Article by Sam Winebaum
Hoka Mafate X Hike ($250)
Introduction
The Mafate X Hike is a bold re expression of what a hiking/trekking boot can be. Hoka takes the dual supercritical foams (PEBA core, EVA outer carrier) deeply cushioned and carbon plated platform of the Mafate X (RTR Review) trail runner and turns it into a super boot
With an approximate 49mm heel / 41mm forefoot stack height and sitting on a very broad platform, the Hike is likely the most highly cushioned boot ever created, yet one that is neither mushy soft or unstable on terrain due to its innovative and effective upper.
The key difference from the Mafate X is that Hoka gives the Hike a boot height and a more supportive rear of the shoe.
Not content to just extend the rear collars up, the Hike combines a rear flexible plastic rear exo skeleton, a thin but somewhat pliable plastic shell and an inner neoprene bootie. The shell material ties into 2 hooks and a cord quick lace system that is incredibly easy to use with, as a bonus, this high boot is very easy to puil on and tie.
Clearly a boot and not a running shoe per say, the Hike to date in my testing is the fastest, most deeply protective, cushioned and supportive “light” boot I have ever tested. And at 14.7 oz / 417g US8.5 it is commendably light for so much boot.
To top it off, the right boot has a bright red central mesh strip with a Recco rescue reflector. Skiing apparel often has a Recco reflector, a passive no batteries system for avalanche rescue by hand held units at ski areas.
Why in a hiking boot? Recco is increasingly partnering with helicopter rescue services worldwide as they deploy an airborne version which can rapidly sweep large areas looking for the reflector at high speed, even under tree cover, never mind snow.
We attended a demo of this system last year in Courmayeur as reflectors were rapidly detected below our ride.
Pros:
Fast and long distances focused. Fastest boot I have ever hiked/walked
Tuned for hiking: Deep energetic cushion, carbon plate spring, and effective rocker
Ideal for everything from day hikes, to long treks, and even road walks.
Stable and planted on a very broad platform yet dynamic in forward motion and especially uphills and on flatter terrain
Comfortable, highly supportive upper that combines the rear ankle support of a boot with the front comfort of a trail run shoe
Combination of quicklaces and top hooks: very fast to lace and adjust, and stays that way
Versatile multi surface Vibram MegaGrip outsole
Recco rescue reflector: increasing number of helicopter borne detectors being deployed
Very reasonably light for the giant stack height and high ankle support elements
Cons:
The 49mm heel /41mm forefoot is very high stack height. Really needed?: somewhat lower stack height to reduce weight and increase stability and agility
A bit over springy (carbon H plate) at midfoot but only on larger rocks at slow paces
Inner boot and wrapping cuff in the rear of the upper: likely warm in higher summer temps, although it has ventilation holes and also warm in winter, a Pro.
Stats
Sample Weight: men’s 14.7 oz / 417g US8.5
Estimated Full Stack Height: 49 mm heel / 41 mm forefoot
Platform Width: 105 mm heel / 90 mm midfoot / 120 mm forefoot
$250. Available now.
First Impressions, Fit and Upper
Of course the first thing that jumps out is bright yellow and blue colors, black branding and off white rear exo skeleton of this giant and not to forget the right boot’s bright red Recco webbing strap.
Hoka clearly wanted to make a “loud” statement here and succeeded, maybe too much so as more than a few scoffed at the boot on our Instagram posts based solely on appearances. I guess the chatter creates buzz but I sort of wish Hoka had also launched with a second more boot like colorway. I personally like the look: bold, colorful and highlighting the technologies in no uncertain terms.
The upper is complex, to say the least, but is highly effective for hiking purposes
All the yellow areas are essentially a thin but completely closed somewhat flexible plastic shell.
Raised dots and pointy ones apparently are to protect the overlays as the shell appears incredibly durable.
Inside we have a full length bootie of a stretchy material with between inner and outer mesh surfaces an inner perforated material, likely not neoprene but similar in intent. which fortunately has some perforations and is spaced between inner and outer layers of mesh. It completely lines the inner part of the boot.
The rear of the boot has an external exo skeleton tying into the lacing with the side pieces a flexible plastic.
The structure extends to the rear and rises with ribs and is attached to the rigid heel counter underneath creating a rigid supportive far back of the boot with some give towards lace up as the plastic skeleton is not attached to the underlying yellow plastic somewhat flexible panels.
