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Hoka’s Most Technical Trail Shoe Now Comes Disguised as a Sleek Everyday Sneaker

The most advanced version of Hoka’s original trail shoe now looks as good as it performs.

Black athletic shoe with textured sole, Vibram logo, and "MAFATEX" branding on the side.Hoka
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By Jack Seemer

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On paper, the Mafate X might be the most technical trail shoe in Hoka history.

First released in 2025, the shoe builds off the platform of the brand’s original runner. But it adds a carbon-fiber plate, PEBA foam and arguably the best upper in its arsenal, developed for swift drainage in case of water crossings.

Now it may finally look as good as it performs.

Black Hoka running shoe with thick sole and Vibram logo on the heel.
A stealthy blacked-out Mafate X, one of two new colorways available in Europe, blurs the lines between daily commuter and super shoe.
Hoka

A sight for sore legs

Debuting overseas, two new colorways of the Mafate X see the shoe undergo a streetwear-adjacent makeover that blurs the line between everyday commuter and super shoe.

Brown and black mesh running shoe with thick beige sole and textured outsole.
The reddish-brown upper of this variant grounds the shoe in warm, earthy hues.
Hoka
Close-up of the sole and heel of a brown and beige trail running shoe with "MAFATE X" branding and Vibram outsole.
A beige midsole adds contrast that still verges on tonal territory.
Hoka

The first, “Walnut and Rye,” pairs a reddish-brown upper with a beige midsole that verges on tonal territory.

Subtle contrasts arrive through darker overlays and textured paneling, giving the pair a rugged yet refined look defined earthy, warm hues.

Pair of black Hoka running shoes with mesh uppers and large Hoka logo on the sides, viewed from above.
Designed for long efforts upward of 100 miles, the ultralight woven upper encourage swift drainage during water crossings.
Hoka

Meanwhile, a “Black and Satellite Grey” colorway adopts a monochromatic palette with matching components throughout.

The stealthy look underscores the shoe’s trail-driven utility, while seamlessly aligning with on-trend gorpcore aesthetics.

Black athletic shoe with textured knit upper, thick sculpted sole, and speckled heel counter.
A speckled heel cup offers the only point of contrast on this otherwise monochromatic colorway.
Hoka

Of course, the Mafate X’s prowess on dirt remains unchanged, despite the pair of urban facelifts.

For both variants, Hoka carried over the plate, foam and upper of last year’s Mafate X, as well as a Vibram Megagrip outsole for all-terrain performance and longevity.

Pair of black athletic shoes shown from the back with textured soles and speckled heel overlays.
Hoka kept the same foam and plate combination that made last year’s Mafate X notable.
Hoka
Pair of beige and brown Vibram Megagrip shoe soles with textured tread pattern shown from the bottom.
Don’t forget the Vibram Megagrip outsole.
Hoka

Availability and pricing

Both new colorways of the Mafate X are currently only available in Europe. However, a US rollout is expected in the coming weeks.

The Mafate X retails for $225, indicative of its carbon plate and PEBA midsole.

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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