TEST: HOKA Speedgoat 7 - Back to the Fun

There are a number of unwritten rules in the running world. One of the most insistent is: Never run long in brand new shoes. Yet that's exactly what I did with HOKA Speedgoat 7 . The first run in the shoes was a 23-kilometer trail run.

It might sound like a recipe for blisters and regret, but in my defense, I know the Speedgoat family quite well. At home in my closet, there's still a worn-out 6, while my 5 has long been buried. Although I wouldn't recommend starting with a long run in your new shoes, I highly recommend the HOKA Speedgoat 7. In this article, you'll learn why.

Noticeably More Fun than the Predecessor

To be honest, I found Speedgoat 6 a bit... dull. It handled technical terrain well, but it lacked the "wow" factor that made the 5 so great. With Speedgoat 7, we're back to some of the fun. The secret lies in the foam. HOKA has equipped the midsole with supercritical EVA foam. This means the shoe is noticeably softer and more responsive. It's not a spongy couch you sink into, but a supportive and springy feel that makes it fun to eat up mile after mile in tough terrain.

The new foam also has another, very practical advantage. Many of us have a few miles on asphalt before hitting the forest trails. While many hardcore trail shoes can be a bit harsh and uncomfortable on hard surfaces, HOKA Speedgoat 7 handles the transport section with a completely different ease. The foam absorbs shocks excellently and spares the legs until you hit the forest floor. 

Small Adjustments, Big Difference

Let's take a closer look at fit and especially the interplay between the heel and the tongue (the flap under the laces). In several of the earlier versions, the heel was a bit too loose on me, and I had a hard time getting a good lock-down. This meant I always had to lace the shoe with a heel lock. And here the problem arose: The tongue was so frustratingly short that when I tied the heel lock, the laces were almost directly on my bare instep or barely caught the last millimeters of the tongue.

In Speedgoat 7, it's a completely different story. First, the design of the heel cup just fits my heel better, and a heel lock is no longer necessary. Second, the tongue is slightly longer, so if I ever need to make a heel lock, it would actually be a good experience. A huge improvement on both fronts!

Big, Small, Wide or Narrow?

Speedgoat is often debated for its fit and width, but I don't actually find the 7 to be narrower than other Speedgoats. A little pro-tip from me is to look at your US size instead of EUR. The EUR sizes can vary a bit between HOKA models, but if I stick to the US size, I hit the mark every time. I use US 7.5 in both Mach, Clifton, and also here in Speedgoat 7.

The shoe still has the classic, slightly "pointy" Speedgoat shape. For some runners, that shape can bother the little toe a bit, but it's not something I notice. On the contrary, I think the width is really good. It feels more spacious than several of the older models, without being so wide that you skate around inside the shoe.

Small Hearts and Lots of Grip

You don't mess with something that works. Underneath, we fortunately find Vibram Megagrip again with 5 mm lugs and the familiar "Traction Lugs" – small micro-textures on the sides of the lugs, which we also know from predecessors, and which just provide a good grip on the ground. As a small, and probably not entirely intended, sweet detail, the lugs under the sole actually have the shape of small hearts. But don't be fooled by the sweet exterior: the rubber compound is a monster that grips both mud and wet roots with great confidence. The new, more woven upper also seems more durable than before, so the shoe can take some beating out on the trail.

Also a Good Companion for Hiking

The Speedgoat series has been a darling in the hiking community for years, and the 7 is no exception. It easily makes the leap from running to hiking. If you're going on a light day hike, HOKA Speedgoat 7 is a shoe you should consider. The wide platform makes it wonderfully stable, the grip is reliable, and you save on weight compared to classic hiking shoes. I wouldn't lace it up for a multi-day trek in the mountains with a 20-kilo backpack, but for a quick hike with a light daypack? It just works really well.

Who is HOKA Speedgoat 7 for?

HOKA Speedgoat 7  is not the shoe for your fast, short trail intervals. It's also not the most agile shoe for extremely technical running, where you need to dance lightly from rock to rock. But are you looking for a solid companion for long runs? For steady mileage training in the woods, ultra-running, a beautiful day hike, or generally just outings where comfort, grip, and protection are the most important? Then Speedgoat 7 is a strong choice. It's reliable, extremely comfortable, and most importantly: It's fun to take on a trip again.

Going a Different Way?

Is HOKA Speedgoat 7 not the perfect match? Explore our entire selection of HOKA , or discover our trail running shoes , if you still want to hit the trails. If you're unsure which HOKA model suits you best, you can benefit from reading our guide to the best HOKA running shoes and get an overview of the differences between models. If you primarily run on asphalt, you'll also find plenty of good options among our road running shoes .