Expanded Cons of Mafate 5

Heavy

At 11.7 ounces per shoe for men’s size 10, HOKA Mafate 5 exists at the far heavy end of the trail runner spectrum. For context lightweight models are usually in the 8-9 ounces range, so these are ~20% heavier. As such, this is not an optimal race shoe; much more of a daily driver. With that much foam and a stack height nearly 45mm, what do you expect? Still though, a well informed foot will immediately feel the weight, and it does make the shoe a bit slower and less efficient.

Lost sense of ground feel

Tall stack heights reduce the wearer’s perception of what’s underfoot, raise center of gravity, and overall decrease one’s sense of balance. Not by a large amount, but those used to thinner shoes, like 25mm Altra Lone Peaks, will immediately feel the effects. If you’re coming to the Mafate’s from a tall stack height shoe like Speedgoat or Challenger, this will feel no different.

Tongue is too short, laces rub directly on sock

Short tongues are such an irritating and easily fixable oversight, and it really grinds my gears when designers commit this sin. I happen to have a low volume ankle, which means I prefer to use the secondary/rear eyelets. Using them shifts the alignment of the lace knot slightly upward, beyond the upper limit of the tongue, and directly onto the sock. This creates an obvious and easily fixable pressure point that can be aggravatingly uncomfortable on the downhill. Speedgoat 6s have this same flaw; please do better next time HOKA.

Plastic overlays on the side reduce breathability

While they do add structure, water resistance, and durability, the TPU overlays over the sides of warp knit mesh reduce breathability. About 40% of the total mesh surface area is covered in it, making the shoes 40% less air permeable than they could have been. This increases heat build up, sweat, and the likelihood of blisters. I’m currently obsessed with the hyper breathable Challenger 8s, which have no TPU overlays and showcase just how ventilated a shoe mesh can be.

Lateral heel instability

For the most part, I really like the cushion on Mafate 5 and find it to be extremely comfortable underfoot. However, I have noticed some lateral instability at the heel. That is, when heel striking at odd angles or on rough terrain, the foam in that area is a bit too soft, causing the heel to crush partially collapsing the corner, and potentially resulting in over pronation.

Non-extended heel tab

I’ll admit it, I’m guilty of slipping in and out of shoes without untying/re-tying the knot. Part of this is because my low volume feet can fit. But HOKA’s extended heel tabs, as seen on Challenger 8 and Speedgoat 6, are another enabling factor. When you have the extended heel tabs, slipping in does not crush or collapse the structure of the heel cup. But this feature is not present with the Mafate 5s. Gone are the extended heel tabs, and the days of me slipping in and out of them with ease. Sad!

Expensive

$185 for a non-carbon plated trail runner is getting dangerously close to $200. I know that the Mafate recipe requires multiple foams (and lots of it), as well as the rocker stiffener insert… But come on. Other brands would sell this for $150-160.