Customer Reviews Hoka Speedgoat

I initially liked the idea of a Hoka with a wider toe box. After ordering it and receiving it in the mail, I was surprised to find out that the toe box was very narrow. My Challenger ATR has a roomier toe box. I considered exchanging them but first decided to take them out on a hilly 8 mile run. I spent the first 2 miles stopping and adjusting the laces to try and get just a little more room. The grip was Awesome and the mid-foot wrap was secure. The midsole felt bouncy and responsive, but a little unstable through the gate. I felt like my foot was being forced to supinate. After the run I noticed my pinkies were rubbed raw and the toenail a bit painful. I took the shoes out for a few other runs of about 6 miles each and realized they weren't as uncomfortable. I think they may be breaking in. I'll be holding on to the shoes, and hoping they'll perform well in wet weather. If you have narrow feet, these may work well for you. Give them a try at your local running store.

I've had three pairs and I do like the Speedgoats, but for the high cost of these shoes the uppers are not durable and tear up after a couple hundred miles. Everything else is great, how come Hoka can get this issue fixed?

Was hoping this was a good trail/grave shoe. While it does have good traction, narrow toe box and no cushioning. Very disappointed in HOKAs direction in last year to 2, as getting away from the extreme cushioning that I think got them where they are today. HOKA don't go that direction, go back to the cushioning that brought a lot of people to running or running again. BRING BACK THE CUSHION!

-Used on rocky trails around Salt Lake City -4 runs and cracking is already beginning: 1 22 miler, 1 13 miler, 1 14 miler, and 1 13 miler. -Comfortable, but would not buy again due to lack of durability

I've tried Hokas at the store, but never purchased. I have always felt the heel was too thick, and while the support would be nice, I feel like I'm wearing platform shoes and I feel too unstable in them. Not having the opportunity to try the Speedgoats at the store (no one carries them), I took a chance since the heel did not look so big. When I put them on, I instantly feel like my feet sat at a awkward angle, and I knew they would not work. I tried them on a trail anyway, and confirmed my suspicions. Also, the toebox seems way too big. Blisters, no bueno. They're not for me, but might work for others.

Mesh on upper wore out after 225 miles of trail running. Three large hole the size of my thumb on each shoe. The overall wear (except for the mesh upper) on the shoes even after 500 miles were great! Tread life 5 stars, cushion 5 stars, Grip 5 stars, comfort (for my feet) 3 stars. So yes I returned shoes with 500 miles on them and yes Hoka sent me a new pair.

I really wanted to like these shoes. They looked great and I love the concepts behind Hokas. These were my first ever pair of Hokas. I took them for an 8 mile run in open space near my house. There was some wet grass and about 1000ft or elevation gain. I was impressed by the traction of the shoes and I was willing to get used to the increased padding under foot compared to what I normally run in. Within 2 miles I had run through some wet grass and my feet started to slip in the shoes. I stopped and relaced my shoes. Laced them really tight but then had to stop again because they were too tight and my circulation was being cut off. Relaced again but still had some foot slipage. My heel just wouldn't stay in the shoe. Finished my run and got home with blisters starting on my toes and all of the orange color from the shoes had bled onto my white running socks. Wanted to love them but instead I returned them.

The Rapa Nui, which this shoe replaces, was my go-to shoe for runs over 50 miles. The Speedgoat has been a disappointment. This shoe has the best traction of any Hoka, and maybe of any trail shoe I own, period. The sticky Vibram outsole is awesome. Unfortunately the shoe is the worst sized shoe I've ever worn. It's painful after just a few miles, hotspots everywhere, and much too narrow. I tried sizing up. Still too narrow...and my feet aren't that wide. The midsole is much softer/spongier than the Rapa Nui, and felt unstable in comparison. The lightweight mesh upper would be great except that on dry gritty surfaces it lets too much in. Without gaiters I need to stop my runs to empty the shoe frequently. I really wanted to love this shoe, especially since it replaces the only Hoka I do love. Super bummed.

I have done two trail runs in the SpeedGoat - the shoe is true to size, however, too narrow/snug. Plan to return them.

It was impossible to find this shoe in Austin. So, I ordered it based on reviews and specs. Bad decision. I trail run 12-15 miles a week. This shoe rubs my right small toe.

Nice grip and traction, but vey little cushioning (as compared to other Hoka's). I'll have to go back to the Stinson ATR's. This sole on a Stinson or Mafate would be great!

