Hoka Mafate Speed 5 First Look: Cushioned Long-Haul Trail Running

Introduction

Some shoes are built for short, fast outings. The Hoka Mafate Speed 5 is aimed squarely at the other end of the scale: long hours on mountain trails, where cushioning and control matter more than outright speed. With a bigger stack of foam, a pronounced rocker and a dual-density midsole, this latest version of Hoka’s max-cushion trail shoe promises more comfort for the long haul without giving away too much ground feel.

To see how it holds up, we put early miles in on genuine mountain terrain: steep climbs, technical descents, wet and muddy sections, plus some runnable trail and road stretches. Here is how it went.

Key Specs and What Is New

Official stack figures were not available at the time of testing, but reported numbers put the heel at around 43 mm and the forefoot at 35 mm, for an 8 mm drop. The shoe weighs in at 11 oz (312 g) in a men’s UK 8 / US 9 test pair, and in the UK it retails at £170.

The headline change is the midsole. Hoka has moved to a dual-foam setup with a higher overall stack than before. A layer of soft, springy supercritical EVA sits directly underfoot for a lively ride, with more of it positioned under the heel. Beneath the forefoot, a stabilising, impact-absorbing compression-moulded EVA layer works with a TPU plate to add control at toe-off, a bit of pop, and to help accentuate the rocker.

The upper is a warp-knit construction with an anti-fray treatment for durability. There is a dynamic vamp for more forefoot flex, a TPU cage for support, a flat wrapping tongue, softly padded heel collar, and gaiter attachment points if you want them. Underneath, a Vibram Megagrip outsole with 5 mm lugs handles traction and durability.

How It Runs: Cushioning, Control and Grip

The clearest strength of the Mafate Speed 5 is how balanced the ride feels. The supercritical foam delivers a good blend of cushion and energy, while the firmer forefoot EVA and TPU plate keep things supported and controlled. On steep climbs, when you are up on the midfoot and forefoot, the shoe feels stable and connected. On descents and technical downhills, it retains a reassuring reliability through the midfoot, which inspires confidence on trickier ground.

Where it really shines is on tarmac and flatter, runnable sections. Land further back and the softer rearfoot foam provides a springy, smooth roll that would be welcome on very long days, particularly if you are stretching runs into many hours on foot.

Grip was tested in genuinely wet and muddy conditions on a steep slope, and the Vibram Megagrip outsole held up well. Comfort on the foot was also good over the initial runs, and the shoe runs lighter than its chunky appearance suggests.

Things to Consider Before Buying

One caveat stands out. If you land far back on your heels on steep descents, the supercritical foam in the rear can feel a little soft and wobbly. It is not as unruly as some max-cushion rivals of that type, but less confident descenders may notice it.

The other issue was a small amount of toe rubbing on the big toe of the right foot. It only occurred on one foot, so it may be a fit quirk rather than a design flaw, but it raises a question about comfort over very long distances. Going half a size up could help, though it risks losing the locked-in feel that contributes so much to the shoe’s sense of control. This is something worth testing for yourself before committing.

Early Verdict

After three runs of around an hour each on demanding terrain, the early signs are positive. The dual-foam midsole does an effective job of pairing control with cushioning, and the ride adapts nicely depending on terrain, whether you are pushing uphill on the forefoot or needing extra contact on steep descents.

Compared with Hoka’s Speedgoat, this shoe offers noticeably more cushion while still preserving a good degree of ground feel and connected control. If you want that extra plushness for long-haul trail running but do not want to give up all of your feedback from the trail, the Mafate Speed 5 looks like an interesting option.

Conclusion

The Hoka Mafate Speed 5 makes a strong first impression as a capable long-haul trail shoe with surprising versatility for its stack height. Strong grip, a well-judged dual-foam ride, and good comfort are the highlights; heel softness on steep descents and the possibility of toe-box rubbing are the things to watch. If your running leans toward big mountain days and ultra distances, this shoe deserves a spot on your shortlist.