Review: Hoka One One Speedgoat 2 || Light, plush, grippy & surprisingly stable

The Hoka One One Speedgoat 2, developed with superstar Karl Meltzler, is classic Hoka: light, cushy, and smooth-riding. It’s also grippy, and remarkably stable for its height.

On my first three outings with the second-generation Hoka One One Speedgoat 2, I took it out for 13-, 11-, and 25-mile trail runs with nearly 10,000 vertical feet in cumulative climbing. That’s rare for a shoe with which I had no prior history — normally, I start off slowly, with short and low-risk runs until the shoe is more proven. But this particular pair inspired confidence within minutes of slipping them on.

Review: Hoka One One Speedgoat 2

The Speedgoat 2 is a capable and forgiving trail shoe that excels on maintained trails with flat footing (e.g. benched side-hills, constructed staircases, and straightaways). It’s:

  • Lightweight, at 9.8 oz for men’s size 9 US;
  • Generously cushioned, with a stack height of 32 and 27.5 mm at the heel and forefoot, respectively;
  • Grippy, thanks to a Vibram MegaGrip outsole with 5 mm lugs; and,
  • Shockingly stable for its height, due to the reinforced upper, cradled foot bed, wide last (relative to the original model), and outsole.

I find the Speedgoat 2 best for easy and moderate efforts on trails. They’re not built for road-running, but a few miles of pavement mixed into trail runs are acceptable. They are dreamy for long runs, and a welcome break from thinner and more agile models like the Salomon Sense Ultra (my review) that are harder on my body but that ultimately I prefer for tough trails and fast efforts. For some runners and courses, the Speedgoat 2 could absolutely serve as an ultra trail marathon racing shoe.

The Speedgoat 2 and Salomon Sense Ultra, and BFF Oden. They are entirely different shoes, but currently two of my favorites. One goes fast but is hard on the body. The other is slower but more comfortable.

The Speedgoat 2 is discouraged for runners who:

  • Have wide and high-volume feet, or perhaps even average width and average-volume feet; and/or,
  • Prioritize ground feel, responsiveness, and low center of gravity over cushioning.

For instance, the Speedgoat 2 is not a good alternate for the Altra Lone Peak (my review) or La Sportiva Bushido (my review).

Hiking & backpacking

While it’s intended as a trail running shoe, I think the Speedgoat 2 will perform equally well for on-trail day-hikes and backpacking trips. I wouldn’t use them for a high route — they are too top-heavy and squishy for uneven footing, scrambles, and talus-hopping.

Caveat: I cannot yet attest to its long-term durability. I’m being purely speculative, but the outsole is my primary concern — it is wonderfully grippy, but a normal hiking shoe outsole has twice as much lug volume.


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Product specs

  • Weight: 9.80 oz (277 g) M’s 9 US, 11.0 oz (312 g) M’s 11.5 US
  • Stack height: 32 mm heel, 27.5 mm forefoot
  • Drop: 4.5 mm
  • Upper: Breathable mesh with TPU overlays
  • Midsole: Compression molded EVA
  • Outsole: Vibram MegaGrip with 5 mm lugs
  • Support: Moderate
  • More product specs

The Speedgoat 2 retails for $140.

Versus the original Speedgoat

The Speedgoat is new to me, so I don’t have the personal context to compare the original Speedgoat with v2. From what I understand, the most significant differences with the Speedgoat 2 are its wider last and more voluminous upper, which has resulted in improved stability and fit (for most feet, at least).

Otherwise, most elements remain the same: a breathable mesh upper reinforced with TPU, Vibram outsole, and thick midsole (v1 was 33 mm and 28 mm, with 5 mm drop).

Sizing

The Speedgoat 2 fits true to size. My review pair is size 11.5. I also wear 11.5 in Altra, Merrell, Salewa, and Salomon; I wear 45.5 in La Sportiva.

Fit

I have a narrow and small-volume foot, and the Speedgoat 2 fits me precisely, especially now that they have packed out some.

If you have wide and high-volume feet, forget about it.

If your feet are of average width and volume, give it a shot. The limiting factor will most likely be the toebox, which seems proportionally small relative to the midfoot and heel. Try a half-size larger, or a lacing method that allows you to tighten the midfoot independently of the forefoot.

Note that reviewers on the Hoka website consistently state that the Speedgoat 2 is too tight/narrow.

Ride

The Speedgoat 2 is classic Hoka. The marshmallowy midsole absorbs shock and small rocks. The rockered shape results in a smooth transition from impact zone to toe-off. And the deep-seated foot cradle helps offset the inherent instability of a 32-mm heel height. These diagrams accurately illustrate the Speedgoat 2 experience.

There are some tradeoffs to these features, however: it is relatively squishy and top-heavy. When I want a fast shoe, I reach for something more responsive and stable. It’s not that the Speedgoat can’t be fast — for instance, yesterday I set a PR on the descent of Bear Canyon (nearly 31 min). But the Speedgoat 2 struggles when it’s put on edge by twisty trails, side-hills, washed-out rock fields, and talus.

