Hoka - Mafate X

Not really, they have done them fo a while, it's for flat not technical trail that you could do with normal shoes except they have more protected foam that would otherwise get destroyed by rocks. The naming is really confusing though, mafate speed is great for technical trail while the X (this one) would honestlmy be dangerous to use on something technical So overall it's not a big market, at least regular trail shoes can also be used for hiking, these ones havea very specific use case

I'm part of the target market. I have a 30 Mile in August at Lean Horse (Custer, SD) on a gravel railroad bed followed by a 50K at the Wolverine State 100 (Alpena, MI) on crushed limestone and then the Dead Horse 50 Mile (Moab, UT) on slickrock. While I'll be wearing the Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra for them as I'm a small guy and need a lighter shoe, the Hoka Mafate X trail is going to be ideal for a medium or heavier runner running ultras on similar surfaces. Because I live in Michigan, I do a lot of my trail running on forest single track. I wouldn't wear a shoe like this for training. The always dependable Saucony Peregrine for easy runs or a shoe like the ASICS Fujispeed 3 for faster paced trail workouts is a safer option. But there are many ultramarathons that aren't on gnarley forest single track where plushness is much more important for long-haul events than trail feel or stability. But also where the trail surface would quickly chew apart a max stacked road shoe.

I ran 6 technical miles in the Mafate X a few days ago. My current fave trail shoes are Mafate Speed 4 and Adidas Agravic Speed Ultra, with more mellow days in Speedgoat 5. Verdict? Mixed. This is by far the SQUISHIEST and highest stack height shoe I've ever worn — and that would take getting used to. Even in my many different pairs of Hokas over the years, I've tended toward their more minimal models: Torrent, Instinct, Speed Instinct, etc. The tread was meh for steep/tech trails. The lugs are pointed like skinny arrows, rather than the massive mud-tire tread of the Mafate Speed. And the tread does not cover the entirety of the foam, which makes me wonder if they will break down or delaminate like other recent models. There's a big rock-grabbing hole in the foam, to boot. Now, for smooth and rolling "California carpet" types of trails? Might be great. The rocker is noticeable and add a good feeling of propulsion. But in these shoes I don't feel FAST, like I do in the Agravic Speed Ultra. And super rocky technical trails might eat this shoe alive. FWIW, the high stack height did NOT make my ankles feel unstable. The Adidas are more "tippy" than the Mafate X. That's a cursory take on my run. I was happily not in love with them (cuz I didn't want to plop down $225, but if they were magical I would consider it).

On paper the shoe doesn’t make any sense but I ran on these for Canyons 100k this past weekend and these shoes are far and away my favorite. For long trail outings, these are just amazing in terms of comfort without feeling like bricks (looking at you latest Speedgoat). I have the Tecton X 2.5, Zegama 2, Mafate Speed, the latest Speedgoat, and these and I’ll reach for these every time.

Agreed! It didn’t make a ton of sense to me that they’d feel extremely stable (or that on feet they didnt really feel like it was noticeably harder to get moving than my other shoes). These shoes are the only ones I have between road and trail shoes that have gotten smashed by reviewers and they might be my favorite. 😂

I had the opportunity to run in these earlier this week. They felt great, my first run in a carbon shoe in years. Very responsive and virtually no ground feel. I felt really good after, even though the upper felt like it got a bit sloppy halfway through the run but not enough to stop and adjust. Coming from my old standard Altra Superior these couldn't be much different. I don't see myself shelling out over 200 bucks for them but the rep was gushing about them, and for good reason.

I thought the 5 was awful and haven't even tried the 6. Have 2 pairs of 5s with about 100k in each. Lugs wore quickly and you felt every rock in them. Very little energy return from the foam. Switched to mafates and they are a better shoe is every way for me

If you like Clifton’s try the Hoka Mafate.

No to Goretex unless you plan on running/traveling on snow for extended periods. IMO if the outsole isn't vibram then it's a no for me, but I trend towards more rugged trails. Most popular shoe is probably the Hoka speedgoat or Brooks cascadia. I love the Hoka Mafate but its pricey. What type of trails/runs are you looking at doing?

Iv gone thru 1 pair of Speedgoat 5’s and have another 2 in my collection, so this is to say I enjoy the speedgoats. Over the summer I demo’d a pair of mafate’s which I enjoyed and didn’t find too different than the speed goats. I also recently added a pair of Oncloud Clouvistas which I did a 50k in and I liked those —grip isn’t as good as the speedgoats but similar padding. Finally Iv also had a pair of oncloud cloudventure peaks but those were minimalist padding and I felt the lugs wore out quickly so I wouldn’t recommend those

Commenting to see other answers, I have same problem! I switch between my Salomon thundercross and HoKa Mafates for winter trail runs - I use my Hokas on long runs if I know there will be a fair bit of harder surface. They are « ok » on mud, better than other trail shoes like Speedgoat, but still find myself slipping about on muddy uphills and wishing I had my Salomons on.

