Details
Brand
Hoka One One
Breathability
7/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Trail
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• RMAT outsole produces energy-return, durability, and traction• Deep Flex Grooves in outsole• Vibram brand Mega-Grip outsole lugs promote agility over even the rockiest terrain• Hi-Abrasion protection featured in the outsole• Super chunky CMEVA midsole bumps up the cushioning to the next level• Meta-Rocker Construction encourages a forward foot strike and promotes a smooth ride• Seamless upper construction• Debris screen keeps dirt and rocks out of the shoe• Regular lacing system• Solid heel counter for stability and support• Ortholite insole wards off bacteria and bad smells• Active Foot Frame tech sinks foot inside to eliminate instability
Upper
The upper of the Hoka One One Mafate Speed 2 remains fairly similar to its previous iteration. Lightweight and breathable, the upper is also seamless. A regular lacing system allows the user to tighten as they see fit. Inside, an Ortholite liner adds a bit of cushion and helps to prevent odor formation.;The upper also features a debris screen to keep out unwanted crud and dirt from the trails. It’ll help to keep your socks clean and ensure no pebbles find their way inside to hurt your precious feet.
Midsole
The Hoka One One Mafate Speed 2 features a very thick midsole to provide maximum cushioning for its user. The CMEVA midsole provides the ultimate padded experience for wearers of the Mafate Speed 2. In this version of the shoe, the cushioning has actually been increased.;The shoe also features what is called an Active Foot Frame construction. This allows for the wearer’s foot to fit deeper inside the shoe to avoid an unstable wear experience. There’s no danger of floating atop the thick midsole and feeling wobbly in the Mafate Speed 2. The Meta Rocker construction of the shoe is another aspect of the design that ensures a smooth ride. True to its name, this geometry promotes a more forward foot strike by causing a rocking motion as the runner moves through the gait cycle.
Outsole
The outsole of the Hoka One One Mafate Speed 2 is made up of several components. The RMAT material featured in the sole provides energy-return, grip, and helps the outsole to manage wear and tear. The Vibram Mega-Grip lugs enhance the shoe’s traction by allowing runners to move with agility over loose rocks and other types of terrain. Flex Grooves, also present in the outsole, are deeply embedded to ensure maximum flexibility.
Breathability
Despite the hefty look of the Hoka One One Mafate Speed 2, the shoe manages to breathe quite well even when weather conditions get a bit gnarly. A lightweight upper ensures air circulates efficiently and a wide toe box provides room to breathe. Reviewers liked the quick drying material and added that the shoe never felt waterlogged. Water drains fast even when puddles are encountered on the trail.
Comfort
Most reviewers found the Hoka One One Mafate Speed 2 very comfortable. Many cited the generous cushioning as their favorite part of the shoe. The thick midsole feels plush without de-stabilizing runners on uneven terrain. The seamless upper hugs the foot nicely and the solid heel counter ensures runners don’t experience heel slippage as they move.;Some reviewers mentioned that they felt the cushioning in the Mafate Speed 2 felt a bit harder than in the previous version. Wide-footed runners did appreciate the fit of the shoe. A wide toe box and generous width accommodate runners with a larger footprint. Narrow-footed runners might find this shoe too loose and may experience slippage, especially in the heel area.
Style
The Hoka One One Mafate Speed 2 looks a bit funny because of its bigger size and chunky midsole. Still, in comparison to other Hoka One One shoes, the Speed 2 offers a sleeker design in what still manages to be a well-padded shoe. The colors may be too vibrant for some, but without a white base, there’s little chance that mud will stand out.;The men’s version comes in a colorful blue, black, red, and orange option and another color reminiscent of fire. For the women, there is a vibrant fuschia option available.
Durability
The Hoka One One Mafate Speed 2 stands up against wear and tear. There’s enough cushioning in the midsole to last through training and it won’t easily fall flat. The RMAT and Hi-Abrasion rubber in the outsole act as the first line of defense against the inevitable friction that comes with running. The upper is also constructed with durability in mind. Reviewers had virtually no problems when it came to the Speed 2 and lifespan. The shoe is made to handle tough conditions. Even the lugs are made of solid Vibram material and won’t shave down easily.
Protection
The Hoka One One Mafate Speed 2 is a trail shoe without a rock plate, but there’s little need for one considering the amount of cushioning in the shoe’s midsole. The thickly padded midsole protects against impact forces and does just as good a job at defending the wearer against harm from debris on the trails. The upper features a nifty debris screen to keep stuff like sand and rocks out of the shoe. Grippy lugs on the outsole protect runners from potential falls when moving over loose rocks.