I was so excited when these shoes came out they look awesome. The grip is fantastic. The heel box feels great and the mid foot too. But on runs 6 miles or longer they cripple and destroy my little toes and cause a blister at the base of my big toe to the point that I can hardly walk. The toe box is way to narrow and it becomes even more apparent running down a hill or mountain now I'm disappointed and have cut a hole in mine to stop my toe hurting

These are the most comfortable Hokas I've ever tried on or owned. They perform like a dream on the trails and I've taken them up to 38 miles at a time. They are light and springy and the traction will blow your mind. The problem I've had with 2 pairs of this exact version is that the sole rips easily. There is a lattice work of rubber on the sole and the exposed foam between the Vibram rubber lugs appears to be very soft. It is this and foam that tears easily. I will bet anything Hoka fixes this in the next iteration because my other trail buddies are also having this problem. One other comment, the sole has a carved out portion under the heel to save weight. If you hit a rock just right it will poke through and get you in the center of the heel. I'd love to see Hoka reinforce that spot with a silver dollar size piece of plastic. I had to order the shoe one half size bigger than what I have always purchased when I buy Hoka. The shoes are incredible, I just can't get more than a couple runs in them before they literally tear badly on the sole.

I converted from New Balance 1080s to Cliftons for paved surfaces, and I'm looking for a Hoka model to replace my heavy-duty but minimalist Saucony Xodus 5's, which have served me brilliantly with their heavy Vibram traction. I picked up a pair of Stinson ATRs, which I think will be great for the soft soil track through the redwoods in Big Basin and the Skyline-to-the-Sea run next month. But I train in Tahoe and Yosemite on much tougher surfaces, and it looks the the granite and shale will quickly destroy the foam and thin lugs of the Stinsons. The Speedgoat looks like an ideal match for the high sierras, so I was totally excited to give them a 20 mi spin this weekend. But, they didn't make it out of the doorway, for one reason: the outside edge of the shoe, especially along the heel, is bizarrely soft. There simply isn't enough support on the outer rim of the sole, and I found myself watching my feet roll outwards so far that my big toe felt like it would come up off the ground. I am inclined to under-pronate, but this felt like stepping on the edge of an air mattress when you rock the heel--it just collapses. I'd actually ordered them in spite of hearing about this exact issue in the Ginger Runner review, but I begrudgingly agree. I'll give them another check in the morning just because I want them to be awesome so very very badly, but I think they're going back. I'll have to check out the Mafate I guess...the Rapa Nui doesn't seem to have a great reputation. The one thing which I absolutely wanted from a Hoka shoe was the Vibram sole. The trust I have there is really strong, and I'm confident it can take the beating of rougher trails.

really, REALLY want to like this shoe, but the toe box is just ridiculously narrow. squeezes my toes so hard

The toe box is a nightmare. I don't have wide feet and this maybe the Narrowest toe box I have ever jammed my foot into. Downhill is painful. They nailed the cushion and the vibram sole. Colors are great too.

Shoe was too narrow, a full 3/8" narrower than my Saucony shoes, which caused cramping. Additionally, the tongue rubbed on my third toe.

Bought and trained any hours in this shoe to run the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim (approximately 48 miles). After about 24 miles, blisters developed along the seam on the shoes at the inside of each heal. Same exact thing happened in the same location to my friend. Not sure why Hoka put a seam in this particular location in the shoe as the ATRs and Cliftons both don't have it. Blisters made the last 24 miles very painful and ruined the experience. At the end I threw them in the trash. While I still love Hoka shoes and will continue to run in them (ATRs and Cliftons), I would stay clear of the Speadgoat.

I really like the shoe but as many reviews have stated, they are narrow. I was sized correctly so I know it isn't a size issue. I've ran 80+ trail miles and for the last 70 or so have been getting blisters on the front inside arches - see pic. My feet are usually tough and I never get blisters from new shoes or boots. I've tried different insoles, socks, and today even duct tape and I still get blisters. Today was likely my last run in these. I like the shoe alot but its no fun to run with blisters. I've never had this issue with any other shoe. If they were a little wider I don't think there is a better trail running shoe.

I run about 5-7 miles per day and the SpeedGoat is the worst of the Hoka's I've run with. Breaks down internally very fast, has been trimmed with way less cushioning than the original sneakers. Toe jam with first few runs which were alleviated over a few runs. Impact on the ground quite stiff! Customer Service was abysmal when I asked for a sneaker that would compare to the Stinson the gal suggested the Bondi which was not even available. When I asked when they would be getting it back in she said that the company Never tells them about restocking. Seriously!!!

Perhaps, good for other runners, but this tore up my outside toes and I returned shoes afterwards

This show may work for someone else. My issue was the dirt roads hurt my feet. The toes were to narrow. I couldn't run more than 15 miles in the shoe. The arches were so high it pronounced outward. it wasn't the shoe for me. I will be trying the mafet 4 next.

Toe box too narrow