I recently turned 25, and as such, I’ve become a victim of what the Internet has dubbed the quarter-life crisis running obsession. And, being the Women’s Health associate health and fitness editor and a NASM-certified personal trainer, I’m constantly testing new running kicks, which has only fueled my new passion for pounding the pavement. Don’t believe me? Check out my picks in the latest WH 2025 Sneaker Awards.
With two half-marathons under my belt, I’d say I’m pretty well-versed in what to look for in road running shoes. I love thick, plush cushioning that’s versatile enough to take me from long runs to grocery store trips. For those reasons, I often gravitate towards Hoka shoes. But, recently, I started dabbling in trail running. I’m a total newbie but when Hoka dropped the Mafate X trail running sneaker, I couldn’t wait to try it.
Pros
- Dense, plush cushioning
- Split carbon plate adds stability and speed
- Woven upper is breathable
Cons
- Really roomy, but maybe runs a bit too big
| Upper Material | Woven |
|---|---|
| Colors | 2 |
| Sizes | 5-11 |
| Cushioning | Plush |
| Stability | Neutral |
After taking on my first trails in these, I can confirm that it’s top-notch for its thick cushioning, stability, speed, grip, and breathability, especially for beginners. They’re engineered for performance on the trails, but will bring you comfort when walking on the streets, too. With that, here’s my honest review of the Hoka Mafate X and who should invest in a pair.
How I Tested The Hoka Mafate X
I wore these shoes for a couple of trail runs of up to four miles in a hilly, mountainous terrain, in addition to walking around the concrete jungle of New York City for weeks. I got a good feel of how they work in different environments, whether the surface is rocky, sandy, or muddy.
How The Hoka Mafate X Performed
Cushioning: They’re ultra-plush and spare my feet from tough terrain.
I’m used to running 15 to 30 miles a week on roads without any obstacles, but the thick foam found similarly in the iconic Bondi 9 kept my feet comfy and mobile as I jumped over rocks, puddles, gravel, and tree branches. The cushioning also prevented me from feeling tiny pebbles beneath my feet as I took steps. The fact that the foam billows out a bit at the sides also stopped my feet from underpronating, which is when feet roll outward. Lastly, the eight-millimeter heel-to-toe drop helped my feet land lightly and absorbed some of the impact of my weight hitting the ground. For context, eight millimeters is considered a neutral drop with mid-height that distributes weight evenly and doesn’t put extra stress on knees, hips, and feet.
Stability: The neutral support is heightened by the carbon plate.
The Hoka Mafate X is also very stable—a hard balance to strike, but one that’s totally necessary for trail running. I credit the stability to the shoe’s carbon plate, a snappy, thin piece of carbon fiber sandwiched between the midsole and underfoot that helps propel you forward for speedy miles.
The plate is split, meaning it has two open splits throughout. It came in handy when running on uneven ground, and any time I underpronated or almost rolled an ankle, it helped my foot respond by bouncing back into place. This is huge considering these only have neutral support, meaning there’s no added innovations for stability, such as the J-frame found in the Hoka Arahi 7. Because of this, you may want to look for a shoe that’s more on the stable end that can help your arch and ankle from rolling inward too much.
Design: The smallest details make all the difference.
Having good grip is a must for any trail running shoe. While most running shoes don’t have lugs on the bottom, like the Bondi 9, these are designed to prevent slipping on rocks or any gravel roads. Plus, the MetaRocker(the boat-like part of the shoe that rocks feet forward during heel-to-toe transitions) propelled my feet ahead, even during tough uphill moments.
Of course, I also have to give kudos to the breathable woven upper material. Trail running sometimes comes with stepping into puddles (and sweaty feet). I definitely ran through a puddle or two, but because the Mafate X is so breathable, my feet dried pretty quickly by the end of a few miles.
Fit
The Mafate X definitely felt a tad roomy and the toe box was a bit wide, even with my laces tied pretty tight. Even though I wished the shoe felt a bit tighter on my foot, the roomier feel didn’t necessarily inhibit my performance in the shoe. I’d recommend maybe sizing down and seeing how that works for your foot.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy The Hoka Mafate X?
The Hoka Mafate X is definitely a high-stack maximalist shoe meant for longer runs and efforts. But because of its cushioning, stability, grip, and breathability, I recommend this shoe for any level of trail runner. Whether you’re a beginner or more advanced, it made my first trail runs easy and fun. You can definitely wear this shoe for road runs as well, but some of Hoka’s other shoes, like the Clifton 10, are a bit lighter and feel stable without a carbon plate (and the price tag). I’ll for sure continue lacing up this shoe for trail runs and even walks around the city.
Pros
- Dense, plush cushioning
- Split carbon plate adds stability and speed
- Woven upper is breathable
Cons
- Really roomy, but maybe runs a bit too big
| Upper Material | Woven |
|---|---|
| Colors | 2 |
| Sizes | 5-11 |
| Cushioning | Plush |
| Stability | Neutral |
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Addison Aloian is the associate health & fitness editor at Women’s Health, where she writes and edits across the health, weight loss, and fitness verticals. She’s also a certified personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). In her free time, you can find her lifting weights at the gym, running on the West Side Highway in New York City—she recently completed her first half-marathon—and watching (and critiquing!) the latest movies that have garnered Oscars buzz. In addition to Women's Health, her work has also appeared in Allure, StyleCaster, L'Officiel USA, V Magazine, VMAN, and more.
