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Hoka Mach and Brooks Ghost are both neutral running shoes. One of them is a bit more responsive than the other. Whereas the other one feels a bit more cushioned.
Hoka Mach and Brooks Ghost, though belonging to the neutral running shoe category, can’t be more different than each other. Although both of them provide you with an excellent running experience, the feel of running itself differs in these two shoes.
We are today comparing Hoka Mach 5 and Brooks Ghost 14 as these are the latest models of these two shoes currently.
In the sections below, I’ve compared both of these running shoes in great detail…and tried to keep things as objective as possible.
Hopefully, by the end of this post, you will be able to decide between Hoka Mach vs Brooks Ghost, which one is best for you…
Let’s proceed…
This is our winner
Last update on 2024-04-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Brooks Ghost 14
Why did we pick this one?
- Responsive cushioning.
- Lightweight.
- Good for runners with even certain foot issues like heel bursitis.
- Elegant style.
- Good ankle stability.
- Uses 100% DNA LOFT.
Differences Between Hoka Mach Vs Brooks Ghost
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The heel-to-toe drop of Brooks Ghost is 12mm and the heel-to-toe drop of Hoka Mach is 5mm.
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Brooks Ghost is heavier than Hoka Mach. The women’s version of Brooks Ghost weighs around 9oz or 255.1g whereas Hoka Mach’s women’s version weighs around 6.8 oz or 193g. Brooks Ghost’s men’s version weighs around 9.9oz or 280.7g whereas that of Hoka Mach’s weighs around 8.6oz or 232.5g.
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The heel stack of Brooks Ghost (36mm) is higher than that of Hoka Mach (35mm) by 1mm.
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The forefoot stack of Brooks Ghost (24mm) is lower than that of Hoka Mach (30mm) by 5mm.
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Brooks Ghost has three toe-box widths available for the women’s version and four toe-box widths available for the men’s version whereas for Hoka Mach there are two toe-box widths available for both versions.
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The outsole of Hoka Mach is rubberized CMEVA whereas the outsole of Brooks Ghost has a separate durable rubber layer.
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The latest generation of Brooks Ghost is 14 whereas the current generation of Hoka Mach is 5.
Brooks Ghost Vs Hoka Mach – An Overview
Brooks Ghost and Hoka Mach are neutral running shoes. Both of these running shoes are very comfortable, shock-absorbing, and great for day-to-day running.
The amount of cushioning that both of these running shoes provide is excellent and the breathability and grip of both of these shoes are also very good.
In the following sections, I’ll be providing you with an in-depth comparison of Brooks Ghost and Hoka Mach.
So, let’s proceed…
Hoka Mach 5 Vs Brooks Ghost 14 – Features at a glance
| Hoka Mach 5 | Brooks Ghost 14 | |
|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|
| Type | Neutral | Neutral |
| Heel-to-toe Drop | 5mm | 12mm |
| Weight |
6.8oz / 193g (Women) 8.6oz / 232.5g (Men) |
9.0oz / 255.1g (Women) 9.9oz / 280.7g (Men) |
| Arch Support | Medium | Medium |
| Midsole Type | CMEVA | DNA LOFT |
| Technology | Engineered mesh, Anatomical Achilles construction, PROFLY+™ construction, Early-stage Meta-Rocker, Rubberized EVA outsole, Molded EVA Sockliner | DNA LOFT, Segmented Crash Pad, 3D Fit Print |
| Sizes |
5.0 – 11.0 (Women) 7.0 – 14.0 (Men) |
5.0 – 13.0 (Women) 7.0 – 15.0 (Men) |
| Width |
Regular (B), Wide (D) (Women) Regular (D), Wide (EE) (Men) |
Narrow (2A), Medium (1B), Wide (1D) (Women) Narrow (1B), Medium (1D), Wide (2E), Extra Wide (4E) (Men) |
| Use | Shorter Distances, Speed Run, Treadmill, Road | Any Distances, Speed Run, Treadmill, Road |
| Editor’s Rating |  |
|
PRODUCT
Hoka Mach 5
FEATURES
TYPE: Neutral
HEEL-TO-TOE DROP: 5mm
WEIGHT: 6.8oz / 193g (Women)/ 8.6oz / 232.5g (Men)
ARCH SUPPORT: Medium
MIDSOLE TYPE: CMEVA
TECHNOLOGY: Engineered mesh, Anatomical Achilles Construction, PROFLY+ construction, Early-stage meta-rocker, Rubberized EVA outsole, Molded EVA Sockliner
SIZES: 5.0 – 11.0 (Women) / 7.0 – 14.0 (Men)
WIDTH: Regular (B), Wide (D) (Women) / Regular (D), Wide (EE) (Men)
USE: Shorter Distances, Speed Run, Treadmill, Road
EDITOR’S RATING
PRODUCT
Brooks Ghost 14
FEATURES
TYPE: Neutral
HEEL-TO-TOE DROP: 12mm
WEIGHT: 9.0oz/255.1g (Women) / 9.9oz/280.7g (Men)
ARCH SUPPORT: Medium
MIDSOLE TYPE: DNA LOFT
TECHNOLOGY: DNA LOFT, Segmented Crash Pad, 3D Fit Print
SIZES: 5.0 – 13.0 (Women) / 7.0 – 15.0 (Men)
WIDTH: Narrow (2A), Medium (1B), WIde (1D) (Women) / Narrow (1B), Medium (1D), Wide (2E), Extra Wide (4E) (Men)
USE: Any Distances, Speed Run, Treadmill, Road
EDITOR’S RATING
Brooks Ghost Vs. Hoka Mach – A head-to-head comparison
In the above sections, you will get a very brief overview and some major differences between Brooks Ghost and Hoka Mach.
