LITE is the word
Hoka Mafate Speed 4 Lite - yes, it is!
I’ve been eying this shoe since the Satisfy version came out last year. I was too late to snag a pair back then, but finally I’ve got one!
I’ve been a Mafate fan since the start - from the originals that Jim wore at Western States - which were my first “big stack” trail shoe and certainly a revelation at the time.
I liked the feel of V4, but the weight did creep up a bit, and certain elements of the upper did strike me as being a bit generic and perhaps overdone.
But I’m not quite sure if there was a shoe on the market that rivalled the level of soft forefoot cushion that you got with the Mafate Speed 4 (pre-Tecton X 3).
Sure, they can feel a bit squirrely due to the softness, but managed correctly, that dual-layer Profly midsole feels so good!
My test pair of the MS4 Lite (US 10.0) weighs in at an even 10.0 oz (284g), which is significantly less than my “regular” MS4 which is 10.7 oz (302g) - in a smaller size US 9.5!
No weight was shaved from the outsole - Vibram Megagrip, with deep 5mm Traction Lugs!
In fact, with the midsole / outsole being the same, all of the weight drop comes from the new, super “lite” see-through upper. But does it provide enough security on top of this big, soft stack?
Some have expressed concern over the heel area, which is something I honed in on during my First Impressions test run. I also took a close look at look at a bunch of other shoes with similar interior heel padding setups.
MUCH more on the way with these - they’re just begging to chew up miles.. First Impressions LIVE →
Hoka Mafate Speed 4 Lite ($180)
Mafate Speed 4 Lite sample was provided at no cost for test and review by Hoka. Please see my support page for disclaimers regarding my testing and review process.