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Hoka’s New Hiking Boot Blends Cutting-Edge Cushion with Innovative Survival Tech

The brand’s flagship trail runner informs its most technical hiker to date.

Chunky sneaker with a thick, textured off-white sole featuring deep treads and a small orange Vibram logo. The upper part is bright yellow with black and blue accents, and has a white supportive frame around the heel and sides. The shoe has a modern, sporty design with a mix of mesh and synthetic materials.Hoka
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By Jack Seemer

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As they say on the Appalachian Trail, the trail always provides. So, too, does Hoka.

Released earlier this year, the Mafate X introduced super-shoe technology to the brand’s flagship trail runner, pairing two layers of foam — one PEBA, the other supercritical EVA — with a carbon-fiber plate.

That combination was a first for the Mafate, which debuted some 15 years ago. However, it wasn’t the last.

The brand-new Mafate X Hike sees the formula extend to a bona fide hiking boot. That said, this is much more than an ankle-high version of the shoe.

High-top athletic shoe featuring a vibrant color scheme with yellow, blue, red, black, and white accents. The upper is predominantly yellow with blue mesh around the ankle and a red pull tab labeled "RECCO." Black elastic laces secure the shoe, which also has white structural overlays. The midsole and outsole are thick and off-white with a rugged tread pattern, and the outsole includes a small orange "Vibram" logo. The shoe has a modern, sporty design with a mix of materials and textures.
The Mafate X Hike is Hoka’s most technical boot to date, combining super-shoe tech with cutting-edge safety features.
Hoka

Support, stability, safety

The model does sit atop a dual-foam cushioning system paired with a carbon-fiber plate, delivering a snappy ride with minimal added weight. Yet that’s where the similarities between the shoe and the boot stop.

On the upper, the Mafate X Hike features a neoprene tongue that wraps around the ankle, effectively working like a built-in gaiter that gives it both support and protection from trail debris.

High-top athletic shoe with a chunky, textured off-white sole featuring deep treads and Vibram branding. The upper part of the shoe is vibrant yellow with black geometric patterns and small white dots. It has a blue mesh section near the ankle, a red pull tab at the back, and a yellow pull tab at the heel. The shoe also includes a white supportive cage structure around the midfoot and black laces. The heel has a sculpted, ribbed design for added style and support.
The built-in neoprene gaiter adds ankle stability, while keeping out trail debris.
Hoka

It also replaces traditional laces for Hoka’s speed system, which extends down the toeboex and connects to two hooks on the front of the boot, as well as a plastic heel cage that brings lateral stability for uneven terrain.

Pair of athletic shoes shown from the back, featuring a chunky off-white sole with a textured pattern. The upper part of the shoes is primarily bright yellow with blue mesh around the ankle area. Each shoe has a vertical pull tab on the heel, one in blue and the other in red. The heel area also includes a sculpted off-white plastic overlay with a wave-like design.
The heel cage adds lateral stability on uneven terrain.
Hoka
Pair of athletic shoes with a vibrant design featuring bright yellow, blue, and white colors. The shoes have a mesh upper with yellow overlays and black accents. The left shoe has a blue pull tab, while the right shoe has a red pull tab. Both shoes have black elastic laces with a toggle for adjustment. The interior lining is blue, and the soles are white with a textured pattern.
Speed laces connect to side hooks for quick adjustments.
Hoka

For its final trick, a passive Recco reflector integrates with the pull tab on the right boot, as indicated by its bright-red color that only furthers its bold, eye-catching colorway.

That means means the shoe can respond to the radar signals emitted by search and rescue teams, should any adventure go south.

High-top athletic shoe with a chunky off-white sole, bright yellow mesh upper, blue ankle collar, and red tongue pull tab labeled "RECCO." Features black laces with a toggle, white supportive overlays, and a small black swoosh logo on the side.
The passive Recco reflector can respond to search and rescue radars.
Hoka

Availability and pricing

The Mafate X Hike is now available for purchase on Hoka’s website. It costs $250 and comes in a single colorway at launch.

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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