Pros, Cons, and Marketplace Comps of HOKA Speedgoat 7
HOKA Speedgoat 7 is a huge upgrade that resolves many of SG6’s issues
The new and improved HOKA Speedgoat 7 is notable for best-in-class traction, thick midsoles, and a locked-in fit. It is the optimal shoe for traversing steep, technical terrain where confidence in your footing matters most. What’s more, the seventh edition corrects all major issues of Speedgoat 6, and proves that HOKA is listening and tinkering. In short, everything that made Speedgoat popular in the first place is back and ready for the trail.
- Price: $165
- M’s Weight: 9.7 oz | W’s Weight: 8.3 oz
- Heel-Forefoot-Drop: 37.3-33.3-4
- Lugs: ~5 mm | Rockplate: No
- Width: Average trending narrow | Length: True to size
- Wide Sizes Available: Yes
- On Trail/Off trail/Pavement? Yes/Yes/No
- Consider Its Peers: HOKA Challenger, HOKA Mafate, Altra Experience Wild, Topo Mtn Racer, Altra Olympus. Brooks Caldera.
- Pros: Excellent traction. Locked-in fit for technical terrain. Thick midsoles, good foam. Relatively lightweight. Durable, water resistant, non-stretchy upper. Resolved issues from last version.
- Cons: Less comfy in forefoot. Low breathability upper. Lost sense of trail feel.
See more in our complete to guide to the best trail runners. You might also be interested in our HOKA Challenger 8 Review.
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The extended heel tab from past versions is gone
Review of the Pros
Excellent traction: One of Speedgoat’s three most defining characteristics is the best-in-class traction, all thanks to aggressive, 5mm Vibram Megagrip rubber lugs. They perform well on all surfaces where traction is required, and exceed expectations on wet, steep, and/or otherwise challenging terrain.
Thick Midsoles, good foam: Speedgoat’s second defining feature is it’s thick midsoles, with a stack height of 37.3mm. The supercritical EVA foam is reasonably bouncy, reasonably cushy, and nearly all runners and hikers will enjoy the ride.
Locked-in fit for technical terrain: Speedgoat’s third and final defining characteristic is a locked in fit, intended to add security on technical terrain. It is more narrow than some of HOKA’s other shoes, sacrificing comfort for safety. As such, we don’t recommend them as an everyday all-terrain shoe; though it’s perfect for traveling perpendicular to steep slopes. Those with wide feet can size up to the wide version.
Relatively Lightweight: At 9.7 oz for a men’s medium, HOKA Speedgoat 7 is lighter than the average trail running shoe, though not particularly or exceptionally light.
Durable water resistant, non-stretchy upper: Speedgoat’s woven forefoot upper has burly feel that we expect will easily resist abrasive wear and tear. The front has light rubberized reinforcement, and the sides have a slightly more open (but still tough feeling), mesh. It does a good job of resisting wet grass and light rain.
Resolved issues from SG6: Speedgoat 6 had multiple issues, but the two biggest were resolved with the advent of 7. Firstly, the heel collar has been elongated and now properly sits underneath the lace knot, even if you’re using the rear eyelet. Secondly, the upper mesh is now static and doesn’t stretch out, ensuring you will always be able to achieve the lock-in fit as desired.
Outrageously grippy, best-in-class tread
Review of the Cons
Less comfy in forefoot: Because HOKA Speedgoat is designed to offer a secure, locked-in feel, the overall fit is not particularly wide. If you are coming over from Altra or Topo, these shoes might feel narrow, especially in the forefoot (a wide width is available). While this is advantageous on technical terrain because it makes your footing more secure, it is simply less comfortable and unnecessary when running or hiking on mellow terrain.
Lost sense of trail feel: With a 37.3 mm stack height, you will lose some of your sense of the surface below your feet. While it does prevent lumps and rocks from jabbing, it negatively impacts balance and decreases confidence in footing.
Low breathability upper: While HOKA Speedgoat 7’s upper is very durable and won’t stretch out, I would not describe it as particularly breathable. The most common surface area is a tightly woven nylon mesh, and large swathes are rubberized, reinforced, or double layered with other fabrics. These factors decrease the amount of air that can pass through, which increases heat build up relative to more open meshes. Shoes that run warm increase the likelihood of blisters (but can be advantageous in cold weather).
