HOKA Mach 7 vs New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5
We haven't tested HOKA Mach 7 yet, so its role suitability is estimated from published specs.
HOKA
Mach 7
Check priceReview Pulse · Mostly positive · 88/100
Reviewers praise the ride and grip and split on the cushioning and upper.
New Balance
FuelCell Rebel v5
Check priceReview Pulse · Strongly positive · 94/100
Reviewers praise the ride and cushioning and split on the upper and stability.
The differences that matter
- New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 is 15 g lighter.
- HOKA Mach 7 has 3 mm more foam under the heel.
What reviewers say
Ride
HOKA Mach 7
Praised
Light, nimble and surprisingly quick for a daily trainer, with a subtle rocker that rolls through easy and tempo paces; the firm, grounded feel is the main dividing line.
New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5
Praised
A light, bouncy and flexible ride that feels fun at easy paces and lively enough for tempo work.
Cushioning
HOKA Mach 7
Divisive
Enough protection for daily miles and shorter long runs, but the firm supercritical EVA and modest stack leave it feeling thin on recovery days and past about 90 minutes.
New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5
Praised
The taller PEBA-blended FuelCell stack adds protection without making the shoe feel heavy or mushy.
Upper
HOKA Mach 7
Divisive
Breathable and secure with an excellent gusseted tongue, but the fit is snug and narrow through the forefoot, the tongue is short, and some testers get pressure around the bunion.
New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5
Divisive
A light, secure Fantomfit upper with a roomy forefoot, though the midfoot can feel sloppy and the tongue causes pressure for some.
Durability
HOKA Mach 7
Praised
Outsole wear is low for the weight and the heel padding holds up, though the ultra-thin toe box mesh scores poorly in lab abrasion testing.
New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5
Praised
The outsole rubber and foam hold up well for a light trainer, with better coverage than earlier Rebels.
Grip
HOKA Mach 7
Praised
The split sticky forefoot and harder heel rubber give confident traction on wet and dry pavement, a clear step up from the Mach 6.
New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5
Praised
Traction is reliable on dry and wet roads, with enough grip for light paths.
Stability
HOKA Mach 7
Praised
A broad, firm platform and secure upper make it stable for a light neutral shoe, without the guidance of a true support model.
New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5
Divisive
A wider platform and sidewalls add composure, but the soft foam and flexible forefoot make it less stable than firmer trainers.
Value
HOKA Mach 7
Divisive
Fair at $145 for a versatile lightweight trainer, but several reviewers say the near-identical Mach 6 on discount is the better buy.
New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5
Praised
At $140 it is one of the best values in the lightweight trainer category.
Which one to choose
Choose HOKA Mach 7 if…
- you want more foam under you
- its stability is what you care about most
Reviewers recommend it for
- Tempo runs and uptempo daily miles
- Shorter daily runs of five to ten miles
- Gym sessions and cross-training
Choose New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 if…
- you want the lighter shoe
- you prefer to feel closer to the ground
- its cushioning is what you care about most
- its value is what you care about most
Reviewers recommend it for
- Daily training
- Tempo runs
- Easy long runs
Specifications
- Category
- Tempo / workout
- Tempo / workout
- Price
- $145$5 less
- $150
- Weight
- 241 g
- 226 g15 g lighter
- Drop
- 5 mm1 mm lower drop
- 6 mm
- Stack
- 37 / 32 mm3 mm more stack
- 34 / 28 mm
- Plate
- Not reported
- No plate
- Stability
- Neutral
- Neutral
- Foam
- super-critically foamed EVA
- FuelCell
Role suitability
DAILY
RECOVERY
LONG RUN
TEMPO
RACE