Hoka Mafate X Hike Review: Too Much?
Even for Hoka, known for its envelope-pushing designs, the Hoka Mafate X Hike ($250) is eye-catching, with its Big Bird yellow upper and blue neoprene cuff. But while its chunky midsole provides plenty of comfort, we found that the rest of the boot prefers form over function. The Mafate X Hike’s stability, responsiveness, and breathability are all circumspect, and we think it’s a bit expensive for its performance and durability.
Comfort
Support and Stability
Traction
Durability
Foot Protection
Sustainability
Terrain
Moderate/easy
Weight
2 lb. 0.6 oz.
Waterproof
No
Upper
Synthetic
Pros
Cons
Hoka Mafate X Hike
For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Hiking Boots.
Although the rest of the Hoka Mafate X Hike looks outlandish at first, the boot’s ultra-thick midsole (it has a 49mm stack height) is instantly recognizable. It’s also easily the Mafate X’s highlight, performance-wise: This boot has just about the best underfoot feel I’ve ever experienced. Its cushioning finds the perfect balance between squishy and structured, and while the midsole foam is soft, you still get enough stiffness that I wasn’t able to bend the shoe in half. (A carbon fiber plate within the midsole helps add backbone, as well as a touch of protection.)
Even fresh out of the box, the Hoka Mafate X Hike felt good to go as soon as I slipped it on. I put a few city miles on it first, then wore it on a 7-mile hike up to Grasshopper Pass in the North Cascades. It felt excellent as I made my way up and down the well-maintained trail, which was a pretty big relief for me. I’ve been suffering from an ongoing foot injury, and over the last year, I’ve tried on many boots that work with my feet. The Mafate X Hike offers enough cushion to take impact off my foot. During my testing, I wore it on back-to-back day hikes and stayed comfortable throughout, which is about the highest praise I can give a boot right now.
The tradeoff for having such a tall, cushioned midsole is that the Mafate X Hike is not a very supportive or maneuverable hiking boot. Its high stack and construction may help stave off foot soreness, but it also makes your foot feel much less connected to the ground. Precision takes a major hit as well, as the ultra-chunky build prevents it from feeling nimble. Plus, while Mafate X Hike’s cuff extends well above the ankle, it’s made from neoprene and doesn’t offer any real support. (The collar seems to be more of an attached gaiter, mostly made for keeping debris out.)
I only carried day-hike-sized loads while wearing this boot (about 15 to 20 lb.) and stuck to nicely maintained, rocky trails, but I still found it easier than I’d like to make a misstep and lose balance a bit. On a backpacking trip with a heavier load, I’d worry that the Mafate X’s height and lack of stability would make rolling your ankle much more likely, especially if you roam off-trail. Once things get steep, loose, or off route, it starts to feel like the wrong tool. Most hikers would find it fine for single-day outings on fairly level ground; just make sure you watch your step.
The Mafate X Hike’s Vibram Megagrip outsole has tall, widely spaced lugs, with a deep channel down the middle. The lugs towards the middle of the shoe feel relatively soft, while the others are firmer, and on established paths, the grip has been solid. As I hiked down a predominantly rocky trail in the North Cascades, I felt confident as I strode, and I was even pleasantly surprised by how the boot handled a few icy sections in my way.
However, as with the Mafate’s support, the outsole’s efficacy starts to decline once you head into rougher, steeper terrain. I accidentally wandered off route on one of my day hikes, and I ended up scrambling over steep dirt and roots. The lugs didn’t bite nearly as well into that type of ground, and when combined with the height of the midsole, I felt insecure in the terrain. I’d choose something else for scrambling, and I wouldn’t bet on the Mafate X Hike faring well in heavy mud, either. Stick to dry, relatively flat rocks and dirt with this boot.
I’ve only worn the Hoka Mafate X Hike for about 25 miles so far, but I have my reservations about its longer-term durability. My thoughts are largely informed by my experience with other super-plush Hoka hiking footwear, such as the Kaha 3: That boot’s foam midsole suffered notable degradation after about 50 miles, and the Mafate seems to be of similar build. Its soft, thick build may be great for insulating your foot from the ground, but I’m not sure it will hold up well in the face of rocks, roots, and general trail use.
The Mafate X Hike’s upper materials are thin and stretchy, but they haven’t shown wear yet. (I doubt they’ll fare as the upper of a leather boot.) The toe cap is small but feels sturdy for what it is, at least. My bigger worry is the boot’s quick-pull lace system: The laces are very thin, and if one breaks, it’s not the simple field fix you’d have with standard laces. I’m also skeptical of the small reflective silicone-like dots across the shoe—they feel like the kind of thing that could peel off over time in a way that’s not exactly inspiring. Only time will tell.
As opposed to durability, the Mafate X Hike’s underfoot protection is excellent. Between the thick foam and the carbon fiber plate, I can’t feel much of what I step on (for better or worse). That’s a major reason this boot works for me, to be honest; bruising from rocks hasn’t been on my mind at all, which is fantastic for my foot issues.
Upper protection is a different story. The toe bumper is one of the smallest I’ve seen—it’s more of a thin, stiff overlay than a chunky cap—and the surrounding material feels more like a running shoe than a boot. The heel has a stiffer, more structured design and feels protective. Around the ankle and sides, though, the armor is pretty minimal. When I scrambled in loose dirt and roots near Snoqualmie Pass, I could feel whatever I brushed against, and I didn’t get much shielding from the Mafate X’s materials.
