MEN’S MACH X 3

Overview & Tech Specs

Before diving into subjective impressions, here are the key specs and tech elements:

• Stack / Drop: 44 mm heel / 39 mm forefoot → 5 mm dropWeight: ~9.5 oz / 269 g in men’s US 9 

• Midsole: Dual-density (PEBA top layer + EVA base) with a Pebax plate to support responsiveness and stability Upper: Warp-knit, breathable, with added padding in the collar, tongue, and heel compared to Mach X 2 

• Outsole: Compression-molded rubber with cutouts to reduce weight. Some exposed foam areas.

• Price: Around $190 (at launch)

In short: it’s a plated “cushioned tempo / speed trainer” — a shoe meant to bridge the gap between fast efforts and more relaxed runs, rather than being a pure marathon racing shoe or a daily recovery cruiser.

What Works Well (Strengths)

1. Improved comfort and upper fixes

One of the biggest complaints about the Mach X 2 was that the heel collar and upper caused irritation or carried-over rubbing, especially over longer runs. The Mach X 3 addresses this with more padding in the collar, heel counter, and tongue. Many reviews explicitly say the “extreme heel irritation issue” is gone in version 3.

2. Balanced ride: springy yet stable

The dual-density midsole + Pebax plate combo offers a nice balance of cushion and propulsion. Reviewers note that the ride feels “springy without being unstable,” and transitions are smooth.  The rocker geometry helps with a forward rolling sensation. 

Also, for a relatively high stack, it doesn’t feel overly wobble-prone: the plate and geometry help keep you centered.

3. Versatility across paces

One of the consistently-cited advantages is that the Mach X 3 doesn’t “shut off” at slower paces. While it’s happiest at tempo and faster efforts, it remains usable (and comfortable) on easier runs. That makes it a good pick if you want one shoe that can do workouts and longer runs.

4. Breathable and structurally resilient upper

The warp-knit upper reportedly breathes well and keeps structure (doesn’t collapse) during runs. The padding additions also help with overall comfort for longer sessions.

Who It’s Best For

The Mach X 3 is likely to perform best for:

• Runners who want one shoe that can handle both workouts and longer runs (a “do-it-all” plated trainer).

• Those who favor a responsive, planted ride rather than ultra-soft mushy cushioning.

• Runners who felt the Mach X 2 was a bit rough on the heel — the comfort upgrades in v3 make it more tolerable for many.

• More middle-of-the-pack or back-of-the-pack runners who want a plated shoe without going full carbon-racing rigidity.

• People comfortable with a moderately snug fit and who don’t need an ultra-wide toebox.

It might be less suitable if:

• You have wide feet or need lots of forefoot room.

• You do a lot of steep downhill or highly technical terrain running.

• You are chasing minimal weight or maximum stiffness for race-day marginal gains.