REASONS TO BUY
Comfortable
Supportive
Light
Responsive
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Concerns about shortened midsole life
Hoka Mafate Speed 4 Review
An expert balance of technical prowess and responsiveness, plus ample comfort and a secure, natural-feeling fit, makes it a very versatile option
Credit: Matthew Richardson
By Matthew Richardson ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ May 3, 2025
RELATED: Best Trail Running Shoes for Men
Our Verdict
The Hoka Mafate Speed 4 stands out as an exceptional trail running shoe, merging a high degree of comfort with impressive performance capabilities. We recommend this model to runners who prioritize both nimble technical proficiency and responsive agility, yet still desire the reassuring sensation of substantial cushioning underfoot for longer efforts. The upper provides a comfortable and accommodating fit, while the strategically widened platform strikes an ideal balance, offering a natural and stable feel without compromising crucial midfoot lockdown. For those in search of a versatile, do-it-all trail shoe capable of handling a wide spectrum of conditions and distances, the Mafate Speed 4 should undoubtedly rank among your top considerations.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Hoka Mafate Speed 4 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Trail Running Shoe with Ultralight Cushioning | Best Crossover Road-to-Trail Performance |  Best Overall Trail Running Shoe for Men |  Best Value Men's Trail Runners | |
| Price | $185.00 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $195.00 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $116.25 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $190 List $159.05 at Amazon | $110.00 at REI Compare at 2 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This works for all skill types across varied terrain types and is one of our top recommendations | With each step you are picking up less than the competition, and for advanced runners the precision and speed are unmatched | Great technical performance with an excellent snug fit | A perfectly fitting, comfortable, and very protective shoe that just begs to be worn on long run days | While great in moderate terrain those in technical or loose may opt for something more rugged |
| Rating Categories | Hoka Mafate Speed 4 | Nnormal Kjerag | La Sportiva Prodigi... | Salomon S/Lab Ultra 3 | Brooks Divide 5 |
| Comfort and Fit (25%) | |||||
| Traction (20%) | |||||
| Stability (15%) | |||||
| Foot Protection (15%) | |||||
| Weight (15%) | |||||
| Sensitivity (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | Hoka Mafate Speed 4 | Nnormal Kjerag | La Sportiva Prodigi... | Salomon S/Lab Ultra 3 | Brooks Divide 5 |
| Measured Heel Stack Height | 37 mm | 25 mm | 29 mm | 31 mm | 38 mm |
| Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop | 3 mm | 8 mm | 5 mm | 8 mm | 11 mm |
| Rock Plate | No | No | No | No | No |
| Measured Lug Depth | 5.2 mm | 3.0 mm | 3.8 mm | 3.5 mm | 2.8 mm |
| Measured Weight | 10.95 oz | 8.05 oz | 9.79 oz | 10.64 oz | 10.55 oz |
| Upper | Jacquard mesh | Matryx Jacquard | PES Power Wire | Matryx Jacquard | Mesh |
| Midsole | ProFly+ | EExpure midsole | XFlow Speed | Energy Save PU foam with Profeel Film rock protection | Foam |
| Outsole | Vibram Megagrip with Litebase | Vibram Litebase Megagrip | FriXion XF 2.0 | Salomon Contagrip MA | Rubber |
| Sizes Available | 7 - 14 US regular | 4.5 - 13.5 US regular |
7.5 - 15.5 US regular | 4 - 13 US regular |
7 - 15 US regular |
| Heel Tab Type | None | None | None | None | None |
| Claimed Heel-to-Toe Drop | 4 mm | 6 mm | 6 mm | 8 mm | 8 mm |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Hoka Mafate Speed 4 is a thickly stacked shoe with 37 mm of cushion under the heel, a small, 3 mm heel-toe drop, and a wide platform that snugs down securely. It's ProFly+ midsole keeps it comfortable for long miles — yet still responsive at quick paces — while deep 5.2 mm lugs maintain exceptional traction. It's heavier than average, at 10.95 ounces per shoe (US men's size 10.5), but stands out as an excellent option for runners who demand both comfort and technical performance.
The Mafate Speed 4 combines stability, responsiveness, and comfort into a do-it-all package.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Comfort and Fit
The Mafate Speed 4 receives high marks for its comfort and fit without feeling overbuilt. The upper is what we've come to expect from Hoka, offering nice materials and a roomy but secure footbox. We found the construction to be both durable and breathable, offering good on-trail and off-trail performance.
