Hoka Mafate 5 vs Mafate X
In this article, I’m going to share my HONEST Hoka Mafate 5 vs Mafate X comparison in detail after personally owning both Hoka trail running shoes. I have thoroughly tested both of these trail runners on various terrains for countless hours, and I aim to offer a seasoned trail runner’s critical opinion.
I’ll be comparing these two head-to-head in categories like price, comfort, traction, overall protection, fit, breathability, weight and durability.
Then, at the end, I’ll share which product offers the best overall value for the money and provide my overall recommendation for which you should buy.
Also, if you’re interested in learning more, I have tested each product individually in my Hoka Mafate X Review and Hoka Mafate 5 Review.
Hoka Mafate 5 vs Hoka Mafate X Price Comparison
At the time of this writing, the Mafate X is $45 more than the new Mafate 5.
Hoka Mafate 5 Price: $185
Hoka Mafate X Price: $220
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Comfort
Both the Mafate X and 5 are extremely comfortable trail shoes, but lets discover the differences between the two.
The stack height of the X is extremely high at 49mm. The cushion is undeniable with a “floating” feeling because of how well cushioned it is.
Obviously great for comfortability, but not great for runners looking for responsiveness and sensitivity.
The Mafate X has a nice roomy toe box with a contoured upper that expands well for wide-footed runners. The upgraded TPEE sock liner is a big step up from Hoka’s standard version. It feels silky against the foot and adds noticeable comfort on long days out on the trail.
The impact absorption of the Mafate X is the best I have tested to date for any trail runners.
The Mafate 5 comes in with a smaller stack height of 45 mm, however still substantial when you compare it to other trail shoes in the same class.
The 5 has a dynamic vamp in the toe box to accommodate toe swelling and increase flexibility. The sockliner is not as sleek as the X but still decently comfortable.
Here’s the kicker, the stack height of the 5 is 4 mm less than the Mafate X BUT is much more mushy. The outsole itself compresses a lot. I noticed this during my runs on flat pavement, the shoes really compressed a lot without as much energy return than the X.
Overall, both models have extremely annoying tongues. Both are too short and not well padded enough. They tend to slip into your shoe as your runs go on. Unfortunately Hoka did not fix this from the previous models.
The Mafate X takes the crown for comfort.
Hoka Mafate X Comfort: 5 out of 5
Hoka Mafate 5 Comfort: 4.5 out of 5
Winner: Mafate X
Traction
Both the Hoka Mafate X and Mafate 5 use Vibram Megagrip, which is widely considered the gold standard in trail running outsoles. However, the way Hoka executes the lug pattern makes these two shoes very different animals.
The Mafate 5 takes a more aggressive approach with 5mm lugs. These lugs start wider in the midfoot and thin out toward the center, which not only helps with lateral bite but also sheds mud surprisingly well.
What stood out most for me was Hoka’s addition of miniature rubber spikes on each lug. It sounds small, but on slick granite slabs after a rainstorm, that micro-texture made the difference between sticking and slipping.
The firm lateral lugs locked in on steep sidehill traverses, while the extended lugs at the heel and forefoot gave that extra bite on climbs and descents.
I tested them on slate, gravel, granite, concrete, and even leaf-covered trails, and they never felt out of their element. However, on rocky boulders they failed to hold traction due to the mushy outsole.
The Mafate X, by contrast, uses 3.5mm lugs shaped like taco and pizza slices. They’re flatter and more spread out, which makes them better at rolling through mixed terrain and even transitioning onto pavement during ultras.
I noticed the difference during long runs that combined hardpacked trail and road the Mafate X felt smoother, almost like a crossover shoe. But here’s the tradeoff: shallow lugs don’t shed mud as effectively, and on extremely wet rock slabs I felt a little slip on descents.
Nothing catastrophic, but enough to make my heart jump when the ground tilted steep. That said, the balance of lug spacing and Vibram compound still makes the X highly reliable across gravel, dirt, and moderately technical trail.
After testing both shoes extensively, I’d frame it this way:
The Mafate 5 is the grip monster. If your runs take you into mud, granite, and unpredictable mountain conditions, the deeper lugs and micro-spikes deliver unmatched bite.
The Mafate X is the versatile workhorse. It sacrifices some raw traction in exchange for smoother transitions, better road-to-trail feel, and enough grip to stay confident in most ultra-distance scenarios.
Hoka Mafate X Traction: 4 out of 5
Hoka Mafate 5 Traction: 4.5 out of 5
Winner: Mafate 5
Mafate 5 Vs Mafate X : Which Fits Better?
I tested both trail running shoes in a men’s size 10.5, regular width. I have to say both fit pretty well without having to size up or down.
The Mafate X has a slightly wider fit and allows for more swelling accommodation during runs when compared to the Mafate 5.
Overall, both shoes fit very well without compression issues.
Mafate X Fit: 4.5 out of 5
Mafate 5 Fit: 4.5 out of 5
Winner: Tie
Breathability
The Hoka Mafate X and 5 are built very similarly when it comes to the uppers.
The X model has more robust woven textile material that similarly matches the Norda 01, it’s very thick yet breathable. The toe box and sides of the shoe have small ventilation pockets that keep your feet nice and comfortable during hot summer runs.
Similarly, the Mafate 5 has ventilation pockets within the woven textile upper. I felt the toe box of the 5 became a little overheated during my longer runs. A little more ventilation in this area near the dynamic vamp would help offset some of this.
Both shoes perform well in normal conditions, but for hot weather trail running, the Mafate X takes the crown here.
Mafate X Breathability: 4.5 out of 5
Mafate 5 Breathability: 4 out of 5
Winner: Mafate X
Stability & Support
Here is the biggest differentiator between both shoes.Both the Mafate 5 and Mafate X are highly cushioned, high-stack Hokas, but they go about stability in different ways.
