Hoka Mafate 5 vs Hoka Speedgoat 7

Hoka Mafate 5 vs Hoka Speedgoat 7: weight, drop (8 mm vs 4 mm), cushioning, lugs and which races each one suits best.

Quick verdict

The Hoka Speedgoat 7 is 57 g lighter. The Hoka Mafate 5 has more cushioning (45 mm at the heel).

Hoka Mafate 5HokaHoka Mafate 5

Hoka's ultra-trail flagship: the maximum cushioning and protection possible in a trail running shoe. Integrated stability plate, Vibram Megagrip outsole with aggressive 5 mm lugs, and reinforced construction built for the final kilometres of a 100-miler, when your legs have nothing left to forgive.

Check price(se abre en una pestaña nueva)Hoka Mafate 5: specs and races
Hoka Speedgoat 7HokaHoka Speedgoat 7

The best-selling trail shoe in the US and an absolute ultra-trail classic. Max Hoka cushioning, a Vibram Megagrip outsole with 5 mm lugs for grip in mud and technical terrain, and a snug Matryx upper. Built to eat up kilometres without punishing your legs in long races.

Check price(se abre en una pestaña nueva)Hoka Speedgoat 7: specs and races

Spec-by-spec comparison

SpecHoka Mafate 5Hoka Speedgoat 7
Weight (per shoe)332 g275 g
Drop8 mm4 mm
Heel stack45 mm37 mm
Forefoot stack37 mm33 mm
Lug depth4.4 mm4.5 mm
FitMediumNarrow
Stable platform✓✓
Waterproof––
Carbon plate––
Terrainmixed, technicalmixed, technical, mud

Brand-stated specs or values measured by independent sources. Green marks the better value when one is clearly better.

Which races does each one suit? Checked against 249 races

For each race we look at the terrain, the distance and the average rainfall around race day in recent years, and see which shoe fits best.

Hoka Speedgoat 7: better pick in 93 of 249

Tied in 156

RaceWhat it needsHoka Mafate 5Hoka Speedgoat 7
Grand Raid de La Réunion180 kmUltra: cushioningBuilt for itBuilt for it
L'Infernal Trail des Vosges205 kmLikely mudCopesBuilt for it
Nice Côte d'Azur by UTMB168 kmUltra: cushioningBuilt for itBuilt for it
Topo Athletic Bibracte Ultra-Trail185 kmLikely mudCopesBuilt for it
Trail Menorca Camí de Cavalls185 kmLikely mudCopesBuilt for it
Ultra Tour des 4 Massifs176 kmUltra: cushioningBuilt for itBuilt for it
Ultra Trail Gran Vuelta al Valle del Genal167 kmUltra: cushioningBuilt for itBuilt for it
UTMB Mont-Blanc174 kmUltra: cushioningBuilt for itBuilt for it

Criteria: mud when it often rains around race day on soft ground; rock for skyrunning and vertical kilometres; ultra from 50 km; mixed otherwise.

Analysis: where they really differ

Both are Hoka's mountain ultra shoes. The Mafate 5 has even more foam (45 mm at the heel) and an 8 mm drop, at the cost of 57 g more. The Speedgoat 7 is lighter, has a 4 mm drop and also handles mud.

Choose the Hoka Mafate 5 if…

  • Your ultras are long and you want maximum protection.
  • You are a heavier runner or feel the pounding on descents.
  • You prefer an 8 mm drop.

Choose the Hoka Speedgoat 7 if…

  • You want a nimbler, lighter shoe (275 g).
  • Your race may be muddy.
  • You prefer a low drop (4 mm).
Check price: Hoka Mafate 5(se abre en una pestaña nueva)Check price: Hoka Speedgoat 7(se abre en una pestaña nueva)
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