>IMO the Genesis seems a better choice over the Tecton X, assuming you did long distances with those. That's what my gut is telling me as well. I am usually a decently fast racer that likes a propulsive shoe on raceday, but I have no ultra experience and speed is probably no real concern anyway. And I would say the Genesis is the more versatile option. The Mafate is also gonna be in my luggage as a backup shoe in case it's pouring (like it did at Mozart 100 this year where it also saved my day). I would prefer a lighter option though. Thanks for the advice.

Thanks. Yeah, if it is muddy I will run in the Mafate for sure. If it's dry I would prefer a lighter option though. I think in the end it will be either the Genesis or the Mafate as I don't quite trust the lugs on the Tecton on alpine terrain.

I'm currently using Hoka Mafates and loving them. They replaced my old speedboats and have been excellent. Fairly light, great grip and incredibly comfy.

I switched from boots to shoes years ago. I only use boots for winter conditions. The only injury issue I had was when using Hoka Mafates. They are super comfy. But so ‘tall’ that I would sometimes roll my ankle. Not bad. But enough to be wary and I switched shoes. I had been using Altras before and no issues but I would wear them out pretty fast. I have since switched to Topos and been super happy.

This is also my least favorite type of terrain (especially if it’s a steep downhill section). I like the Mafates for this type of trail since the tread is decent, but I’d recommend using Squirrels Nut Butter on your feet if you’re getting blisters. For the ankle twisting issue, I usually just end up hiking in sections like this, otherwise I also worry for my ankles, and my toes always seem to catch rocks and make me trip, so unfortunately I just have to take it slow.

Get a trail runner, such as HOKA Speedgoat 6, or the HOKA Mafate. But as others said, this is a question for r/hiking.

There isn’t a shoe that will work well in fells and road. You’ll have to sacrifice one or the other. There’s unfortunately no shoe that does it all. NVII Terra TT, VJ Xtrm have a bit nicer protection than Inov8s while being a proper hill shoe with superb grip. Various Scott Supertrac versions have more cushioning but they often have a very “dead” feeling on the road. Saucony Peregrine ST are very decent in mud but not so good on the rock and feel a bit burly. More than decent on the road as far as shoes go. Hoka Mafate/Tecton are great on more groomed trails but wouldn’t be my choice for most hill races in Scotland. Ditto on Saucony Xodus.

Satisfy Hoka mafate and they are good even in the UK weather!

I'm not a huge fan of Speedgoats, though I know a lot of people really love them. I have some, but I only use them for hiking, and even then, I don't do long hikes in them. It's the only shoe I own that I feel like there's too much lateral movement in the forefoot/toe box. I love my Mafates, though.

I didn’t like them. I found the grip not so great compared to my Hoka Mafates.

When I started trail running, I went with the Mafates - I thought they were a good middle ground trail shoe and they were great. Then I got the On CloudUltra and hated them - for all the hype they felt like running with cinder blocks for the soles. Now with Speedgoats.

The Mafate’s outsole is infinitely better in my experience.

I see a lot of praise for AP5, I love them, my favorite trail shoes along with the Mafate. BUT not when is muddy out there. I find they collect a lot mud. Unlike Mafate. During muddy runs I prefer the Mafate.

I do like Hokas (specifically the Mafate for hiking/trail running) but if you are looking for a wide toe box you should look into Topo. Generally though, I wouldn’t wear trail shoes around town - the lugs that give trail shoes grip will wear out pretty fast on pavement. The person below also recommended Altra for a wide toe box but if you go that route, just make sure you know what a zero drop shoe is and adapt over time.

Mafate is a fun shoe but it has a plate and can hurt on pavement. I’d stay with a shoe without the rock plate, personally.

Crap, you’re right. I seem to mix this up with the Tecton. Why do I do that, I know this and yet still confound the two. I do love the mafate best out of all Hoka’s trail shoes, but they aren’t my first choice. Clearly!

Speedgoats or Mafate are the best hiking options.

Really liking the hoka mafate after being a speedgoat person for a long time!!

I’m on my 3rd season of switching to trail runners over hiking boots. Everyone may have a different experience but for me, my feet have never been happier (Hooka, Speedgoat 5).