Did you know that the very first shoe from was actually ? It debuted in 2010 as a technical trail shoe with high midsole and low weight. Some legends become myths and are forgotten over time, but Mafate has stood firm – though perhaps overshadowed by the softer HOKA Speedgoat – but now a new Mafate steps into the light.
You get an X, you get an X, HOKA Mafate gets an X!
It seems like it's the trend to hand out X's everywhere. If you're not familiar with the term, it simply means there is a carbon plate in the midsole of that have an X in their name. It's almost become a daily occurrence. HOKA has placed the X in all categories of their running shoes for road – from the fastest to the calmest. But when it comes to trail, it's only the incredibly impressive that has received the X-treatment – until now.
Mafate X is built as a cross between and – just for trail. It's a BIG shoe, a bit on the heavy side, and the lugs on the outsole are short but charming (we'll return to that later.) The shoe is generally quite stiff, primarily due to the massive 49–41 mm stack height along with the carbon plate.
It means that Mafate X is not a technical trail master. I was actually skeptical when I saw the specs, but after several test runs over the last few weeks, I must admit: This is the shoe I didn't know I needed in my running collection!
Why is it so good? – HOKA Mafate X
It of course depends on the type of terrain you run on. But right where I live, surrounded by small woods with not too technical trails and occasional asphalt stretches – Mafate X is in its element!
There are ALWAYS compromises when a trail shoe has to handle hard surfaces. Either it feels like running in a football boot, or the cushioning is so hard that the transition from soft to hard is too great – but not with Mafate X. I am genuinely impressed by how well Mafate X tackles both hard roads and soft trails. It will be hard to choose anything else if I want to explore the local area when I have this shoe ready.
The midsole deserves much of the credit. It combines Peba foam (especially in the forefoot) with a supercritical EVA outer shell, creating a stable platform and good shock absorption. The soft Peba makes landings on technical pieces comfortable, and it also helps to give a smooth, "rocker" feeling – at least on flat terrain.
Mafate X thrives best on even forest trails and flow-trails, where you can maintain a steady pace, which can also be high. It is versatile in a way that makes it ideal for both daily adventures and long ultra-events.
My feet actually feel so good in Mafate X that I've considered using it as a walking shoe. The tongue is thin but has enough padding to avoid lace bite. The midfoot molds well around the foot, and the forefoot has enough room for the feet to swell on warm or long runs. I usually wear US 11 (EU 45 1/3), and it fits "true to size." And with the wide platform, I also think it fits people with slightly wider feet than mine.
Pizza or tacos? – HOKA Mafate X
It's not often we can write about food in a running shoe review, but today is the day! The outsole in Vibram Megagrip has patterns shaped like pizza slices and tacos. According to HOKA and Vibram without sacrificing grip.
But honestly: The grip is not what you should focus on most here. The shoe has some fine 3.5 mm lugs that work on varied surfaces – but it struggles on rainy days with mud. On the other hand, it's precisely this lug depth that makes the shoe so good when you switch between surfaces.
Why pizza and tacos? Because they are classics in ultrarunners' food strategies. When you're out on the trails for hours, it's not just about gels and energy bars – sometimes it's precisely a slice of pizza or a taco that gives you the energy to keep going. It makes it very fitting when we talk about HOKA Mafate X – a shoe that invites you to run longer, longer... and maybe take one more bite along the way.
Where is it less impressive? – HOKA Mafate X
No shoe is perfect, and the carbon plate, which gives Mafate X its unique flow and versatility on flat routes, also makes it stiffer. This presents two drawbacks.
Stiffer shoes often have a harder time keeping the heel fully secure, especially when rolling off the toes. It wasn't a big issue for me – and it gets better as the foam breaks in, but a stiff shoe will never fit as perfectly as a super flexible shoe.
The stiffness and weight make it not the most fun shoe to run uphill in.
But let's be honest: Mafate X is not made for technical ascents or descents. On regular trails and forest paths, it feels much, much lighter than the weight suggests.
The Surprise of 2025 – so far!
I didn't enter the test expecting to fall in love with this shoe. But there's nothing better than being surprised and reminded that it's not always about foam, weight, and stack height. It's about how the shoe feels – and here Mafate X delivers. Whether you're chasing snakes and foxes in the forest depths or weaving between streetlights in the concrete jungle, it feels like a natural extension of your feet.
It's not perfect. But I'm so glad I gave it a chance. It feels like a new world of running on both asphalt AND in the forest just opened up for me.
Looking for another trail shoe?
