If you’re looking for a lightweight tempo or daily trainer, your decision might now be between two neutral models: NB Rebel V4 vs Hoka Mach 6. Lucky for you, I’ve been testing out these shoes for over a decade and love to share my opinions and details about the shoes.
Each year, I test out new models from both brands and put in enough miles to have solid feedback on feel, fit and whether I’ll be shelling out money for another pair.
Here I hope to help breakdown the differences and help you find the right option for running. While these two shoes are similar, they absolutely have some things that might make you lean more towards one over the other. Right now, I’m just looking at the latest model of both shoes, there might be some differences if comparing older versions.
HOKA Mach 6 Vs New Balance Rebel V4 Overview
In the case of the NB Rebel and HOKA Mach, two popular offerings from the renowned running shoe brands, there are distinct variations that cater to different running styles and preferences. Exploring these differences will help you make an informed decision based for your needs.
While the FuelCell Rebel prioritizes being light over being cushioned, that doesn’t mean you’ll lack for cushion. It gives you more feeling of the ground underfoot and feels a little snappier for tempo style workouts.
Meanwhile the Mach 6 has shifted a bit from the 5 and now does seem to prioritizing more cushion.
On the other hand, the Mach is 100% still a lightweight faster shoe…but more when compared head to head with other Hoka running shoes. Against the Rebel it can feel like you’re losing a little of the energy return in the softness. Making this a shoe that more easily transitions from a daily trainer with some serious miles to a tempo shoe.
Rebel Vs Mach Key Differences
I will go through all of this in more detail, but for a very quick overview some key differences:
- Rebel is a more responsive shoe
- Mach has 7mm higher stack height for more cushion
- Mach feels softer underfoot
- Rebel is lighter shoe
- Rebel feels like the wider fit of the two
- Rebel has a little more feeling of support/stability
Did I run in both shoes at once?
Yes, I absolutely did to try and get my brain to really feel what was different! But only for a mile or so because then I did start to feel like I was shifting my stride and not even for all of you will I risk a new injury.
After that, I alternated miles in both shoes, alongside many other runs in each of them to give you feedback.
Hoka One One Mach 6 Review
When you’re ready to turn on the speed, the Mach is your HOKA of choice. It’s not a carbon plate shoe, instead it’s a super lightweight running shoe designed to spring off the ground and help you find that quick turnover.
This shoe is best for runners who are looking for a fast and responsive shoe to take on long-distance races or interval training. BUT to be clear it’s also a stellar daily trainer, NOT a carbon plate bouncy shoe.
Of these two shoes, runners who want more cushion are going to prefer the Mach. Slightly heavier runners or those farther back in the pack, are also going to appreciate the feel of this shoe. It’s still got speed, but may simply feel better under foot longer.
The Mach features a lightweight foam midsole that provides a quick, lively feel, while the meta-rocker design helps to encourage a more natural gait.
While many shoes promote something like a meta-rocker to help propel you from heel to forefoot, I will say I did actually notice it a bit in the Mach. That’s super unusual, normally I’m wondering what on Earth they mean.
Additionally, though this shoe is lighter and has a lower stack height, the difference in the PROFLY+ foam is noticeable. The Mach 6 feels like a really great cushion.
Fit
These feel like they might be a bit more narrow than the Clifton and yet still not narrow like a Nike. Putting them on you can also feel immediately how light they are and how thin the upper is for breathability.
You won’t find a padded tongue here, but I had no issues with the thin tongue. I felt just fine on the foot.
While they’re also listed as a neutral shoe, I was thrilled to see my foot didn’t drop in one bit when I put them on which is common in other shoes. Another example of how their shoes have some natural support due to the bigger platform.
- True to size
- Very similar to Clifton,lower cushion
- Good room in the toebox
Specifications
I wasn’t a fan of the first models, but the Mach 6 has a steady place in my rotation. I’m probably running in it every few weeks, which says a lot for someone testing new shoes weekly!! I might love the Mach 5 a tad more, but probably just because I’ve used it more.
Mach 6
- Stack Height: 37mm
- Heel Drop: 5 mm drop
- Weight: 6.8 oz women’s, 8.2 oz men’s
- Available in 9 colors
- Available in Wide in some colors
- $140
- Read my full HOKA Mach 6 review
- See all HOKA Mach models (also includes a Ironman version)
New Balance FuelCell Rebel V4
All right now, let’s look at the competitor. The Rebel is also a lightweight runner, but I think will be a favorite of even more runners looking for a speed workout shoe.
Of the two it’s absolutely going to be the speed work pick for anyone pushing 7 minute paces in their workouts.
For me this wouldn’t fall in the daily trainer category, like the Mach. But that’s largely because I’ve become accustomed to the max cushioned running shoes and I enjoy the feel of them on easy days!
As noted, you’ll have less cushion here, but that’s to say it feels like shoes did a few years ago. Not the big cushion, so it’s still cushioned! And more importantly they really are focused on making a great trainer and race shoe without a plate.
You’ll also find that the “geometry” of the shoe, which was it’s original goal has been improved again. It’s now in line with their SC Elite Carbon Plate Racing shoe. The goal of this shape is to help the foot roll from the lateral edge to the big toe. Our big toe provides a ton of power, so instead of just talking about a rocker, they are focusing on how to help you get the most power out of your stride.
Fit
Like many of the lighter shoes it has an attached tongue for a bit more sock like fit and reduces worries about it moving around on the foot. That’s a massive plus for me.
The tongue is super thin, but different than the almost plastic style of the Mach. This tongue isn’t sharp or stiff…it feels kind of like a random piece of cut cloth. That impression might also be from the edge of the tongue not having a finished look.
Overall the shoe feels far more breathable than the Mach due to the Fantom fit. It’s also a wider fit through the midfoot and toebox. You’ll find more room for your toes here and may need to work the laces to find a snug fit if you have a narrow foot.
Specifications
If you’ve run in previous models, they really have made a lot of updates. Including increasing the stack height and changing the sole.
NB Rebel V4
- Weight: 5.9 oz Women’s, 7.5 oz Men’s
- Stack Height: 30mm
- Heel Drop: 6mm
- Available in 3 Colors
- Available in Wide
- Read my full NB Rebel V4 review >>
- Available on NewBalance.com for $139
Hoka Mach vs NB Rebel
Trying to decide between these two models? There are a a few big ways in which they are different, so it’s going to depend on what you prefer in a shoe.
Hopefully the initial details above gave you some things to think about with these road shoes. But for a straight side by side comparison of Mach vs Rebel, here’s what I’ve found over testing many models.
- Both are a lightweight neutral running shoe.
- Mach is going to feel like a more cushioned shoe because it has 3mm more of cushioning (still not plush like the HOKA Bondi).
- Rebel can feel like a slightly more stable shoe, just because of the wide fit and less cushion. Gives you more feeling of really pawing the ground in a hard run.
- Rebel is a lighter shoe than the Mach
- Having run in both, I like both, but definitely use the Mach a lot on daily runs where I might want to throw in some speed.
- Mach is going to be great for speed work to daily runs, for those in the middle or back of the pack.
- Rebel is going to be that speed workout shoe for those pushing beyond the middle or even a lightweight racer for the 5K, 10K.
Looking for more reviews to find the best things for your run?
Here are some other requested running shoe comparisons:
- 10 Best Hoka Running Shoes – Complete breakdown of the full line
- Best Carbon Plated Running Shoes – Updated frequently right now!
- Hoka vs On Cloud
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