Hoka teams up with Seoul-based Xlim to rework the Mafate Speed 2
Two monochrome colorways, textured suede, mesh panels, subtle branding, and XLIM’s utilitarian design language
$180 on May 15 via Hoka’s website
XLIM is a Seoul‑based collective founded around 2021 by designer and stylist Do Hee Kim, operating somewhere between technical outerwear and modern luxury. The brand builds its collections as “episodes,” treating each drop like a self‑contained narrative drawn from architecture, urban infrastructure, and the natural environment.
A small team of creators with backgrounds in fashion, art, and architecture works under the motto “Infinite,” reinterpreting what they see and feel in their surroundings into garments that mix carbon‑coated fabrics, subtle asymmetry, and muted palettes.
This is still very much a Mafate Speed 2: a chunky, rocker‑shaped midsole, Hoka’s Active Foot Frame chassis, and a Vibram Megagrip outsole with 5 mm lugs built for loose terrain. XLIM leaves the tooling intact and focuses on stripping the upper back to a tighter, more utilitarian package.
The overlays switch to rough, almost-hairy suede along the mudguard and eyestay, paired with ripstop and open-mesh panels that lean into the “worn by nature” storyline without turning the shoe into a costume hiker.
Branding is kept minimal: small XLIM wordmarks appear at the toe and lateral heel, while Hoka’s side logo is treated tonally so it doesn’t dominate the profile.
Hardware and support pieces (eyelets, pull tabs, heel counters) are color‑matched to the upper instead of highlighted, which keeps the silhouette clean and puts more focus on proportion and texture.
The second part of the collaborative Mafate Speed 2 lands as a two-color pack: Grey Foam and Peach Dust. Grey Foam softens everything into a muted grey‑on‑grey, which makes panel lines, stitching, and XLIM’s pattern decisions slightly more visible. Peach Dust is an orangish‑pink shade that covers the upper, midsole, and most trims, effectively turning the trail model into something that feels more at home in a city fit than on a switchback.
Pricing is aligned with Hoka’s upper‑tier product without being pushed into luxury territory, coming in at around $180. The Hoka x Xlim Mafate Speed 2 collection is set to release globally on May 15th, 2026, with the main drop hitting via Xlim’s online store, Hoka’s own channels, and select retailers.
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Alfredo is a runner, writer, creative director, and cultural analyst based in Berlin. After years as a casual runner, his move to Berlin transformed his running into a vital practice for mental health and a source of tranquility during cold, early morning runs. His interest in clothes comes from uniforms and sportswear, combined with a love for innovation and research—which might explain why he meticulously charts his winter running gear.
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