HOKA Mafate Speed 4 Review

Art: Felt great on foot straight out of the box, the upper felt secure around my foot, the flared heel collar hugs my Achilles really well to avoid blisters. The mesh material on the top of the toe box combined with the gusseted tongue meant my foot felt super secure in the shoe. I liked how durable the woven upper felt too, felt like it will go the distance in tough conditions but also hold my foot in place well. I sometimes find with high stack shoes like the Hokas that my foot can feel insecure - like it will fall over the sides of the shoe - on particularly uneven trails but with the tough secure upper I don’t think I will have that feeling. It will hold my foot firmly in place.

Mike: I’ve been testing the Hoka Mafate Speed 4s for about 3 weeks now in the driest and wettest conditions this summer thrown at us, so they’ve been put through their paces. For me the first thing that jumps out (apart from the green/coral clash!) is how secure and comfortable my foot feels. The uppers wrap my midfoot really well without any pressure points or constriction.

Art - 6/10: The high-volume midsole and wide base meant I felt reasonably stable without the addition of other prescriptive technologies.

Mike - 8/10: They felt really stable for me. I supinate quite a lot and this tends to mean I’m prone to rolling my ankle when using shoes with a higher stack. But the wider sole unit gives real assurance when you’re running technical routes.

Art - 7/10: Comfortable secure lockdown over my foot. The tongue was a real standout for me in regard to comfort. One downside to the upper is the breathability. In making it more durable it decreases the breathability. The midsole felt soft and comfortable yet snappy at higher speeds.

Mike - 8/10: I thought the Mafates offered real comfort. The uppers are such a good fit and don’t leave any excess or bagginess that could lead to blisters. Hoka’s Profly+ midsole gives loads of cushioning as well – really noticeable on descents, while the flared heel collar has the dual benefit of holding your heel and ankle securely while also making taking the shoe and off really easy.

Art - 9/10: The new Profly+ midsole felt light and responsive under foot yet soft enough to cushion my legs for longer efforts. The lightweight soft foam directly underfoot in the midsole felt great to land on. It's softer and lighter than the previous Profly but still has that same snappy feeling in the toe off with the higher density foam closer to the outsole. It felt particularly great when picking up the pace. I really felt like I was getting out what I put in with this midsole.

Mike - 9/10: It’s hard to find fault – Hoka have struck a perfect balance of trail feel and cushioning. The Profly+ and Meta-Rocker technology puts a spring in your step and is really noticeable when you’re beginning to tire.

Art - 8/10: Good materials all round, recycled content in the collar, mesh, and lace. Great foam used in the midsole, really enjoyed running in the Profly+. Vibram outsole is a mark of quality, great grip without too much weight.

Mike - 8/10: The Mafates feel really well made and built to withstand long days out on the trail. Bonus points for using recycled materials in the uppers, but I’d like to see that throughout the whole shoe eventually.

Art: Overall this is a great shoe for people looking for something aggressive and responsive over longer distances.

It doesn’t have that same soft and forgiving feel that the speedgoat has. It has a lot more of a snap about it so if you want the stack height and softness of the speedgoat for longer distances but want something quicker and snappier then this is a great shoe for you.

I’d recommend it to people looking to pick up the pace but still want that iconic ‘Hoka’ feeling. I’d be looking to use this at distances of upwards of about a half marathon. Anything below that and I’d be looking for something a little lighter with more of a racier feel. I think this will also be great as a long run shoe, it’s forgiving for those long distances but with aid you in covering the ground fast and efficiently.

Mike: I’ve loved testing Mafate Speed 4s and would recommend them to anyone in search of a shoe that can perform on longer days on the trail, especially when conditions underfoot are likely to be particularly muddy. They offer a real sure-footedness that I have found in previous shoes I’ve owned. A great choice for ultras.

Pros

Art:

• Great shoe for picking up the pace.

• Secure durable upper.

• Soft yet responsive midsole.

• Super grippy outsole

Mike:

• Really comfortable and supportive

• Amazing grip on all terrains

• Surprisingly lightweight

Cons

Art:

• Had to run on my toes to get the most out of the early-stage rocker. Not great for heel strikers or people who are looking for more supportive shoes.

Mike:

• None yet