HOKA Mafate Speed 4 Shoe Review

Updated: August 30, 2022

Time to Fly on Technical Trails with Ultimate Comfort

Likes

High level of cushioning
Comfortable upper
Amazing traction
Stable ride

Dislikes

Wider base is not ideal for super narrow trails
Less protection than previous version

What's New

With a complete makeover from its previous model, the Mafate returns for its fourth iteration boasting a lot of exciting new updates. To start off, the shoe features a new sustainable jacquard mesh upper that provides a breathable and comfortable fit around the foot for a secure feel. And for a smooth ride on any run, the dual-density ProFly midsole adds cushioning on impact and responsiveness at toe-off. Next, the outsole features Vibram Megagrip Litebase rubber with micro lugs that offer grippy traction on a variety of terrain. Rounding out the updates, the Mafate Speed 4 dropped some weight from the previous model, making it the ideal running shoe for any speed or distance out on the trails.

The Bottom Line

HOKA built the Mafate Speed 4 with high levels of protection to help runners attack any trail or distance with confidence. This trail shoe is versatile enough for anyone, from the ultra runner, to the hobby jogger, and even the avid hiker. Along with a highly cushioned midsole, the Mafate Speed 4 features an aggressive Vibram outsole for better traction and durability. With a more structured upper than the race-specific EVO Mafate lineup, the Mafate Speed 4 balances a lightweight design with high durability and a supportive hold of the foot. Our reviewers thoroughly enjoyed the changes to the Mafate Speed and appreciated that this updated model didn't deviate from its original purpose as a versatile trail running shoe built to handle whatever distance or terrain might be thrown at it.

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Our In-Depth Look

Shoe Softnessi

Connor F: "The Mafate Speed 4 has a soft instep right out of the box. When running, it cushioned my landings without feeling sluggish. The shoe felt soft through longer runs and did not break down over time."

Grace: "I am really enjoying the spongey softness that the Mafate Speed 4 gives, especially for my higher mileage runs. It reduces impact and protects my feet from aggressive surfaces when running on more technical terrain."

Liz: "I enjoyed the cushioning found in the new Mafate Speed 4. While it doesn't have the same dampening softness of the Speedgoat, I felt that there was a nice balance of softness with the slightly bouncier, firmer ride of the shoe."

Ride/Energy Returni

Connor F: "The foam in the Mafate Speed 4 is much improved over the last versions. While it's not a super-fast marathon race shoe, it has a lot of pop and is fun to run in. The new foam compounds feel bouncy underfoot and make the Mafate faster and more stable."

Grace: "The Mafate Speed 4's updated foam has a very smooth and responsive ride. Every time I run in this shoe, I feel like I have a spring in my step when pushing off, which is helpful on days when I need a little help getting up those steeper climbs."

Liz: "The Mafate Speed 4 has a fun and slightly bouncy midsole that helps maintain a faster feel on the trail. While the Tecton X will be a snappier option thanks to its carbon fiber plate, I feel that many will enjoy the Mafate's balance of softness with energy return."

Underfoot Protectioni

Connor F: "The Mafate Speed 4 has a large amount of foam underfoot. Even though the shoe doesn't have a dedicated rock plate, the stack height still protects my feet from rugged terrain. Only on extremely technical trails with large gravel sections did I feel anything through the sole."

Grace: "The highly cushioned design in the Mafate Speed 4 gives me the underfoot protection that I need on the more rocky and technical trails without incorporating a rock plate. I felt like I could go forever in this shoe, knowing my knees and feet would stay happy and healthy throughout the run."

Liz: "The new Mafate Speed has a slightly closer to the ground feel than previous versions, but I think many will find that it still has enough protection for longer trail runs. Even after all-day adventures in these shoes, my feet and joints were still feeling great. Additionally, I loved that I didn't feel too high in these shoes and still felt stable and connected with the trail. For me, they offer the perfect balance of the nimbleness and underfoot protection needed for technical trails."

