HOKA  Mafate Hike Boots - Women's

Super comfy, broke in easily, stable in all terrain (I’ve used them on groomed trails, gravel, and rocky beaches). Not waterproof at all; my socks got wet walking across wet grass. Solid dog-working and summer shoe, but won’t replace my waterproof boots in the PNW! I love them for dog-walking and have even been wearing them bartending. But why are these white?! After 2 wears, they looked so yucky. Otherwise these would be perfect.

I love Hoka shoes (Bondi, various trail runners) Two years after thru-hiking the AT, I allowed my feet to luxuriate in fantastical cushioning. This was my first hiking boot. Overall, fantastic. No better trail to determine this than the lovely Appalachian Trail - Pennsylvania Lehigh Gap area. The fit: very wide, so light socks were out. The weight: refreshingly light, so I had to remind myself that my "trail legs" were not meant to dance over the rocky ledges. Absolutely no problem climbing up out of Palmerton (north bound) to the top of Blue Mountain. The vibram grip of was very good. The lightness of the boot may have benefitted me moving over unbalanced surfaces. I had a cold, beautiful day on the AT so no chance at determining rocky grip on wet surfaces. But it's the hiker, not the boot, that determines success in managing bad weather. Walking on rocky terrain was wonderful. Yes, I still felt the rocks, but I did not care. I enjoyed sunny day! These boots do not have stability built into them. As someone who gravitates toward stabilization, this was a surprisingly great change heading downhill on steep terrain. I highly recommend them! If you have narrow feet like I do, these may not be your immediate go-to boot, but they would make an excellent transition boot for multiple day(s)/week(s) hiking journey. Also, they run hot - so your feet will not freeze. Summer weather would require no/light socks. Because I have not tried them on wet terrain, I will stick to 4/4.5 stars.

I bought these Hoka’s the day before hiking Camelback Mountain. I knew it was risky hiking such a challenging trail with a new pair of boots but my previous Hoka’s were so faithful I didn’t worry about it too much. They were 7 years old with zero tread and I knew I needed that for this hike. The Mafate’s didn’t fail! They were like super grippers on the rock climbs and my confidence grew with every step. Very comfortable and kept my feet balanced. So glad these were at REI When I came by.

These require very little breaking in. Right after I bought them, I went for a 6 mile hike with around 3000’ elevation gain in an area with steep slopes, scree and gravel. They were comfortable but my foot sloshed around a bit inside and they made me feel unstable on uneven surfaces, especially boulders. I was a little disappointed. But when I got home, I relaced them with a heel lock and a surgeons’s knot (google it!) to keep my feet locked in place inside the shoes. I went on that same hike the next day and WOW! Now I love them! That lacing method made all the difference! The shoes felt like they were molded to my feet and I didn’t slip and slide like I did on the first hike. It might be worthwhile for Hoka to include some lacing option info inside the box with these shoes. At $200/pair, the added expense for Hoka would be minimal and I’m certain they would reduce their returns fairly dramatically.

These hoka hiking shoes feel pretty true to size. They are comfortable and have a bit of that traditional hoka rocking motion but not too much. Feels very stable and I love the laces and the set of hooks to keep the ankle support secure. The vibram bottoms also help with grip on slick surfaces. They are lighter than your typical ankle hiking boot which makes it like a cross between the traditional hiker and runner. Not certain how waterproof it is though so may want to wear them in dry conditions.

I haven’t trail tested these yet but I can tell a lot simply from the fit. These boots have the right mix - wide toe box, secure midfoot, and tight heel. Compared to another brand that is similar but fails in the midfoot and heel so that my feet slide around, I’m sure these are going to work well on both trail and boulder scrambling. I don’t think one should necessarily go along with the advice to size down a half. I did that but had to go back up. (Very efficient return experience by the way). I compared the smaller ones to another Hoka model ( the Stinson low) of the same size and there was an obvious difference.

Super comfy, wide enough toe box, lightweight, and great colors. The Mafates have solid traction going uphill and grippy enough that I felt comfortable across a rock scramble. Just the right amount of cushion without feeling clunky. I was grateful for the ankle support while carrying a pack. I've been hiking mostly in trail running shoes and these are a perfect in between!

These break in quickly, are very cushioned, and the collar supports but doesn't dig in to my ankles. My feet are usually sore after a few miles but not with these. I have flat feet and these support and cushion better than any other hiker I have tried. The color is not great, mine are basically dirt colored now, but my feet and legs are happy.

Super comfortable, lightweight, and good ankle support! I did a light hike with them the other day to play it safe and it was great. Can’t wait to continue with these! They feel just like my Cliftons :)

I bought this boot reluctantly- I questioned why a hiking boot would be made in white. I wanted a Hoka because they seem to work best to minimize my knee pain. I work them on uneven trail. The boot wasn’t as comfortable or shock absorbing as I’d expected. Then boot as absolutely filthy and really looks awful. It’s a hiking shoe not a tennis shoe.