When I heard the Hoka Mafate Speed 4 Lite were on their way to me, I was super excited. For those who don’t know, this trail shoe was born out of a collaboration with Hoka and the uber-fashionable French running brand Satisfy. They had a limited edition release of the high end collab that sold out super quick.
This latest version of the shoe was made for the average consumer at a typical price point, keeping the same fashion elements as the collab with some minor changes. It’s branded as a lifestyle shoe, but has the rugged base needed for all your trail adventures.
The traditional Hoka Mafate model has really taken over as the trail shoe of choice with consumers. It’s a little slimmer than the ever-loved Speedgoats (my favorite! – my old favorite? No spoilers!) with some serious treads.
The Mafate Speed 4 Lite has some minor upgrades from previous models, making this lightweight shoe perfect to transition from trails to road and everything in between.
If you were hoping to snag a pair of the exclusive Hoka x STSFY collab but weren’t lucky enough, we promise you that you will not be disappointed with these.
Who Is It Good For?
Who is the Hoka Mafate Speed 4 Lite a good fit for, let’s break it down by some common categories:
- Wide feet: The shoe does run narrow, but with the laces you can adjust the fit.
- Technical trails: Absolutely! These have some of the most serious treads I’ve ever run in – don’t be afraid to go off the beaten path.
- Long runs: These work well for long runs – if you’re dipping into super-ultra distances you may want something a little heavier with more support, but I think this shoe will do well for distances up to 50k.
- Front of the Pack: Yes! The lightness of this shoe will do well with a performance focus in mind.
This is such an interesting shoe – it’s branded as a lifestyle model, but it performed really well on the trails. The collab-nature of the release has it fitting into a new kind of category, but I wouldn’t shy away from running hard in these.
So who is it good for? I’d say serious trail runners who also prioritize the style side of the sport.
Hoka Mafate Speed 4 Lite Overview
Talk about one of the most in-demand trail shoes currently on the market. When the exclusive collaboration shoe first dropped, it sold out almost immediately. They couldn’t even keep it in stock at UTMB (one of the biggest ulta marathon trail running races in Europe).
So, to make inventory more available, they made one minor tweak by changing out the speed laces, and voila!
The Mafate Speed 4 Lite arrived at more doorstep the day before a 22k trail race; I know what you’re thinking; nothing new on race day! But I was too excited, so do as I say not as I do folks. I was taking these guys out for a race. Lucky for me, this was not a mistake (this time…)
Out of the box, these looked great. I received the “cold brew and oatmilk” colorway; they also come in a tone on tone black. I’m never one to prioritize style over substance, but if you find a shoe with both? Yahtzee!
They also provided a second pair of light blue laces, if that’s your jam – I chose to stick with the monotone.
On race day, I immediately noticed how sticky these treads were – the Vibram megagrip technology on the lugs are serious business. They reminded me of the treads on the Saucony Peregrine, but a little more boxy.
I knew right away I could feel confident running on technical terrain and slick rock faces. The shoes have a good amount of support and I felt comfortable during my 14 miles on the trails. I finished with happy feet!
After that, I took these out on several technical trail runs ranging between 4 and 10 miles. The light upper is a real treat and I was able to pick up the pace when it felt right. On big climbs and steep descents, the megagrip helped me stay confident and upright.
All-in-all, the Hoka Mafate Speed 4 Lite were a win for me from the start.
Hoka Mafate Speed 4 Lite Specs
- Weight: 9 oz unisex sizing
- Heel Drop: 4mm
- Stack Height: 31 mm
- Available in 2 Colors
- Not available in wide
- Available on Hoka.com for $180
Hoka Mafate Speed 4 Lite Fit
My first thought when trying these on was that the fit is comparable to other Hoka models. I’m a solid 8.5 in this brand (9 in most other brands!), and that was true here too. One thing to note is that these are unisex sizing so that may change what you pick!
The Speed 4 Lite are more narrow than most Hoka shoes so if you need a wider fit, these may not be a perfect match for you.
For me, they felt roomy with an ample toe box, and nothing felt too tight. I was a little wary at first because some reviewers comment on rubbing at the Achilles; I took a quick walk in these to test it out and found I had the same experience.
The shoes have a microfiber collar, which I believe is the culprit. During my first run (race!) in these, I put some Leukotape on my heels for some added protection; this solved the issue for me, and I didn’t have any discomfort on the run.
I mentioned earlier about the laces being different from the Hoka x Satify collaboration. While speed laces are great, shoes with traditional style laces are going to make this shoe more versatile, especially if you’re looking for a more customer fit.
After a few runs, the shoes felt pretty broken-in, and on subsequent runs, all I needed was some chafe-balm and good running socks for my Achilles to feel comfortable.
Hoka Mafate Speed 4 Lite Feel
A change with the Mafata Speed 4 Lite is the feel underfoot. Hoka used their ProFly+ midsole to give a bouncy ride that isn’t so cushioned you can’t feel the ground beneath your feet.
In addition to the foam, they layered in the Vibram Megarip with Litebase and Traction Luge outsole to grip all kinds of terrain but also allow for an easy transition to urban environments. This is where we can see the shoe falling into the road to trail bucket.
You may question these shoes being considered a trail shoe when checking out the transparent ripstop upper. Unlike other trail shoes with a reinforced mesh upper, Hoka decided to take a page out of Satify’s book and opt for something a little more fashion-forward but still maintain a lightweight durability.
Let’s be honest, trail running is rough on shoes so, if they’re not durable what’s the point. You can rest assured that even though the upper goes outside of the box, your feet will be protected from rocks and other debris!
Overall, these are a supportive and comfortable ride.
Similar Shoes to the Hoka Mafate Speed 4 Lite
We’ve tested a few that feel similar, but different based on the brand fit:
- Saucony Peregrine – (little bit of a heavier shoe, not meant for speed)
- Hoka Speedgoat – (wider platform with a bit more stability, but have a similar support)
- Arcteryx Norvan LD 4 – (different outsole meant to withstand any terrain)
Overall, I’m a fan of these. They’re a really smooth ride and can take you on some great off-road adventures.
If the heel rubbing is an issue for you, I’d stick with the original Hoka Mafate 4 but if not? Look good and have some fun!
Who Tried It?
Kim got into running after deciding to run her first half marathon because it landed on her birthday. Afterwards, she said those famous last words: “I’ll never run a marathon!” Since then, she’s tackled many marathons and ultramarathons up to 50 miles. She loves ultra distance trail running the best and is always on the hunt for the next challenge. Her preferred trail-fuel is potatoes and Coca-Cola, and her favorite way to recover is on the couch with her two dogs.
Lululemon Chargefeel 3 Review | Sticking the Gym Landing
Leave a Reply