Mach 7 vs Rincon 4

The Hoka Mach 7 is the brand's do-it-all tempo trainer, a lightweight road shoe that wants to cover almost everything between an easy jog and a genuine session. There is no carbon plate here and that is the point. Instead you get a supercritical EVA midsole that feels lively and quick without the aggressive, one-pace demands of a racer. With a low 5mm drop and a 37mm heel stack it sits in the sweet spot for runners who want one shoe for daily miles, tempo runs and the odd longer effort. It is a clear step on from the Mach 6, keeping the versatile, pick-up-and-go character that made the line popular. At £130 it is fairly priced for a modern lightweight trainer. We rate it as one of the smartest single-shoe buys for club runners who log steady mileage but still like to push the pace once or twice a week.

The Rincon 4 is Hoka's lightweight bargain: a fast, no-frills daily running shoe that has always punched above its price. At 228g with a low 5mm drop, it is one of the lightest cushioned trainers Hoka makes, and that lightness is the whole point. You get a shoe that handles easy miles happily but comes alive when you pick up the pace, which makes it a genuine one-shoe answer for runners who want daily training and the odd tempo or 5k from the same pair. At £125 it undercuts most of its rivals and sits below the pricier, softer Mach 7. The trade-off is honesty rather than luxury. The upper is thin, the outsole rubber is sparse to save weight, and the ride is firmer and more direct than a plush max-cushion shoe. For runners who value a light, versatile road running shoe over cosseting softness, we rate it highly.