HOKA Mafate 5 Performance Review

The HOKA Mafate line is one of storied performance and innovation. The first iteration brought high-stack performance to the trail world when very few were doing so. The Mafate Speed 4 is, in most circles, HOKA’s most consistently loved trail shoe—and for good reason. It remains, to this day, one of the best shoes I’ve ever worn. It’s a special mix of performance and comfort for any level.

Now comes the HOKA Mafate 5, the newest shoe in the Mafate family tree, where HOKA has decided to drop “Speed” from the name altogether. Worry not, as there is no lighter emphasis on speed or performance with the 5. While any shoe change can come with controversy (maybe you remember the Speedgoat 4 to Speedgoat 5 drama), I am here to assure my fellow Mafate Speed 4 loyalists that the Mafate 5 lives up to its ancestors, despite some significant changes to the shoe structure. While several updates have been made to midsole and upper, the DNA of the shoe, as in any family tree, has trickled down and remained the same. Let’s get into how.

[Editor’s Note: After writing this review, Sam used the HOKA Mafate 5 for 61 of the 100 miles he ran in the iconic Leadville 100. That should give you a hint about his experience and final rating of the shoe. Sam finished Leadville in 24:49:22 and earned one of the coveted belt buckles. Nice work buddy!]

What is the HOKA Mafate 5?

According to HOKA, “…the Mafate 5 goes the extra mile with more cushioning and protection than ever before. Built tough for mileage chasers, this tenacious trail runner helps maintain control during long haul efforts…”

Let me translate. The HOKA Mafate 5 is max in stack and built for a lot of time on foot but still tenacious enough to handle the technical trails. That’s a pretty great value proposition for a high-end trail runner. Let’s see if HOKA indeed achieved such lofty heights.

Cushion/Midsole/Support

Okay. The first and foremost of the updates is the midsole compound, moving from the Profly combination to a new, dual-layer EVA combination. The majority of the midsole (the black section) is a supercritical EVA blend. This new, supercritical EVA blend from HOKA is soft and responsive. It provides plenty of pep and energy return and really makes for a fun ride. You’ve got a ton in the back near the heel and just enough up front to bounce back during your turnover.

I’ve particularly loved this shoe on the downhill for the simple reason that it’s a big pile of supercritical EVA, and it runs really well. The smaller, blue part of the midsole at the forefoot is a compression-molded EVA. This style of foam is common at HOKA and provides a more stable and sturdier ride. Stacked under the supercritical EVA, this harder foam makes for a great balance as it keeps your strike in control without totally sucking the energy out of the stride. While I love the midsole of the Mafate Speed 4, I can say that the Mafate 5 midsole provides an equally fun and comfortable ride.

Sandwiched in between the two layers of foam is a winged TPU plate that HOKA calls Rocker Integrity Technology (RIT). While this plate is minimal and doesn’t function as a traditional energy returner for the most part, it does provide some snap and structure to the rockered shape of the shoe. The geometry of the Mafate 5 is more rockered than previous versions, and the RIT helps provide some stability and support to that rocker to maintain a smooth stride. While I ultimately think this technology will show true colors around the 200-mile mark, I’ve put close to 100 miles in the shoe, and the toe-off still feels as springy as ever.

The HOKA Mafate 5 also adds several millimeters of stack to the midsole, bumping it up to 44 mm at the heel, with 8 mm of drop to the forefoot. By comparison, the Mafate Speed 4 sat at about 37 mm with 3 mm of drop. The inclusion of more foam does a couple of things. More foam underfoot translates to a more cushioned ride. I am a fan. What it also does is add weight and height, which could translate to clunkiness and instability.

However, I don’t find that the Mafate 5 runs like a heavy shoe. Part of this is due to the shape of the midsole, which compels you to run with a smooth motion. The other part could simply be mental—because I really like it. Who knows. What I do know is that I’ve taken the Mafate 5 all over, and the construction has yet to let me down.

Traction

The outsole on the HOKA Mafate 5 is a Vibram Megagrip pattern very similar to the Mafate Speed 4. Lugs are about 5 mm deep with an aggressive approach. I won’t spend a ton of time here, other than to say that this outsole is what we’ve come to expect of HOKA shoes (save the Speedgoat 5). It’s rugged and reliable with no corners cut. If you liked the previous version, you’ll love this. If you have yet to try a Mafate, go ahead and try the Mafate 5—I don’t think you’ll be let down.

Upper

The upper also receives an update, with a new construction and slightly different material. The engineered mesh—in classic HOKA blue—is fairly pliable. This material is somewhat breathable but definitely a little on the heavier or thick side. This is done by design, however, as this is a rugged shoe that’s made for performance and durability. Encasing the mesh upper is a TPU cage, which provides the structure to the upper and also plays a design role with the UTMB course etched into it. This TPU cage provides some support as your foot shifts side-to-side in the upper.

The shape of this upper feels (and I assume is) wider than the previous versions, providing more room from heel to forefoot. With a weird foot shape and generally wider foot, I love the extra room provided in this version. It’ll make the long days a lot more enjoyable.

The heel is super robust on the Mafate 5 with tons of shaping and padding. I did find that the heel opens a little when going uphill and could invite some debris in but overall haven’t had any issues. The lacing pattern is straightforward. My biggest gripe with the upper (and the whole shoe) is the length of the tongue. It’s gusseted, and I have no issues with comfortability; but it’s just barely long enough when lacing through the topmost eyelets. Many brands do this, and I don’t quite get it—just make the tongue a little longer! The fact that this is my biggest and only real complaint, however, is a nod to how much I’ve enjoyed this shoe.

Is the HOKA Mafate 5 wide foot friendly?

Yes, the HOKA Mafate 5 is one of the widest HOKA models I’ve tried yet and is very accommodating.

Is the HOKA Mafate 5 worth $185?

I think so. The HOKA Mafate 5 has enough speed and performance to race in yet will last longer than a carbon-plated, race-specific shoe.

How to use the HOKA Mafate 5

The HOKA Mafate 5 is a very versatile shoe and can fit most trail use cases. It’s at home in the mountains where stability and comfort are an emphasis.

HOKA Mafate 5 Summary

In case you couldn’t tell, I quite like the HOKA Mafate 5, and I’m glad that HOKA remained true to the Mafate DNA. This shoe has received some major updates, but I don’t feel the spirit of the line has changed. 

The midsole still performs with enough pep to keep you excited but is robust enough to feel like a tank. I think this upper is more accommodating and comfier than the previous version, but it’s not too much. 

Like the Mafate Speed 4, the Mafate 5 is an excellent option for someone who wants a shoe with race identity but doesn’t necessarily want to pay $220+ for the lighter weight and super foam. Truly, as I felt about the previous version, the HOKA Mafate 5 is one of the best shoes for value if it works for you. Cheers, HOKA!

How does the Author Run?

Sam Lohse (age 28, 6’0″, 170 lbs): Runs daily, sometimes morning/night doubles, with one rest day a week (typically). Hangs right around 40-50 miles a week in general unless in race-specific training. Races distances from 50K to 100 miles, almost always on the trails.

Disclosure

While HOKA did provide a pair of the HOKA Mafate 5 to facilitate this review, the company had no involvement in this review, didn’t receive an advance look at it, and has not attempted to influence it.