HOKA Mach 6 vs PUMA Velocity NITRO 4

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

HOKA Mach 6
PUMA Velocity NITRO 4

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Feb 02, 2026 03:14 PM

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DicksSportingGoods.com

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Jan 22, 2026 08:24 PM

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Amazon.com

Our Verdict

HOKA Mach 6

PUMA Velocity NITRO 4

The PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 and HOKA Mach 6 are both daily trainers in a similar weight class, but they feel quite different on foot. The Velocity NITRO 4 uses a higher-drop and a very energetic midsole that feels lively and responsive while keeping you more grounded due to its lower forefoot stack. The Mach 6, with its lower drop and higher forefoot stack, comes across as more cushioned overall, especially up front, and a bit softer underfoot, giving it a slightly plusher, more protective feel for longer efforts. The HOKA also retains its cushioning abilities longer than the PUMA, which tends to bottom out quicker during long runs.

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Variants

  • Mach 6 (Black - (Men - US 9))
  • Mach 6 (Black/Electric Tangerine - (Men - US 9))
  • Velocity NITRO 4 (Black - (Men - US 9))
  • Velocity NITRO 4 (Black/Dark Amethyst - (Men - US 9))

Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 
 

0.0
0.0
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Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

N/A
N/A

Right Shoe Weight Photo  

HOKA Mach 6 Right Shoe Weight Photo Sample

SAMPLE

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PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 Right Shoe Weight Photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Left Shoe Weight Photo  

HOKA Mach 6 Left Shoe Weight Photo Sample

SAMPLE

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PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 Left Shoe Weight Photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Weight 
 

Lock g (Lock oz)
Lock g (Lock oz)
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Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo  

HOKA Mach 6 Stack Height Photo Sample

SAMPLE

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PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 Stack Height Photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Heel Stack Height 
 

Lock mm
Lock mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

Lock mm
Lock mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

Lock mm
Lock mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

Lock mm
Lock mm
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External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

HOKA Mach 6 3D Model Full Shoe Sample

SAMPLE

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PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 3D Model Full Shoe Sample

SAMPLE

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Outsole Heel Width 
 

Lock mm (Lock")
Lock mm (Lock")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

Lock mm (Lock")
Lock mm (Lock")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

Lock mm (Lock")
Lock mm (Lock")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

Lock
Lock

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

Lock
Lock

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

HOKA Mach 6 3D Model Internal Sample

SAMPLE

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PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 3D Model Internal Sample

SAMPLE

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Internal Length 
 

Lock mm (Lock")
Lock mm (Lock")

Internal Heel Width 
 

Lock mm (Lock")
Lock mm (Lock")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

Lock mm (Lock")
Lock mm (Lock")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

Locked
Locked
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Other Features  

Other Features Photo  

HOKA Mach 6 Other Features Photo Sample

SAMPLE

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PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 Other Features Photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Locked
Locked

Plate 
 

Locked
Locked
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

N/A
N/A

Heel Compression Video  

HOKA Mach 6 Heel Compression Video Sample

SAMPLE

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PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 Heel Compression Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Heel Energy Return  

HOKA Mach 6 Heel Energy Return Sample

SAMPLE

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PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 Heel Energy Return Sample

SAMPLE

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Heel Energy Return 
 

Lock%
Lock%
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Forefoot Energy Return 
 

N/A
N/A

Forefoot Compression Video  

HOKA Mach 6 Forefoot Compression Video Sample

SAMPLE

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PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 Forefoot Compression Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Forefoot Energy Return  

HOKA Mach 6 Forefoot Energy Return Sample

SAMPLE

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PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 Forefoot Energy Return Sample

SAMPLE

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Forefoot Energy Return 
 

Lock%
Lock%
Show Text 

Heel Cushioning 
 

N/A
N/A

Heel Cushioning Picture  

HOKA Mach 6 Heel Cushioning Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 Heel Cushioning Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Heel Cushioning  

HOKA Mach 6 Heel Cushioning Sample

SAMPLE

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PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 Heel Cushioning Sample

SAMPLE

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Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

Lock J
Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

Lock J
Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

Lock J
Lock J
Show Text 

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

N/A
N/A

Forefoot Cushioning Picture  

HOKA Mach 6 Forefoot Cushioning Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 Forefoot Cushioning Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Forefoot Cushioning  

HOKA Mach 6 Forefoot Cushioning Sample

SAMPLE

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PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 Forefoot Cushioning Sample

SAMPLE

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Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

Lock J
Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

Lock J
Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

Lock J
Lock J
Show Text 

Heel Firmness 
 

N/A
N/A

Heel Firmness  

HOKA Mach 6 Heel Firmness Sample

SAMPLE

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PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 Heel Firmness Sample

SAMPLE

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Firmness At 550N 
 

Lock N/mm
Lock N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

Lock N/mm
Lock N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

Lock N/mm
Lock N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Firmness 
 

N/A
N/A

Forefoot Firmness  

HOKA Mach 6 Forefoot Firmness Sample

SAMPLE

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PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 Forefoot Firmness Sample

SAMPLE

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Firmness At 800N 
 

Lock N/mm
Lock N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

Lock N/mm
Lock N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

Lock N/mm
Lock N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

N/A
N/A

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

HOKA Mach 6 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning Sample

SAMPLE

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PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning Sample

SAMPLE

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Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

Lock J
Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

Lock J
Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

Lock J
Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

Lock J
Lock J
Show Text 

HOKA Mach 6

PUMA Velocity NITRO 4

Comments

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HOKA Mach 6 vs PUMA Velocity NITRO 4: Main Discussion

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