Hoka is no stranger to big, bold trail shoes, and the Mafate line has always been their flagship when it comes to max cushion off-road beasts. The HOKA Mafate 5 dials things back a bit from its carbon-plated cousin, the Mafate X, and its predecessor the Mafate Speed 4, and instead brings things more in line with the original spirit of the line: burly comfort, serious traction, and all-day trail capability. It may not be flashy, but it’s a confident step forward by staying true to its roots.
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Looks
At first glance, the Mafate 5 comes off as a pretty subdued trail shoe. The blue and black color palette is clean and straightforward—nothing too wild here. The only real visual flair is a soft scattering of colored speckles along the medial side, like someone flicked paint off a toothbrush to mimic a starry night sky. It’s understated, but it works. There’s a quiet confidence in its design that fits the Mafate legacy.
What’s particularly cool is that the upper design is a nod to the Mont Blanc UTMB course map, etched subtly into the pattern. It’s a small detail you might not notice right away, but it gives a sense of purpose to the design—like a reminder that this shoe was built to go big in the mountains.
Construction & Fit
The Mafate 5 doesn’t shy away from what it is—a big trail shoe, built for big days. The moment you pick it up or step into it, it’s clear this thing means business. It’s cushioned, it’s sturdy, and it doesn’t try to hide that fact. Compared to the earlier Mafate X—which went all-in with a carbon plate and a towering 49mm stack—the Mafate 5 feels more grounded, more traditional… and honestly, more wearable.
The fit is generous but secure and the stack has gone up a not insignificant amount from the previous version. The midfoot feels dialed in thanks to the stretch fabric near the bottom of the tongue, and the toe box has ample space for splay and movement on uneven ground. Heel lockdown is plush without being mushy. If you’ve worn previous Mafates, you’ll find this version different and probably a little more refined – focusing on comfort and cushion over speed.
Specs
- Weight: 11.2 oz. (Men’s size 9)
- Stack Height: 45mm / 37mm
- Drop: 8mm
- Lugs: 5mm
Upper
Comfort has long been a selling point of the Mafate line, and the fifth edition holds onto that heritage. The upper is made from a warp knit mesh, which is lightweight and treated to resist fraying—perfect for rugged use and repeated abuse. There’s also a lot of structure here, thanks to the flow-molded TPU cage that wraps the entire foot. It adds durability and sidewall protection without making things feel overly rigid. It may not be the most breathable shoe in the world, so if that’s something you demand – give it a go first.
The tongue is one of the more unique components. While it’s not gusseted in the traditional sense, it uses a stretch panel sewn directly to the upper that creates a sock-like feel over the forefoot. It hugs well and stays in place without adding bulk. And although it’s not heavily padded, it doesn’t dig in or rub, even on longer efforts. That said, it is short – almost too short. This didn’t fully bother me, but I would imagine some may feel different.
I was especially happy with the roomy toe box, which allowed my toes to spread out without swimming in excess space. For longer trail days, that comfort makes a difference.
Midsole
The Mafate 5 goes big on cushioning, as expected—but it does it with some nuance. The midsole uses a dual-density setup, with a softer, supercritical foam on top for responsiveness, and a firmer layer below for stability and durability. It strikes a good balance: soft without being marshmallowy, and stable without feeling like a brick.
A new feature this year is Hoka’s Rocker Integrity Technology—a curved TPU plate that isn’t quite a carbon plate but still gives the shoe a bit of pop. It’s lightweight, helps with propulsion, and gives structure to the otherwise squishy midsole. It’s subtle, but on long climbs and quick descents, it provides a little extra energy return.
Walking around, I could immediately tell how much softer the heel is compared to the forefoot, and that contrast plays out well on the trail. Heel landings feel forgiving, while the front end provides a firmer base for toe-off and push.
Outsole
Underfoot, the Vibram Megagrip outsole with 5mm lugs offers tried-and-true traction across technical terrain. The lug pattern isn’t radically different from past Mafate models, but it works well in dry, loose, and even mildly muddy conditions.
There’s some exposed midsole on the outsole, which may concern durability-minded runners, but the key zones—especially the forefoot—are well-covered. The heel, again, is softer, and you can actually feel it compress just by pressing your fingers into it. That little bit of give in the back end complements the ride, especially when descending or landing hard.
Overall
For those who felt the Mafate X was a little too much—too tall, too plated, too pricey—the Mafate 5 feels like a return to what this line does best – and is a departure from the Hoka Mafate Speed 4 (the “speed in the name has been dropped from this shoe altogether). It’s still big, still a little heavy, but it’s purposeful. It gives you comfort, durability, protection, and enough propulsion to keep you moving efficiently on tough terrain at more accessible plates.
If you’re looking for a long-distance trail shoe that doesn’t skimp on cushion or trail cred, the Mafate 5 should be on your list.