HOKA Mafate 5 Review

The HOKA Mafate 5 is for you if...

You are seeking a max cushioning shoe that can handle technical trails 

You prioritize protection and stability for long distances or ultra trail racing 

You love trail running and want a comfortable shoe for tackling various terrain 

What is the HOKA Mafate 5 made for?

HOKA’s very first Mafate was introduced in the infancy of their company, and served as the brand’s first ever trail shoe. The original Mafate sought out the technicality to tackle difficult terrain with enough comfort to last long rugged distances, up to and including ultra races. The concept was revolutionary for its time: maximalist cushioning for the most impact protection, made with a broad base for inherent stability, and including an outsole with excellent grip. This gave wearers the ability to “fly” on technical trails with plenty of comfort for multiple hours of running through the mountains. 

Since the release of the original, the Mafate has undergone a few evolutions that played with speed, flex, responsiveness, and the latest materials and technologies. Though we have seen a few different remixes, each version kept the core conviction of highly cushioned comfort on technical trails. That brings us to today’s model: the Mafate 5. 

Cushioned and flexible without feeling too soft, the Mafate 5 performs well on climbs, descents, and uneven surfaces thanks to its responsive yet supportive ride. Dual density foam in the midsole offers a blend of responsiveness and support while reducing impact on the joints. A winglet plate in the forefoot adds control and provides an efficient toe-off. 5mm lugs in a Vibram Megagrip outsole are built for tough conditions for confidently tackling a variety of terrain. If you're looking for a shoe that focuses on impact absorption and a secure, stable ride, the Mafate 5 has you covered for long days out on the trails.

Comfort

For a technical trail shoe, the Mafate 5 feels surprisingly comfortable. It has loads of cushioning underfoot, which felt a bit softer than we expected thanks to the dual foam layer construction. The cushioning strikes a great balance between responsiveness and protectiveness on rough terrain, and the supercritical foam in the heel provides extra comfort when landing on downhills. The heel collar is nicely padded, and the upper wraps the foot securely without creating hot spots or pressure points. Overall, the shoe feels stable, well-cushioned, and ready for long trail days without causing any discomfort. 

One small drawback is the razor-thin tongue. Because there’s so much foam and padding on other components of the shoe, the weight savings on the tongue seem out of place. Also, one of our testers found the tongue to be a little short and that it would tend to slip down between the laces, forcing them to sometimes stop and adjust.

Performance

The Mafate 5 is meant to be taken on a variety of terrain over long distances, performing especially well on technical and demanding terrain. We were very happy with the way these shoes performed during long trail miles. They have excellent grip, stability, and protection, especially on rocky or uneven trails. With the secure grip of the Vibram outsole, even downhill technical trails were no problem for us. The midsole cushioning feels responsive without compromising groundfeel, which has been great on our long-distance runs. We also appreciate the secure fit and how well the durable warp knit upper handles rough conditions. 

The shoe can adapt to a variety of terrain and paces, depending on personal preference. Some of us felt they were too bulky on flatter or less technical routes, while others appreciated the underfoot cushioning on both flat and technical conditions alike. With that said, we all agreed that it shines where it’s meant to—on tough trails and long mountain runs. Daresay, we may have found a new favorite for getting out and cruising over technical terrain. 

In order to provide a shoe that is even more capable of going the long haul, HOKA has increased the weight by about an ounce and upped the heel-toe drop from 4mm to 8mm. The Mafate 5 still performs well, but if you were a huge fan of the Mafate Speed 4, this update may feel a bit softer and more voluminous than you prefer.

Fit

We found the Mafate 5 to have a precise, performance-oriented fit that is true to size and will work for most foot types. The warp knit mesh upper is comfortable and has just enough structure to provide support without feeling overly rigid. The lockdown is excellent—our feet felt secure on technical terrain, with no bunching or slipping inside the shoe, and no pressure points. 

Narrow to standard widths easily locked down the midfoot and heel while still having enough room in the forefoot. Those who prefer a little more room in the forefoot found that these felt a bit snug in the midfoot and toe box, especially compared to some other HOKA models. This is something to keep in mind if your feet tend to swell a bit during ultra distances, or if you like wearing thicker socks.