HOKA ONE ONE Speedgoat 4 Trail Runner Review
The HOKA ONE ONE Speedgoat 4 is a lightweight trail running shoe with a 4 mm heel-toe drop, Vibram Megagrip outsole, breathable upper mesh, zonal rubber with 5 mm lugs, and a moderate amount of cushion.
I don’t experiment much with new shoes, but when a shoe is released in a wide version (as the Speedgoat was), I tend to take my chances to make some new friends. Here’s all you need to know about the HOKA ONE ONE Speedgoat 4 trail running shoes.
Testing Conditions
I’ve used the HOKA ONE ONE Speedgoat 4 for the Southern Sierra High Route (a mostly cross-country hike in California’s Sierra Nevada), for an additional number of overnight backpacking trips, for running on pavement, and for trail running. I’ve used these in sand, scree, talus, snow, and hard-packed trails.
The Specs
- Weight: 10.8 oz / 306 g (per shoe)
- Heel to toe drop: 4 mm
- Heel height: 32 mm
- Forefoot height: 28 mm
- Height: Ankle
- Closure: Lace-up
- Upper material: Synthetic
- Midsole: EVA
- Outsole: Vibram Megagrip
- Rock plate: No
- Waterproof: No (waterproof version available)
- Country of Origin: USA
- Sizes: Men’s sizes 7-15, Women’s sizes 5-11
- Widths: Regular (D), Wide (EE)
- Colors: 9 men’s colors, 8 women’s colors (most are awesome)
- MSRP: $145
The Features
- Updated mesh upper for breathability
- 3D printed overlays for additional midfoot support and lockdown
- Gusseted tongue features strategic cutouts for breathability
- Lacing eye-rows contain a small winged component to ensure a secure fit
- Midsole with new lightweight foam
- Wider forefoot for a more stable ride and accommodating fit
- Vibram Megagrip rubber outsole for grip in wet and dry conditions
- 5mm “stepped” lugs for support and stability
- Zonal rubber placement for support and stability
HOKA ONE ONE Speedgoat Models Compared
| Model | Price | Weight (per shoe) | Height | Waterproof | Upper Fabric |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speedgoat 4 | $145 | 10.8 oz / 306 g | Ankle | No | Mesh |
| Speedgoat 4 GTX | $160 | 12.2 oz / 346 g | Ankle | Yes | GORE-TEX |
| Evo Speedgoat | $160 | 9.9 oz / 281 g | Ankle | No | MATRYX |
| Speedgoat Mid 2 GTX | $170 | 13.2 oz / 374 g | Above Ankle | Yes | GORE-TEX |
HOKA ONE ONE Speedgoat 4 Photo Gallery
The Good
The Comfort: The HOKA ONE ONE Speedgoat 4 are comfortable. Everyone has differently shaped feet and there is no one shoe that everyone will find comfortable. I wouldn’t even bother trying out a pair of shoes if they weren’t comfortable – there’s no reason to and there would be no way to properly evaluate them. I find the Speedgoat 4 to have a comfortable amount of cushion and plenty of support. They’re lightweight and the only time I have any complaints is when I tie the laces too tight (but more on those laces below).
The Sizing/Fit: I have a wide foot and generally can’t wear anything that isn’t specifically sized as “wide”. Fortunately, the Speedgoat 4 comes in a wide version (however, just in the Men’s version). I have found the fit of the Speedgoat 4 to be great – zero complaints. There is plenty of room in the toe box and the rest of the way down the shoe (these are not simply clown shoes with a large toe box like some other shoes that shall not be named).
The Colors: The color selection for the Speedgoat 4 is unreal. Yes, I have a boring gray pair. Yes, I want another pair. Yes, I will get another pair. Yes, they will be awesome. I honestly think the HOKA ONE ONE Speedgoat color selection is one of the best available. There are different colors for men’s (which have nine) and women’s (which have 8). Do yourself a favor and get the most obnoxious pair possible.
The Okay
The Durability: The HOKA ONE ONE Speedgoat 4 has proven durable enough for regular trails and I have yet to have any failures in the upper mesh or laces. That said, I took them through the wringer on the Southern Sierra High Route where most of the hiking was off established trails and through scree, talus, and brush. This route did a number on the sole and I wasn’t always as sure-footed as I hoped to be. They held up well, but I don’t know that I would continue to use them for long-distance off-trail hiking. I’ve had no blowouts and the sole is the only part I’ve managed to (nearly) kill. On-trail hiking, they’re my go-to pair of shoes. For the record, I’m comparing these to my (much more rugged) Moab 2 Vent.
The Putting On/Taking Off: I don’t know that this is something many people would take note of since it involves using the shoe “incorrectly”, but the Speedgoat 4 isn’t easy to put on/take off while the laces are tied (tightly). Honestly, I prefer pulling my shoes off and then stomping them back on without untying them; this isn’t easy (though not impossible) with the Speedgoats. I know, I should probably be untying and tying my shoes whenever I take them off/put them on, but I get lazy, okay?
The Blisters: When I put on the Speedgoat 4 after not having hiked in a while and I start with some big days, I do get blisters. However, this happens to me regardless of my shoe choice. The blisters I get with the Speedgoat are in different places than I’ve gotten blisters in the past. I get them at the top half on the inside of my arch. Obviously, everyone’s feet are different and everyone’s blisters will be different, but I thought it worth noting where I suffer from blisters in the Speedgoat 4. That said, beyond the first couple of days, I don’t experience blisters in them.
The Bad
The Price: Unfortunately, the Speedgoat 4 isn’t the cheapest shoe out there at $145 per pair (or $160 per pair if you want the waterproof version). If you’re looking at a thru-hike and are planning on using five pairs of shoes, then you’re looking at $725 in shoes pre-tax; so, buy them on sale if you can. If you’re not thru-hiking and are just looking for an awesome trail/running shoe, then definitely consider investing in a pair.
The Haters: This only applies to the thru-hiking community (so far as I know), but since there’s an inexplicable, cult-like following of Altra shoes (which flaunt their zero heel-toe drop as a point of pride), people blindly hate on the Speedgoat 4 for having too much cushion. Should you lend any credence to the misguided ramblings of these haters? Absolutely not. Wear whatever shoe is most comfortable on your foot. If you like a 0 mm drop, good for you. If you like lots of cushion, good for you, too.
Popular Alternatives
| SHOES | PRICE | WEIGHT (PAIR) | HEEL-TOE DROP | WATERPROOF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merrell Moab 2 Vent | $100 | 31 oz / 879 g | — | No |
| Topo Athletic Ultraventure | $130 | 20.8 oz / 590 g | 5 mm | No |
| Brooks Cascadia | $130 | 21.4 oz / 607 g | 8 mm | No |
| Altra Lone Peak | $120 | 21 oz / 595 g | 0 mm | No |
| Salomon X Ultra 3 Low Aero | $120 | 25.75 oz / 730 g | 11 mm | No |
Wrap Up
The HOKA ONE ONE Speedgoat 4 is my go-to thru-hiking and running shoe at the moment (this includes trail running). So long as I’m not going to be trudging through long sections of snow or negotiating steep slabs, boulders, and talus, I’m thrilled with the Speedgoats. And, once again, the colors are amazeballs.
Questions, comments, or personal experience with the HOKA ONE ONE Speedgoat 4? Leave a comment below and let me (us) know!
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