Hoka Speedgoat

Last week, Aaron, one of the owners of Foot RX Asheville, requested that I provide some feedback/input on my impression of and experience with the newly introduced Hoka One One Speedgoat.  

Here it is: The Hoka One One Speedgoat is the updated Rapa Nui or, Rapa Nui 3, after considerable input from the Speedgoat himself, Karl Meltzer.  My initial impression is that the Hoka Speedgoat is a quantum leap from the Rapa Nui to point I have to say the Speedgoat (SG) is a completely different shoe.  The SG upper has a slipper like feel to it and seems to be very forgiving and comfortable.  The heel and midfoot is snug, similar to the Rapa Nui, but the toe box is considerably roomier.  

The other point that I have to make, and very gladly, is that the SG has the soft pillow like cushion reminiscent of the original Hoka Mafate, the shoe that put Hoka on this runner's radar.   Based on my years of experience with Vibram outsoles on mountaineering boots, I cannot imagine I will be anything less than very pleased with the performance of Vibram sole on the SG even though this is a first for me on a running shoe.  

I have now put several hours of running into these shoes on a variety of surfaces, road and trails, flat and steep, wet and dry, loose and firm, and I have to say, based on my experience, this is the best Hoka One One​ shoe to hit the market and is definitely the type of shoe that will please a wide variety of runners.

Now, get out there and run!

Bart