Hoka Mafate Speed 4 Full Review

[@prid99]

That thicker tongue is underrated when doing steep technical downhills. Compared to the SG5 where you get a huge amount of lace bite going down, this one feels right at home even with that stack. The midsole and grip are the standouts for me, more bite vs the SG5 and the shoe feels like 2 parts under foot and that’s great in technical vs the SG5s that feel like one single piece and is great for steady rolling trails. I think Hoka did a good job at separating the intended uses for these shoes, they just need to market the differences better!

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Totally agree, Patrick! If Hoka were to change the tongue of the SG5, it would be a great 100 mile distance shoe IMO. Not sure the firmness of the Mafate Speed 4 would work for me at the 100 mile distance.

[@twmUX]

Agree completely!

[@notoriousrjg]

Can confirm, amazing Winter trail running shoe. The grip is unbelievable, and the softer ground feel works perfectly on Winter terrain. Keeps my feet quite warm with some heavy wool socks.

[@UltraTrailSteven]

I agree!

[@antonioaragoneses874]

Great review! I have wide feet and had to go 1/2 size up to feel more comfortable and avoid rubbing issues in my toes. It was a good decision. The MS4 shine in damp conditions: not only the outsole is amazing but also the mesh seems to avoid water inside your feet. Comfortable and stable shoes. Perfect for technical terrain and long distances. Also great gripping in dry conditions. Still have to test them at fast paces (I'm running slowly after an injury)and in hot weather. They won't excell in those conditions but still need to check how versatile they are at high temperatures and paces.

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Yep! They are great shoes!

[@chuckpotter1209]

Considering changing from La Sportiva Bushido to these Hokas. Good review. Thanks.

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Thanks. The Bushido and the Mafate Speed 4 are completely different shoes for different uses in my opinion.

[@ericperramond3463]

Great review - amazing grip, the toebox is a bit more snug than SG5 or the older EvoMafate2 with the Matryx upper, but these are fantastic medium-distance trail shoes for me. A bit of toe rubbing after 15-16 miles, but such a great shoe. I'll take these over the SG5 any.day.of.the.week (because of the tongue on this).

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Thank you. I agree, the tongue is MUCH better than the SG5.

[@twmUX]

This shoe! Only 2 runs in but WOW. Full confidence in mix terrain. WAY better than Speedgoat 5. Insane traction, love it!!!

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Totally agree!

[@limkelvin1246]

Hi Steven, great review there!!! Got myself a pair of MS4 but haven’t got the chance to try it yet, I have a wide feet and I did up half size, so far the shoe fitting works for me (got 2 pairs of SG5 wide).

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Glad to hear! I hope you like them! Thanks!

[@andreashjalmarsson9886]

Lim, can you please comment on fit SG 5 in wide vs Mafate 4. I have the mafate and they do some rubbing on my top part big toe. Thinking of going up one size or try SG in wide or even wide plus halfebsize for ultra distances.

[@andreashjalmarsson9886]

I have Speedgoat 4 as well and comparing insoles they are exact same size as Mafate speed 4.

[@stevendavis6556]

Great review Steven. I've had my eye on these for my next trail running shoe. Noticed you are wearing your TN shirt with pride after the Bama upset ! Looking forward to GA vs TN game.

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Thanks, Steven! That should be a good game!

[@erikalfan1027]

thanks for the review of hoka shoes which was very fun and helped us all...

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Thanks

[@dmac6119]

Awesome review! I have this shoe and loove it. Shoe of the year for me. Although i do have to say that the second to the top eyelet tore through on my left shoe. Hoka probably should put some kind of stitching along the eyelet chain to improve the durability. Luckily it hasnt hindered the lockdown much at all so im still enjoying some miles in them(currently at around 120 miles in my pair).

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Glad to hear you are liking them!

[@kenmillionx]

Hoka shoe is so simple to wear. Much love 💕💕💕😘😘..

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Thanks

[@twmUX]

Just an incredible shoe. The grip is outstanding, and is my go to winter shoe . I will be curious to see how hot it might get breathability wise in the summer, but so far it’s growing on me. (Have a few other shoes in the mix that I’ve been comparing it to). As far as SG 5’s….pay the extra money for these. Speed goats aren’t as snappy on the flats, and that tongue on it is no bueno.

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Totally agree. This are far better than the SG5’s.

[@davitjughashvili5969]

Great review! I wonder how they compare to Evo Mafates 1st and 2nd gen., which are to my mind, the best long distance shoes overall especially when it comes to underfoot protection

[@UltraTrailSteven]

I never got to test those unfortunately.

[@triathlongeek111]

Has anyone done a Spartan "beast" Race in these? Looking at shoes and narrowing down the options!

