I agree the Speedgoat 4 (SG4) is on the firm side, and somewhat uncomfortable underfoot as a result. It's certainly much firmer than the Speedgoat 2 (SG2); but that one was so much of a marshmallow that it was essentially unusable for me during descents (my forefoot would simply bottom out -- and I only weigh about 150#). So while the SG4's midsole is better for me than the SG2's, I find they've gone too far in the other direction. If you want a maximally-cushioned HOKA that has just the ideal Goldilocks midsole firmness, try the Mafate Speed 3 (MS3) or Evo Mafate 2 (EM2) (same midsoles). They're much firmer than the SG2, but less hard and much more comfortable than the SG4; I find the Mafate midsoles are also more shock absorbing and (surprisingly for a less firm insole) more responsive than the SG4's. [As an aside, I'm surprised you like the Challenger ATR6--its midsole is significantly harder than the SG4's.] If you run on technical terrain, I'd recommend the MS3 over the EM2, since the latter has a stretchy forefoot that, while very comfortable, has too much lateral stretch to keep the foot centered for off-camber landings. OTOH, the MS3 has more toebox height than the EM2, which might be an issue for you. Also, on me, the Mafates run longer than the Speedgoats (and all other HOKAS), so I had to downsize by 1/2 size (I take a 7.5 in the SG4 and all other HOKAs, but needed a 7 in the Mafates; this might be specific to the smaller sizes; not sure whether you'd also need to downsize). Two caveats: (1) The traction on the Mafates isn't quite as good as the SG4's--like the SG4, they have Vibram Megagrip lugs; but while the lugs run front-to-back on the SG4, on the Mafates there's a big gap under the arch that has foam midsole lugs only. (2) Because the Mafates have a slightly higher stack than the SG4, and also have a narrower sole under the forefoot (the SG4's midsole flares outward at the forefoot on the lateral sides, effectively providing an "outrigger" to reduce ankle roll), they aren't quite as stable as the SG4. Also, a suggestion on your review: The shoe was clearly too high-volume for you. I know you said you didn't think the issue was that you'd ordered the wide, because it felt too high-volume rather than too wide per se, but it's possible that, in making the wide, HOKA increased the toe box volume as well. Before reviewing a shoe that you could tell wasn't an ideal fit, my recommendation would have been to instead first go to, say, the local REI (the video says you're in Ft. Collins, and there is one there) and try on the normal width version and see if that worked better for you.
Great comment! Thanks for your insight, love it. I got these shoes from the brand and was set on testing them. Didn't know they were too wide or high volume until I was deep into testing.
Can't speak for the wide version, but I do absolutely love the standard version. They are the perfect shoes for 90% of the trails I run on. For heavily muddy terrains and snow I use Salomon Alpine XA 2. I usually don't run on very rocky and technical trails. I'm a medium to heavy runner (a lot of muscles on the upper body, too), I tend to land on the midfoot and forefoot and I really appreciate the cushioning of the medium and forefoot on these shoes as I would appreciate the cushioning on the heel if I were a heel striker. Also the top mesh is very durable and not beeing a heel striker I tend not to consume and traumatize the sole/midsole on the back, so these shoes do last me for about 800 kilometers in decent conditions. Vibram Megagrìp is awesome (I wish Salomon used this one instead of Contagrip). For recovery run and more casual training I use Hoka One One Challenger atr 5 and find them equally awesome regarding fit and cushioning. The sole is more suited for compact and smooth terrain as well as asphalt.
Great comment! I've been running more and more in the challenger ATR 6 lately for my recovery runs and it's really growing on me for a comfy slow shoe that can be on road and off road.
Ya, somthing was off on these, hoping the 5s will nail it. The EVO Speedgoat was a bit better in my opinion, and wait until you see our review on the Torrent 2!
Only someone who has gotten used to marshmallows shoes would think this is stiff or firm. To someone coming from standard trail shoes, it is super soft
Maybe I got a bad batch... Mine are super stiff, can barely even bend the shoe in my hands. I really loved the Torrent 2 over the Speedgoat, but it's just my opinion.
I found the comfort to be an issue as well.Toe box for me was too narrow for long runs.One of the best shoes I’ve ever used for fast downhill on trails though,it just sticks to the ground.
