“I'd had the Mafate on my wish list after reading some positive reviews and, when my Hoka Challengers fell apart just days before a trail race, I knew exactly what I was after and Northern Runner had the best price albeit in a slightly odd colourway. I ended up running the race pretty much out of the box and got away with it, although unsurprisingly I had a few hot spots around my toes and they do seem to need a little breaking in. As for the design, it looks absolutely fine in the flesh and is very practical.
The shoes are heavier than my Challengers (332g vs 286g for a UK 9½) and the cushioning is firmer than other Hokas I've had. That said, I'm mostly going to be training off road in these so that's fine. Grip is provided by 5mm Vibram rubber lugs; like many runners I have some road to negotiate to get to the trails, but the cushioning and the type of rubber combine to make that reasonably comfortable if not quite as smooth as a dedicated road shoe. Hokas are famous for having a narrow toe box and I do struggle with certain brands for that reason. These are a bit broader and will suit a wider range of runners. There is a firm heel counter that is well padded inside and I had no problems with slippage. Also, a small loop at the back to help with removal - a welcome aid after a hard, muddy run no doubt!
The uppers of my Hoka Challenger ATRs ultimately shredded, albeit after a good many miles; the Mafate seems to be far more robust with what seems to be a plasticised covering over potential contact points leaving bare mesh over the toes for breathability. The tongue is thin but gusseted to keep out debris. The laces are flat and some reviewers have had issues keeping them tied; however they are identical to my previous Hokas and I simply tuck the ends down and through the lacing on the front of the shoe and they don't shift. It also reduces the likelihood of a loop of lace catching on undergrowth.
My first proper run was a 10km trail race on hard baked and rutted trails, a bit of tarmac, some grass and with three streams to cross. They felt stable on the uneven terrain and coped with the rest well enough but didn't feel as responsive at race pace as my old shoes because of the extra weight and slightly dead feel. Since then we've had nearly a week of rain, whilst not enough for serious mud, it has given me a chance to try them on different surfaces. On soft ground, the 5mm lugs bite well and I never had any qualms when descending fast over a mix of mud, wet pebbles and tree roots. When walking yesterday in my Salomon hiking boots (which also have Vibram soles), I had no grip on wet tree roots; not so the Mafate which means that you can run faster with far more confidence.
Whilst I've only done a few runs in the Hoka Mafate Speed 2 so far, these seem to be a good purchase. First and foremost, the outsole is phenomenal and can cope with pretty much anything on or off the trail. The broader fit is welcome and the construction looks like it will cope with a bit of rough treatment. If you want a responsive shoe for shorter trail races, then these are possibly not the right product, but for longer runs and races they're a great buy, especially at this price.”
