Hoka Mafate Speed 4 Trail Shoe Review. Finn's Favorite Hoka Trail Shoe of All Time! 

In my opinion the mafate is a better overall shoe then the newest Speedgoat. The cushion, lockdown, nimbleness is top notch. Find the mafate is great for fast 50k and longer miles. Probably one of my top shoes of 2022.

Love it so far! Somebody get Brett a mic 🤘🏻

Great, thorough review and discussion of the MS4. Would have been my trail shoe of the year if not for the Xodus Ultra. But for precision, rocky, technical running with decent stability for the stack, the MS4 is just fantastic. The upper has given some folks problems on the eyelet chain. Maybe someday HOKA will join the modern foam crowd, but the dual density profly stuff works well enough, even if it's not as propulsive as the Pebax-based trail options. And the fit/tongue on this are So, SO, much better than the Speedgoat 5

Had to chuckle sadly when you mentioned stumbling in the mafate, as I had my worst trail fall ever doing exactly this in the Mafate 2, narrowly missing shattering my kneecap in the process. I tried giving them a chance months later, and immediately caught my toe twice in a few miles -- they went straight into the trash after that. I've seen a review recommendation to bandsaw off those leading lugs, pretty hilarious. At least this version has redesigned the outsole to remove the gaping holes that would catch and hold on to 1/2" rocks; I had that happen to me with the mafate 2 during a race, and had to stop and take the shoe off to dig this giant pebble out of the outsole.

I'm shopping about for a shoe to take to CCC later this year and am definitely leaning to the Mafate! I've got a pair of La Sportiva Akasha 2 on the way, so we'll see.

Thank you for the review gentlemen. I have been wearing the Speedgoat since version 3 and wish they would have just left this shoe alone. The 4 started digging into my little toes and the 5 did the same as well as my lateral heel. Plus he 5 with it's non existent tongue left me scarred at the point where my laces are knotted. Literally dug holes into the top of each foot. In shoe stability is also an issue with the 5's. I am probably going to buy the Mafate 4 due to an upcoming 100 miler, the HURT100. Very technical terrain with lots of ups and downs. Although you have me wondering with it was hinted that maybe it was designed for up to 100K? Thoughts? Thanks again!

Great shoe! But! Do you happen to have a recommendation on something Similar that has a Slight bit more room for toe splay? Usually for me the Altra/Topo amount is a bit too much room up front. But I still find myself a tad confined in the Mafate.

At UTMB I believe Tollefson and Walmsley both wore the Mafate Speed…3? in 2021?

Curious to see how these compare to the Speedland GS:TAM's or Norda 001's

I know this is late but how is the width on these compared to say a trabuco max 2/3?

Can you please provide an update? How long did this shoe last? Did the upper or midsole die after 300miles or more like 500miles?

I enjoyed this shoe until two eyelet holes broke at mile 125. I know Seth James Demoor had the same issue with the eyelet chain. I have had build quality issues with Hoka in the past... Just my buyer beware two cents.... but I'm no shoe surgeon.

would you recommend to use this shoe in a backyard ultra ? :)