The Mafate 5 delivers solid stability for such a tall shoe. The wide base and firm lateral lugs really help when the trail tilts sideways or when you’re climbing on uneven ground. I felt wobbly on moderate and more aggressive terrain because of the overcompression at the outsole. The extended heel gave me extra bite on descents.
Still, at 5mm, those aggressive lugs make the ride feel a bit “grabbier.” On technical downhills, that sometimes translated into a slightly choppier feel — secure, but not always smooth.
The Mafate 5 also has a mild forefoot shank that aids in some stability. However, why include a forefoot shank for a shoe made for heel strikers? A heel shank would’ve made much more sense.
The Mafate X takes stability to another level. Hoka built this shoe with ultra-distance races in mind, and it shows. The wider midsole platform, combined with the slightly shallower 3.5mm lugs, creates a more consistent ride.
On long descents, I noticed my foot sitting “in” the shoe rather than “on top” of it, which gave me more trust bombing downhill at a fast pace.
Even though the stack height is massive, the shoe feels planted. The Meta-Rocker geometry also plays a big role here it helps roll you forward without fighting the terrain, so I never felt like I was tipping over or over-striding.
Also the X model has a built in active foot frame that really aids in hindfoot stability. This really helped build that extra “locked in” feel on the trail.
Clearly, the Mafate X is the superior one for stability.
Mafate X Stability & Support: 4.5 out of 5
Mafate 5 Stability & Support : 3 out of 5
Winner: Mafate X
Durability
When you’re spending over $185-220 on a trail shoe, durability isn’t just a nice-to-have It’s a must. Both the Mafate X and Mafate 5 lean on Vibram Megagrip for the outsole, which is one of the most durable compounds in the industry. But their build differences show up over the miles.
The Mafate 5 has impressed me with how tough its outsole really is(even with how mushy it is). After weeks of testing across abrasive surfaces like granite, slate, and even stretches of asphalt, the 5mm lugs barely showed wear. Those miniature rubber spikes I mentioned earlier? They didn’t round off nearly as fast as I expected.
The upper also holds its own. The engineered mesh with reinforcements felt sturdy in high-wear zones, and I never worried about tearing it on rocky scrambles. Interestingly, I was quite surprised by the durability of the Mafate 5.
The Mafate X tells a slightly different story. After logging 50+ miles, the 3.5mm lugs still looked surprisingly fresh, which says a lot about the Vibram compound.
Even with the shallower lug depth, they resisted flattening out on packed dirt and gravel. The outsole still held its “pop” after all these miles.
In my experience, highly cushioned foams tend to compress quicker than traditional midsoles. Conversely, this rubber compound is much stiffer than the higher cushioned foams and hasen’t worn as traditional max stack shoes tend to.
The upper is built strong. No fraying around the lace holes, no peeling overlays, even after long, sweaty runs in summer heat.
Overall, the durability is pretty good for both shoes. However, the robust upper and stiffer outsole really carry the Mafate X over the top. This is really where you get your return on investment for the extra $35.
Hoka Mafate X Durability: 4 out of 5
Hoka Mafate 5 Durability: 3.5 out of 5
Winner: Mafate X
Weight
I weighed the Mafate X at 12.5 ounces and the 5 weighed in at 11.5 ounces.
However, both shoes contain the Metarocker, which allows for a more efficient heel to toe transition. This makes both shoes feel much lighter than they are on the scale.
The rocker on the Mafate X is much more aggressive, it feels lighter than the Mafate 5 overall. To me, the Mafate X feels similarly weight-wise to the Brooks Cascadia 19, a newer lightweight trail shoe.
Mafate X Weight: 4 out of 5
Mafate 5 Weight: 4 out of 5
Winner: Tie
Hoka Mafate 5 Overall Rating: 8.0
- Comfort: 4.5 out of 5
- Traction: 4.5 out of 5
- Fit: 4.5 out of 5
- Breathability: 4 out of 5
- Stability & Support: 3 out of 5
- Durability: 3.5 out of 5
- Weight: 4 out of 5
Total: 28/35
Hoka Mafate X Overall Rating: 8.9
- Comfort: 5 out of 5
- Traction: 4.5 out of 5
- Fit: 4.5 out of 5
- Stability & Support: 4.5
- Breathability: 4.5 out of 5
- Durability: 4 out of 5
- Weight: 4 out of 5
Total: 31/35
Hoka Mafate X vs Mafate 5 Which One Is Better Overall?
Both these trail shoes are built with quality materials and perform well on the trail. However, they are built for two different types of trail runners.
The Mafate X is clearly built for runners looking for an ultra distance shoe, a hiking shoe, or even one of the most comfortable trail shoes on the market. The added stability features with the combined Vibram outsole make this one a very enticing option.
The Mafate 5 on the other hand, is for users looking for a comfortable shoe that works well on mild to moderate terrain with aggressive grip. Also consider the Mafate 5 if you are looking for a trail shoe under $200.
Overall, the Mafate X clearly scores higher, it’s a more universal shoe with an extremely high comfortability score.
Order HERE for the LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE
(Do NOT pay retail):
How We Personally Tested Our Methodology
I personally tested the Mafate 5 and Mafate X trail shoes during 2025 on numerous trails with varying terrain, and obstacles with the sole intention of providing you with the most unbiased review possible. Mountaineer Journey is a 100% independent publisher with years of testing and reviewing outdoor equipment.
We currently pay for the products we test ourselves; no company or manufacturer pays us to sway our opinions or decisions.
Best Hoka Hiking Boots Of 2025
Our Founder Tyler has over 15+ years of experience in the outdoors, including Hiking, Trekking, Mountaineering, Survival Skills, and much more. Tyler also serves as a Mountain Guide.
