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When I saw the Hoka Mafat X for the first time, I thought, “That could be-the long-distance shoe that I need for my 50 mile value in Indiana. “ This breed is called dances with dirt gnaw bone, and while the name sounds quirky, the course is not a joke. With over 7,100 feet height profit and many hills, I needed a shoe that could take the distance without opening myself. The Mafat X looked like a great candidate. So I cut up and turned on miles. So it has been stopped so far.
First impressions and specifications
The Mafat X is not on the tip of the carbon-related trail shoe world-es in the head. Hoka packed a massive stack (49 -mm -heel / 41 -mm -forefoot), an 8 -mm drop and a Peba foam core with Eva. They threw a carbon plate, a shocked geometry, and put them off with a vibram megagip. On paper it sounds like a dream for a long, running area.
The listed weight for a men’s size 10 is 12.4 OZ, which is definitely on the heavy side. I haven’t weighed my size 13, but I can say that they feel heavy on the foot. No wonder if you move into the entire material in the midsole and upper material. From the moment I started running in them, they felt like plush tanks.
Ride and feel on the way
My first test run was on a hard -packed gravel road with mild hills. I noticed directly from the box how well the shoe was balanced. Despite the 8 -mm drop, it didn’t feel like I was leaning into a slope with every step. I am a forefoot/middle -footer, and this shoe didn’t make me adapt my step at all.
The journey is firm, but not hard. You get a bit out of the Peba, but the Eva looks off. It is not mushy and it is not rigid – it sits somewhere in between. The carbon plate ensures stiffness, especially under the forefoot, and that sometimes makes the journey snappy.
The shoe seems on apartments and descents. It rolls smoothly and the high stacking pillows. On uphill, I really noticed the weight. This jump does not quite translate and I had the feeling of having a lot of shoe with every step.
Stability on technical terrain
With such a high stack, I was worried about ankle rolls or a shaky feeling on uneven ground. Surprisingly, the shoe remained stable. I took it through some rocky paths and winding paths, and the shoe never felt unstable. The Foot Cage design and the structured heel cup did a good job to keep my foot on the spot – even on more technical routes.
The only real problem was evident on steep climbs. I noticed heel lift, especially when I wear thinner socks. I played around with the lacing and finally found that the use of the outer eyelets and wearing thicker socks improved the blocking. Even then, the heel lift never completely disappeared. It is manageable, but definitely something to consider if you climb a lot.
Fit and comfort
Hoka’s adaptation is usually hit or missed for me. I went with my standard hoka size, half a size of my usual, and the length felt perfect. There is enough space in the forefoot without being sloppy, and the upper material has a committed but forgiving feeling. The shoe volume feels a little low, especially on the inner edge, but after a few miles she shaped my foot well.
The tongue is handled, the heel collar is well packed and overall it is a comfortable shoe, but it is not flexible at all. The shoe feels more like a robust platform, the smooth paths deal well, although the stiffness is noticeable in longer, technical runs, where a little more flexibility would adapt to different terrain.
Outsole and traction
Hoka was not aggressive with the lugs, but the 3.5 -mm Vibram -Megagrip does the job. In the event of dirt, dry rocks and a few mild wet crosses, the traction was fixed. The outsole even has funny little taco and pizza graphics, a quirky note that I appreciated. I would not trust him 100%on mushy terrain or loose gravel, but it holds well for most hiking trails.
Last thoughts
After 60 miles in the Hoka Mafat X, I can say the following: It is a long-distance cruster, not a technical trail tackler. It is best suited for rolling terrain, fire roads and gravel paths – basically where you can simply decorate and run. It eats miles and takes long efforts. But it is not ideal for steep climbs or really technical routes, mainly because of the weight and heel lift problem.
If you want softness, take a look somewhere else, maybe the Tecton X3. If you want something that deals with baking-to-back runs with durability and nothing more to do with them, this shoe can fit well.
Price, color and where you can learn more
The Hoka Mafate X costs 225 US dollars. It is in line with other carbon -related path shoes with high stacking, carbon. The color of the shell / mountain fog is brave without being overwhelming – Bright Citrus yellow with cooler gray accents. It looks quick, even if it doesn’t always feel quick. You can check it on the Hoka website or find it in most special sales. This shoe is not for everyone, but for the right type of runner and the right kind of trail it could be exactly that you are looking for.
