HOKA ONE ONE SPEEDGOAT: Optimal Blend of Cushion, Comfort and Performance

This is a follow up to my previously posted review of the Hoka One One Speedgoat.  I wanted to do this follow up after I had completed a couple more substantial long runs (20 miles plus) and the Table Rock Ultra (TRU) 50K.  Due to the considerable rain the day before and during the TRU, this event proved to a great testing ground.  

In short the Hoka Speedgoat’s performed beautifully. During the event, I observed quite a few runners struggling with traction in both mud and on wet slick rocks while I had little or no difficulty whatsoever.  When the going got really slippery, I was able at all times to maintain control as the Speedgoat Vibram sole minimized slipping on the steepest descents. Uphill hiking/scrambling/running was never a problem with regards to traction.

The shoes maintained their slipper-like comfort throughout the day and my “prunish-several-hours-in the-bath tub” looking feet did not suffer one single blister. I cannot overemphasize enough the comfort of the Speedgoat when combined with the forgiving upper material and the soft flex of the sole. This is a very attractive feature that will be appreciated by the runner who will spend many hours on their feet moving through the forest and mountains. The shoes drained extremely well after each stream crossing and again, the soles provided excellent grip on submerged rocks at each of those crossing.

After about 200 miles of mixed use, the “Mafatish” cushion of the Speedgoat has not dissipated to any noticeable degree and gives no indication of flattening out.  Wear to the Vibram sole is negligible, and the fabrication indentations on the majority of the lugs are still evident.

With any shoe there are always aspects you believe could be improved and the Speedgoat is no exception, however the list is very short.

  

1) I would like to see the toe box a bit wider on the lateral side, and the toe of shoe more rounded just enough to take a little bit of pressure off of the pinky toe. 

2) The taper of the forefoot on the medial side of the shoe could be straightened a bit to follow the natural alignment of the big toe.   End of list.  

I realize that not all feet are shaped the same, so there is room for differences of opinion on toe box shape.  Be aware also that the above improvement suggestions are in no way a deal breaker with regards to adding additional Speedgoats to our shoe stable in the future. As it is right now, it is my “go to” shoe.

I hate to become too attached to a running shoe because I am eventually betrayed by the marketing guru’s attached to any shoe brand. They seem to have a knack for ruining a model no matter how good it is.  In my experience, a marketing department’s ideas of making a shoe more attractive for the store windows and catalogs, has little or nothing to do with shoe's function and performance.  However, in this instance it appears that the Speedgoat himself, Karl Meltzer, will be directly involved with the further development and future improvement of this Hoka and will bring home another win.  This win looks promising for every long distance trail runner and for the shoe they have far too long awaited that will provide the optimal blend of cushion, comfort and performance.

Happy Running!

Bart