Just wore these shoes on a trail today. I was just thinking how great they were for that trail - about 500m climb, 16km of which 6 are through fallen trees, roots and dirt and rocks. My feet feel like they are in a bunker, totally protected from what normally would send me home with bruises and banged up toenails. In my 20s, I would have said close to ground.. today, end of my 30s, I am happy to save my knees. I WILL say though, that out of the box, on my first run, my heart sank - felt what you did: stiff, narrow, where are the clouds? 450km in, they are a great shoe with perfect drop for me...particularly shining on a snowy or muddy day. Worth the extra cost for the durability... admittedly, I got last's year's colorway on a Black Friday, an easy way to save $60.
Love this shoe. I have to disagree with some of your statements. I just ran the speedgoat 50K in this shoe and it was awesome. As you know that course is super technical and has everything. The creek bed I flew through it no problems, on that super technical area. The aggressive lugs crush the climbs and stuck to the Granite scree and mud very well. But I will say I am a little bit bigger of a guy at 160. Tim tollefson is a friend of mine and he came up with a lot of the new upgrades to this shoe 3rd at UTMB in them and recently won the lavaredo 100k with them. Jim Walmsley can't argue with how good that guy runs in them setting the record at Western States in them in 2018, and it was this version evo 2. Just like you said though they are great for long distances. Keep up the good work love your Channel.
Thank you for your daily vlogs, Seth. Allow for one criticism. Please consider if it is really necessary for you to add a loud music track to your review section(s). My perception today was that you were shouting above the music and that what I would have appreciated your review without the soundtrack, a feature (together with video jump cuts) now plaguing UA-cam vlog environment. Back to the positives: Thanks for including kilometres in your timing announcements (saves me converting each time). Here some suggestions about future vlog themes: (1) Your approach to shoe fitting (2)? What is your max distance in running shoe use (mine is 1,000km, as I am on a limited budget and my shoes holding up well, at least aesthetically)? (3) What is your opinion about running watch VO2 measurements (e.g. Garmin Connect)? Thanks again for your informative, funny and very creative videos and best regards to you and your family. Ralf
QTD: More ground contact for sure! Really hard to get used to so much stack height. Soccer was my sport and cleats have way more ground contact. I guess I am more comfortable in a similar ride.
I agree with the price point. Pick up Mafate2 at my local store for only $140 using loyalty rewards. First run got a hot spot & lost some skin on my arch. Definitely a stiff shoe but I think they will break in nicely. The Hoka Torrent is my favorite trail shoe - the Torrent has a great mix of ground contact & sticky Vibram outsole … but look forward to longer 11+ mile runs in the Mafate2 once they’re broken in. Support your local running store! 😉
QD: depends. Like others have said, shorter runs can be helped by low stack. You feel connected and can feel speedier if you’re going for fast! For 20 miles plus, greater stack just helps you churn out the miles! Just a reason to have more shoes 😏 Price is interesting - pennies per mile is worth it if durability lasts! Will be interesting to see.
Thank you Seth! Acctualy you helped me with decision. Price is crazy (in my country 190 Eur+ about 210 USD). QOD: After one year with Inov-8 Trialtalon 235 i am definitely looking into something with less ground contact (on your scale probably in the middle).
More ground contact for me Seth. In my opinion Heel striking is too easy in these shoes but for very long runs I can see why you would purchase a highly cushioned shoe. Great review Seth
My guess on increased price.... they may last longer with the Kevlar. I’m going to try these on training for Marathon De Sables Race which has a lot of rock to run through.
On your question I think it depends on the run, for example if one was to attempt Moab I think the Mafate 2 or Speedgoat might be the shoe for me. For a flatter/shorter ultra one could get away with a Hoka Torrent or an Altra Lonepeak or Timp. My .02 cents.
Seth James DeMoor hey Seth I am coming to Denver in a little over a week and am going to order some trail shoes to wear up on some fourteeners would you recommend the Salomon speed cross 5 or the Saucony mad river and I can get the salmons in wide
I'm with you, Seth.... $170!!! YIKES!! That's a LOT of dinero for the average Joe like myself. As to ride and height, I remember the first pair of Hokas I got... damn, I felt like I was going to twist my ankle for SURE, they were so darn tall. Something I'm used to now, but it's not my preference by any means. I look forward to making the Sauconys my next shoes..... yee ha!!
