Hoka Mafate Speed 4 - Women's Review

Weighing less than 8 ounces in a women's size 6.5, this lightweight trail shoe features a 3mm drop and a durable Vibram outsole. With its comfortable fit and versatile performance, it's designed to inspire confidence as you explore trails both familiar and uncharted.

Performance Comparision

Foot Protection

Hoka lovers will understand what I mean when I say that the Mafate Speed 4 feels like a hybrid version of the Hoka Speedgoat 6 and the Hoka Torrent 4. This shoe offers the nimble-feeling protection of the Torrent while boasting the workhorse-inspired prowess of the Speedgoat. While not the most protective shoe on the market, its stacked midsole provides protection from underfoot rocks and roots. The Mafate does not have a rock plate, but its 33 mm forefoot stack is dense enough for serious trail running.

The forefoot of the Mafate Speed offers a rubbery toe cap and a tightly knitted toe box for optimal moisture and sand deflection. The main point of protection contention lies in this shoe's heel collar. It is beefy and comfortable, extending a bit up the Achilles, but it lacks the contour to truly deflect all trail debris. While running in the Mafate, I frequently had to pause to remove pebbles or adjust the sand that accumulated around the ankles of our socks. Even still, I can appreciate the streamlined approach to foot protection and continue to recommend the Mafate to runners who want a versatile trail shoe to add to their closet.

Traction

Vibram outsoles consistently rank as some of the best in the trail running world, and the Mafate Speed takes this reputation seriously. The outsole not only extends slightly beyond the shoe's platform, enhancing stability and responsiveness, but it also contributes to an agile and confidence-inspiring ride.

Featuring an intricate pattern of multidirectional lugs, each sharp edge is strategically positioned to deliver maximum grip across varied terrain, slippery mud included.

Traction Ratings on Difficult Surfaces

Product	Loose Trail	Mud	Slick Rock
Best	5	5	5
Hoka Mafate Speed 4	5	4	5
Average	4	3.5	3.8
Worst	4	2	2

To elevate performance further, many of the Mafate's lugs are layered, with one stacked atop another, providing a dynamic bite that grips even the toughest surfaces. Whether you're navigating rocky paths or muddy slopes, the Mafate Speed's outsole is engineered to excel.

Sensitivity

The Hoka Mafate Speed 4 is rare in that it offers adequate underfoot protection while also providing trail information. While it isn't the most sensitive shoe in our lineup, its balanced underfoot materials and slight flexibility make it a great shoe for long-distance runs on tough terrain.

The Mafate Speed hits a sweet spot in the world of trail kicks in that it gives your body enough information to react while still protecting your body from the sources of that information. Though not an ultra-sensitive shoe, the Mafate is a slam dunk in this metric, thanks to its balance.

Stability

Mirroring the sensitivity rating of the Mafate is its stability score. This is a shoe that is precisely designed to feel unintrusive and balanced.

The Mafate Speed 4 does not offer any structural elements for stability and is marketed as a neutral shoe. The Mafate is devoid of the all-too-familiar tipping sensation that occurs when stepping on a rock the wrong way. It's not impossible to roll your ankle in these shoes, but our testers found the 3mm drop and secure heel cup to provide great stability on technical terrain. Many shoes that offer responsiveness don't provide secure stability, and we are happy to report that the Mafate Speed 4 is a shoe that does.

Comfort and Fit

Hoka did away with their signature overblown cushion and height with the creation of the Mafate Speed 4. Offering a more streamlined profile, this shoe runs true to size and offers average width and volume.

Its outsole is slightly wider than the average trail shoe at 4.2 inches across. This adds to the shoe's stability and traction more than its comfort. While many will take issue with the way the heel collar lets in the sand and pebbles, it's ruggedly plush, striking a comfortable balance between cushion and function. The forefoot offers serious protection with its textiles, but its breathability and slight softness shine through. While there is no such thing as a truly universally comfortable shoe, the Mafate is a speed-focused trail shoe that will surprise and delight trail runners seeking a no-nonsense shoe ready to take a beating.

Weight

At just under 8 ounces per women's size 6.5 shoe, the Mafate isn't exactly light. Yet again, Hoka designed this shoe to be balanced.

It offers the comfort and rugged capabilities of a much heavier shoe without weighing a comparable amount. Some of our tester's favorite shoes are those in this mid-range since it allows the shoes to be durable and functional without feeling clunky. Though the Mafate's overall score is middling in this metric, the ride and features it provides make its weight perfect for runners who are in the market for a versatile trail shoe.

Should You Buy the Hoka Mafate Speed 4?

Yes, you should buy the Hoka Mafate Speed 4. While no shoe is truly perfect, the improved Hoka Mafate is a shoe that comes close. Replacing its previously reigning cousin, the Hoka Torrent, the Mafate is a mountain-ready all-around that will suit most runners and run types. Runners seeking a new shoe to fall head over heels in love with will find what their heart desires in the updated Mafate.

What Other Trail Running Shoes Should You Consider?

The Hoka Torrent was once a top-rated trail shoe, but recent updates have elevated the Mafate to a higher ranking. While the Torrent delivers a comparable ride, it falls short of the Mafate in terms of its Vibram outsole and midsole cushioning. However, its more affordable price makes the Torrent a strong option for budget-conscious runners. The most comparable shoe in the Hoka family is the Speedoat 6. The Speedgoat feels a bit chunkier underfoot and offers less of a universally appealing fit, though both shoes are primed for tackling trails of all kinds. For runners seeking equal performance with a softer fit, the Salomon Ultra Glide 2 is an awesome contender due to its ample 360-degree cushion, powerful traction, and secure midfoot lock.