The highlight of this shoe's comfort is the ProFly+ midsole, which offers a great blend of responsiveness and underfoot cushion. As with most Hokas, you can expect out-of-the-box comfort with a minimal break-in period. Other shoes often take nearly a 100 miles to break in, so this is great for those who want comfort up front. I found this model to feel great while traversing a wide variety of terrain types and distances.
The Mafate Speed 4s noticeable cushion doesn't prevent it from feeling fast and lively.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Traction
With Vibram Megagrip, you can expect reliable traction on a wide variety of surfaces. We also find this to be one of the more durable blends on the market, which is always an added benefit. Our lab team measured the lugs at a depth of 5.2 mm, which is one of the tallest in our lineup. When paired with its wide platform, you get an excellent grip and lots of surface area contact, providing confidence across a diversity of terrains. If you plan on spending a lot of time in sharp scree and talus, though, you may opt for a shoe that does not have exposed foam on the outsole like the Mafate does.
Aggressive lugs provide good grip in a wide variety of terrain types and provides good grip even when wet.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Stability
The Mafate Speed 4 feels lively and energetic, and its wide platform gave me a good sensation of stability. I found the model plenty stable to provide support through my ankles, knees, and toes. If you like firmness and rigidity in your shoes, you may find this cushioning too soft.
Our lab team measured this shoe with a heel-toe drop of 3 mm. This provides a sure-footed feel but can become more fatiguing on days with a lot of vertical relief. Due to this, we'd recommend the Mafate Speed 4 for on-trail technical terrain running. For alpine running and elevation-change objectives, we think there are better options out there. Ultimately, the wide platform and neutral drop give this a great sensation of stability across a wide variety of trails and should work for most users who want a great all-arounder.
An internal look at the Hoka Mafate Speed 4 cushioning.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Foot Protection
With a measured heel stack of 37 mm and forefoot stack of 34 mm, you can expect plenty of foam between you and the ground. This model does not have a rock plate, but I never felt like it needed one. With plenty of cushioning, rocks never made their way through the midsole or left me feeling uncomfortable or fatigued. Users in heavily rocky terrain may want something with a bit more stiffness to provide that extra bit of confidence. However, I found this shoe to be plenty protective for everything from buffed trail to technical ridgelines.
The wide platform helps provide good ground feel and protection against fatigue even in long distance ultras.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Weight
Our in-house lab team measured each US men's size 10.5 shoe at 10.95 ounces. In our assessments, this is the biggest knock to the Mafate Speed 4 — but in reality, the shoe is a reasonable weight for the amount of protection and comfort it provides. Its low drop and responsiveness make it feel plenty snappy and quick. I loved taking this on technical trails, but it also excelled on road runs and gravel paths. Its wide platform feels consistent and predictable, leading to happy running.
Weighing the Hoka Mafate Speed 4 in the lab.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Sensitivity
The low drop really increases the sensitivity and ground feel of the thick Mafate Speed 4. The neutral design makes the foot strike feel natural and predictable. There is little rocker to influence you, which I always appreciate for keeping me in check with the terrain. If you want increased sensitivity, we'd opt for something with less stack and a slightly firmer midsole.
We verified the stack height of every shoe to make sure you are getting standardized, comparable values.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Should You Buy the Hoka Mafate Speed 4?
We'd absolutely recommend the Hoka Mafate Speed 4. This is one of the best all-arounders in our lineup. We'd recommend it most for those who want a technical shoe that does it all without sacrificing comfort. The Mafate Speed 4 will excel best in trail conditions ranging from easy to technical. Our only reservations would be if you plan on tackling super technical terrain above treeline. The exposed outsole on the Mafate Speed 4 will wear more quickly than something with a full rubber outsole. The drop could also be too low for some, but if you're experienced with low drop or give yourself a break-in period, we think you'll be stoked on this model.
The Mafate Speed 4 is an all-arounder you can depend on and it's one of our top recommendations if you need a model that can do it all.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
What Other Men's Trail Running Shoes Should You Consider?
For runners tackling less complicated terrain but who want high comfort and responsiveness, we'd recommend the Brooks Catamount 4. If you're planning on running off-trail often, consider the Nnormal Tomir 2.0. With a full rubber outsole and increased drop, this is one of our favorite models for covering rocky ground. If you're looking for an even faster racer but still want performance in technical terrain, check out the La Sportiva Prodigio Pro.
—Matthew Richardson
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