Upper Supporti

Connor F: "This is one of the better uppers from HOKA. The toe box feels like it has more room than other models, and I had no issues with the fit. The midfoot has a secure hold, and the heel collar has plenty of padding. The upper does not feel overbuilt, but it gave me the confidence to run on any terrain."

Grace: "The upper in this version worked a lot better for me than the Mafate Speed 3 did. It held my foot well with no sloshing around even though the toe box was roomy compared to the HOKA trail shoes I typically wear like the Evo Speedgoat and Zinal. The upper is breathable and durable, and the cushioned tongue was much more comfortable for me than the paper-thin tongue in the last model."

Liz: "I really enjoyed the upper on these shoes. They have a slightly roomier fit than the Speedgoat, so I didn't have any fit issues with my wider feet, and the shoe's engineered knit upper eliminated the hot spots that I used to develop with the overlays of previous versions of the Mafate. The fit was secure yet adaptable to my feet."

Individual Thoughts

Connor F.Overall Score: 9/10

I am enjoying my runs in the Mafate Speed 4. The past models felt stiff and non-responsive to me, but this shoe is a complete overhaul. The shoe was soft from the first time I ran in it. While this is nice, it does give me hesitation about the shoe's longevity. I am glad to say that many miles later the Mafate still feels bouncy and doesn't leave me wishing I had that "first run feeling" back. The upper of the shoe is comfortable, and I didn't have to mess with the fit after the first time lacing it up. The outsole is still incredibly aggressive, and I had no issues with traction on any surface. With the massive lugs, I was concerned that the shoe would not fare well on paved roads on the way to the trail, but this shoe runs almost as well on the road as it does off. I am impressed with the Mafate Speed 4 and highly recommend it for someone looking for a high-mileage trail shoe that has a fun and capable ride.

Shoe Softness

FirmSoft

Ride/Energy Return

Less SpringyMore Springy

Underfoot Protection

LowHigh

Flexibility

RigidElastic

Upper Support

StructuredAdaptable

Reviewer Picture

Grace Overall Score 9/10

This update is by far my favourite running shoe in the HOKA Mafate lineup. The new jacquard mesh upper is breathable, durable, and fits my foot comfortably. The highly cushioned midsole and grippy Vibram lugs were the two features that stood out to me the most in the Mafate Speed 4. The midsole has a perfect combination of soft and responsive; I can go fast in this shoe while still having the cushioning I need on my long-distance ventures. The Vibram Megagrip on the outsole is extremely durable for high mileage and the traction is reliable enough to handle whatever I throw at it. I don't really have any negative things to say about this shoe except that it sometimes feels a bit too wide in the toe box compared to my other trail shoes. Overall, I think the HOKA Mafate Speed 4 is a great option with a variety of uses from running fast and far in the mountains to getting in your daily miles.

Shoe Softness

FirmSoft

Ride/Energy Return

Less SpringyMore Springy

Underfoot Protection

LowHigh

Flexibility

RigidElastic

Upper Support

StructuredAdaptable

LizOverall Score 9/10

The HOKA Mafate Speed 4 is a great update in my opinion. It maintains a slightly more stable feel than the Speedgoat thanks to its wider base, yet I was surprised by how nimble the shoes still felt on rocky, technical trails. While they wouldn't be my first choice for super narrow trails, I felt secure navigating rocky sections at faster paces. The midsole foam offered a wonderful balance of softness, protection, and bounce that I think many runners will love, and the upper offered a secure yet adaptable fit that was roomy enough to accommodate my feet swelling over long days at elevation. Lastly, the grip on these shoes is amazing. The aggressive Vibram lugs just stuck to rocky and loose sections of trails. Even on super steep sections of looser, pea-size gravel, I felt confident that I wouldn't slip. For me, I would choose the Zinal for faster, shorter, more technical trail runs and then pick the Mafate Speed 4 for everything else.