The Vibram MegaGrip outsoles will most likely give them a long life. Hoka also uses Vibram MegaGrip in their Speedgoat series. Altra also has a few shoes for this outsole and the Salming shoe you recently tested also has it. Cost pr kilometer is more important than price of shoe. I have one pair of shoes that I have done more than 2000 km in. Not with Vibram, but with very strong rubber on the outsole.
Depending on terrain. Less technical trails, not too bothered about ground feel. But in the mountains, low to ground and want the ground feel. Would never take a high-stack shoe like this in the mountains of North Wales! Too expensive too, I'd buy version one to save cash. Cheers Seth 🙂
Seth you are spot on talking about how firm they feel I was too excited to purchase the mafate2 I took them for a 9 mile run I was so disappointed my feet started hurting at mile 4 it caused my feet to get blistered on each of my forefoot I'm so angry that 180 dls.shoe could be that stiff hoka you need to fix this issue. Does anyone had this problem with the mafate 2 ? I'm asking cause seth never replies to comments
Well, I’m Luna Monkey so more ground contact for me. Still cushioning is ok and thin rock plate like Salomon Sense 6 or Nike Wildhorse 5. But no Hokas for me! I have one pair of Clifton 2 and I hate them! I feel like I was running on swamp: they suck all the energy of my feet. No POP. I even made one 30 km long run on Clifton 2 and they were good only on a very steep downhill. Seth, next time test Luna Mono Sandals. They have great ground feel. 😁
2 questions: 1) How breathable is the Kevlar upper? Can you see light passing through? 2) Is the insole the same thin cheap as the Rincon or it is Ortholite?
Running on your forefoot saves your knees, and that's impossible with a high stack height and low ground feel. Also I prefer the feel of a rockplate where I can float over the terrain, compared to a shoe that squishes and absorbs the terrain.
I'm with you on technical trails I returned mine seem like a the overly aggressive lug pattern for a buffed out Trail because the stack Heights to high and soft for my weight class anyways
QOD.. I like that middle ground. I like flexible shoes so I am edging to GC.. but I also like soft shoes which you often get with a stack height.. so I look for the Goldilocks option
I used to only run in shoes that had a lot of ground feel (Speedcross 4s) (La Sportiva Bushido Trail) until I started getting pain in my feet, ankles, shins and knees. Have now switched to speedgoat 3s and haven't had one issue. Only drawback would be the weight but I'd take the weight over the pain any day because it keeps me out there running everyday. Question for you : Did you feel that the Mafate 2 was holding you back on your climbs?
I wonder if this is better for me then the Speedgoat. I have the Bondi 6 and Cliffton 6 & 7 and i love them all. But the speedgoat is putting preassure on my forefoot (big toe etc) when running trail, and its really not a comfortable shoe for mixed surfaces (Ultra trail with parts of tarmac is a big no no for me)
Hey Seth, do you usually size the same in both, trail and road shoes? I am not sure if you need to have more space on your feet while mountain running, thanks.
They have graphene in the sole too - tried a pair in shop but felt too firm for what I was looking for at the time. However, would love to try them out!
Good morning, someone help me out here. Trying to find a comparison between Mafate 2 vs Speedgoat 4. Whether that's a video or just overall feedback, I'd really appreciate it. I'm currently testing the Speedgoat 4 but curious about the Mafate 2. I'm on trails frequently, which one is better guys ? Thanks
I need to replace my Evo Speedgoat;'s but they don't sell them anymore - this is the closed thing to it I've found so far - OffSpring UK are selling them half price but only in their awful red/gray colour
Im sorry to say I cant recommend anyone to buy shoes from Running Warehouse! I bought 3 pairs of Hoka. Bondi 7, Torrent 2 and Challenger ATR 5. All 3 pairs was poorly manufactured and damaged. They sell you singled out scrap! Im so disappointed!
so pathetic judging the price. Being a professional and winging about $20 this or that way. Not to mention that 90% people can afford any shoes and that $20 will not change anyones daily living no matter of their weekly/monthly income. How do you judge a "good" price, huh? by comparing to cheaper shoes? Interesting way of the "value" as this way would make nobody buying brands like BMW or Porsche as they are all overpriced comparing to the competition...