In the following sections, I’ll be providing you with a more in-depth comparison of all the features of these two running shoes.
Outsole
The outsole of the Hoka Mach 5 did not change from the last version. It is basically rubberized EVA foam.
It is an extension of the midsole material and it is made rubberized to provide you with an outsole that is grippy and stable.
Being rubberized its weight is reduced significantly and that is why Hoka Mach is very lightweight.
The color of the outsole is the same as that of the midsole as it is an extension of the same.
In some of the places on the outsole, you will be able to see glimpses of the PROFLY+ layer. This is because the outsole is cut out in those places.
This reduces the overall stiffness of the outsole and improves its flexibility to a certain extent. Also, to improve the flexibility of the forefoot, there are some parallel and horizontal shallow grooves present.
This also in turn reduces the forefoot stiffness of the outsole. The outsole on the other hand being rubberized improves the overall durability of this shoe and provides you with a grippy experience for a long time.
The outsole of Brooks Ghost has an actual layer of durable rubber. You can see that due to the black color of the same which is very contrasting the midsole color of Brooks Ghost.
Also, if you touch the outsole and the midsole, the feel is very different.
Almost all the outer surface of the midsole is covered with durable rubber except the center of the heel and the junction between the forefoot and the rear foot on the lateral side.
Due to this added rubber, the overall weight of Brooks Ghost has also increased. It is much heavier than Hoka Mach but then again, the running experience that Brooks Ghost provides is excellent.
When you add rubber to the outer surface of any midsole the shoe becomes stiffer. To combat that, different companies use different kinds of technologies.
Brooks has used one of the most common techniques that are available and that is the addition of flex grooves. If you check the forefoot, it has almost horizontal lines. These are the flex grooves and they impart good flexibility to the forefoot.
Also, the grooves are fused together under the first metatarsal. This provides additional support during toe-off.
Midsole
The midsole of Hoka Mach is made from CMEVA. This is compression-molded EVA foam and uses EVA foam as the base material.
The cushioning that Hoka Mach provides is a responsive one. You will have more springy movement and you can move fast.
However, this makes it good for shorter distances like up until 10K. You can go beyond that but that will make not your running very comfortable.
There is another improvement that Hoka has added to Mach 5. It has replaced the PROFLY top layer with the PROFLY+ top layer. This is the same top layer material that Hoka Mach Supersonic uses.
This top layer is a bit more responsive and will add an additional pep to your stride. Also, the midsole material is also improved to provide you with some more responsiveness without compromising the cushioning.
On the other hand, the midsole of Brooks Ghost is made from DNA LOFT. It is a softer material and will provide you with good cushioning for even longer runs.
DNA LOFT is a lightweight material that is proprietary to Brooks and provides you with excellent cushioning.
In the previous versions of Brooks Ghost, the midsole used to have a combination of BioMoGo DNA and DNA LOFT, but from the last two versions, it is coming with 100% cushioning.
You can run more than 10K in Brooks Ghost and still be comfortable.
Hoka Mach is a low-drop running shoe and has a heel-drop of 5mm. If you have feet that don’t have any issues and you want to strengthen them, then Hoka Mach will be a perfect choice.
However, if you have issues like retrocalcaneal bursitis (heel bursitis) or Achilles Tendonitis, then such a low drop will not be comfortable for you as this loads up the Achilles more.
In such cases, Brooks Ghost is a better choice as it has a higher heel drop of 12mm. This will take the load off the Achilles area.
Also, this is a great drop for heel strikers as the amount of cushioning present at the heels of Brooks Ghost is excellent.
We all know that Hoka dominates the maximally cushioned category of running shoes. However, I was surprised to find that the actual heel height of Brooks Ghost is actually 1mm more than that of Hoka Mach.
The heel height of Hoka Mach is 35mm whereas that of Brooks Ghost is 36mm. Also, the forefoot stack of Hoka Mach is 30mm whereas the forefoot stack of Brooks Ghost is 24mm.
Hoka Mach also has the early-stage meta-rocker which is the meta-rocker placed before the metatarsals. This helps in the easier heel-to-toe movement.
Brooks Ghost on the other hand uses Omega flex grooves to handle the same.
