Hoka - Mafate 5

I am a big fan of the Mafate speed 4. And so i bought the 5. I was soooo disappointed! This is a totally different shoe. Soooo heavy and unsportive. I really hate this shoe. My toes also hurted: they are not even the same size. I just don't get it! Why not keeping it on the same track as the 4? The 5 has nothing to do with the 4. I really don't get it. I just sent them back. Really hate this shoe

Mafate 5 just came out and has an updated midsole to provide even more cushion and adapt to rocks and other technical terrain. If you like the Mafate series already, I’d check it out.

The new HOKA Mafate 5 is a dream. I highly recommend

4s are my daily trainer and I love them. This looks like a major misstep for my preferences.

Not saying it's objectively "bad", but I 100% already know I don't want that stack underfoot.

HOKA said that because of the squish in the foam that their old drops were actually lower than they were supposed to be. As in, without a foot in the shoe the drop measured at 6mm but as soon as you stand in it the drop lowers to too low. Now they have a higher listed drop but the actual drop when you’re wearing it is effectively what it used to be listed as. Saw this in an interview at a running show, pretty sure it was with Conversational Pace. EDIT: wasn't an on-camera interview, but here's the video https://youtu.be/C38TYU2y7ak?t=242 link should take you to 4:02 where he talks about Mafate, Challenger, Clifton, and Bondi all getting a higher "unweighted" drop because of foam compression.

Hoka mafate speed 5s (good for my size 12 flat and wide feet) and a Salomon adv skin 12 liter, sunglasses are some type of Oakley, then I have a rotating set of brooks, boa and REI shorts. The one new thing I’m trying this year is tights which for me as a bigger dude have been a game changer, the extra pocket is great for organizing trash, and the lack of chafing is nice. For a hat I just use an old ball cap of whatever kind is my designated salt out hat since I’m a salty sweat kind of guy. Like to slip into my oofoos recovery slides while I sit in the back of my car at the trailhead rehydrating and shooting the shit. I also usually run at higher elevation and rock a sun hoody also REI brand but it gets the job done and has for years now. Sometimes I also carry a weed pen and lately I’ve really liked a stiiizy because it’s nice flat design fits into pockets well.

I’ve got a few runs in them. They aren’t noticeably heavier than the 4 in my opinion. The cushion and protection is great. Grip is comparable to the 4. I like them and give them probably an 8/10

Just ran 3km in the Mafate 5 and stopped running to head home. Took these shoes off and straight into the return box. The lowers are great - super comfortable and stable. The uppers are garbage. Worst design on a Hoka shoe I've seen to date. The tongue is so short that the laces in the last setting cross over your foot! The tongue is also so thin that any laces that cross over it dig into your foot as well. It also slides down as you run. This has to be the stupidest design ever and I am very annoyed. I would also say that the heel cup is way too large/wide compared to other Hokas. You can also feel the weight going uphills. Yes, only 3km run so take it with a grain of salt, but the tops of my feet have big red marks across them. Huge fail. Huge waste of money. Do not buy.

Picked up a pair over the weekend and wore them twice. Love the plush and comfortable feeling found in them due to the high stack. Very nice outsole and tread, too. Tongue is a tad short, though. Nice color combo, too.

Totally agree. Just go to runningwarehouse and filter by drop, about 70% of trail shoes are low drop. There’s really only a few models left that are traditional drop. OP seems to be specifically referencing the Mafate Speed 5 which went from 4mm to 8mm while almost the entirety of Hoka’s line is still sub 6mm drop.

Almost all of Hokas line is sub 6mm. Most new Salomon shoes are 6mm while only a few models are 8mm or more. Like I said in another comment, check runningwarehouse and filter by drop, see how many 8+ you can find vs 6 and below

Agree, it really depends on how fast, how far, the ratio of road to trail etc. my Saucony Tempus are pretty good on park run trails and “fire track” style roads. Puma shoes with their Puma Grip are great in the rain or on slightly uneven terrain. Then you have what some call Commuter shoes - road to trail shoes with lower lug depth and softer midsole. Hoka’s Challenger ATR isn’t bad, and the Tecton X and X2 had proper gravel lugs that worked well, along with shows like the Saucony Xodus Ultra, Nike Terra Kiger or Pegasus Trail. Personally I’ve just run in road shoes if it’s dry, and I trust my trail shoes (currently Salomon Genesis and Hoka Mafate 5) in the wet or more technical terrain.

Hoka Mafate 5 is comfy and fun. Mafate Speed 4 is still good but a little narrower and not quite so bouncy. I used to run in Speedgoats a lot but think the 5 & 6 are missing some comfort and the foam isn’t returning the energy of newer shoes. Salomon Genesis or Ultra Glide are both good if you can accommodate a narrower fit. I prefer the protection of the Genesis over the Ultra Glide. Prodigio Pro is also fun and bouncy, but much lighter, less protection around the ankle and so a bit more stripped back. Everyone I know loves them though. Hoka Tecton X 3 is a similar proposition to the Prodigio but both are spendy. Hoka is slightly more stable and bouncy but there is very little in it. If you want the best outsole rubber money can buy, look at the VJ Ultra 3. Seriously, the lugs and rubber is like glue. Finally, the Saucony Xodus Ultra is a good shoe for distances like this. It’s also comfy and protective. Just avoid the 2 or 3 and go for the latest version 4.