Just wore these shoes on a trail today. I was just thinking how great they were for that trail - about 500m climb, 16km of which 6 are through fallen trees, roots and dirt and rocks. My feet feel like they are in a bunker, totally protected from what normally would send me home with bruises and banged up toenails. In my 20s, I would have said close to ground.. today, end of my 30s, I am happy to save my knees. I WILL say though, that out of the box, on my first run, my heart sank - felt what you did: stiff, narrow, where are the clouds? 450km in, they are a great shoe with perfect drop for me...particularly shining on a snowy or muddy day. Worth the extra cost for the durability... admittedly, I got last's year's colorway on a Black Friday, an easy way to save $60.
Love this shoe. I have to disagree with some of your statements. I just ran the speedgoat 50K in this shoe and it was awesome. As you know that course is super technical and has everything. The creek bed I flew through it no problems, on that super technical area.
The aggressive lugs crush the climbs and stuck to the Granite scree and mud very well. But I will say I am a little bit bigger of a guy at 160. Tim tollefson is a friend of mine and he came up with a lot of the new upgrades to this shoe 3rd at UTMB in them and recently won the lavaredo 100k with them.
Jim Walmsley can't argue with how good that guy runs in them setting the record at Western States in them in 2018, and it was this version evo 2.
Just like you said though they are great for long distances. Keep up the good work love your Channel.
Thank you for your daily vlogs, Seth. Allow for one criticism. Please consider if it is really necessary for you to add a loud music track to your review section(s). My perception today was that you were shouting above the music and that what I would have appreciated your review without the soundtrack, a feature (together with video jump cuts) now plaguing UA-cam vlog environment. Back to the positives: Thanks for including kilometres in your timing announcements (saves me converting each time). Here some suggestions about future vlog themes: (1) Your approach to shoe fitting (2)? What is your max distance in running shoe use (mine is 1,000km, as I am on a limited budget and my shoes holding up well, at least aesthetically)? (3) What is your opinion about running watch VO2 measurements (e.g. Garmin Connect)? Thanks again for your informative, funny and very creative videos and best regards to you and your family. Ralf
QTD: More ground contact for sure! Really hard to get used to so much stack height. Soccer was my sport and cleats have way more ground contact. I guess I am more comfortable in a similar ride.
I agree with the price point. Pick up Mafate2 at my local store for only $140 using loyalty rewards. First run got a hot spot & lost some skin on my arch. Definitely a stiff shoe but I think they will break in nicely. The Hoka Torrent is my favorite trail shoe - the Torrent has a great mix of ground contact & sticky Vibram outsole … but look forward to longer 11+ mile runs in the Mafate2 once they’re broken in. Support your local running store! 😉
QD: depends. Like others have said, shorter runs can be helped by low stack. You feel connected and can feel speedier if you’re going for fast! For 20 miles plus, greater stack just helps you churn out the miles! Just a reason to have more shoes 😏
Price is interesting - pennies per mile is worth it if durability lasts! Will be interesting to see.
I don’t like to feel the ground, I prefer to feel clouds...
Fifth 😬
Seth James DeMoor lol
That was slow, you should have been the first😄
Firth of fifth.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firth_of_Fifth
I like the feel of running on clouds! Time to Fly HOKA!
All depends how long I run. I love ground contact feel, but on long run I prefer to have a little more cushion.
Thank you Seth! Acctualy you helped me with decision. Price is crazy (in my country 190 Eur+ about 210 USD). QOD: After one year with Inov-8 Trialtalon 235 i am definitely looking into something with less ground contact (on your scale probably in the middle).
More ground contact for me Seth. In my opinion Heel striking is too easy in these shoes but for very long runs I can see why you would purchase a highly cushioned shoe. Great review Seth
My guess on increased price.... they may last longer with the Kevlar. I’m going to try these on training for Marathon De Sables Race which has a lot of rock to run through.
