HOKA
Mafate X
HOKA's tallest trail shoe pairs a 49 mm PEBA-topped midsole with a forked carbon plate and a Vibram Megagrip outsole, aimed at long ultras on gravel and smooth trails. Reviewers praise its protection and stability for the height but find it heavy, stiff and pricey.
About the Mafate X
At 49 mm in the heel, the Mafate X is the tallest shoe in HOKA's trail range, built for long ultras on gravel and smoother trails. It adds a carbon plate to the Mafate concept, setting it apart from the plateless Mafate 5, and is heavier and higher than the Rocket X Trail.
The midsole combines a main layer of nitrogen-infused EVA with a blend of supercritical EVA and PEBA, with more PEBA in the forefoot. Embedded in it is a forked carbon plate with two large cutouts, under the forefoot and the heel. A Vibram Megagrip outsole provides grip, while a plastic heel piece and a stiff internal support help keep the heel centred on the wide platform. The mesh upper has reflective details and a semi-gusseted tongue. It weighs 335 g in a men's UK 8.5 and comes in a single standard width.
Specs and features from runrepeat.com and our own spec data. A factual overview, not a review.
Video reviews
Watch HOKA Mafate X reviewsOpens YouTubeWhat the critics say
81/100 review score
- RunRepeat 78/100
- Road Trail Run 8.5/10
The reviews in briefThe HOKA Mafate X impressed RunRepeat's Carlos Sánchez and Road Trail Run's Mike Postaski with its huge, protective cushioning, grippy Vibram outsole and surprising stability. Both found it heavy, while Road Trail Run's Reed Breuer questioned its value, finding it cumbersome and missing the lively feel of a supershoe despite the price.
- Positive: Huge cushioning and rock protection underfoot
- Positive: More stable than its height suggests
- Positive: Grippy Vibram Megagrip outsole on gravel and dry trail
- Mixed: Heel hold: some testers needed careful lacing or extra padding to stop lift
- Negative: Heavy, especially on climbs
- Negative: Stiff, clunky ride for a high price
Paraphrased from published reviews. Read them in full:
The numbers
- Trail
- Type
- 335 g
- Weight
- 49 mm
- Heel stack
- 8 mm
- Drop
- Carbon plate
- Plate
- Inherently stable
- Support
Weight for a men's US 9 / UK 8.5.
What it feels like
Fit
True to size
Road Trail Run's testers found it true to length but low-volume with a narrow midfoot; RunRepeat found it runs slightly small.
What Reddit runners say
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On TikTok
Mafate X on TikTokShort reviews and wear tests from runnersWhere to buy the Mafate X
RRP around £185. Tap through for today's price.
HOKA Mafate X
In short
Consider this if you want maximum protection and a plated, high-stack platform for long ultras on gravel and smooth trails. Testers found it heavy, stiff and expensive, so look elsewhere for technical or rocky ground.
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