Mach X 2 vs Mach X 3

The Mach X 2 is Hoka's do-it-all super trainer: a carbon-plated running shoe that is light enough to race a half in but cushioned enough to soak up your midweek miles. It sits a rung above the simpler Hoka Mach 7, adding a snappy plate and a bouncier foam so it can push into tempo and race territory. At 260g with a low 5mm drop, it wants you to run through the whole foot and roll off the toes. That plate gives you real pop when you lift the pace, yet the ride stays forgiving enough for a two-hour long run. In our view this is one of the more versatile daily-and-fast trainers going, and the sort of shoe that quietly becomes the one you reach for most. It is not cheap at £180, but as a single shoe that covers easy days, workouts and shorter races, it earns the spot.

The Mach X 3 is Hoka's do-it-all super trainer, the shoe you reach for when one pair has to cover the tempo session on Tuesday and the long run at the weekend. A Pebax plate sits inside a tall 44mm heel and 39mm forefoot stack, so you get a snappy, rolling ride without the harsh, race-only feel of a full carbon racing shoe. At 289g it is not light for the category, and you notice that on genuinely fast reps. What you get in return is versatility. It has enough cushioning to protect your legs over 20 miles and enough pop to hold marathon pace when you ask for it. Think of it as a workhorse with an extra gear rather than a pure speed tool. For runners who want a single plated trainer that does most jobs well, and who do not want to spend race-shoe money doing it, we rate the Mach X 3 highly. Just go in knowing it prioritises range over outright speed.