They’re also pretty firm and flexible, which is the perfect recipe for a stable shoe—as long as you don’t overpronate and have flat feet. Overpronation is when your arches collapse during walks and runs, which causes your ankles to roll inward. This happens to those with flat feet, and since these kicks are designed with a neutral arch, I recommend seeking a shoe designed for aligning your gait along with extra arch support.

I’m also a fan of the neutral five-millimeter heel-to-toe drop (the difference in height between the heel and forefoot). The medium drop distributes impact evenly on my body instead of placing the load on my ankles, knees, and hips. As someone with knee issues, this is super important.

Final Verdict

With all the running and walking shoe options on the market, the Hoka Mach 6 is a great daily trainer that gives its competitors a run for their money. The updated lighter foam gives me a boost when I need it and would make an ideal shoe for runners of all levels, while also being a great walking shoe. People with flat feet should avoid these shoes and look to other Hoka models designed for overpronation, such as the Gaviota 5. It costs $140, but the quality speaks for itself and is well worth the investment.

SHOP THE HOKA MACH 6

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Nicolette Accardi is the Fitness Commerce Editor at Women’s Health with a specialty in running content. She likes to chase her next best time by testing out shoes and other running gear while training for races. Nicolette studied journalism and health sociology at Rutgers University. She has written for NJ.com, VICE, Rolling Stone, NBC News Select, and U.S. News & World Report.