While tested so far in moderate temperatures the Hike is likely to be a warm boot, so good in fall, winter, and spring but likely (but to be tested) in summer. While there is no waterproof membrane, water resistance should be excellent due to the closed shell with some breathability and ability for moisture to enter via the blue areas. A gaiter should likely make them waterproof.
Putting the Hike on is delightfully easy for a boot. Take the cords off the 2 hooks, loosen the cords and slide your foot in. The neoprene inner boot stretches with the lateral side connected to the medial side with an elastic strap.
To lace pull the cords as you wish through the lower eyelets.
Cross at the top and hook. Pull the plastic piece to tighten then hook it down low on the laces. About as easy a shoe or boot to get on foot as I can recall.
The design likely takes inspiration from and reminds of nordic ski racing, plastic shell mountaineering boots and in some ways Salomon’s adventure racing shoes from way back with their exo skeleton but here focused with lighter modern materials on hiking.
The volume is very decent with the toe box moderately broad and high over the toes. My review pair is my usual US8.5 / EU 40 ⅔ and is true to size with no issues in the test. The fit and hold is boot perfect. I particularly like that the rear hold and stability is not the usual “fake” mid height adapted trail shoe where hold is hard to dial in. Here thanks to the exo skeleton, shell and cord laces hold is comfortable, total and is neither overbearing or loose. .
Midsole & Platform
More innovation and magic underfoot. The Mafate X Hike as far as we can tell has is identical underfoot to the Mafate X which while super fun to run was heavy and.. Near but not quite a boot.
This means we have an estimated 49 mm heel / 41 mm forefoot full stack height on a broad 105 mm heel / 90 mm midfoot / 120 mm forefoot platform.
The midsole has two different supercritical foams: a core of PEBA under foot and an outer carrier of supercritical EVA. Sandwiched between is an H shaped carbon plate with the bar stabilizing the midfoot.
Seen from the side we can see the EVA side walls get lower at the front of the shoe with the PEBA appearing, underfoot starting at the front overlays to allow some flex and softness on toe off while below the EVA remains for stability.
The cushioning is immensely deep and the plate effective to help roll the big stack along very very smoothly. While hiking trails or walking pavement, as I also did, there is an unmistakable energy and smoothness that in my experience is unique in a boot. In a word the Hike is fast very fast for a boot as I easily approached 4 miles per hour without really forcing things and even at altitude here in Park City I flew (relatively speaking for a 14.7 oz shoe) uphill.
Downhills were stable due to the wide platform. It was only on relatively flat very rocky areas at slow speeds that the midfoot felt a bit too springy, not as stable as I wished.
Outsole
The outsole has 3mm Vibram Megagrip lugs with total depth of traction (including carve outs approx. 0mm). Not particularly deep for a full on hiking boot (4-6 mm is more common) for big mountains but just fine for general use, trekking and decent trails. I do think deeper rubber could also improve long term durability.
The wide platform in combination with the outsole had me confident everywhere: gravel, rocks, road. I have not yet taken them in the wet or highly technical terrain and will update when I do but expect good traction.
Ride, Conclusions and Recommendations
The Mafate X Hike is striking in its appearance and its innovations. From its superb upper to its energetic super foams and carbon ride Hoka pulled out all the stops to create what I am calling the ultimate speed trekking and hiking long distance boot.
Borrowing from its trail racing shoes and nordic ski boot design, using the most modern materials, the Hike delivers a very fast, comfortable and stable ride.
It is light years better than Hoka earlier boot efforts such as the Kaha and Anacapa which quite frankly were essentially more lifestyle focused than hard core trekking hiking as the Mafate X Hike is.
I recently trekked in the Mafate 5 with a heavier weight pack and wished I had the Mafate Hike due to its superior, far more supportive upper, and more energetic and stable ride.
$250 is up there in price but not unexpected for a top quality trekking/hiking boot, Given the state of the art materials, expected durability and superb ride and upper I think the Hike is a good value.
Sam’s Initial Score: 9.5 /10
Slight deductions for relatively shallow rubber and I think a slightly lower platform would not take away from the ride while decreasing weight (or keeping it close with deeper rubber) and increasing stability on more technical terrain.
Sam is the Editor and Founder of Road Trail Run. He is in his 60’s with 2025 Sam’s 54th year of running roads and trails. He has a decades old 2:28 marathon PR. These days he runs halves in the just sub 1:43 range if he gets very, very lucky. Sam trains 30-40 miles per week mostly at moderate paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah be it on the run, hiking or on nordic skis. He is 5’9” tall and weighs about 160 lbs, if he is not enjoying too many fine New England IPA’s.
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