Yes, you read the headline correctly: Hoka has created a trail running shoe with pizza and tacos on the outsole.
The Mafate was the first Hoka shoe that ever hit the market, and next year, the brand will release its latest shoe bearing the name. Arriving in May 2025 is the Hoka Mafate X, a trail-ready shoe that will retail for $225.
Sure, the Mafate X is loaded with tech and is built for long haul trail efforts. But the coolest part of the shoe are its outsoles.
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While at The Running Event (TRE) trade show and conference in Austin, Texas last week, Hoka revealed details about the upcoming Mafate X release. The brand stated Sean Denniston, the designer of the shoe, added smiling tacos at the forefoot of the outsoles because the wearer is moving forward and sad face tacos on the heel because they are braking. Denniston, who the senior designer for trail at Hoka, also added pizza slices positioned like arrows pointing forward at the forefoot between the smiling tacos.
Aside from the tacos and pizza, the Mafate X is replete with modern tech. For instance, the shoe’s outsoles are made with Vibram’s Megagrip compound, and it also features a carbon fiber plate, supercritical EVA foam underfoot and a PEBA drop in that sits atop the carbon plate. As for the uppers, Hoka stated they are breathable and were designed to “drain nicely.”
Hoka confirmed it will launch the Mafate X in two colorways for the spring and then more in the fall. Also, the brand stated consumers can expect more surprises like the tacos and pizza on the outsoles in the future.
About the Author
Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.
