When you think of Hoka, you probably think of the brand’s plush, comfy road running shoes, like the fan-favorite Cliftons or Bondis. While it’s true that Hoka pioneered the popular max-cushion shoe trend, those high-stack designs actually got their start off the roads, with the launch of the Mafate trail running shoe back in 2010.

Hoka’s latest trail shoe, the Mafate X ($225, hoka.com and rei.com), is a sort of nod to that history—it has key features for outdoor runs, with the same high stack height that Hoka devotees have come to know and love. It also has a forked carbon fiber plate in the midsole for a pop of speed and added stability.

Hoka

Mafate X

$225

Hoka

$225

REI

Skeptics, hear me out: I realize that, while a high stack of cushioning and a carbon plate can be major selling points for fast road running shoes, they may seem like overkill in a trail running shoe. I also had those doubts when I started testing the Mafate X—but I’m not too proud to admit that I was wrong. Here’s how the Mafate X changed my mind, and why it’s become my go-to for off-road summer adventures.

The design

Since the launch of the original Mafate, Hoka has released lots of newer versions. What makes this one stand out? The carbon fiber plate in the midsole.

Originally meant to provide pop to road racing shoes, carbon fiber plates are slowly making their way to trail shoes, with mixed results. On paper, it doesn’t make much sense: Carbon plates work by pushing you off the ground fast—but on trails, the ground is often soft or uneven, so having a plate in your sneaker might throw off your balance.

However, the plate in the Mafate X is forked (or shaped like a narrow “V”), with two sides that move independently. This is especially key for runners who over- or underpronate (meaning your ankle rolls inward or outward, respectively, as you run). Instead of twisting an ankle on the trails, you’ll stay light on your feet as the forked side of the plate helps push you back into a normal gait. It’s a stability feature as much as it is a speed one.

Another great design feature: Inside the Mafate X, the foam is molded to frame your foot, adding additional stability. This is crucial for running on uneven trail surfaces and preventing blisters that can pop up during long (or wet) adventures, experts confirm. “The big thing with trails is that your foot is really locked in there—you don’t want your foot sliding around,” says Heather Jackson, a professional trail runner for Hoka. “This shoe really cradles the heel—that was one of the big things I noticed.”

A grippy outsole is another must, to prevent slipping and sliding. The Mafate X’s is made of Vibram rubber, which is known for its best-in-the-biz traction. The lugs on the outsole (a.k.a. the pattern on the bottom of the shoe—think of them like treads on a tire), are as fun as they are functional: They’re shaped like pizza and tacos, as a nod to two foods that trail runners often turn to for fuel.

Like most trail shoes, the Mafate X also has a protective toe cap to block rocks and roots. The rest of the upper is more durable than the mesh ones you often find on road shoes, but still surprisingly breathable, with lots of ventilation to keep air moving—and water, in the case of river crossings or unexpected puddles.

Fit and feel

This shoe has a wide toe box: My toes had more room than they needed to wiggle around. (It almost fit more like an Altra shoe, which is known for having a wide, anatomical toe box). I wondered if it would feel too roomy on my run, but I appreciated the fact that my toes weren’t rubbing against anything when my feet got unexpectedly soaked and still emerged unscathed.

Wearing the Mafate X, it’s clear that the midsole is all about comfort. But it’s not just the foam cushioning that feels luxurious—the heel collar is also super padded and comfy, while the sock liner feels nice and soft.

Stepping into a carbon-plated road running shoe can be awkward—it can feel weird to stand still (or even walk) with the aggressive plate pushing you forward. That isn’t the case with the Mafate X—I honestly didn’t even notice the plate when I first put them on and took them for a test run.

On the run

The Mafate X is designed with the ultrarunner in mind, who needs extra cushioning to stay comfortable and protected over many miles, plus a carbon plate for pushing the pace. I’m no ultrarunner, but I did take the shoe on a 10-mile trail run (and some shorter routes) over gravel and single-track dirt trails, as well as the occasional roads.

As I briefly pounded the pavement en route to the trails, I noticed that the shoe felt surprisingly soft and bouncy on the roads. It has that classic Hoka metarocker toe-off—which isn’t a given for trail shoes, as they can feel clunky on hard surfaces. I credit this to the layer of soft PEBA foam in the Mafate X’s midsole and the shoes’ 3.5-millimeter lugs, which are small for a trail shoe, but still got the job done on dirt. I’ll try to avoid running on the pavement with the Mafate X, so I don’t wear down the outsole too quickly. But it’s nice to know that if my run involves a bit of road, I can keep going without having to change my route.

The Mafate X was really in its element on gravel. It felt like it was absorbing the impact of all those small rocks, for a far smoother ride than I’m used to on that kind of terrain. On more technical, single-track trails, the carbon plate was surprisingly helpful: I have weak ankles and only run on trails a few times a month, so I often turn my ankles a couple of times whenever I’m out there. (No injuries thus far—knock on wood.) I didn’t have a single ankle turn in the Mafate X, thanks to that forked carbon plate, which kept me and my landings steady on uneven surfaces.

It was raining during my long run in the Mafate X, and the ground became increasingly muddy, but the shoe’s traction kept me from slipping. The inside of the shoe was a slightly different story—once my socks were soaked, through, my heel started to move around a bit. Luckily, that didn’t result in any blisters or rolled ankles. (Next time I wear these shoes, I’ll try tying them in a runner’s knot to see if that helps lock my heel in.) On a different run, I was impressed by how quickly the shoes drained water from the puddles I stepped in.

The only other downside to these shoes is the weight—they did start to feel a bit heavy towards the end of my run, and I had to keep reminding myself not to drag my feet to avoid tripping over roots or rocks.

Bottom line

I may not be signing up for any 100-mile races anytime soon (though I’ll never say never), but the comfort and stability that makes the Mafate X ideal for long hauls also makes it a great everyday trail shoe. Personally, the fact that it kept my ankles from rolling is reason enough to add this shoe to the top of my trail rotation. I also loved how the carbon plate added stability and helped me pick up the pace when I wanted to, but was otherwise barely noticeable.

I’m not sure how well the shoe’s wide footprint would be able to navigate tricky footing on more technical trails, so I wouldn’t recommend it for that. But otherwise, gravel trails and off-road summer adventures have met their plush, chunky match.

Related:

• Hoka Mach X Review: A Daily Running Shoe That I’d Actually Wear on Race Day
• The Best Long-Distance Running Shoes, Recommended by Experts
• These Hoka Dupes Are Just as Good as the Real Thing

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