The Speedgoat 2 has a rockered outsole for smoother impact to toe-off transitions. It’s not a gimmick — it helps.

Upper

The upper is made of breathable mesh and features a TPU exoskeleton and toecap, which improves foot stability and resistance to abrasion, tears, and impact. I’m skeptical of any trail running shoe without an exoskeleton.

I’m not a fan of the elasticized linguine-shaped laces. They’re more difficult to tie than rounder laces, and the elastic is already failing to rebound fully.

When Hoka reexamines its laces, maybe it could consider an elasticized mid-foot yoke or tongue, too. This would partially decouple midfoot control and the tightness of the laces. Currently, when I crank on the laces to tighten the midfoot, it also tightens the toebox, which is tight enough already.

I haven’t worn them long enough to comment on durability. The uppers on my Clifton 2’s are perfectly intact after 550+ miles, and I’m hoping that Hoka used a similar formula for the Speedgoat.

The mesh upper is overlaid extensively with TPU panels and stripes for improved control, durability, and protection.

Outsole

This summer I’ve been impressed by three outsole rubbers: Salomon’s Premium Wet Traction Contragrip, La Sportiva’s FriXion, and now Vibram MegaGrip, which is spec’d on the Speedgoat 2.

The Speedgoat sticks reliably to rocks (even wet ones) in Boulder’s foothills, and it gets decent bite into hard-packed surfaces covered in ball bearing-like mineral sand. When on pavement, I can feel the lugs grip. Normally, grippiness and durability are inversely related, but I’ll have to post back on this one.

The Vibram MegaGrip outsole with 5 mm lugs is exceptionally grippy and helps to offset the inherent instability of a 31-mm tall shoe.

Buy now: Hoka One One Speedgoat 2

Have questions about or an experience with the Speedgoat 2? Please leave a comment.


Disclosure. I strive to offer field-tested and trustworthy information, insights, and advice. I have no financial affiliations with or interests in any brands or products, and I do not publish sponsored content

This website is supported by affiliate marketing, whereby for referral traffic I receive a small commission from select vendors like Amazon or REI, at no cost to the reader. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

I was provided a pair of Speedgoat 2 for review my Hoka One One.

Posted in , on August 14, 2017
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11 Comments

  1. MarkL on August 15, 2017 at 11:09 am

    I just picked up a pair of Inov8 RoadClaw shoes as a road/trail hybrid. Not for gnarly trails, but for running in the parks and gravel bike paths and such they look good.

  2. Michael on August 16, 2017 at 2:23 pm

    Just started trail running after years of backpacking and long day hikes. Coming from Inov-8 Roclites, Altra Lone Peaks and various Salomons I tried the Speedgoats 2s and love them. Everything I could ask for in a trail running shoe. I’ll stick with different shoes for backpacking and off trail hiking pursuits but Speedgoats are my go to for running on trails and single track.

  3. Andy on August 17, 2017 at 2:46 pm

    I am a huge fan of hoka shoes. I have early onset of osteoarthritis in both feet and the hoka plushness makes a huge difference. Anyone experiencing similar foot pain should test hoka’s!

  4. Chris on August 25, 2017 at 1:01 pm

    These are great shoes but have poor durability. I have less than 250 trail miles on mine and they are toast. Splits/tears start to form in the toe box pretty quickly, although they seem to be in the outer layer and have generally not torn through the inner liner. Although the rubber has had good durability, the rear-most lug section has delaminated and is now a great big flapper – this has been the nail in the coffin for my pair.

    Maybe 20% of these miles have been on very rugged/technical terrain – but isn’t that what these are designed for?

    That being said, I now have a second pair because they are so comfortable. If they would increase the width of the toe box slightly and round out the toe, they would be perfect. Remarkably stable given the stack height. Much more precise fit/performance than the Challenger ATR3 although the ATR3 has a more friendly toe box.

    • Robert on July 18, 2018 at 12:23 pm

      I second the durability issue. I have run/hiked maybe 120-140 miles on them, but after taking them out on 30 miles on somewhat more rugged terrain, the mesh parts between the TPU paneling in the toe box is tearing. Seems to be a weak point as the spots are exactly the same on both shoes.

      It’s too bad because overall I really like them, very comofortable, grippy and stable for me.

  5. Geert van Mourik on September 21, 2017 at 3:58 am

    Dear Andrew,

    What would you say are the most important factors for a trail running shoe for a packrafting trip in the Gates? (apart from them NOT being waterproof obviously).

    Taking into account I have had some ankle problems.

    Thank you!

    Kind regards,

    Gert van Mourik

  6. Geert van Mourik on September 22, 2017 at 1:21 am

    Thank you very much Andrew, will look into that shoe!

    Cheers,

    Geert

  7. Alex on November 4, 2017 at 12:42 pm

    Thanks for the review, but where are those socks from!?

  8. Kim Spangrude on July 16, 2021 at 10:32 am

    I need extra padding in the toe and ball area of both feet due to pain and numbness. How are these shoes in that regard?

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