[@UltraTrailSteven]

No clue, sorry

[@robking5096]

Do these have more toe box room than the challengers? Just did a 50k in those and my big toes were screaming after mile 24.

[@UltraTrailSteven]

No, I would say the Challenger 7 is maybe a tad bit more roomy than the Mafate Speed 4 in the toe box.

[@alexgiov5116]

Hey Steven, great review! How does it compare to the Salomon Ultra Glide for narrow feet (size 12)? Torn between these two for my first 100km race.

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Probably a bit more width than the Ultra Glide. These will last longer probably

[@LucaPS3]

Great review! Didn’t you find the temptation to go half size down? Maybe it’s just me, but compared to the 3’s, these are wider and longer.

[@UltraTrailSteven]

They are definitely long in the toe box, but it still works for me. Thanks!

[@gregpirtle1109]

I love the shirt Steven! Go Vols!

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Go Vols!

[@seekingUltraNick]

Nice review, Steven! Might give them a shot -if I find them on clearance. Not enough pros for my area trails to part with that $$. BUT, I also have a narrow-er foot (size 11 🤘) so we’ll see what shakes out. I’m debating giving the SG5 another shot as well. Btw, way to rep for TN with the shirt! 👍

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Thank you, Nick. The SG5 is more plush of a ride, but the tongue of the Mafate Speed 4 is so much better! GO VOLS!

[@tylerbugbee4779]

How is the stability?

[@UltraTrailSteven]

It has been great! I have since run three 100 mile races in them!

[@michalhermano]

Can I use these shoes for dailu walks? Thanks

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Certainly. Any shoe can be used for daily walk so I guess

[@crunchyapplepie4987]

I love its upper and grip. Its upper provide way better lockdown than speedgoat 5. You just can't fault any shoes that use vibram outsole. Mafate shine most in damp and muddy conditions, though, they can perform in any terrain. However, this is where all my agreements end. My thoughts differ when it comes to its stability. Mafate is way more flexible than speedgoat. I find myself being more attentive when i enter the rocky region. Loosing focus entail to ankle rolling and it really sucks when it happens half way through your run. Lastly, i would really appreciate if Hoka could stop thinning out their insole. Those crepes barely do its job!

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Yeah better lockdown for sure. Interesting… I feel more sure footed in the Mafate than the Goats. The Goats seem to sit higher to me. 😆 crepes!

[@Thefifaplayeryant]

Depends a lot what shoes you regularly use for rocky stuff...I agree that the combination of stack height and "flexibility"/"ground feel" Takes a bit of time, but after the MFS4 is completely broken in, it works...comparing with the Hoka SG3 (only SG I ran due to toebox) I think the shoes perform both equally "stable" (more or less)...this much cushion is always a compromise on rocky/technical I think

[@UltraTrailSteven]

@@Thefifaplayeryant agreed. I prefer less cushion on 50 miles or below for that reason.

[@Thefifaplayeryant]

@@UltraTrailSteven me too, in theory. My joints don't allow me the shoes I enjoy running though, therefore I try to take the compromise...pure trail, I really like my Inov 8 Terraultra G270, but if lots of hard packed forrest routes, I enjoy more cush, Cheers

[@TrailSage]

Great review Steven. As you know I currently run in the Speedgoats so I will be curious to see how they compare. I was surprise to see how much the tissue didn't move in the test, but like you said, it will probably be great in the Fall and Winter. Totally agree on the Vibram soles! What are your thoughts on the elf ear heels? I might be in the minority but I'm bummed that Hoka has done this with a bunch of their shoes.

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Thank you, Sage. Personally, the elf ear doesn’t bother me. However, I do know folks that it agitates their Achilles. The tongue on the MS4 is so much better than the tongue on the SG5.

[@Thefifaplayeryant]

I run the MFS4 and really like the shoes, elf tale doesn't bother me but depending on terrain, a bit of debris comes in from time to time. Not a big deal, but rarely happens with my other shoes on the same (home-)trails, so it's not my gait ...

[@UltraTrailSteven]

@@Thefifaplayeryant I agree, sometimes it acts like a chute for debris.

[@CelineFerocious]

That’s a nice tongue. I hate it when the tongue doesn’t stay in the center.

[@CelineFerocious]

Vibram always 10/10

[@UltraTrailSteven]

HAHAHA sorry that just reads too dang funny! HAHA

[@CelineFerocious]

@@UltraTrailSteven hahaha after I wrote it I was like “should I…yeah I’m gonna go ahead and leave it like that”

[@UltraTrailSteven]

@@CelineFerocious 😂 truth 🤪