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Upcycling maven, power collaborator, and outdoor lover Nicole McLaughlin is adding to her catalog of footwear by working with Hoka for the first time.
Today, the new partners are launching McLaughlin’s take on the Mafate Three2, the hybrid trail and road shoe that just made its debut in October. Known for her utilitarian design language, McLaughlin adds a hook-and-loop gaiter system that allows the sneaker to be worn in four different ways. The dirt- and water-resistant shroud can be worn above the foot, around the ankle, or both for full coverage. It also plays host to five pockets for handy (or foot-y) storage and a series of co-branded hangtags.
“My collaboration with HOKA allowed me to dive deep into multifunctional design, and the Mafate Three2 hybrid was the perfect canvas to create a modular gaiter attachment,” McLaughlin said in a press release. “I was fortunate to work closely with their design team, who helped bring my idea to life. It has multiple pockets, combining the HOKA brand’s performance aesthetic with my tongue-in-cheek design language.”
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The base shoe is largely free of McLaughlin’s branding, save for the left insole, and instead stands out for its bold colorway pairing red and highlighter yellow along with black and silver. The model itself is a mash-up of the Mafate 3’s upper and Mafate 2’s sole unit featuring a quick-lace system, EVA foam midsole, and Vibram Megagrip outsole.
“Over the past few years, HOKA has delivered aspirational collaborations in our lifestyle footwear category — diversifying and growing it alongside our core offerings,” Travis Wiseman, director of Product, Lifestyle Footwear at Hoka, added in the release. “This partnership in particular brings together the technical properties of our newest trail shoe — the Mafate Three2 — and marries it seamlessly with Nicole’s out-of-the-box design perspective. Working with Nicole has allowed HOKA to honor our roots on the trail with a design that speaks directly to what our future consumers are looking for.”
The Nicole McLauhglin x Hoka Mafate Three2 sneaker is out now through Hoka’s website and select third-party retailers. Pricing is set at $250.
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About the Author:
Ian Servantes is a Senior Trending News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.
