Hoka’s Mach 5 sneaker offers a better run with cushy energy retention

Even if you’re not a runner, you’ve likely heard about the cult following behind Hoka One One. Athletes and everyday people alike praise the brand’s shoes for their supportive fit and plush soles, two features that Hoka continues to improve on. To bolster its technology, the brand is expanding its award-winning Mach series with the Mach 5, a sneaker that will “power runners like no other,” according to a statement.

The Mach 5 arrives as part of a new campaign entitled “Fly Human Fly,” an effort Hoka says is “an invitation to humanity to a place of joy, optimism, and limitless possibilities.” The campaign encourages consumers — whether they consider themselves Hoka fanatics or are new to the scene — to meet the brand at the starting line and “take flight to new heights — together.”

Support your step — As a step up from the Mach 4 and Mach Supersonic sneakers — or rather, the “lovechild” of the two silhouettes, as Hoka puts it — the Mach 5 offers maximum performance with more polished features. A lighter, more streamlined PROFLY foam midsole preserves comfort while pounding the pavement with Hoka’s signature stacked midsole setup as a stripped-back creel mesh upper keeps the shoe breathable. Rubberized EVA material, found underfoot, offers traction and retains energy to push wearers to their fullest potential. A lay-flat gusseted tongue finishes off the sneaker, smoothing out the overall feel and look of the Mach 5.

With such features, the shoe has been categorized as being best for racing and road running. The sneaker’s added “oomph” in both performance and ride keeps its wearer’s foot closer to the ground, utilizing a firmer material designed to provide an efficient push-off. A symmetrical bed of cushioning on the Mach 5, rated neutral on Hoka’s website, provides all the support wearers could need (and nothing more).

Both women’s and men’s sizes of the Hoka Mach 5 are available now via the brand’s website and select retailers worldwide. A pair will set you back $140 but hopefully propel you forward otherwise, even if you aren’t a hardcore runner. As Hoka said in its “Fly Human Fly” campaign, “movement supported by Hoka unlocks joy, optimism, and a world of limitless potential” — so get moving.