Nicole McLaughlin Radically Upgraded HOKA's Chunkiest Hiker
The HOKA Mafate Three2 has everything you could want from an all-terrain outdoor sneaker: a Vibram Megagrip outsole, toggled quick lace systems, and lightweight, techy fabrics.
But the Hoka x Nicole McLaughlin Mafate Three2? That has everything you could want from an all-terrain outdoor sneaker... and more.
"The HOKA Mafate Three2 highlights the things that HOKA as a brand does best," McLaughlin told Highsnobiety. "They’re technical and performance driven, but also so comfortable and easy to style. They really are the perfect trail-to-street sneaker."
Yes, Nicole McLaughlin is following up last year’s Mafate Three2 collaboration with HOKA by once again adding her signature, function-focused flair to one of its most popular shoes.
The collaboration comes with a detachable shroud that transforms the sporty outdoor footwear into a boot and offers extra carrying space through small pockets. It also has an extra piece of fabric that adds protection to the top of the shoe, clipping into a loop on the front toe.
This technical shroud is a returning feature from their first collaboration, however, it’s offered in a far more eye-catching color than before: yellow with red contrast stitching.
"I wanted to create a reverse colorway of the first drop and really lean into the neon yellow. It’s a great color to wear out in the trails for visibility," McLaughlin explained. "I love that this colorway embraces the wearing/aging over time from all of your adventures!"
Beneath the shroud, McLaughlin has given the Mafate Three2 a predominantly silver and grey look. On the upper of the sneaker, translucent panels are decorated in a gradient print that is yellow (matching the detachable shroud) at the toebox and gradually becomes grey.
The first Hoka x Nicole McLaughlin Mafate Three2 sneaker was one of the highlights in a banner year for HOKA. And this second collaboration is shaping up to be equally of note — it’s not even released yet and I’m already seeing it all over my Instagram feed.
"HOKA has become a staple in sneaker culture today," the designer said. "I think now more than ever, people are looking for brands that feel different and stand out more than mainstream/conventional sneakers."
Nicole McLaughlin's HOKA Mafate Three2 drops June 14 on HOKA's website and the Highsnobiety Shop.
HOKA often partakes in collaborations (its link-ups with Hidden Characters and the Japanese clothing label WTAPS being recent collaborative highlights) but they never feature stylistic upgrades as drastic as this one from Nicole McLaughlin — the original HOKA sneaker is almost unrecognizable when wearing its collaborative shroud.
Adding a detachable, functional shroud to a beefy trail sneaker has made Nicole McLaughlin HOKA's most radical collaborator. And she isn't stopping here.
"I would love to work on a lifestyle shoe from HOKA next like an Ora slide or a Hopara," McLaughlin exclaimed. "I always wear them post-run as recovery shoes, and I think I could put a unique spin on them too!"