The burly woven mesh upper is durable and won’t stretch out, but reduces breathability
Who Should Choose the Speedgoat
Choose HOKA Speedgoat 7 if…
- You are running or hiking on steep, slippery, or technical terrain and need maximum traction; Speedgoats have best-in-class grip
- You have a want a locked-in feel with less wiggle room inside of the shoe, especially the forefoot
- You like the comfort of a thick and slightly bouncy midsole
Don’t Choose HOKA Speedgoat 7 if…
- You want the comfiest trail shoes possible; in which case choose something like Altra Experience Wild or HOKA Challenger
- You demand a wide toe box; in which case choose Altra Exp Wild, Mount to Coast H1, or Topo Ultraventure
- You want to maximize breathability; in which case choose something with an airier mesh, like HOKA Challenger
- You want one shoe that does it all on all surfaces; Speedgoat is overkill traction on most terrain and bad on pavement; instead choose Mount to Coast H1, HOKA Challenger, or Topo Ultraventure
- You want the most cushion possible, soft as a cloud; in which case choose HOKA Challenger or HOKA Mafate
Top: HOKA Speedgoat 7, Bottom: HOKA Speedgoat 6
Top: HOKA Speedgoat 7, Bottom: HOKA Challenger 8
Vs the competition & Predecessor
HOKA Speedgoat 6 vs 7
HOKA Speedgoat 7 is a clear upgrade over SG6. Updates include the static mesh upper that won’t stretch out, more responsive foam, full coverage heel collar, and rejiggered lugs for even better traction. The only thing we miss is the extended heel architecture for easy slide-in.
HOKA Challenger 8 vs Speedgoat 7
Neither shoe is better, they each have their own use case. HOKA Speedgoat 7 is the choice for technical terrain thanks to best-in-class traction, a tighter fit, and thinner midsole foam for better balance and trail sense. Challenger 8 is optimized for comfort and efficiency on moderate terrain like gravel roads, and has less traction, a looser fit, better breathability, and more cushion. Because moderate terrain is much more common than technical terrain, we think the Challenger is a more useful, more likely to be worn shoe.
HOKA Mafate 5 vs Speedgoat 7
Mafate 5 is like Speedgoat 7’s heavier, cushier sibling. Both have superb Vibram Megagrip traction, but Mafate adds 7.5mm of additional foam for a much softer ride.
Altra Experience Wild 3+ vs Speedgoat 7
Both shoes share in having excellent Vibram Megagrip rubber outsoles with aggressive lugs for max traction. Both have an moderate drop of 4-5mm, and above average but not extreme stack height. But where they are most different is in the forefoot. While Speedgoat is designed for a tighter more secure fit, the Experience Wilds widen at the toe box to increase comfort (especially during swelling), and allow toes to splay. While Speedgoat’s lock-in is better for navigating technical terrain, the Wilds are simply comfier and better for a majority of use cases.
Topo Mtn Racer 4 vs Speedgoat 7
Like the aforementioned Wilds, Topo Mtn Racer and HOKA Speedgoat both have above average stack heights, high traction, and moderate drop. And just like with Wilds, Mtn Racer differs from Speedgoat most via its widened toe box. As such, Speedgoat is better on steep technical terrain because the forefoot is more secure, and Mtn Racer is better on moderate terrain because the toe box comfier but less secure. One other issue is that lots of folks have issue with Mtn Racer 4’s heel, which can chafe the Achilles. If you want a Mtn Racer, try to go back for a 3 or choose the Altra Experience Wilds Instead. All in, we’re going to choose Speedgoat here because of how annoying Mtn Racer’s heel is.
HOKA Speedgoat 7 Review Conclusion
HOKA Speedgoat 7 is a really solid trail shoe that is correctly designed for a specific use case; maximum traction and a secure fit for running and hiking on steep, slippery, or technical terrain. No, it’s not the most comfortable or breathable option out there, but keep in mind that it’s not trying to be. All in, SG7s are likely the best Speedgoats yet, but face ever-stiffening competition in a genre of shoe that they invented and popularized. Happy trails!