On your question I think it depends on the run, for example if one was to attempt Moab I think the Mafate 2 or Speedgoat might be the shoe for me. For a flatter/shorter ultra one could get away with a Hoka Torrent or an Altra Lonepeak or Timp. My .02 cents.
I am so excited for this review
Luke Gregory Kiziah I hope it’s not too disappointing 😬🏔
Seth James DeMoor well at least I know I have a wide foot anyway so it wouldn’t work
Seth James DeMoor hey Seth I am coming to Denver in a little over a week and am going to order some trail shoes to wear up on some fourteeners would you recommend the Salomon speed cross 5 or the Saucony mad river and I can get the salmons in wide
Speedcross 5 and yes I do believe there are wide options now. Mad River will do the trick too though, and it's definitely a wide shoe. Welcome to CO!
Seth James DeMoor thanks means a lot
Yey, it's finally here :D
I'm with you, Seth.... $170!!! YIKES!! That's a LOT of dinero for the average Joe like myself. As to ride and height, I remember the first pair of Hokas I got... damn, I felt like I was going to twist my ankle for SURE, they were so darn tall. Something I'm used to now, but it's not my preference by any means. I look forward to making the Sauconys my next shoes..... yee ha!!
I continue to love Saucony Mad River TRs!!
The Vibram MegaGrip outsoles will most likely give them a long life. Hoka also uses Vibram MegaGrip in their Speedgoat series. Altra also has a few shoes for this outsole and the Salming shoe you recently tested also has it. Cost pr kilometer is more important than price of shoe. I have one pair of shoes that I have done more than 2000 km in. Not with Vibram, but with very strong rubber on the outsole.
And now the Speedgoat Evo just dropped today... 🤔
For short runs, ground feel is more fun and enjoyable. As the distance goes up this older body just needs some cushion to keep from feeling beat up.
Scored a pair on Ebay for 65$. Looking forward to a run...soon.
Depending on terrain. Less technical trails, not too bothered about ground feel. But in the mountains, low to ground and want the ground feel. Would never take a high-stack shoe like this in the mountains of North Wales! Too expensive too, I'd buy version one to save cash. Cheers Seth 🙂
I love to feel the ground Altra's are my favorite: Lone Peak, Superior, Mtn King, and the Timps
QD - a little more gc feel. You should try the Torrent, Seth.
Seth you are spot on talking about how firm they feel I was too excited to purchase the mafate2 I took them for a 9 mile run I was so disappointed my feet started hurting at mile 4 it caused my feet to get blistered on each of my forefoot I'm so angry that 180 dls.shoe could be that stiff hoka you need to fix this issue. Does anyone had this problem with the mafate 2 ? I'm asking cause seth never replies to comments
Well, I’m Luna Monkey so more ground contact for me. Still cushioning is ok and thin rock plate like Salomon Sense 6 or Nike Wildhorse 5. But no Hokas for me! I have one pair of Clifton 2 and I hate them! I feel like I was running on swamp: they suck all the energy of my feet. No POP. I even made one 30 km long run on Clifton 2 and they were good only on a very steep downhill. Seth, next time test Luna Mono Sandals. They have great ground feel. 😁
2 questions:
1) How breathable is the Kevlar upper? Can you see light passing through?
2) Is the insole the same thin cheap as the Rincon or it is Ortholite?
Running on your forefoot saves your knees, and that's impossible with a high stack height and low ground feel.
Also I prefer the feel of a rockplate where I can float over the terrain, compared to a shoe that squishes and absorbs the terrain.
I'm with you on technical trails I returned mine seem like a the overly aggressive lug pattern for a buffed out Trail because the stack Heights to high and soft for my weight class anyways
Shawn, YOU nailed it!!!
QOD.. I like that middle ground. I like flexible shoes so I am edging to GC.. but I also like soft shoes which you often get with a stack height.. so I look for the Goldilocks option
I used to only run in shoes that had a lot of ground feel (Speedcross 4s) (La Sportiva Bushido Trail) until I started getting pain in my feet, ankles, shins and knees. Have now switched to speedgoat 3s and haven't had one issue. Only drawback would be the weight but I'd take the weight over the pain any day because it keeps me out there running everyday.
