Hoka Speedgoat 5 vs Mafate Speed 4: Two Max-Cushion Trail Shoes, One Clear Winner

Introduction

Hoka’s Speedgoat 5 and Mafate Speed 4 are two of the brand’s most cushioned trail running shoes, and on paper they have a lot in common: tall midsoles, similar weights, the same heel-to-toe offset, and Vibram Mega Grip outsoles. But run them back to back and they feel like very different shoes. After covering real mileage in both, one clearly outperformed the other. Here is how they stack up.

Speed and Price at a Glance

The Mafate Speed 4 is the more expensive of the two, retailing for £160, while the Speedgoat 5 now sits at £140 on Hoka’s website. That is a noticeable bump for the Speedgoat, which launched closer to £125, so the price gap between the two has narrowed considerably.

Weight is nearly identical: the Mafate Speed 4 comes in at 295 grams in a UK 8.5, with the Speedgoat 5 just four grams lighter at 291 grams. Both share a 4mm heel-to-toe offset. One subtle difference sits at the outsole: the Mafate uses a lighter version of Vibram Mega Grip called Lightbase, which cuts outsole weight by around 30 percent while keeping the same sticky properties.

Midsole Feel: EVA vs ProFly

This is where the shoes really part ways. The Speedgoat 5 uses a lightweight CMEVA foam midsole that delivers a soft, bouncy, highly cushioned feel underfoot. It is very comfortable, especially over long distances.

The Mafate Speed 4 takes a more performance-driven approach with Hoka’s ProFly construction, a dual-compound setup using the brand’s lightest and most responsive foam. The top orange layer is plush and sits close to the foot for comfort, while the firmer bottom green layer keeps you connected, protected, and stable on uneven, technical trails.

The result is a midsole that feels comfortable on long runs yet stays responsive when you pick up the pace on shorter efforts, with noticeably better stability on rough ground than the Speedgoat’s setup.

Upper, Fit, and Comfort

Both uppers use engineered mesh, but the Speedgoat has a double-layered construction while the Mafate is single layered. Despite that, the Mafate’s upper feels a bit more substantial and arguably more durable. Both offer a flared heel, similar padding around the ankle collar and heel cup, a protective toe bumper, and a gusseted tongue.

The tongues differ significantly. The Mafate’s is thickly padded, while the Speedgoat’s is very thin. That extra padding translated into better comfort across the top of the foot on longer runs, and the Mafate’s midfoot lockdown was far better for a narrow foot shape, with no need to crank the laces down to stop lateral or medial slippage.

The Mafate is a fairly narrow, snug-fitting trail shoe. That suits narrower feet well, but runners with wider or higher-volume feet may struggle, and it does not come in a width option. The Speedgoat does offer a wide fit, which keeps it viable for a broader range of foot shapes.

Outsole and Traction

Both shoes wear Vibram Mega Grip rubber, and on rock, wet or dry, they perform almost identically. It is some of the best rubber available on a trail running outsole. The Mafate’s slightly chunkier lug design, however, gives it an edge in mud, offering a more consistent level of grip and traction across changing weather conditions.

Which One Wins?

Both are excellent shoes for long distances over mixed terrain: deeply cushioned midsoles soak up long sections of road and compacted trail, and that Vibram Mega Grip rubber is brilliant on rocky trails. But for overall performance, the Mafate Speed 4 comes out on top. The fit simply works better for a narrower foot, the ProFly midsole is one of the best deeply cushioned trail midsoles tested, and the lugs add traction where the Speedgoat trails slightly.

It even recalls the feel of the much-loved Speedgoat 3, a shoe many considered the best of that line. If you have a narrow foot and want one shoe to do everything from long easy miles to faster trail runs, the Mafate Speed 4 is the pick. If your foot is wider, or you value a wider fit option and maximum underfoot softness above all, the Speedgoat 5 still makes a lot of sense.

Conclusion

The Speedgoat 5 and Mafate Speed 4 share cushioning philosophy and world-class grip, but they reward different feet. The Mafate’s superior lockdown, dual-compound ProFly midsole, and muddier lugs give it the performance edge, while the Speedgoat 5 remains a comfortable, more width-friendly alternative. Choose based on your foot shape and how much stability you want on technical ground.