Are you looking for a new trail shoe then I got you covered! These are the best trail shoes from Hoka One One!
Video review
Running on trails and in the mountains is possible with normal shoes, but once you try a pair of proper trail shoes you realize that it just becomes a lot safer and you have a lot more fun! And nowadays you really can have it all, either you want a more technical shoe for the faster runs or a more cushioned and soft experience.
The Speedgoat 4 and Torrent 2 are our two favorite trail shoes from Hoka One One, and they perfectly complement each other. So, if you want one or both, I’ll try to explain the reasoning for selecting each shoe so that you can make a more informed decision.
Let’s just start with the features that both shoes have. Hoka One One tends to make shoes with a lower drop. This means that the difference between the height of the foam in the heel and the toe is lower. These two shoes have a heel drop of 4 and 5mm, which is very similar.
Both shoes have amazing outsoles. The Speedgoat 4 has a Vibram Megagrip sole, while the Torrent 2 has a nice multidirectional outsole that works wonders in both wet and dry conditions. With these outsoles, you can be sure that the grip will be at a very high level throughout the entire lifespan of the shoe.
Not only are these awesome trail shoes, but they will also work great if you are looking for lighter and more breathable hiking shoes.
Hoka One One Speedgoat 4
The Speedgoat series is one of the most popular trail shoes on the market right now, it brings loads and loads of comfort to the trails. There is a lot of foam in the midsole to give you the best and softest experience when you want to run away from the pavement. This also makes the Speedgoat 4 a very good hybrid that can be used on mixed surfaces and for transport to and from the trails.
The Speedgoat 4 is heavier than the other shoe I am showing you today, and this is mostly because of the amount of foam in the midsole and the upper being a bit more rugged and durable.
Inside the midsole, you’ll find no rock plate, but the amount of foam in the shoe also makes this less important. The height of the foam is also a very important aspect of this shoe. It is tall and it will make the shoe bit less agile when running in technical terrain, but the shoe really shines on easier paths.
Hoka One One has really nailed in the fit of their shoes. They are just very comfortable on and a delight to run with. Neither wide nor too tight for my foot. The Speedgoat 4 has a nice and durable upper that also might shed some water if you run through some wet grass or in light rain.
Hoka One One Torrent 2
If a higher midsole isn’t for you and you want more ground feel when running, then the Torrent 2 is a better fit. This shoe has a significantly smaller stack height and will make you feel more in contact with the ground. A consequence of this is that the Torrent 2 also lends itself more to technical trail running, with more directional changes. This aspect is enhanced by the multidirectional lugs as well.
It is a big delight to run faster in this shoe, and I must admit this really hits the spot for me, as I like to run in a bit more technical terrain.
It is still a shoe that gives a bit of cushioning when transporting to and from trails, with softer foam in the heel, but it won’t give you the same soft experience as the Speedgoat 4.
Neither of the shoes has rock plates. But you’ll feel the ground a lot more in the Torrent 2, so if you want more protection from sharp rocks then the Speedgoat 4 is the better option. If you run on the type of terrain that I am running in here, with more moss, soft trails, and less sharp rocks, then a rock plate isn’t that necessary anyway.
The fit of this shoe feels a lot lighter, the upper is more breathable but also more prone to introducing water to your feet.
Why not choose both?
Having more than one shoe isn’t a bad thing. In fact, changing shoes throughout your training week is known to have an impact on injury prevention. And if you love running on trails then these two shoes complement each other greatly. If you want a lighter shoe for more technical and fast running then I would choose the Torrent 2, and if you want more cushion for the pushin’ then I would go for the Speedgoat 4.
But as I said earlier, these shoes complement each other, and having both shoes for different types of runs is a great way to specialize your run while simultaneously helping your body in the process.
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