Mafate X

good eye! Yes. they did well during the race. when I switched to the Speedgoats at mile 50 is when my feat started to hurt. maybe that was the speed goats, maybe it would have happened anyway. I don't know. but my feeet were feeling pretty good for the first 50 in the Mafate X.

There's absolutely no running shoe that really works on wet, slippery rocks, you'd need crampons for that or whatever. I just did a 32k/2500m mountain crossing recently in heavy rain, and it was absolutely abysmal, although I'm an avid runner and mountaineer. It took me over an hour more than usual and I really reached my limit several times during that run. For everything else there are special rubber compounds that are more sticky than regular running shoes (like Vibram Megagrip). A lot of performative trail running shoes (Scarpa Spin Ultra 2, Hoka Tecton X, Hoka Mafate X, Dynafit Ultra Pro 2) use this very sole, others use a similar system (La Sportiva Prodigio Pro). They perform very well in a dry alpine environment, but have, as I said before, their limits in rain and mud. Also the additional grip adds to the already high abrasion, which means your soles will disintegrate even faster than regular runners. Not as bad as the early Salomon Speedcrosses, but don't expect to do 1000k in these boots. Edit: spelling

Mafate X is a great Clydesdale shoe. I've been loving mine so far. Speedlands as well.

It’s great to hear they worked out well for you! I went with yellow too. Put about 40 miles on mine so far and they feel great. Looking forward to using them on my first 50k. It was a choice between Mafate X, Speedgoat, or the Rocket X Trail.

I’ve really enjoyed the new HOKA Mafate X. They’re expensive, but really good

I’ve really enjoyed the HOKA Mafate X. They’ve been amazing!!

I have the cascadia 17 (now retired from my rotation) and the Gel 13 (bought to replace the cascadia’s). I can’t really comment on fit other than to say I went half a size up in both, but I should have gone for my usual size in the Gel13’s as they’re slightly too big. The cascadia is a better shoe. the Gel13 has really terrible grip in the mud. I only use it for dry / non-muddy runs. It’s a fairly average shoe. doesn’t really sparkle. not plush. not sure where it excels, if at all. I prefer my HOKA’s overall (Mafate 5, Mafate X and Challenger 8) but none grip in the wet/mud like the cascadia’s did. The Mafate’s are SUPREMELY comfortable though. its a shame as the Gel 13’s look really really good.

Depends on the shoe… I did a trail marathon wearing HOKA Mafate x shoes - they have a 49mm stack height! They felt extremely stable.

I have the Mafate X (long distance trail racing), Mafate 5 (long distance trail training, muddy trails) and the Challender 8 (dry / light trail / road-to-trail). The first two are SUPREMELY comfortable. The non-plated Mafate 5 would possibly work well for you. it’s high end plush.

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).