Hoka One One Speedgoat 3

Hoka One One Speedgoat 3: Is the goat really fast?

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The Hoka One One Speedgoat 3 is the new version of a successful model. It delivers comfort, and expectations are met.

I did not have the opportunity to try the previous Hoka One One running shoes from this line, but the major updates are the improved comfort, the strengthened upper, and the slightly increased weight. 

I do not love maximalist shoes, but the Speedgoat 3 intrigued me because it's considered as the most effective in the category of speed running shoes.

I was not discouraged by the absence of rock plate due to the large amount of material in the sole. True enough, I wasn´t bothered by the rocks or roots under my feet. I never missed a stepped or misstepped.

Even just by looking at the packaging, it is clear that Hoka paid maximum attention to the details, pretty much to my satisfaction.

Upper

As mentioned, one of this model's major differences from the previous models is the upper; it now has coating on the largest tip to give greater protection.

The connection system is made more robust by lateral buttresses and slightly refined flat wraps. The wraps is integrated with the upper to avoid annoying translations during the run.

The semi-rigid heel shell adapts itself well to the foot; it wraps it in a firm and reassuring way. Aesthetically, however, the presence of numerous plastic reinforcements makes me very puzzled.

Fit

The fit of the Speedgoat 3 is much improved compared to the 2.

The slightly wider toe box provided enough room for the foot to sit nicely and securely without having the toes being pushed up against the front of the shoe, even on descents. The tip is very compact, and the shoe is fairly true to size.

Midsole

The 33mm heel midsole is reinforced by a wide transverse extension, making the shoe very voluminous and cushiony. The shoe could be unstable for those who are not used to it, and this is true even if the difference of only 4 mm helps with natural mobility and agility.

The active foot frame also contributes to foot protection, always bringing it back into place with ease.

The foot sinks into the rubber with each stride. As I said, the absence of the rock plate is not felt; the midsole optimally absorbs the unevenness of the bottom, guaranteeing a large comfortable surface.

That setup, however, compromised reactivity and speed; a lot of energy is dispersed upon impact and not returned.

The Speedgoat 3 is listed by Hoka as a neutral runner. This is not known as a cushiony shoe. This is a shoe that is built for comfort, less agility, and not for speed and reactivity.

Sole

With a large support surface and a great ability to copy the bottom, the shoe holds well on all fronts. The Vibram Megagrip high-traction outsole with 5mm lugs definitely gives you a sense of control as you cruise over technical terrain. The multi-directional lugs grip the surface enough for running through wet rock, slick terrain, and mud.

I think there are no relevant differences between the Speedgoat 2 and 3. There was no good reason to change the outsole; so the lugs, their depth, and even the material remain the same.

It works well in lots of different types of terrain and weather conditions, both dry and wet.

Durability

This is the bad! My experience with the Speedgoat 3 was really awful; after 200 hundred miles, the ousole has collapsed and the shoes became flat. The upper, however, still looks like new.

Conclusions

The Hoka One One Speedgoat 3 is very suitable for long distances. It performs well on technical routes, even downhill on the "up and down" routes on singletrack or carter with stony bottoms.

This is a shoe that is suitable for all types of athletes.  It withstands very long runs in any condition. You’ll reach your goals with the feet rested.

I would recommend the Speedgoat 3 to anyone who has experienced any lower body injuries or just prone to injuries. I use it also on the treadmill.

Let me now give my last score, and that is 79 on a 100-point scale due to durability and slowness.

Hoka One One SpeedGoat 3--From streets to Sierras

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On my typical morning runs, involving up to 40% road terrain, these shoes provide a cozy cloud on which to float, never eliciting a scolding from my knees.

On steep downhills of mud and dirt trails, this really makes a difference. The shoes have no problem trotting slowly back up.

Twenty mile days on the rocky (and snowy) trails of the early summer Sierras cruised by underfoot--in short, I’m ready to get engaged.

Cushion

Hoka One One is a brand known for its plush undersoles. For a trail runner, this comes at the expense of a rock plate. As I’ve found, this is not to be a deterrent.

Long days on rocky surfaces still have left me comfortable and not terribly fatigued. Although, I’ll note that I have not tried swift movements over grapefruit-sized jagged rocks found in some trails.

I believe that the Hoka SpeedGoat would perform as well as any trail runner, though.

Labeled as a trail running shoe with 4mm heel-toe drop, SpeedGoat seems low for a road runner. Regardless, these Hokas are still currently my top pick for any terrain.

Even though the road may not be ideal for the softer rubber soles, the thick cushion of the shoe is more comfortable than any road runner that I have ever tried.

Traction

The uphill traction of these shoes is something I’ve heard lauded by many. In fact, I’ve even talked to someone who claimed to climb 5.9 in them. I just might believe him.

I felt extremely secure on rocky terrain. With their shallower lugs, this is what the Hokas were designed for. However, dirt trails and fine gravel were also no problem.

This suggests that these lugs can handle more than what meets the eye.

Durability

The one arena in which the SpeedGoat falls short is durability. I’ve been running in them for only the past month and a half.

This is several hundred miles. Still, I’m surprised to see the treads, particularly on the outer heel, wearing away.

Perhaps I'm naive? What I suspect is that the road sections, which comprises 30% of my running route, are the culprit.

Sense of Adventure

I have taken these shoes in snow and through streams. While they certainly are not waterproof (and do not claim to be), they dry very quickly given a warmer day.

Also, these do not create the ‘aquarium’ sensation (i.e. colonizing sea monkeys and several snails on each foot).

On snow, my foot remained dry. But, this is very dependent on conditions. I felt reasonably secure traversing on snow and didn’t worry about sinking in an inch or two.

An all-terrain vehicle, these Hokas are easy to adore. They are more versatile than they should be.

However, it is advised to minimize their exposure to road simply for longevity purposes (and get another pair exclusively for road, haha ;) Well, I might).

For my upcoming trip to Rocky Mountain National Park and Pikes Peak, I’ll be bringing these shoes. Equipped with gaiters, I think I can leave the hiking boots at home.

Summary

The Hoka One One SpeedGoat 3 are my favorite shoes of my life---so far. And, no, I don’t say that about every successive pair I try on.

They have excellent cushion that would keep any runner comfortable on the road, not to mention for the demanding downhills of trail running. However, running on roads may wear down the soles.

Indeed, they are intended as a trail runner and have the traction to drive up a hill of rock or dirt. I feel secure in them, despite it lacking the sensitivity of a minimalist shoe.

Another downside is that their long and comfortable toe box can cause clumsiness at times. For instance, I once tripped on a root and hobbled a mile crying softly afterwards, but it was still fun. 

Ideally, these could be ultramarathon shoes, though any runner unconcerned about sensitivity would find them excellent for shorter runs.

They also hold up to long days in the mountains and make sure that you hold up too. Gaiters came in handy, with it the shoes caught very little debris.

I will buy another pair of these--once the lugs on my current pair wear out. I’ll convert them to road running shoes and use a fresh pair just for the trails. My knees and I are excited.