Is the new Hoka Mach X2 legal for racing?

Supposedly a 44mm heel, 39mm forefoot stack for men but 38/33 for women. Reviews I’ve read said they are still race legal but it seems it goes against the World Athletics’ Technical Requirements for Athletic Shoes (Regulation 10 and Appendix 3). The 40mm rule.

https://worldathletics.org/download/download?filename=b723c6b6-7d1f-40ad-8b27-1d3f956c6c99.pdf&urlslug=C2.1A%20–%20Athletic%20Shoe%20Regulations%20(effective%20from%2001%20January%202022)

Reviews of shoes such as the Skyward X clearly state they can’t be worn in races. Wouldn’t the Mach X2 be illegal for the same reason? Or is it because the women’s version is under 40mm or that not the entire men’s version is over 40mm as the forefoot is under 40mm? I’m confused.

It does not currently appear on the World Athletics list of approved shoes
https://certcheck.worldathletics.org/FullList

In fairness, that list hasn’t been updated in a while.

I know several people that have used it in local run races without any repercussions. YMMV

my guess would be it’s not legal…
the doc says,

The thickness of the sole will be measured at the centre of the forefoot and the centre heel of the Athletic Shoe as the distance between the inside top side and the plane of
the outside under side at the centre of the forefoot and heel respectively

so there are two measurements, forefoot and heel, but only one specification in Appendix 3 that says sole must be less than 40mm.
My reading is that either forefoot or heel measuring more than that, is disqualifying.

However as desertdude says, I doubt anyone at the local 5k or sprint tri, is going to be checking…

ran in these yesterday at the local run shop demo Thursday, liked them a lot - felt fast and comfortable.

I ran in them the past two days. Great shoe. Hoka has hit two grand slams this year with the Skyward X and Mach X2.

@The_GMAN Is the skyward just more plush than the Mach? What kind of runs do you do in the Mach x vs skyward x?

I think it’s more of a trainer vs racer argument. The Mach is much lighter so it would be more of a race day shoe… race legality aside. The Skyward is heavier, more plush, and not as responsive.

Blockquote Is the skyward just more plush than the Mach? What kind of runs do you do in the Mach x vs skyward x?

There is no Hoka shoe more plush than the Skyward X. The Mach can be used for anything yet it will be a better shoe for tempo/threshold/faster/interval runs, track workouts or any workout where you think you may have to go fast. Sure you can run long in it or make it a day in day out trainer if you wanted.

The Skyward X is the reverse of that. It’s more of a day in day out & long(er) run shoe. I sold 2 or 3 this past weekend to RN’s and MD’s who work 10-12h shifts in the hospital. It’s also popular with the warehouse workers and the on your feet all day but aren’t forced to wear an all black shoe crowd.

Unlike the Skyward X both the Mach X2 and the Mach 6 both come in wide widths.

Hope that helps

1 Like

Yes, loving that I was able to get the Mach X2 in EE.

That makes complete sense. The Skyward X is a little more than I want to spend on a training shoe that isn’t versatile and I’m not a huge fan of super heavy shoes. They are actually heavier than Asics Nimbus.

Mach X may be what I’m looking for: a shoe that can do it all (easy, long, and some up tempo). The heel looks to be a potential issue though for some people.

I actually like the heel but I can see that it could bother some people. Even then the right socks and some Body Glide would solve that.

Good thing you can’t buy Hoka shirts in Hot Topic