Kicks

HOKA's Most Iconic Trail Running Shoe is Back and Better Than Ever

The HOKA Mafate X is back after 15 years with improved comfort, control, and traction.
Michael Ehrlich|
The HOKA Mafate X is constructed for long-distance trail running.
The HOKA Mafate X is constructed for long-distance trail running. | HOKA

Global running powerhouse HOKA first introduced their original trail shoe - the Mafate - 15 years ago and has now released the latest iteration built for modern ultra racing. This trend has taken over the industry.

The Santa Barbara-based brand's latest launch - the Mafate X ($225) - combines comfort, control, and traction and is designed for long-haul adventures.

According to HOKA, their latest trail running drop is inspired by the innately wild spirit of ultra trail runners and provides unparalleled comfort, stability, and performance to the trail.

Available now in men's (zest/mountain fog) and women's (feldspar/mountain fog) colorways and sizes, the Mafate X features premium foams, enhanced geometries, and a forked carbon fiber plate for the support that ultra runners need for long distance runs.

“The Mafate X is all about innovation and pushing past limits," said Colin Ingram, Vice President of Global Footwear Product at HOKA.

"We evolved our max-cushion trail experience to provide the confidence, control, and adaptability ultra runners require for their biggest trail efforts."

Additional features of the Mafate X include an ultra-soft dual-layer midsole, Metarocker and rearfoot-focussed active foot frame, ultralight woven upper, and Vibram megagrip outsole.

To celebrate the release, HOKA has hosted Mafate X FlyLab experiences around the world, including their debut at Canyons 100K in April. The Mafate X Flylab welcomes the trail community to experience how the brand brings its innovation to life on the trail and beyond.

"We returned to our roots as a brand and embraced the paradox of max cushion and stability on trail to develop a new experience for the longest adventures, and we’re excited to bring it to the trail running community," Ingram added.

HOKA's Mafate X is available now at HOKA.com and at authorized HOKA dealers globally.

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Published | Modified
Michael Ehrlich
MICHAEL EHRLICH

Michael Ehrlich is a seasoned sports marketing executive with experience across the global sports brand, athlete representation, media and education sides of the business. The Founder and CEO of Playbook Marketing, Ehrlich consults with brands on all things NIL and athlete partnerships, advises student-athletes on their personal brand building endeavors and is an adjunct professor at his alma mater, the University of Southern California where he teaches a course on athlete communications and marketing. As a writer, his previous bylines include Boardroom, Business of College Sports, DIME Magazine and UPROXX, among others. You can follow him across social media at @MichaelEhrlich and reach out via michael@playbook-marketing.com

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