Hoka Mafate Speed 4 vs. Speedgoat 5: Which One? (Comparison)
The Speedgoat is undoubtedly the star of the Hoka series. It’s a technical shoe made for competition and ultramarathon running, yet versatile enough for everyday runs that require impeccable grip and foot lockdown.
The Mafate Speed, on the other hand, offers a more comfortable configuration because it is softer and more flexible.
Cushioning and Ride
Regarding the cushioning, both shoes have the same stack height: 33 mm heel stack height.
The heel-to-toe drop of both shoes is low: 4 mm.
However, in practice, the underfoot feel is softer on the Mafate Speed. However, softer does not necessarily mean better; it is primarily a matter of preference.
On the other hand, both shoes offer good responsiveness on the trails for a snappy ride, but the Speedgoat does better.
Lockdown
The Mafate Speed’s lockdown is softer and looser fitting, making it better suited for runners with wide feet.
The Speedgoat isn’t tight either, but its lockdown is clearly tighter. So if you plan on doing a lot of intrepid descents, this is a better choice for safety.
Grip
Finally, despite its deeper lugs, the Mafate Speed doesn’t do as well as the Speedgoat on really technical trails. Trail runners note that it’s more likely to slip on wet rock or mud, for example.
Mafate Speed vs Speedgoat: the Verdict
As you can see, the answer is not clear-cut. It’s primarily a question of personal preference and practice. If you mainly ride on low or medium technical surfaces, the Mafate Speed 4 will clearly be more comfortable. After all, why deprive yourself of a little extra comfort if you can?
On the other hand, if you’re planning on tackling the toughest trails (if you live in the mountains, for example), then we recommend the Speedgoat, which offers a more rugged configuration that can handle the toughest conditions.
Side-By-Side Comparison Table
|
9.3  |
9.6  |
|
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Description | The Hoka Mafate Speed 4 is a delightfully aggressive and comfortable trail running shoe for long distances on technical terrain (or not). | The Hoka Speedgoat 5 keeps its crown as the most effective trail running shoe, capable of handling everything from daily training to the toughest ultrarunning races. |
|
9
10
9.5
9
9
9.5
9
|
9.5
10
9.5
9.5
9.5
9.5
9.5
| |
| Facts | ||
| Terrain | Trail | Trail |
| Support | Neutral | Neutral |
| Heel stack height | 33 mm | 33 mm |
| Forefoot stack height | 29 mm | 29 mm |
| Heel-to-toe drop | 4 mm | 4 mm |
| Lugs | 5 mm | 5 mm |
| Weight (men) | 295 g | 290 g |
| Weight (women) | 241 g | 240 g |
| Features | Vegan | Available in GTX, Vegan, Rocker |
| Athletes | Karl Meltzer | |
| Release year | 2022 | 2022 |
| Technologies | ||
| Outsole | Vibram MegaGrip | Vibram MegaGrip |
| Midsole | PROFLY+ | CMEVA, Meta-Rocker Geometry |
| Upper | Single Layer Woven Jacquard Mesh | Engineered mesh |
| Cushioning | ||
| Cushioning | Soft | Balanced |
| Responsiveness | Medium | High |
| Utilisation | ||
| Distance | Mid, Long, Ultramarathon | Mid, Long, Ultramarathon |
| Speed | Slow, Moderate, Fast | Slow, Moderate, Fast |
| Workouts | Daily running | Daily running |
