The Hoka Speedgoat is the best-selling trail shoe in the U.S. right now. It’s a trail running shoe, but it’s also popular with hikers–particularly thru-hikers, ultralight backpackers, and casual hikers who want extra cushion. However, not everyone loves this shoe’s massively cushioned midsoles and pronounced rocker. That’s why I wrote this Hoka Speedgoat review for hikers–to help you figure out if Speedgoats might be a good fit for your feet and a good match for your hikes.
Meet the Hoka Speedgoat
Hoka (formerly Hoka One ne) is a niche brand that specializes in running shoes with minimum weight and maximum cushion. Inspired by fat tire mountain biking, Hokas developed max cushion trail shoes with super-sized midsoles to counter the “minimalist” trend in running shoes. Hokas also feature a pronounced rocker that helps roll your feet forward into your next stride. (Learn more in my Hoka One One brand review.)
The Speedgoat is by far Hoka’s best seller. It’s not a traditional hiking shoe, but its soft and sturdy construction appeals to many hikers. If you want to hike in a Hoka shoe, this is the one you want. Over the past two years, I’ve tested the Speedgoat–Hoka’s most popular trail running shoe for hikers. My Hoka Speedgoat 4 review dishes on this shoe’s support, weight, comfort, water resistance, traction, durability, and fit. Most of these observations will also hold for the newer Speedgoat 5.
Hoka Speedgoat Review
stability & support
The Speedgoat 4 is surprisingly supportive for such a lightweight trail shoe. It may not have a TPU shank or thick rubber outsoles, but Hoka’s massive midsoles offer substantial foot support. Those thick midsoles also provide some torsional rigidity–resistance to twisting–which offers good lateral stability for a trail running shoe. The shoes lack toe caps, but its pronounced rocker can prevent some stubbed toes on rocks and roots. Finally, the Speedgoat has a wider base than other Hokas, which also adds some stability. In short, it’s got more support than you think.
But is it stable enough for hikers with ankle issues? As a hiker with bad feet and ankles, it took me a few years before I worked up the courage to try Hokas. I was afraid that the Speedgoat’s tall stack height and high center of gravity were a recipe for rolled ankles. I was wrong. My ankles have never turned over in Hokas, and I trust them on uneven terrain.
Overall, its support is good for a trail running shoe (but not as good as the best hiking boots or best hiking shoes for men and women). (If you’re looking for a Hoka with more foot and ankle support, check out my Hoka Ancapa review.) It’s one of the few trail runners that I trust on more technical terrain.
weight
The Speedgoat is super lightweight for a trail shoe–even with all that cushioning. The approximate weight is 24 oz for a men’s pair (size 11)–and a few ounces less for women. That’s a half-pound less than most hiking shoes and a pound less than the average hiking boot.
That’s significant weight savings–which translates into some energy savings for hikers who hike fast enough or far enough for weight to matter. Weight is another reason why the Speedgoat 4 is a popular pick for thru-hikers and ultra-light backpackers.
comfort
Most hikers who splurge on Hokas choose them for their max cushioning. Hiking in Hokas is like hiking on mini-mattresses. The Speedgoat’s thick EVA foam midsoles (32 mm/1.25 inches of cushion) make excellent shock absorbers as your hiking feet take a pounding on the trail. That thick foam also can be extremely comfortable on long distance hikes as the miles add up. That’s why Hokas were initially made for ultra-marathoners: to cushion their feet for 50k or 100k trail runs.
The same technology can cushion hikers’ feet on long distance hikes. Or easy hikes.
It may take a few minutes, however, to get used to the Speedgoat’s feel. You literally stand an inch taller in them, for example. And the Speedgoat’s massive midsoles and pronounced rocker (raised toe) work together to roll you forward into each step. That wheel-like rotation might save some energy, but it’s not a natural motion. I no longer noticed it after a few days.
If you’re after extreme cushion, though, the Hoka Speedgoat 4 clearly could be your dream shoe! Comfort may be subjective, but hikers will be hard-pressed to find a more cushioned trail runner than the Speedgoat. It’s like hiking on marshmallows.
water proofing
Hoka’s Speedgoat 4 is available in waterproof Gore Tex (GTX) or a non-waterproof style ($15 less). Either should be a viable option for hiking and backpacking.
The Speedgoat 4 GTX is lined with a Gore Tex bootie that’s both waterproof and breathable. Gore Tex is a thin sheet of Teflon (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene) with 9 billion microscopic pores per square inch. Each pore is 20,000 times smaller than a single water droplet. That keeps liquid from seeping through the membrane. At the same time, these microscopic pores are 700 times larger than a water vapor molecule. This allows the membrane to release evaporated moisture (steam) into the outside air. That makes Gore-Tex waterproof and breathable.
