I’ve been pretty loyal to the HOKA Speedgoat line since I first got into trail running – two pairs of Speedgoat 5s, one pair of 6s, and now the 7s (all picked up on sale at Running Free… just in case my wife is reading this).
I typically run them to around 700 km, and what’s always stood out to me is the balance: enough cushion to go long, but not so much that you lose feel for the trail. I like to feel what’s underfoot – more like a performance tire than something overly soft – and the Speedgoat has consistently delivered that.
I know the Speedgoat 6 got mixed reviews and some people skipped it altogether, but I actually didn’t mind my pair. That said, I was genuinely excited to see the updates in the 7 – especially the added cushion. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve started to appreciate a bit more protection without sacrificing responsiveness.
First Impressions
I didn’t exactly give these a proper “break-in” period. I had about 50 km on them before lining up for a 100 km ultra in Colorado – but it’s worth noting those kilometres were almost entirely on packed snow and ice through the winter.
The race itself, on the other hand, was a completely different test: sand, hardpack trail, mud, and gravel.
That’s kind of been my experience with Speedgoats though – they’re turnkey. I like gear I can take out of the box and trust right away, whether it’s running, surfing, or snowboarding. These felt no different.
Right away, HOKA nailed the balance again. My biggest concern going in was that the added cushion would dull the trail feel – but somehow they managed to improve comfort without losing that connection underfoot.
UTMB Festival & First Look
HOKA was a title sponsor of the UTMB event, and they had a massive presence throughout the festival. They even had Speedgoat 7s available for runners to test during the shakeout run – which were incredibly popular.
They also had the HOKA Mafate 5 on display, which was the first time I’d seen them in person. From my (very non-technical) perspective, they looked like a beefed-up version of the Speedgoat 6 – built for serious durability and those really long, grinding efforts.
On the Trail (Desert Rats 100K)
The race threw everything at us – sand, hardpack, mud, and gravel – and the Speedgoat 7 handled it all without issue. Grip was solid across the board.
I ran them with gaiters and had to stick Velcro onto the heel to secure them. Minor gripe: it would be nice if the pull tab had some built-in gaiter integration instead of having to modify a brand-new pair of shoes.
Otherwise, no complaints.
Fit & Feel
I stuck with the stock insoles. I do pronate slightly (especially on the right side), but I’ve actually had better luck over time with stock insoles than custom orthotics. There’s a great conversation between Golden Harper and Rick Rubin on the Tetragrammaton with Rick Rubin that reshaped how I think about foot structure and support – worth a listen if you’re into that side of things.
Sizing-wise, I go up half a size (11 instead of 10.5) to account for swelling on longer efforts. That worked well here.
I did make one mistake – I didn’t cinch down my right shoe tight enough early on, which led to some heel movement and discomfort around 20 km in. Once I tightened it properly, the issue disappeared immediately. Lesson learned.
Toe box-wise, I’ve thought about trying wider options, but I’ve also heard (and experienced) that more space can sometimes mean more movement – and more problems.
The Tongue (Still a Thing… But Fine)
I’ve never loved the tongue on previous Speedgoats, and this one feels pretty similar. I tend to prefer something softer and more padded.
That said, it caused zero issues over 100 km – so while it’s not my favourite feature, it’s also not a problem.
The Unexpected Bonus
Post-race, my body felt better than it ever has after a 100K. Same race format, similar conditions to past efforts – so I do think the added cushion played a role here.
Style Points (They Count a Bit)
I went with the black and white “zebra” colourway, which definitely stands out.
I actually had to run into a local REI to grab an emergency item I’d forgotten, and one of the sales associates went out of his way to compliment the shoes. Turns out their store hadn’t even received that colourway – it was the first time he’d seen them in person.
Not the reason you buy a shoe – but not nothing either.
Final Thoughts
The Speedgoat 7 feels like a true evolution of the line. More cushion, same reliability, and still that critical trail feel that made me stick with them in the first place.
If you’ve been a Speedgoat fan, this is an easy yes.
If you skipped the 6, the 7 is worth a serious look.
As for me – I’ll keep running in them.
