Hoka SpeedGoat Shoe Review
~This post does NOT contain any affiliate links, all opinions are my own~
Hoka Speedgoat 4 Trail Runners
Over the years I have tried various different trail runners including ones by Nike, Adidas and Brooks, but today we are talking about my newest trail runners: the Speedgoat 4 by Hoka One One (pronounced “oh-nay oh-nay”). Hoka started in France in 2009 and has become known for their maximalist approach to shoes. Most Hoka shoes come with a thick layer of midsole foam that provides maximal comfort for the wearer. Their popularity has surged in recent years in opposition to the “barefoot” style shoe craze for those who prefer maximum cushion and plushness. They have expanded their shoe range to include new technologies like carbon plating, hyper light and Gore-tex materials and even have a “super shoe” that competes with Nike. More athletes and workers who spend long amounts of time on their feet (like nurses) are choosing Hoka shoes for support and comfort. As mentioned in my previous post, I personally prefer trail runners over the traditional hiking boot, and when I saw what trail style runners Hoka was offering I had to give them a try. Currently Hoka offers the updated Speedgoat 5, but overall it is not that different from the Speedgoat 4 we’re talking about today.
The Speedgoat trail runner shoe was first introduced in 2015 and was created in collaboration with Karl “Speedgoat” Meltzer, an extremely successful ultramarathon trail runner. Meltzer was looking for a shoe that had ample cushioning to be comfortable out on the trails for hours and hours while having great grip for downhills. Now on it’s fifth iteration, the Speedgoat is one of Hoka’s most popular shoes.
Midsole Gait and Cushioning
The Speedgoat trail runners are a neutral gait shoe that will suit the vast majority of runners. One way to tell if you have a neutral gait is to go to a specialty running shoe store and ask one of the employees to do your gait analysis. Depending on how your foot rotates when it touches the ground you may have a neutral gait, pronated gait, or supinated gait. For more information about gait styles and shoes, click here. I have a neutral gait and feel that the Speedgoats match my gait well overall. Hoka describes the cushioning on the Speedgoats as “balanced”, essentially not being too firm and rigid, and also not too squishy and plush. I think this depends on if you have worn Hoka shoes before, if these are your first pair you might be surprised at the amount of cushioning, but if you have worn other Hoka shoes like the Clifton or Bondi, you will find them noticeably less squishy. I personally feel that the Speedgoats have the right amount of midsole cushioning and at 32mm thick, these are shoes you can wear for hours on the trail without getting sore feet and knees. The thick midsole foam also protects the bottoms of your feet from feeling every rock and root, without losing the “ground feel”. Essentially, they are not so cushioned that you will lose the sense of what is underfoot, you’ll still be able to tell that you’re walking on uneven ground without feeling every single rock. The Speedgoats have a 4mm drop, which is the height difference between the heel and the toe.
Pros:
Ample amount of cushioning to support long treks and downhill sections
32mm cushioning protects feet from rough terrain
Neutral gait will accommodate most runners
Responsive midsole gives a “kick off” feeling propelling you forward
Cons:
Supinators and pronators might not have enough support
Outsole
For me, the Speedgoats most impressive feature is the outsole. The outsole is made from Vibram rubber and has 5mm “megagrip traction lugs”. When I started wearing the Speedgoats on the trail I was shocked at how grippy they were on the downhills. Loose gravel, dirt or rocks, the shoes handled it all amazingly. I am always quite hesitant on the downhills as I have bad knees, and I hate it when my shoes slip out on loose terrain. I remember telling my partner that I have never had shoes with this much traction before, I was very impressed. Other trail runners I have tried have lugs that are too large which made me feel unstable and others where the lugs are not deep enough resulting in slip sliding around.
Pros:
Made from grippy Vibram rubber
Stable in both wet and dry conditions
Can handle various terrain (gravel, dirt, rocky)
Upper
The Speedgoat upper is a breathable jacquard mesh that is made from recycled materials. This breathability adds to the overall comfort of the shoes as it prevents your feet from overheating, and overheating = sweat = blisters. The mesh upper also allows water to drain out of the shoe quickly if you are doing any river/creek crossings. You won’t be putting on wet shoes the next morning at camp which is great! I think that Hoka also has interesting designs and colorways from black to rainbow, so you can wear a bit of your own personality on your shoes. I personally love adding a pop of color with my shoes as most of my gear is black or grey. When you first open the box and look at your new Hokas you’ll probably think “Wow these chunky shoes are going to be heavy!” When I first picked these shoes up and felt them I was amazed at how light they were. The women’s Speedgoats come in at 240 grams (0.5 lbs). Next time you see them in store pick them up and feel how light they are compared to an average hiking boot which is around 2,000 grams (2.4 lbs).
Another notable feature is that many Hoka styles are available in different widths. The Speedgoats come in both regular and wide widths. I would say that I have wide-ish feet where most styles of runner fit me but narrower brands like Soloman and Puma are too narrow. The regular Speedgoats fit me just fine. I would try a wide size if you have trouble fitting into most brands of shoes and are a true wide. I found the Speedgoats to be true to size and comfortable to wear right out of the box. (*Tip* Don’t wear new shoes on a long hike/run right out of the box) The Speedgoats also have a protective toe cap, to help protect against roots and rocks, and reinforced seams as well, improving durability. The Speedgoats have a seamless interior so you won’t get blisters on your pinky toe from rubbing against a seam for 5 hours on the trail!
Pros:
Breathable mesh upper to prevent overheating and improve drainage
Available in many different colorways
Offered in regular and wide fit
Toe cap for improved protection and durability
Shoes you can wear comfortably right out of the box
Lightweight
Cons:
In reviews some have found them too narrow
Drainage in previous models stated to be better
Cost
As the Speedgoat 4s become less available, I will be referencing the Speedgoat 5s which come in around $200 CAD. This is comparable to others like the Brooks Caldera 7 at $190 CAD, Saucony Peregrine 14 at $170 CAD or the Altra Olympus 5 at $210 CAD. Unfortunately, running shoes have become more expensive over the years and it is not uncommon to see most prices ranging from $150-250. At $200 the Speedgoats do provide extra technology, quality materials and sustainability which can justify the price. I suggest purchasing Hokas directly from the official website, as there has been issues with websites selling counterfeits. You can purchase the Hoka Speedgoat 5 by clicking the link below.
Final Thoughts
Overall the Hoka Speedgoats are a super comfortable trail shoe that provides plenty of grip. These shoes work well for long hikes and trail runs and can accommodate both wet and dry conditions with ease. The maximalist cushioning provides lots of protection from the ground without losing ground feel. The breathable mesh upper prevents overheating, moisture and blisters. Available for both men and women the Hoka Speedgoat is a solid trail shoe that I would recommend to those looking for a cushioned ride and grip for those downhills! Happy Hiking :)