Gore Tex has been around forever, but it’s still considered best-in-class. So the Speedgoat 4 GTX’s waterproofing should be as reliable and breathable–or better–than other trail running shoes.
That being said, most hikers who pick trail runners prefer the non-waterproof version. That’s because (1) they’ll be cooler on your feet and (2) dry more quickly if they get swamped by sweat or mud. (Learn more here.) It’s also true that waterproof trail runners only provide 2-3 inches of water protection. That makes a difference in mowed grass (i.e., dew, frost) and two-inch puddles–but not much else. If you’re after a quick-drying trail runner, the non-GTX Speedgoat would be a good choice.
traction
Speedgoats feature Vibram mega-grip outsoles. Megagrip is a high performance rubber compound that’s made to provide good grip on both wet and dry surfaces. The soft rubber generates plenty of friction on rock, and its multi-directional, half-moon-shaped lugs can also gain some purchase on steeper ascents and descents.
Overall, the shoe’s traction is a plus. My pair got a little wobbly on a damp hike through mixed terrain–with a few slips on steps that mixed mud and wet roots with dry leaf litter and rocks. Otherwise, my Speedgoats have been pretty sticky on some gnarly trails, including slick scree on the steep Spruce Gap trail and rock gardens on the Standing Stone Trail and Mid State Trail. I worry about the soft rubber holding up long-term, but so far, it’s been especially good on rocks and technical terrain.
durability
Hikers don’t buy Hokas for their durability. They buy them for their light weight and maximum cushion. That being said, my first pair of Speedgoats has probably quadrupled the miles I got out of my first pair of Altra Lone Peaks and On Cloudventures.
My Speedgoats still have some miles left and should live out their expected lifespan as a trail running shoe (which is less than a hiking boot or dedicated hiking shoe). The uppers show some scratches, and the soft EVA foam shows some fraying on the sidewalls from some rocky steps. My midsoles also may be packing out now, after alternating them with other hiking boots and shoes for the last year.
Overall, let’s call this average durability. Better than I expected from such a lightweight trail runner.
fit
As a brand, Hokas tend to run a little narrow. However, the Speedgoat 4 is made on a larger last than many Hokas for a more standard fit (that may run a little big).
If you’ve got wide feet, you’re in luck! Their comparatively large sizing means that Speedgoats’ standard sizes may fit hikers with moderately wide feet. On top of that, Speedgoats are now available in wide. Overall, the Speedgoat 4 is a better fit for standard to wide feet.
As for sizing, the Speedgoat also seems to run a little large. Some hikers may still size up a 1/2 size, but some may prefer this shoe in their everyday shoe size (not their “hiking size”). In my case, I sized up a half-size (i.e. my normal “hiking” size), but the standard width surprisingly fit me when my feet normally need a wide. (I prefer the wide but can wear both–which is unusual for me.)
In other words, it may take a little experimentation to dial in your fit. If you’re ordering online, you may consider buying multiple sizes to find the right fit (and return the ones that don’t work).
price
This is a premium trail running shoe at a premium price. Speedgoats cost more than most trail runners and are comparable in price to the best hiking shoes. That reflects their premium components (e.g. Gore Tex and Vibram Mega-grip) and build quality. If you’re after minimum weight and maximum cushion, it’s probably a good buy. If “max cushion” is not your niche, that may be more than you want to spend.
Here are current prices from leading outdoor specialty retailers. (The Gore Tex–GTX–is more expensive than the non-waterproof):
men’s
women’s
Overall Recommendation
Overall, my Hoka Speedgoat 4 review is overwhelming positive. I’d always been intrigued by Hokas, but I thought they were a risky buy for my messed up feet and ankles. But I love the cushion. And the Speedgoat 4 has gained my trust since my ankles haven’t rolled once on uneven ground. These shoes may look a little hokey, but they’re serious trail runners. And there’s enough substance to them that they can handle technical terrain–which hasn’t been true of my last two trail running shoes.
I don’t often hike in trail runners. But the Hoka Speedgoat 4 is my current trail runner of choice on days where I plan to hike faster or farther than normal.
The Speedgoat 4 is one of the first trail running shoes that I recommend for (1) hikers who want max cushion, (2) fast hikers, and (3) thru-hikers and ultra-light backpackers. (If that’s not you, you might browse my brand reviews, my women-specific recommendations, or my curated lists of the best trail runners for hikers for a more conventional shoe.) Overall, the Speedgoat 4 is probably the best Hoka for hikers.
Are you thinking about picking up a pair? If so, please consider purchasing your new Speedgoats through the affiliate links above. Hiking Feet may receive a small commission (at no cost to you). Those commissions fund this site (and compensate me for the hundreds of unpaid hours I spent creating free content to help you buy the right hiking boots or shoes). If this site hooked you up, please consider hooking me up, too. Thanks, I appreciate it!
Either way, get out and hike!
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