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Hoka Transforms Its Revolutionary Trail Runner into an Ultralight, Ultracapable Hiking Boot

Taking after the brand’s flagship trail runner, Hoka’s new hiking boot is equal parts nimble and rugged.

Close-up of a light blue and beige trail running shoe with black and orange "HOKA" branding and rugged sole.Hoka
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By Jack Seemer

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Hoka may now be synonymous with commuter comfort, but the king of cushion began its ascent with a revolutionary trail shoe called the Mafate.

Named after the Cirque de Mafate caldera on Réunion Island, the design broke all convention with a chunky yet shockingly lightweight silhouette that ran counter to the minimalist trends of the era.

Hoka Mafate 5
The Mafate franchise now includes everything from performance trail runners, such as the Mafate 5 (pictured), to lifestyle sneakers.
Hoka

It must have struck some sort of chord.

Today Hoka posts north of $2 billion in sales, while the Mafate has become its own mini empire of sorts.

The franchise now includes trail runners, super shoes, lifestyle sneakers and, as of 2026, a bone fide hiking boot.

Gray and black Hoka hiking shoe with orange accents and a rugged beige Vibram sole.
The Mafate Hike is a new lightweight boot inspired by the brand’s flagship trail runner.
Hoka

According to the brand, the all-new Mafate Hike is a “running-inspired silhouette” that stays true to the spirit of the original Mafate from two decades earlier.

The design features a dual-density midsole fashioned from EVA foam, with a highly technical Matryx upper. That makes the boot both highly breathable and ruggedly durable, while keeping weight to an absolute minimum.

Black and dark gray high-top trail running shoe with textured mesh upper and rugged sole.
The boot features a technical Matryx upper for high degrees of breathability and durability.
Hoka
Pair of black athletic shoes with textured mesh uppers and thick rubber soles shown from the back.
The flexible achilles counter offers all-day comfort and support.
Hoka

Despite its high-top design and thick bed of cushion, the shoe clocks in at roughly 13 ounces — around 35 percent less than Hoka’s fan-favorite Kaha 3 GTX.

The Mafate Hike also boasts an airy and supportive vamp and collar design, fashioned out of Ariaprene foam, and the Vibram Megagrip outsole ensures confident traction regardless of the terrain.

Black and gray Hoka trail running shoe with Vibram sole and large logo on the side.
Synthetic overlays reinforce parts of the upper, such as the vamp and toebox.
Hoka
Black and gray Hoka hiking boot with Vibram sole and high ankle support.
The boot comes equipped with a Vibram Megagrip outsole.
Hoka

Availability and pricing

The Mafate Hike, available in four colorways at launch (two for men and two for women), goes on sale March 1.

It costs $200.

About the Author:

Jack Seemer is the executive editor at Gear Patrol, with over a decade of experience in product journalism. He currently reports on a wide range of topics, including footwear, watches, EDC, cookware and more.

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