Can I go straight from the Hoka Mach 4 to the Mach 6 and skip the Mach 5?

Yes, but going Mach 4 to Mach 6 means taking one change in a single step: the Mach 6 is where the ride moved. Drop holds at 5 mm, so the difference is foam and fit rather than geometry: Dual-density ProFly EVA with a rubberized-foam outsole and early-stage MetaRocker to Supercritical EVA with a full Durabrasion rubber outsole.

How much did the weight change across these two updates?

It nets out. The Mach 4 and the Mach 6 both weigh about 8.2 oz in a men's US 9, though the Mach 5 sat at 8.2 oz in between.

Is the Mach 5 the better buy than either of these?

On paper it splits them: 8.2 oz against 8.2 oz for the Mach 4 and 8.2 oz for the Mach 6, on a 29 mm heel and a $140 list price. Whether that is worth chasing depends on what the Mach 5 update actually did, which the section above works through.

Did the Mach get taller between the Mach 4 and the Mach 6?

Heel stack went 29 mm to 37 mm, by way of 29 mm on the Mach 5. Drop held at 5 mm throughout, so the extra foam sits under both ends.

Where does the Mach 6 sit in the Mach lineup now?

Two versions on from the Mach 4, and already replaced itself: the Mach 7 arrived in 2026. If you are shopping old stock anyway, price the Mach 6 against it before deciding.

Hoka Mach 4 vs Mach 6

Two versions apart. Updated September 10, 2026. Specs are men's US 9.

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THE SHORT ANSWER

Two updates and 3 years separate the Hoka Mach 4 from the Mach 6. Net change: 8 mm more heel stack, a new midsole, $10 more at list. The Mach 6 is where the character changed, and that is the update Mach 4 owners notice first.

Hoka Mach 6Men's at Amazon Women's

Availability last checked Aug 1, 2026. Prices and stock change without notice.

Mach 4 · 2021

Mach 6 · 2024

The two updates in between

Each step has its own page with the full change list and the verdict on that update.

Step 1Mach 4 to Mach 52022Refined, same shoe
Mach 4 vs 5 What replaced the Hoka Mach 4?
Step 2Mach 5 to Mach 62024Changed character
Mach 5 vs 6 What replaced the Hoka Mach 5?

Mach 4 vs Mach 6: every spec, side by side

The net of both updates. Per-update change notes stay on the step pages above, because they explain changes measured from a different starting point than this table uses.

Spec	Mach 4	Mach 6
FIT AND WEIGHT
Weight	8.2 oz	8.2 oz
Widths	D	D, 2E
Upper	Engineered mesh with heat-pressed TPU yarns and a gusseted tongue	Creel jacquard mesh with a gusseted tongue
CUSHIONING GEOMETRY
Heel stack	29 mm	37 mm
Forefoot stack	24 mm	32 mm
Drop	5 mm	5 mm
MATERIALS
Midsole	Dual-density ProFly EVA with a rubberized-foam outsole and early-stage MetaRocker	Supercritical EVA with a full Durabrasion rubber outsole
VALUE
List price at launch	$130	$140

Or buy the Mach 5 instead?

The Mach 5 is the value play if you find it discounted. It carries most of what the Mach 6 added while selling as an older model, and moving one version at a time is the smaller adjustment.

Buy the Mach 5

Sizes running out

Discontinued at retail. Amazon carries what remains, so treat an in-stock size as a closing window, and expect prices to swing.

Men's stock is gone.

Women's: Check remaining stock

Availability last checked Sep 10, 2026.

Questions runners ask

Can I go straight from the Hoka Mach 4 to the Mach 6 and skip the Mach 5?: Yes, but going Mach 4 to Mach 6 means taking one change in a single step: the Mach 6 is where the ride moved. Drop holds at 5 mm, so the difference is foam and fit rather than geometry: Dual-density ProFly EVA with a rubberized-foam outsole and early-stage MetaRocker to Supercritical EVA with a full Durabrasion rubber outsole.
How much did the weight change across these two updates?: It nets out. The Mach 4 and the Mach 6 both weigh about 8.2 oz in a men's US 9, though the Mach 5 sat at 8.2 oz in between.
Is the Mach 5 the better buy than either of these?: On paper it splits them: 8.2 oz against 8.2 oz for the Mach 4 and 8.2 oz for the Mach 6, on a 29 mm heel and a $140 list price. Whether that is worth chasing depends on what the Mach 5 update actually did, which the section above works through.
Did the Mach get taller between the Mach 4 and the Mach 6?: Heel stack went 29 mm to 37 mm, by way of 29 mm on the Mach 5. Drop held at 5 mm throughout, so the extra foam sits under both ends.
Where does the Mach 6 sit in the Mach lineup now?: Two versions on from the Mach 4, and already replaced itself: the Mach 7 arrived in 2026. If you are shopping old stock anyway, price the Mach 6 against it before deciding.