Question for you : Did you feel that the Mafate 2 was holding you back on your climbs?
I wonder if this is better for me then the Speedgoat. I have the Bondi 6 and Cliffton 6 & 7 and i love them all. But the speedgoat is putting preassure on my forefoot (big toe etc) when running trail, and its really not a comfortable shoe for mixed surfaces (Ultra trail with parts of tarmac is a big no no for me)
How does the Mafate 2 compare to the speedgoat 4 ?
Thoughts / opinions ?
Hey Seth, do you usually size the same in both, trail and road shoes? I am not sure if you need to have more space on your feet while mountain running, thanks.
Seth, I do believe the inov-8 G series shoes also have kevlar in the uppers.
Sweet!! Will definitely be investigating the next pair soon
They have graphene in the sole too - tried a pair in shop but felt too firm for what I was looking for at the time. However, would love to try them out!
Prefer more ground contact for sure!
Me too! Thanks for the comment Michael
QOD If I’m going to be running long training runs I like less contact to the ground than more 👍
I like ground fell. Have you tested the Hoka Challenger atr 5?
Hi,i have a question.I found on web Hoka Evo Mafate 2 and Hoka Mafate Speed 2.Do you know is there any diffence?😊
I like right in the middle. I'm not a Hoka fan it feels like your running to far off the ground. Run on
I prefer less contact feel unless Im doing speed days
Definitely less. Your feet appreciate it over super long distances.
John Knowles Totally agreeing. The hokas have saved my knees with all this cushion.
Good morning, someone help me out here. Trying to find a comparison between Mafate 2 vs Speedgoat 4. Whether that's a video or just overall feedback, I'd really appreciate it. I'm currently testing the Speedgoat 4 but curious about the Mafate 2. I'm on trails frequently, which one is better guys ?
Thanks
whats the difference between the Mafate 2 and the speedgoat 4?
Would you say these have more cushion than the Mafate 1s?
Do they have wide toe boxes for Mafate 2s?
Price is too high for me. Hey @sethjamesdemoor I'm traveling to Denver soon and looking for nice trail for 18 mile run any suggestions?
I’d be curious how it compares to the Speedgoat 3, especially considering the price differnece.
Seth - where were you running for this video?
Stack height is actually 35/31mm
I have a question regarding sleep: Should I raise my feet during sleep?
I need to replace my Evo Speedgoat;'s but they don't sell them anymore - this is the closed thing to it I've found so far - OffSpring UK are selling them half price but only in their awful red/gray colour
Tried these on at my local running store 😐 these bad boys are sexy as hell, definitely found my next pair of hokas....soon as they’re on sale lol
Less ground contact
Def need a break in period.The mafate one was the same way.50 miles in and it becomes a different shoe.
Prefer more ground contact feel
QOD: Lot of ground contact, running FiveFingers.
Less ground contact feel
Less ground contact for ultra distance. But 170 is wayyyyy too much.
Less ground feel = to +Distance
Third
I’m in the middle
Im sorry to say I cant recommend anyone to buy shoes from Running Warehouse! I bought 3 pairs of Hoka. Bondi 7, Torrent 2 and Challenger ATR 5. All 3 pairs was poorly manufactured and damaged. They sell you singled out scrap! Im so disappointed!
Less for ultra distance
Fourth
Does anyone know of any stability trail running shoes?
Blair Drummond I like the Salomon Gtx speedcross 5 for trails / ASICS kayanos for road 👍🏻🤗
Look up the equivalent of the Hoka arahi for trail
@@sharonlightfoot9921 Thanks for the input! Seems like a stable shoe for sure.
@@MilanSmore Thanks, I'll look into it.
These should be $150
They wear out too quick
so pathetic judging the price. Being a professional and winging about $20 this or that way. Not to mention that 90% people can afford any shoes and that $20 will not change anyones daily living no matter of their weekly/monthly income. How do you judge a "good" price, huh? by comparing to cheaper shoes? Interesting way of the "value" as this way would make nobody buying brands like BMW or Porsche as they are all overpriced comparing to the competition...
First