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Given its bulk and thickness, it’s a little surprising that the Mafate X Hike weighs only a little over 2 pounds for the pair. That’s right in the middle of the hiking boot market and close to core models like the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid (1 lb. 15 oz.) and On Cloudrock Mid (1 lb. 15.1 oz.). On the trail, the Mafate’s weight didn’t nag as the miles added up, and I didn’t notice fatigue during testing. (That might say more about the midsole than anything else, though.)
Waterproof Liner
This is not a waterproof boot, but the Mafate X Hike handled compacted snow better than I expected. I stepped into snow up to my ankle and didn’t soak through, which suggests the materials can shrug off brief moisture, even if it’s not something I’d treat as a wet-weather boot. In snow, mud, and shallow puddles, the neoprene collar will help keep out water as well—but it won’t do much to keep you dry in the rain.
Breathability is mixed. The lack of a waterproof membrane and the thin upper materials help with dumping heat, but the neoprene collar traps warmth. Overall, this boot runs warm enough that I notice it when I’m working, especially compared to better ventilated models.
Lacing System
The quick-pull lace system cinches down and stays put. I didn’t need to retighten it throughout the day, and it won’t come undone the way traditional laces can. You do have to manually hook it around the last ankle-height eyelet to lock it in, and once it’s cinched, there can be a lot of extra lace.
In my case, that extra length of lace didn’t lie cleanly against the boot and tended to stick out, which was annoying. There’s a hook to stow it, but it can come undone, leaving a few inches unsecured. It didn’t feel like a tripping hazard (the lace is stiff enough that it doesn’t flop), but it does feel like something that could snag more easily than I’d like. The bigger concern is durability: The system would be hard to replace if it breaks.
I usually wear a women’s size 10 in street shoes, and often wear a 10.5 or 11 in hiking boots. With Hokas, I’ve found that I need to go a full size up to 11 to get enough toe box room. I got fitted at REI for the Hoka Mafate X Hike and landed on 11. (This boot has unisex sizing.)
The midfoot and the toe box fit me well. The heel cup is a bit too big for my foot, and I get some heel slippage. I’ve got an average-to-slightly-wide forefoot and a narrow heel, and it’s hard to find boots that lock the heel while still giving my toes room—this one leans toward toe comfort over heel hold.
Altra Olympus 6 Hike Mid GTX ($230): Max Cushion, Zero Drop, More Versatility
If you want a hiking boot that still delivers a plush underfoot feel but can handle a wider variety of terrain, the Olympus 6 Hike Mid GTX might fit the bill. Its midsole is also quite thick, but we found that it granted us far more confidence than the Mafate X Hike. Our tester reported a stable, planted feel, and the Olympus 6’s leather cuff and upper provide better lateral support than the Mafate’s neoprene collar and thin synthetic upper. This boot is also waterproof via a Gore-Tex membrane, which is better for wet conditions (and yet it still costs less). Just make sure you’re prepared for the feel of a zero-drop boot, as opposed to the Mafate’s 7-millimeter drop. For more, read our Olympus 6 Hike Mid GTX review.
La Sportiva TX Hike Mid Leather GTX ($219): A Lighter, More Nimble Option
Despite its leather build (which makes it more durable, comparatively), the TX Hike Mid Leather GTX weighs about half a pound less than the Mafate X Hike and feels far more agile. This boot offers both fantastic precision and bomber traction in everything from scree to boulders to mud, and a level of support that allowed us to shoulder a 45-pound pack with no discomfort. The TX Hike is also comfy, but perhaps not to the overly cushioned level that the Mafate is. But it’s a better all-around boot, and should appeal to anybody who doesn’t put comfort above all else. For more, check out our review of the TX Hike Mid Leather GTX.
Hoka's wild Mafate X Hike delivers standout comfort with a massive midsole and plush ride, but its tall stack and minimal structure limit stability on rugged terrain. It’s bold, cushy, and fun—just not for everyone.
Comfort
Support and Stability
Traction
Durability
Foot Protection
Sustainability
Altra took its max-cushioned trail runner and gave it a hiking treatment, adding a mid-height collar, Gore-Tex waterproofing, and a premium leather upper. The result is a very plush ride for high-mileage days and enough performance chops to handle rocky, mountainous terrain. Just make sure you like the zero-drop experience.
Comfort
Support and Stability
Traction
Durability
Foot Protection
Sustainability
A spin-off of La Sportiva’s popular TX approach shoes, this minimalist leather boot is surprisingly capable in most terrain and conditions. You can find more protective or rugged models, but we appreciate the balance of comfort and performance of the TX Hike Mid.
Comfort
Support and Stability
Traction
Durability
Foot Protection
Sustainability
Is the Mafate X Hike for You?
If your priority is comfort—real comfort, the kind that keeps you hiking when other boots start fights with your feet—the Hoka Mafate X Hike deserves your attention. Its tall, ultra-cushy midsole can feel like a dream come true even for hikers who have foot problems (case in point: our tester), and the Mafate X provides a dreamy ride if you’re sticking to easy-ish trails and low pack weight. Outside that, though, we’d look elsewhere. This boot’s lack of stability and precision, combined with its mediocre traction and durability, doesn’t bode well for tough terrain or backpacking. If you have $250 to burn on a do-it-all hiking boot, go with another model.
hit the trail
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