HOKA Mafate Speed 2

Since the appearance on the market of the Hoka One One Mafate Speed, many runners have been able to enjoy its features. And that, despite the somewhat heavy appearance of the shoes, the cushioning systems employed have quickly positioned it as one of the best in its segment as a training shoe for neutral runners and its durability and support proved to be effective.

The fall 2016 season has brought with it the second edition of these shoes, the Hoka One One Mafate Speed 2, a revamped version of these favorites, with some optimizations that are undoubtedly appreciated and greatly improve the experience of shodding these Running shoes on uneven and difficult terrain.

Improved upper

Some of the modifications achieved in these shoes are found in their upper. To begin with, the shape of the tongue has been improved in relation to its predecessor version, to now better cover the upper part of the foot, avoidingnot only the entry of loose material into the shoe, but also preventing the tongue from moving and causing discomfort.

A more padded collar has also been added to better protect the ankle area. Another important change in the upper is the laces. They return to the traditional design, instead of the thin laces seen in the previous edition.

The upper construction retains the seamless breathable mesh and the synthetic overlays, which make up its design, have been welded rather than stitched, thus avoiding irritation points.

More aggressive outsole

While the lugs that were part of the outsole design in the previous version were already quite aggressive and consistent on uneven terrain, in this new version of the Hoka One One Mafate Speed 2, they have been upgraded with an even more aggressive design that adapts much better to different ground conditions. The RMAT material, designed by the company itself and which has already proven its durability, continues to be used.

Midsole with increased cushioning, traction and flexibility

The midsole maintains the characteristics of the previous version. The RMAT material in the outsole extends to the midsole to provide durability to this section. Subsequently we find HIP CMEVA material which is Hoka s own version of injected EVA foam and provides the shoes with sufficient cushioning and good shock response during running.

The gentle curve found in the midsole just below the metatarsals adds flexibility to this section of the foot, an important factor when running over uneven terrain.

While there are some important changes in the design of the shoe to improve its performance and in appearance the shoe still looks heavy, the truth is that this new version has decreased its weight by 30 grams in the men's version, so we will have a lighter shoe, with better cushioning and traction, as well as more flexible.