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Hoka Mafate Speed 4 review

1 year ago 130

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Hoka Mafate Speed 4 review

HOKA Mafate Speed 4 | £160 | Tester: Laura Fountain

This cushioned trail shoe is perfect for technical trail running

While many runners like to take their runs off-road to seek out the softer ground and lessen the impact on their legs, trail running doesn’t always equate to soft landings. There are still stones and tree roots to contend with, and in summer the dry ground can be hard too. The HOKA Mafate Speed 4 – a cushioned trail shoe designed for technical trail – was released this month but arrived on my doorstep for testing just before this summer’s heatwave. While I wasn’t silly enough to be out running in 40C heat, I did head out in the aftermath and routes that had been previously soft and squidgy were now rock hard. I was keen to see how the cushioning would perform.

Want more? Here are the best trail running shoes.

HOKA Mafate Speed 4 technical details

Price: £160
Sizes: 3.5-9.5
Weight: 241g
Sole:
31mm heel, 27mm forefoot

HOKA Mafate Speed 4 pros

  • Great cushioning
  • Good impact protection
  • Comfortable upper

HOKA Mafate Speed 4 cons

  • Only one colour available in the UK
  • No wide fit option currently available

Who is this shoe for?

This is a trail shoe designed for technical terrain. It has 5mm lugs for maximum grip in tough conditions and a toe shield for protection. It’s also cushioned with a two-part PROFLY™ midsole which makes it super soft. It’s for runners wanting to run off-road with maximum comfort. HOKA categorises this shoe for racing, however I’d say it’s a great everyday trail shoe and that if you’re looking to race on the trails you should look to the HOKA Tecton X.

What updates does the HOKA Mafate 4 have?

Since the last edition of this shoe, HOKA has shaved off 28 grams. The Mafate 4 now includes 5mm Vibram® Megagrip with Litebase construction and Traction Lug. There’s also HOKA’s new PROFLY™+ midsole with what it says is its lightest, most responsive foam yet. The upper has had an update too and is now a single layer woven jacquard for improved fit and less chance of rubbing.

How does it fit?

They fit true to size for me. The toebox is light, single-layer, woven jacquard mesh which makes them breathable. But they also have a rubber toe cap for protection from loose stones and rocks. The pull-on heel tab and extended upper make them easy to slip on especially for those like me guilty of not unlacing enough before trying to pull your running shoes on.

Is it comfortable?

The sole is super soft from the moment you start running. This means a soft landing on hard ground but also lessens the impact of stones and uneven surfaces. It has a soft, padded tongue and padded ankle collar for more comfort.

More HOKA trail shoes: read the full HOKA Speedgoat 5 review.

HOKA Mafate Speed 4 running review

From the first few steps in the Mafate Speed 4 I was sold. I started my run from my front door so I was running on tarmac road for the first half mile – not what a trail shoe is primarily designed to do, but it’s a good way to get a feel for the cushioning. And that cushioning was lush. I could feel my foot sinking into the sole just enough with each stride. I say ‘just enough’ because, as we know, too much and it begins to feel like you’re running on sand. But the Mafate 4 was right in the Goldilocks zone for me.

After half a mile of running on the road, I hit the trail – a narrow, mud path just one foot wide along the side of a river. Thanks to the recent heat, the ground was baked solid and I was thankful for the cushioning of the Mafate Speed 4. It was hard going on the lumpy ground and I was having to run with one foot on the mud and one on the grass because it was so narrow, but I felt secure in the shoes.

Towards the end of my run I got to my favourite stretch of trail – it was nice and wide and flat. It’s not technical trail and you can really put your foot down. It’s a good test of the ‘speed’ that’s in the shoe’s name. The shoe responded and the meta-rocker helped deliver a nice, smooth heel to toe transition.

I’ve been out in the shoes a few more times in slightly different conditions and my view remains unchanged. When the ground was slightly soggier they gripped well in the mud and on the tarmac. And I don’t feel I need to avoid all roads and pavements when I’m wearing them.

Where can I buy the HOKA Mafate Speed 4?

You can buy the HOKA Mafate Speed 4 directly from HOKA online.

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