Hoka One One Speedgoat

In case you don’t know, the HOKA Speedgoat is named after the athlete Karl ‘Speedgoat’ Meltzer. However, we also think the Speedgoat could be linked to another meaning. Referring to someone as the ‘Goat’, usually means they’re the greatest of all time. There’s definitely a lot of trail runners who believe the HOKA Speedgoat is one of the best trail running shoes of all time. At Run4It, we certainly believe there’s a case for this. The HOKA Speedgoat is now on its 5th edition. The HOKA Speedgoat 5 features three key updates: -A redesigned outsole to increase the surface area on trail terrain -A lighter midsole compound that feels faster -An updated upper that is much more accommodating and comfortable The outsole of the HOKA Speedgoat 4 was very good, but the latest edition is even better. That’s because it now features a Vibram MegaGrip with Traction Lug outsole. Vibram MegaGrip is a high-performance, extra sticky rubber that improves grip on both wet and dry surfaces. The key difference with the Traction Lug version is that the lugs are stepped. This allows more of the rubber to be in contact with the terrain. Increased contact area equals increased grip. This is one of the reasons deep lugged hilly running shoes don’t perform that well on hard wet rock. The HOKA Speedgoat 5 outsole is made with 5 mm lugs. This length of lug performs well on steeper terrain and loose dirt, but also wears well on hard ground. While the midsole of the HOKA Speedgoat 5 feels fast and light, it’s highly cushioned. This makes them an excellent choice for long distance trail runs, such as ultra trail events. Your feet also sit into an Active Foot Frame. This holistic style of support stabilises your feet and legs on uneven terrain. In case you’re wondering, yes this thick midsole performs well on uneven technical terrain. Although, we wouldn’t recommend these for very steep hill runs. The midsole is made with a Meta-Rocker. This curved midsole geometry acts like a wheel and serves two purposes. Firstly, the rocker rolls your feet forward and lowers the work done by the calf muscles. Secondly, the rocker reduces the braking forces generated during downhill running. While you may look forward to enjoying the downhill section after an exhausting climb, the eccentric loading during downhill running is what often makes your legs sore. Particularly if you’re running longer distances. The pain and discomfort in the quadricep muscles is often what slows runners down in long distance trail events. Trail running shoes with a rocker, such as the HOKA Speedgoat 5, can help you perform for longer. Don’t let all this talk of ultra distance running put you off the HOKA Speedgoat 5 for shorter runs though. These are amazing for any distance of trail runs. In fact, as they’re so cushioned, lots of runners use the Speedgoat as their door-to-trail running shoes. However, you may want to have a look at the popular HOKA Challenger ATR for this type of run too. Some of the biggest changes to the HOKA Speedgoat 5 were made to the upper. While lots loved the 4th edition, some runners found the toe box was too tight and that it rubbed. HOKA seems to have solved this problem with the latest Speedgoat. Firstly, a premium double-layer jacquard mesh feels softer, more breathable and more comfortable than the last version. The most important change is the elasticated section across the top of the toe box. Not only does this stretch with different foot shapes, it adapts to foot swelling. A common occurrence in long distance trail runs. This feature means the Speedgoat 5 feels much more accommodating than the previous version and suits a great proportion of runners.