HOKA Mach X 3 Review: A Speedy Running Shoe

by Niels Oomkes · Published December 13, 2025 , 6:00 am · Updated December 9, 2025 , 4:45 pm

Active Gear Review is supported by its audience. If you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

I am super stoked to see how these HOKA’s will play a role in my running routine. For the past 4-5 years, I’ve just been running to run. I have not been too concerned about programmed speed or tempo workouts to push the pace for a faster race. There have certainly been races; long and short, but I didn’t feel the need for a seriously focused training plan. I do know speed work is important, but at my age, I do have to be careful when pushing the limits to stay injury free. Hence, I have taken the longevity approach to take it consistent and steady. That said, I feel like these shoes will motivate and force me to go faster during training, while also providing my body with the necessary support and protection during structured workouts.

Features

Warp knit upper
Dual-density midsole with PEBA top layer
Pebax® plate
Speed-centric MetaRocker™
Compression molded sticky rubber
Neutral
Heel Toe Drop: 5mm
Weight: 10.20 oz

HOKA Mach X 3 Upper

The warp knit woven upper of these HOKA Mach X3’s are lightweight for sure, but they do feel like they have adequate support. The mesh is breathable to allow for airflow on those hotter days. More recently, I have worn them in cold weather, and I do notice a bit of a cold draft when I first get started. Not a problem as you get moving, but true winter runners they are not.

The ankle collar has a nice soft fabric feel to it, and hugs my ankles just right. In general, as shoes have gone more minimal to cut down on weight, the collar can be a bit simple and not as comfortable. However, that is not the case here for the Mach X 3, they are form-fitting, and with proper lacing fit really well. I’ve got this unfortunate habit of having my ankles knock together at times especially when the ground has some inconsistencies, so I appreciate this feature.

In that vein, the tongue also provides a perfect layer to keep the top of the feet from any potential rubbing. What has annoyed me in the past is when a tongue would easily shift one way or another. For the most part on many running shoes, I think that’s been solved with the little tab that the laces go through. That said, the tongue here is comfortable.

Midsole on the HOKA Mach X 3

The HOKA Carbon X 3 and its dual density midsole is where all the technology comes into play to provide comfort, support, and help with that push off every single step. The PEBA foam is highly resilient and provides that soft landing as well as the rebound into the next stride.

Furthermore, the Pebax® plate is sandwiched between resilient PEBA and EVA foams. It is there to provide a snappy return. In addition, its got a Speed-centric MetaRocker™ to allow for the perfect landing that transitions into the push off. The photo below shows that plate peaking out of the side. If you scroll down to the outer sole, you can see that it stretches for most of the length of the shoe.

Outsole

The outer sole is very visible obviously, so let’s pick it apart a bit. What I like is that HOKA added this compression-molded sticky rubber that adds enhanced traction. A small thing, but provides confidence on every step. In addition, it is designed to also give extra support and propulsion. Several openings are there to remove any excess weight (and to be able to view the carbon plate). High impact areas are supported with the black and yellow rubber compound. I usually have a slight rub on the back outside heel that wears down quicker. Hence, I will keep an eye on that as time goes by. It might be several hundred miles down the line, but we will see.

The HOKA Mach X 3 In Training

HOKA One One has always been about the extra cushioning and minimal to zero drop. I’m not sure if they were the first uber thick and squishy shoes. That said, I definitely first recall seeing them during a trail race back in 2011 in Colorado. They’ve come a long way since then, and others have taken that path as well. If you’ll recall, during that time frame, we were all about the minimalistic shoes and how running form would greatly improve. It worked for some, but not everyone. HOKA’s shoes were minimal in the fact that the drop was at zero, but it took some time for the masses (me included) to accept them.

Fast forward 15 years, and you’ve got yourself a HOKA movement that has swept the world and pop culture. Trail, road, young, old, racers, beginners, and mall walkers are sporting HOKA’s these days.

The HOKA Mach X 3 is the latest iteration of a shoe that speaks to those who want to train and race fast. The super shoe fad is also a thing now as carbon plates play a role to aid in how we land and push off. It gives a slight advantage with every stride we take.

I had my A race in early September right as these came in. I wasn’t quite ready to go full out on these HOKA Mach X 3’s at the time. I now have about 60 miles on them, and I’d say they have formed nicely to my feet. I reviewed the HOKA Cielo X1 2.0 earlier this year, and those required some getting used to each and every run. The balancing act on those was something real that I definitely needed to get used to. These Mach X 3 are going to behave pretty much like any other similar style shoe you may have been running in. With that in mind, this was a great shoe to add to the rotation. They fit well from a width and comfort standpoint. I do now have slightly wider feet, and these work well.

After a couple of months of much needed down time, I am ready to start building my base back up to get me through the holidays and into the New Year. My race was in many aspects a success. I performed to the best of my abilities, and recognized what I need to do to get to that next level.

And for successful running gains, this includes speed work and tempo runs. Those words to many runners are ugly curse words, because it just sucks to bury yourself that deep. It hurts, its uncomfortable, and you would rather be on your couch binging your favorite show. The longer and deeper one can get into that pain zone, the better you will perform. It takes time to get to actually liking these structured workouts. And I am at a point to slowly start incorporating that back into my routine.

Hitting the track is also something I haven’t done in probably 10 years. No excuses now, because I am eyeing a Boston Qualifier marathon. And that is exactly what I did in 2015-2016 to get my BQ. Times have gotten faster to qualify, but I have gotten older. Of course, I have slowed down somewhat, but that also means the times have relaxed slightly for me. It won’t be a cake walk, but I think it’s attainable. 100’s, 200’s, and 400’s will be part of my training regimen going forth. And these HOKA Mach X 3 will be part of that journey.

Beer Mile! Yes! Me and some running pals have an annual “come home from college for Thanksgiving” get-together for a beer mile. We are now well into our 40’s and 50’s, but we act like a bunch of teenagers at times. We come up with some silly ideas, and this one is right up there. The upside is that we get to act and pretend like we are 21 again.

All in all, it’s only about 10 minutes of complete discomfort and nuttiness. I decided to wear my HOKA Mach X 3 for optimal speed. It definitely worked as my moving/running time for the mile was 6:55. And that includes the complete uncomfortableness of burping up the carbonation for most of it. On the flipside, I am not much of a drinker, so getting that beer down was my downfall, and my total time was right at 10:00. My lightweight beer drinking ability failed me, but my running prowess and shoes were a success.

Final Thoughts On The HOKA Mach X 3

The HOKA Mach X 3 is a very suitable trainer and racer to bring the mindset around to working on speed. Lots of technological advances on the upper, midsole, and outsole have culminated into a sweet speed racer. I like the fit and how the ankle cuff, tongue and upper wraps my foot and keeps it secure. The midsole and it’s Pebax® plate provide support, but more so, the ability to push off stronger and further.

There might be minimal gains on each stride, but over the long haul there will be a significant advantages and hopefully time gains. The price is mid to upper range, and I am looking at it from a performance gain standpoint. If I can shave off enough time to run a PR, place in my age group, or qualify for Boston, it will be worth it. Give them a try if you have speed goals and races on your horizon. For more details and purchase visit hoka.com, rei.com, or amazon.com.