When you’re in search of a light-weight tempo or each day coach, your resolution would possibly now be between two impartial fashions: NB Insurgent V5 vs Hoka Mach 6. Fortunate for you, I’ve been testing out these footwear for over a decade and like to share my opinions and particulars concerning the footwear.

Every year, our crew checks out new fashions from each manufacturers and put in sufficient miles to have strong suggestions on really feel, match and whether or not we’ll be shelling out cash for an additional pair.
Right here we hope to assist breakdown the variations and make it easier to discover the fitting possibility for working. Whereas these two footwear are related, they completely have some issues which may make you lean extra in direction of one over the opposite. Proper now, we’re simply wanting on the newest mannequin of each footwear, there may be some variations if evaluating older variations.
HOKA Mach 6 Vs New Steadiness Insurgent V5 Overview
Within the case of the NB Insurgent and HOKA Mach, two common choices from the famend working shoe manufacturers, there are distinct variations that cater to completely different working kinds and preferences. Exploring these variations will make it easier to make an knowledgeable resolution primarily based in your wants.
The New Steadiness FuelCell Insurgent v5 solves a variety of these points and cements its place as a really succesful and enjoyable light-weight coach and tempo shoe.. It provides you extra feeling of the bottom underfoot and feels just a little snappier for tempo fashion exercises.
In the meantime the Mach 6 has shifted a bit from the 5 and now does appear to prioritizing extra cushion.
Then again, the Mach is 100% nonetheless a light-weight quicker shoe…however extra when put next face to face with different Hoka trainers. Towards the Insurgent it will possibly really feel such as you’re shedding just a little of the power return within the softness. Making this a shoe that extra simply transitions from a each day coach with some severe miles to a tempo shoe.
Insurgent Vs Mach Key Variations
I’ll undergo all of this in additional element, however for a really fast overview some key variations:
- Insurgent is a extra responsive shoe
- Mach has 7mm increased stack top for extra cushion
- Mach feels softer underfoot
- Insurgent is lighter shoe
- Insurgent appears like the broader match of the 2
- Insurgent has just a little extra feeling of assist/stability
While you’re able to activate the velocity, the Mach is your HOKA of selection. It’s not a carbon plate shoe, as an alternative it’s an excellent light-weight working shoe designed to spring off the bottom and make it easier to discover that fast turnover.
This shoe is finest for runners who’re in search of a quick and responsive shoe to tackle long-distance races or interval coaching. BUT to be clear it’s additionally a stellar each day coach, NOT a carbon plate bouncy shoe.
Of those two footwear, runners who need extra cushion are going to choose the Mach. Barely heavier runners or these farther again within the pack, are additionally going to understand the texture of this shoe. It’s nonetheless obtained velocity, however might merely really feel higher underneath foot longer.
The Mach incorporates a light-weight foam midsole that gives a fast, vigorous really feel, whereas the meta-rocker design helps to encourage a extra pure gait.

Whereas many footwear promote one thing like a meta-rocker to assist propel you from heel to forefoot, I’ll say I did really discover it a bit within the Mach. That’s tremendous uncommon, usually I’m questioning what on Earth they imply.
Moreover, although this shoe is lighter and has a decrease stack top, the distinction within the PROFLY+ foam is noticeable. The Mach 6 appears like a very nice cushion.
Match
These really feel like they may be a bit extra slim than the Clifton and but nonetheless not slim like a Nike. Placing them on you may also really feel instantly how gentle they’re and the way skinny the higher is for breathability.
You received’t discover a padded tongue right here, however I had no points with the skinny tongue. I felt simply nice on the foot.
Whereas they’re additionally listed as a impartial shoe, I used to be thrilled to see my foot didn’t drop in a single bit once I put them on which is widespread in different footwear. One other instance of how their footwear have some pure assist as a result of larger platform.
- True to measurement
- Similar to Clifton,decrease cushion
- Good room within the toebox

Specs
I wasn’t a fan of the primary fashions, however the Mach 6 has a gentle place in my rotation. I’m most likely working in it each few weeks, which says lots for somebody testing new footwear weekly!! I’d love the Mach 5 a tad extra, however most likely simply because I’ve used it extra.
Mach 6
All proper now, let’s take a look at the competitor. The Insurgent can also be a light-weight runner, however I believe might be a favourite of much more runners in search of a velocity exercise shoe.
The responsiveness at quicker paces kicks in as you set down extra pressure into the shoe, up till some extent. Very like the Insurgent v4, the softness of v5 makes quicker intervals extra of a chore than they already are.
The extra 5 millimeters of PEBA Mix FuelCell Foam provides just a little extra safety from the bottom over longer distances. This model feels much less versatile within the forefoot than model 4, seemingly as a result of aforementioned added foam and the massive single piece of outsole rubber underneath the forefoot.
Whereas the flexibility to tear by means of quick observe exercises could also be a factor of the previous for the Insurgent, it’s nonetheless a wonderful non-plated light-weight each day coach, tempo shoe, and inexpensive racing shoe for something from the 5K to the half marathon.
Match
The Fantomfit higher is much less pliable than I remembered in model 4. When strolling, I may really feel the material flexing on high of my toes. That sensation went away after the primary 2 runs, so you might also expertise a brief break in interval for the higher.
The heel can also be a lot improved within the consolation class. The heel counter cradled my heel higher, was far more padded, and the supplies within the heel didn’t rub a gap in any costly pairs of socks like its predecessor.
And the tongue, a lot might be mentioned concerning the enchancment of the tongue on model 5, however I’ll maintain it quick and say New Steadiness took the afterthought of a tongue from the Insurgent v4 and upgraded it with one thing gentle years higher.
Specs
When you’ve run in earlier fashions, they actually have made a variety of updates. Together with rising the stack top and altering to utilizing PEBA/EVA midsole for a extra plush really feel however with some pop.
NB Insurgent V5
- Weight: 6.3 oz Girls’s, 7.9 oz Males’s
- Stack Peak: 35mm
- Alcoholic: 6mm
- Out there in 8 Colours
- Out there in Huge
- Learn our full NB Insurgent V5 evaluate right here >>
- Out there on NewBalance.com for $139
Hoka Mach vs NB Insurgent
Attempting to determine between these two fashions? There are a a couple of massive methods wherein they’re completely different, so it’s going to rely upon what you like in a shoe.
Hopefully the preliminary particulars above gave you some issues to consider with these highway footwear. However for a straight facet by facet comparability of Mach vs Insurgent, right here’s what I’ve discovered over testing many fashions.
- Each are a light-weight impartial working shoe.
- Mach goes to really feel like a extra cushioned shoe as a result of it has 3mm extra of cushioning (nonetheless not plush just like the HOKA Bondi).
- Insurgent can really feel like a barely extra steady shoe, simply due to the extensive match and fewer cushion. Offers you extra feeling of actually pawing the bottom in a tough run.
- Insurgent is a lighter shoe than the Mach
- Having run in each, I like each, however undoubtedly use the Mach lots on each day runs the place I’d wish to throw in some velocity.
- Mach goes to be nice for velocity work to each day runs, for these within the center or again of the pack.
- Insurgent goes to be that velocity exercise shoe for these pushing past the center or perhaps a light-weight racer for the 5K, 10K.
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