I ran 75 miles in the Hoka Mach X3 and it’s one of my favorite running shoes of the year

The Hoka Mach X2 was one of the best running shoes of 2024, offering comfort and speed thanks to its high stack of springy foam and the plastic plate in its midsole. It had one big flaw, which was its uncomfortable upper, which rubbed at the heel in particular.

All Hoka had to do to make the Mach X3 a successful update was to fix that upper, and that’s exactly what the brand has done. The Hoka Mach X3 sticks to the same midsole and outsole setup as its predecessor, but has a more comfortable upper with padding around the heel.

That new upper does add some weight, but I still found the Mach X3 to be great for fast training, and it’s now better-suited for relaxed runs. It’s a successful update, but the Mach X3 still faces some stern competition for the title of best all-rounder running, with the likes of the Asics Megablast, Nike Zoom Fly 6, and Adidas Adizero Evo SL all being great alternatives.

Hoka Mach X3 review: price and availability

The Hoka Mach X3 launched in fall 2025 and costs $190 in the U.S. and £170 in the U.K., which is the same price as the Hoka Mach X2. It’s an expensive running shoe, and though it’s not out of line with the price of most plated ‘super-trainers’, there are cheaper alternatives, including the Nike Zoom Fly 6.

Hoka Mach X3 review: design and fit

The Hoka Mach X3 is currently available in two colors including the yellow and lime model I tested. There is a wide version of the shoe and it does have quite a narrow fit, which is typical of Hoka shoes in general, but the length was good for me in my normal running shoe size.

It has the same stack height and 5mm drop as the Mach X2, with the men’s Mach X3 being 44mm tall at the heel and 39mm at the forefoot, and the women’s 42mm at the heel and 37mm at the forefoot.

The changes to the upper have increased the weight of the shoe, however. The Hoka Mach X3 weighs 9.7oz in my men’s US size 9.5, whereas the Mach X2 is 9oz in the same size.

Upper

All of the key changes to the Mach X3 are found in the upper, which is now made from a warp knit material and is thicker and more padded than the very thin upper on the Mach X2.

There’s extra padding on the heel and tongue in particular, which creates a more comfortable and secure fit, and eliminates the risk of the heel rub that many runners suffered with the Mach X2.

Midsole

The Mach X3 has a dual-density midsole with a top layer of springy PEBA foam and a firmer bottom layer made from EVA foam. In between these foams is a plastic Pebax plate that has wings in the forefoot to add stability.

It’s the same midsole design as on the Mach X2, and this setup creates a bouncy and fun ride, while the rockered shape of the shoe also helps to roll you through your footstrike and onto your toes.

Outsole

There are multiple cutouts on the bottom of the Mach X3 to reduce weight, and rubber is only used to cover the main impact areas on the forefoot and heel of the shoe.

I’ve had no problems with grip while running in the shoe though, and since the outsole is the same as the one on the Mach X2 I’d expect good durability too — I’ve run over 100 miles in the Mach X2 without seeing any undue wear on its outsole.

Hoka Mach X3 review: running performance

The Hoka Mach X2 has been a mainstay of my marathon training shoe rotation and a sneaker I regularly go back to when I’m not testing new models. It’s great for long workouts in particular, thanks to its balance of comfort and speed.

This all remains true of the Hoka Mach X3, and now it has a more comfortable upper. The extra weight on the shoe isn’t ideal in a shoe primarily designed for speedwork, but it’s still light enough for fast sessions, and the added comfort for long efforts is definitely welcome.

I was able to use the Mach X2 without the upper causing me too many problems, but the new upper on the Mach X3 is certainly more comfortable and makes it a better shoe to use for daily training. I did several long runs in the shoe and had no trouble at all with the fit.

It’s not as stable as more comfort-focused cushioned shoes like the Hoka Clifton 10, but I found the Mach X3 more stable than many speed-focused shoes, and the smooth rocker works well for relaxed runs as well during tempo or interval runs.

While I’d opt for a full-blooded carbon plate running shoe over the Mach X3 for my races, I do think it’s a good racing option for runners who don’t want to spend over $200 on a super-shoe. The Mach X3 would be a great marathon shoe, in particular.

Should you buy the Hoka Mach X3?

The Hoka Mach X3 is a great running shoe, and for me, it fixes the only real problem with the Hoka Mach X2. The improved upper makes it even more versatile because it’s now more comfortable for easy runs, and despite the small gain in weight, the Mach X3 still performs well at speed.

It’s worth looking at as a shoe you can use for all your runs, or to add to a rotation mainly for speed sessions, and it’s also a good alternative to carbon plate super-shoes as a more comfortable, stable, and affordable racing option.

There are a couple of great, cheaper options to consider instead of the Mach X3, though. Most notably, the Nike Zoom Fly 6, another great plated all-rounder that’s lighter, and the Adidas Adizero Evo SL, a very light speed shoe that has been my favorite of 2025 so far.

Neither is quite as comfortable and stable as the Mach X3, but the Zoom Fly 6 is enjoyable for all kinds of runs, while the Evo SL is faster than the Mach X3 for workouts.

If you don’t mind spending over $200, the Asics Megablast is a shoe I rate even more highly than the Mach X3 as an all-rounder. The Megablast doesn’t have a plate, but it is lighter than the Mach X3 and has an even livelier ride thanks to the bouncy foam in its midsole.

I’d also say that if you're happy to risk the fit being uncomfortable, the Mach X2 is still a good option that is regularly on sale. It has the same great ride as the Mach X3 and is lighter, so if the upper works for you, it’s certainly a top option.