The Hoka One One Speedgoat 3 was a rampant favorite around here and not only did it dethrone the Challenger ATR at distance, but even for speed folks would choose it over the Torrent. The real question was… how would Hoka improve upon this with the launch of the Speedgoat 4. Clearly the answer is to not mess too much with a good thing because very little has changed and the ride is every bit as enjoyable as its predecessor.
Quick Details, Specs, and Availability
- Minimal updates to an already amazing trail shoe
- Comes in at 10.8oz or 306g for a US Men’s 9
- Tons of cushion and plenty of responsiveness
- Retails at $145.00 USD
- Comes in 4 colors for Men and Women
Run Test
At first glance, there are clear changes to the current upper and plenty of aesthetic overhauling going on, but side by side with the 3, the Speedgoat 4 feels like a minor bump. This is truly a good thing in every way because it still maintains that playfulness people have grown to love and something that just eats trails at really any distance.
On the trails, the Speedgoat 4 soaks up most conditions without a problem. That nice high stack absorbs the majority of what you might find out there and means you don’t need a rock plate in there. This allows the shoe to flex better and perform better overall. The stack can be off-putting for some, but Hoka has tried to combat this by flaring the midsole giving you a wider base and contact point. The changes to the upper make it feel more durable overall, yet it still remains breathable. The toe box has a more tapered design than something like the Challenger, but there is still room for your toes to move freely. As you move closer to the heel, the mid of the upper holds you in place and prevents any potential side to side rotation of the foot.
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If we have any gripe it probably lands on the lug depth as the Speedgoat 4s have always been light in this department. For most folks, this won’t be a problem and there is plenty of grip, but when it gets a little muddier things can sometimes get a bit slippy. Definitely room for improvement here, but a minor gripe against what is really a fantastic experience.
Construction: Upper
The upper gets the big update here. New 3D printed overlays and more support at the mid-foot area means a better fit overall. The toe box has widened a bit as well and feels roomier than ever before while also giving you more stability overall. The new mesh upper also breathes better while still handling most trail debris and contact without a problem.
Construction: Midsole
The midsole has seen a small update in that they have updated the EVA being used here to lighten things up overall. It doesn’t feel all that much different and is definitely the strongest aspect of the Speedgoat 4, tons of cushion and plenty of bounce. The midsole also features a very heavy rocker which helps with foot transition in stride.
Construction: Outsole
The outsole makes use of Vibram® Megagrip and then features 5mm lugs which offer better stability, but it isn’t super-aggressive like others in the market. On most trails this won’t be a problem, but when it gets super muddy things get a little slippery for us.
Style & Aesthetics
The Speedgoat comes in 4 colors for men and women and the palette is super broad so you can find a color that fits your personality without a problem.
Overall Conclusion
Running and testing the Hoka One Speedgoat 4 has been truly enjoyable for us. The Speedgoat platform, in general, has become one of the most fun, bounciest trail shoes out there, which tends to alleviate what can be a lot of painful miles. They eat up rocks and debris and while we have some reservations in the mud, overall they are really solid and we are happy with what is really a minor bump to the platform.
Learn more on the Hoka website
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Check Out Other Reviewers Thoughts
As always, we gather together some of our favorite reviewers so you can get a well rounded view of the shoe. Here are our favorites.
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