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When I first saw the Hoka Mafate X, I thought, “This might be it—the long-haul trail shoe I need for my 50-miler in Indiana.” That race is called Dances with Dirt Gnaw Bone, and while the name sounds quirky, the course is no joke. With over 7,100 feet of elevation gain and plenty of hills, I needed a shoe that could go the distance without beating me up. The Mafate X looked like a great candidate. So, I laced up and started logging miles. Here’s how it’s held up so far.
First Impressions & Specs
The Mafate X doesn’t tiptoe into the carbon-plated trail shoe world—it dives in headfirst. Hoka packed in a massive stack (49mm heel / 41mm forefoot), an 8mm drop, and a PEBA foam core with EVA around it. They threw in a carbon plate, a rockered geometry, and topped it off with a Vibram MegaGrip outsole. On paper, it sounds like a dream for long, runnable terrain.
The listed weight for a men’s size 10 is 12.4 oz, which is definitely on the heavy side. I didn’t weigh my size 13, but I can say they feel heavy on the foot. Not surprising, considering all the material packed into the midsole and upper. From the moment I started running in them, they felt like plush tanks.
Ride and Feel on the Trail
My first test run was on a hard-packed dirt road with mild hills. Right out of the box, I noticed how well-balanced the shoe felt. Despite the 8mm drop, it didn’t feel like I was leaning or slamming into a slope with every step. I’m a forefoot/midfoot striker, and this shoe didn’t make me adjust my stride at all.
The ride is firm but not harsh. You get a bit of bounce from the PEBA, but the EVA tones it down. It’s not mushy, and it’s not rigid—it sits somewhere in between. The carbon plate adds stiffness, especially under the forefoot, and that does make the ride feel snappy at times.
On flats and downhills, the shoe shines. It rolls smoothly, and the high stack cushions everything. On uphills, though, I really noticed the weight. That bounce doesn’t quite translate going up, and I felt like I was lugging a lot of shoe with each step.
Stability on Technical Terrain
With such a high stack, I was worried about ankle rolls or a wobbly feel on uneven ground. Surprisingly, the shoe stayed stable. I took it through some rocky trails and winding paths, and the shoe never felt unstable. The foot cage design and the structured heel cup did a good job keeping my foot in place—even on more technical stretches of trail.
The only real problem showed up on steep climbs. I started to notice heel lift, especially when wearing thinner socks. I messed around with the lacing and eventually found that using the outer eyelets and wearing thicker socks improved the lockdown. Even then, the heel lift never completely disappeared. It’s manageable, but definitely something to consider if you’re climbing a lot.
Fit and Comfort
Hoka’s fit is usually hit or miss for me. I went with my standard Hoka size, half a size up from my usual, and the length felt perfect. There’s enough room in the forefoot without being sloppy, and the upper has a snug but forgiving feel. The shoe volume feels a little low, especially on the inside edge, but after a few miles it molded to my foot nicely.
The tongue is gusseted, the heel collar is well-padded, and overall, it’s a comfortable shoe but it’s not flexible at all. The shoe feels more like a sturdy platform that handles smooth trails well, though the stiffness becomes noticeable on longer, more technical runs where a bit more flexibility would help adapt to varying terrain.
Outsole and Traction
Hoka didn’t go aggressive with the lugs, but the 3.5mm Vibram MegaGrip gets the job done. On dirt, dry rocks, and some mild wet crossings, traction was solid. The outsole even has fun little taco and pizza graphics, a quirky touch I appreciated. On muddy terrain or loose gravel, I wouldn’t trust it 100%, but for most trails it holds up well.
Final Thoughts
After 60+ miles in the Hoka Mafate X, I can say this: it’s a long-distance cruiser, not a technical trail tackler. It’s best suited for rolling terrain, fire roads, and gravel paths—basically anywhere you can just zone out and run. It eats up miles and takes the edge off long efforts. But it’s not ideal for steep climbs or really technical routes, mostly because of the weight and the heel lift issue.
If you want softness, look elsewhere, maybe the Tecton X3. If you want something that handles back-to-back long runs with durability, and you don’t mind a bit of extra weight, this shoe could be a good fit.
Price, Color, and Where to Learn More
The Hoka Mafate X comes in at $225. It’s in line with other high-stack carbon-plated trail shoes. The Zest / Mountain Fog colorway is bold without being overpowering—bright citrus yellow with cooler gray accents. It looks fast, even if it doesn’t always feel fast. You can check it out on Hoka’s website, or find it at most specialty running shops. This shoe isn’t for everyone, but for the right kind of runner and the right kind of trail, it might be just what you’re looking for.