Responsiveness
The Hoka One One Mafate Speed 2 is mildly responsive. The RMAT outsole provides a bit of rebound for the wearer but the midsole cushion is more plush than bouncy. Runners will feel a solid fit but not much in the way of energy-return, at least compared to other trail shoes.;Ground feel is okay in the Mafate Speed 2. The Active Foot Frame construction does sink the foot into the shoe helping to bring runners closer to the earth but there’s still a lot of cushioning in the way. That’s the tradeoff for getting so much midsole padding. Runners didn’t seem to find this was a huge downside, though. If you’re looking for a shoe with a lot of cushioning there’s some understanding that the connection to the earth will be minimal.
Support
The Hoka One One Mafate Speed 2 offers support to the wearer by ensuring the foot fits solidly inside the shoe. Even with a thick midsole, the runner’s foot fits securely in the Mafate Speed 2 thanks to the Active Foot Frame technology. The thick midsole thus provides cushioning and a supportive platform for the wearer.
Terrain
The Hoka One One Mafate Speed 2 is fit for trails thanks to its generous padding, debris repellent upper, quick-drying material, and tough outsole. The grippy lugs underfoot made of Vibram brand rubber works well to grip all types of surfaces, even technical trails. Ground feel isn’t great, though, so runners will need to be cautious when wearing the Mafate Speed 2s. The thick cushion works to protect wearers from trail obstacles but it also acts as a barrier. Runners won’t feel the ground too much so they’ll need to pay more attention to where they’re stepping.
Price
The Hoka One One Mafate Speed 2 is priced a bit higher than average compared to other trail shoes but that’s in large part because the shoe features so much cushion. It’ll likely outlast other shoes in your rotation thanks to its quality build materials and the cushion won’t quit on you halfway through training. For these reasons, the Mafate Speed 2 is worth its higher price tag.
Drop
The Hoka One One Mafate Speed 2 features a 4mm. Lower than your standard shoe drop, the thickly cushioned midsole is the main thing in the way of the runner and the ground. The Active Foot Frame construction ensures runners are not lifted too high off the ground but the high degree of cushioning still separates the runner from total connection to the earth.
Stability
The Hoka One One Mafate Speed 2 is a neutral trail shoe but it does offer some stability for wearers. Trail runners commonly encounter unstable ground and loose terrain so it’s important that a trail shoe offers a secure fit and a good deal of traction to handle these kinds of surfaces. The Hoka One One Mafate Speed 2 keeps runners stable by providing protection from falls. The outsole’s RMAT material and Vibram lugs do this job. The shoe also fits nicely around the foot to eliminate an unstable feeling. The heel counter keeps the foot secure as well. Narrow-footed runners may feel slightly unstable in the Mafate Speed 2 because of the wider construction.
Flexibility
The deep Flex Grooves of the Hoka One One Mafate Speed 2 work to provide overall flexibility in the shoe. They’re really the only part of the shoe that’s intended uniquely for flexibility. They do function as they’re supposed to. Runners should feel like they’re getting a smooth ride in the Mafate Speed 2. Although, some of this is thanks to the Meta-Rocker geometry.
Traction
The Hoka One One Mafate Speed 2 features a very grippy outsole thanks to the RMAT material and the Vibram outfitted lugs. Reviewers said that they felt agile running even over loose rocks and uncertain terrain. The excellent traction makes up for the poor ground feel. Forefoot runners felt comfortable running on technical trails because of the tough sole. The heel area, though, is a different story. The Mafate Speed 2 is built using a Meta-Rocker design that discourages heel striking. This is great news for forefoot runners but heel strikers will want to be cautious since the rearfoot provides less traction than other areas of the sole.
Bottom Line
The Hoka One One Mafate Speed 2 is a solid option for trail runners seeking maximum protection from impact. There’s no rock plate but the thick midsole provides a great deal of padding underfoot. Even with such a generous amount of cushioning, the Mafate Speed 2 manages to feel lightweight. Its breathable upper dries quickly and the Vibram lugs in the outsole provide excellent traction. Wider footed runners will feel super comfortable thanks to the generous fit of the shoe and forefoot runners will find a natural smooth ride in the Speed 2. Vibrantly adorned with colorful accents, the Hoka One One Mafate Speed 2s will stand out on the trails and offers a comfortable cushiony running experience.