Overall, both the cushioning materials are very comfortable and will provide you with an excellent running experience.
Upper
The upper of Hoka Mach is made from engineered mesh. This is a lightweight mesh that has an alternating line pattern throughout the forefoot. It alternates between densely woven mesh and a more open mesh for optimal breathability.
Also, this mesh provides a nice stretch to the fabric and it takes the shape of your feet providing you with a comfortable and nice fit.
Hoka has started adopting that extended pull tab for almost all its shoes. For Hoka Mach also, it is not any different.
If you observe the side profile of this shoe you will find a very prominent extended pull tab.
This pull tab is well padded and provides you with excellent cushioning and support to the Achilles area. You will not have to deal with heel slips while wearing this shoe.
It also has a decently padded tongue that is anatomically designed. This spreads across the top of your feet providing you with additional comfort while running.
The upper of Hoka Mach is very smooth and you can feel that when you step into the shoe. This is great as this will not create any hot zones and subsequent blisters.
The only thing that I disliked about the previous version of Hoka Mach is that it was available only in one width. However, with Hoka Mach 5, Hoka has changed this and now Hoka Mach is available in two toe-box widths, Regular and Wide for both versions.
The upper of Hoka Mach is completely redesigned…with the alternating line patterns and the shaded sharp contrasting color scheme, Hoka Mach 5 looks stunning. This is the best thing for me, as I used to find the previous version’s upper boring.
Like the other models from Hoka, Hoka Mach also has flat laces. These laces stay tied when you are running and will not come undone while running.
Also, the midfoot support from the upper is also good in Hoka Mach. The foot will not move in that area. However, the toe-box is wide enough for easy toe splay, providing a comfortable running experience.
The upper of Brooks Ghost is also made from engineered mesh. It is breathable and lightweight and will keep your feet cool and comfortable throughout your running session.
Brooks Ghost is a more traditional-looking running shoe and Brooks has not gone overboard to change its design.
It still has that traditional tongue and collar and it supports the ankles by keeping it stabler. The heel cup is very comfortable and it holds the heels in place.
You will not have to deal with heel slips and you can run without worrying about mishaps.
Brooks Ghost is available in multiple widths and for the women’s version, you have Narrow, Medium, and wide fitting whereas for the men’s version you have Narrow, Medium, Wide, and Extra wide fitting.
Overall, both the running shoes will provide you with a comfortable fit however, Brooks Ghost is capable of catering to a wider range of runners.
Weight
Brooks Ghost is heavier than Hoka Mach. This may be due to the added rubber in the outsole of Brooks Ghost.
Hoka Mach weighs around 6.8oz /193g for women and 8.6oz/232.5g for men.
Brooks Ghost weighs around 9.0oz/255.1g for women and 9.9oz/280.7g for men.
Price
If you compare the prices of Brooks Ghost and Hoka Mach, the prices are the same. The $10 difference that was there between Brooks Ghost and the previous model of Hoka Mach, is not there anymore.
So while deciding on which shoe to buy between the two, price will not play a part. If you love a low-drop shoe, then Hoka Mach will be your choice, if not, then go for Brooks Ghost.
Similar Shoes
Running Shoes Similar To Brooks Ghost 14
Brooks Ghost is a running shoe that is cushy and great at shock absorption. It is a neutral shoe that will provide you with an excellent running experience.
Another running shoe that is similar to Brooks Ghost is New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v12. It is also a highly cushioned running shoe that will provide you with a superb running experience.
- This model runs large, compared to previous versions. You may consider ordering down from your normal size.
- Fresh Foam X cushioning delivers our most cushioned Fresh Foam experience for incredible comfort
- Hypoknit upper designed to provide strategic areas of stretch and support
Last update on 2024-04-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Running Shoes Similar To Hoka Mach 5
Hoka Mach is a lightweight running shoe that will provide you with a responsive running experience. This has balanced cushioning that will provide you with excellent shock absorption and comfort.
A running shoe similar to Hoka Mach is Asics Novablast. This is a lightweight running shoe and will provide you with a responsive and comfortable running experience.
- Material: Synthetic
- Internal Material: Synthetic
- Heel Height: 32 mm
Last update on 2024-04-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Conclusion
In the above sections, we have covered almost all the differences and similarities between Brooks Ghost Vs Hoka Mach. However, we liked Brooks Ghost a bit more than Hoka Mach.
Almost everything in Brooks Ghost is comparable to Hoka Mach. However, Brooks Ghost beats Hoka Mach in two aspects. First of all, it is good for runners with specific foot issues due to its higher drop. Secondly, it has more widths available that are not present in Hoka Mach.
This is why we chose Brooks Ghost over Hoka Mach.
Madhusree Basu
Author, Admin
Blogger and a fitness enthusiast. She loves running and Yoga and everything in between. She started running to manage her weight and to eat to her heart’s content. A true foodie at heart she shares whatever knowledge she has gained throughout the years about weight management and fitness.
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