Hoka Speedgoat 7

Consider the Hoka Speedgoat 7 if...

You run long distances on trails
You want maximum cushioning
You run on rocky/technical terrain

A proper trail-running shoe, it has enough cushioning to see you over rocky terrain, ultra distance and more, while still feeling light.

Feature	Details
Category	Trail Running Shoes
Cushioning	Max
Average Weight	Men's 275g / Women's 235g
Heel-to-Toe Drop	4mm
Lug Depth	5mm
Fit	Snug, true to size
Width Fittings	Standard & Wide

Men's Hoka Speedgoat 7

£145

Men's Hoka Speedgoat 7 Wide

£145

Women's Hoka Speedgoat 7

£145

Women's Hoka Speedgoat 7 Wide

£145

Pros	Cons
Great grip on frosty pavements, muddy and snowy trails	Potentially unstable on rough technical trails or hills due to chunky midsole
Loads of cushioning for firm trails & rocks	Might not be stable enough for some over-pronators
Springy toe-off
Durable Vibram outersole

Features

Upper:

Upgraded woven upper for lighter and breathable experience
Foot hugging design from internal chassis that wraps the feet comfortably
Extra comfort and secured dual gusset tongue
Lace eyelet system is position slightly wider than previous version for accommodating fit

Midsole:

Superior SCF EVA midsole for shock-absorption on mixed terrains
Lighter midsole than version 6, and welcomes a noticeably firmer feel underfoot, providing a predictable ride that is stable and supportive

Outsole:

Vibram® Megagrip gives great grip on multiple surfaces
Revised lug orientation inspired by the hoof of a goat

Improvements on Speedgoat 6

5mm deep lugs have been re-positioned to give even better grip in those muddy and slick-grassy conditions
Brand new midsole foam which is lighter; more responsive. It still feels soft, it's still got all the cushioning you need, but it's a bit speedier
The upper also feels a bit speedier – it's quite thin and will hold your foot well

In Testing

The thing that appealed about the Speedgoat was the grip combined with cushioning for winter running. This latest version of Speedgoat has much better fit then its predecessor. The upper is more flexible which fit nicely around the foot.

Although I know runners who use Speedgoats quite happily over hilly and technical terrain, for me the softness of the midsole makes them a little unstable on properly rough ground. An unexpected bonus of the midsole height and the overlays around the base of the upper is that you can run through most puddles and even tiny streams on the beach without getting wet feet!

I did find the overall ride on these to be smoother than on the other Hokas I'd tried. The flex point seems fairly far forward so they had a decent responsiveness. After the first couple of weeks, I was really comfortable with how they felt underfoot. In terms of how far you could run on a road with them I wouldn't put a limit on it as they have plenty cushioning, the only drawback being that with a lot of road use the grip will wear down faster.

Verdict

Am I ready to be a full convert to Hoka shoes? Probably not. Did these shoes do what I wanted them to in terms of grip and comfort for winter running on streets and trails around the city? Definitely!

There is often a bit of compromise on trail shoes with either grip, cushioning or stability compared to a road or fell shoe. I found the Speedgoat a really good all-round shoe – no less cushioning or stability than my usual road shoes. While I would't expect them to give as much grip or stability on rough ground as my fell shoes they do brilliantly on anything wet, light muddy trails and snowy terrain.

In fact, if you had piled up all my running shoes in October and told me I could use only one of them for the next 6 months, these are the ones I would choose. The reality is that I'll probably use them when the trails are wet and muddy, but revert to my road shoes when the trails dry out a bit and the pavements aren't covered in leaves or snow.

Men's Hoka Speedgoat 7

£145

Men's Hoka Speedgoat 7 Wide

£145

Women's Hoka Speedgoat 7

£145

Women's Hoka Speedgoat 7 Wide

£145

Hoka Speedgoat 7 Comparison

Product	Comparison
Hoka Challenger	Better for road-to-trail. Balanced rather than Max cushioning, higher heel-to-toe drop at 8mm, lower price-point, same weight, same width fittings.
Saucony Peregrine	Better for road-to-trail. Balanced rather than Max cushioning, similar grip, same heel-to-toe drop, slightly lighter, slightly lower price-point, waterproof version for men.
Brooks Cascadia	Most stable (suitable even for mild over-pronation), fine for some road running, very durable, Balanced rather than Max cushioning, slightly lighter, slightly higher heel-to-toe drop at 6mm, lower price-point.
La Sportiva Akasha	More rugged for tough terrain (almost like a fell shoe), better grip on soft surfaces, more stable, very durable, firmer cushioning, slightly heavier, slightly higher heel-to-toe drop at 6mm, slightly lower price-point.