Lone Peak 2.5 vs Hoka Mafate Cushioning

The Lone Peaks are a great hiking shoe; perhaps the best for on-trail hiking, in my opinion. They aren’t as robust as I’d like for bushwhacking/off-trail hiking. They are a bit sloppy (foot shifts inside) for me for technical trail running.

The Hoka’s have considerably more cushion than the Lone Peak’s. They are very different shoes. I have used both extensively and found the Lone Peak’s to be more stable, but tough for me on hard surfaces. The Hoka’s leave my feet feeling much better on long days, but as I get tired they seem easy to fall off of especially going down hill.  The Mafate’s are firmer than the other trail shoes from Hoka, but still seem tippy on rough terrain, I am currently experimenting with La Sportiva Raptors which seem more cushioned that the Lone Peaks and much more stable than any of the Hokas. I tweaked my achilles in the Hokas today when I sort of slid off the shoe on a rocky downhill section so I may be biased!! Back to the Raptors tomorrow.

I went through a similar process last year. I was rehabbing a high ankle sprain and ended up with the Altra Olympus. I really like them. My average mileage is 17 to 20 miles a day. This winter I scored a like new pair of Hoka Stinson Trail’s at Goodwill and will try those out this summer as well. I stick to trails.

Edward,

As I do more research I think I’ll end up trying out the Olympus and Mafates and going with the ones that fit better. Even with my Xodus I have had near ankle rolls but my poles save me.

Don,

I have a history of ankle injuries from playing soccer. I got really good at taping my ankles. My physical therapist suggested I wear a pair of basic elastic ankle supports from now on when I hike or go jogging. My last nasty sprain came while I was trail jogging (I am to slow to call it trail running). I also use poles and swear by them.

I can really feel the extra padding, slight rocker and drop in the Stinson’s. They feel more comfortable on the trail so far, but I have not done real miles in them yet. My Olympus shoes felt good, but I felt a slight rubbing on the side of my heels after about 15-16 miles. On my 20 plus mile days, I ended with a slight burning sensation on the sides of my heels, but it passed quickly and there were no marks, like you would see with a hot spot as a blister forms. When I touched or rubbed my heels the skin felt tender. It was a bit odd. I have read other accounts of heel issues with Altra shoes. Also, the Olympus was not very durable. After a full season mine look trashed, but it is cosmetic and they still function fine. The most recent version of the Olympus looks a bit more durable. I plan to give the Stinson Trails a full tryout and I am cautiously optimistic they will work. If not, it will be back to Altra.

The Mafate has a lot of cushion (comfy) but the cleats/nubs on the soles were pretty much done after 6 days on the trail (’15 version) with mixture of trail, rock, and stream crossings.

Nothing against Hoka-  I’ve used a pair of Challengers for running for 14 months (2x wk plus some hikes/1 overnight) and just replaced them with another pair of Hokas.  Think they are getting the sole situated…