I have pair in 14 2e wide surprisingly heal actually narrower at base compared to my 14 speedgoat 3s doesnt flare out as much .insoles nicer in 4s .speedgoat 3s had aggressive arch in there insole used to dig into my arch .definitely more room up front in 4s
Absolutely the best shoe I've owned. It's grippy and stable. I use them for all running and hiking. Let's hope they don't change this one too much and mess it up.
I’m in a constant battle between wanting both stability and cushion. Seems like this could be a reasonable balanced version of both? I’ve been torn between this (EVO) and the Topo Ultraventure PRO.
I have not run in the EVO but wish I had it here to compare because I have heard that it solves some of the issues I had in this shoe. Hope to try it soon!
I think the Speedgoat EVO is better, its a bit lighter, also really liked the Torrent 2 a ton more. But if you need max cushioned then this thing can crush trails.
@@RunRepeatcomThanks!! but sad to say EVO is not available here in my place (PHILIPPINES) and also SG 4's on sale at $73 only so i did order a pair online last dec 11 .. hope it will be delivered before Christmas ..
Fit is very subjective for sure. For me it fit oddly, I have a wide foot but that wasn't really the issue with this shoe. In the end it just didn't perform as well as some others in this category, but I will be looking forward to the 5 to see what they change.
Seems to me that this is kind of an isolated case with the fit for you. I think that you should have tried the normal width and that would've been better, but anyways, you focused on the fit way to much and ended up talking bad about a great shoe, one or if not the best. Also, I don't understand how you can say that they are stiff if they have so much cushioning.
I don't disagree with you, I think this would be a great shoe if it fit me right. The Torrent 2 review is about to come out and that shoe blew me away, it's everything I wanted the speedgoat to be. But it wasn't just the fit, my foot had some issues going numb, like the footbed was too hard, even though it's a max cushioned shoe, it didn't feel like it had a soft ride to me. A few others have commented on this fit issue as well. Hopefully they will fix some of the issues in the next version.
I agree the Speedgoat 4 (SG4) is on the firm side, and somewhat uncomfortable underfoot as a result. It's certainly much firmer than the Speedgoat 2 (SG2); but that one was so much of a marshmallow that it was essentially unusable for me during descents (my forefoot would simply bottom out -- and I only weigh about 150#). So while the SG4's midsole is better for me than the SG2's, I find they've gone too far in the other direction.
If you want a maximally-cushioned HOKA that has just the ideal Goldilocks midsole firmness, try the Mafate Speed 3 (MS3) or Evo Mafate 2 (EM2) (same midsoles). They're much firmer than the SG2, but less hard and much more comfortable than the SG4; I find the Mafate midsoles are also more shock absorbing and (surprisingly for a less firm insole) more responsive than the SG4's.
[As an aside, I'm surprised you like the Challenger ATR6--its midsole is significantly harder than the SG4's.]
If you run on technical terrain, I'd recommend the MS3 over the EM2, since the latter has a stretchy forefoot that, while very comfortable, has too much lateral stretch to keep the foot centered for off-camber landings. OTOH, the MS3 has more toebox height than the EM2, which might be an issue for you. Also, on me, the Mafates run longer than the Speedgoats (and all other HOKAS), so I had to downsize by 1/2 size (I take a 7.5 in the SG4 and all other HOKAs, but needed a 7 in the Mafates; this might be specific to the smaller sizes; not sure whether you'd also need to downsize).
Two caveats: (1) The traction on the Mafates isn't quite as good as the SG4's--like the SG4, they have Vibram Megagrip lugs; but while the lugs run front-to-back on the SG4, on the Mafates there's a big gap under the arch that has foam midsole lugs only. (2) Because the Mafates have a slightly higher stack than the SG4, and also have a narrower sole under the forefoot (the SG4's midsole flares outward at the forefoot on the lateral sides, effectively providing an "outrigger" to reduce ankle roll), they aren't quite as stable as the SG4.
Also, a suggestion on your review: The shoe was clearly too high-volume for you. I know you said you didn't think the issue was that you'd ordered the wide, because it felt too high-volume rather than too wide per se, but it's possible that, in making the wide, HOKA increased the toe box volume as well. Before reviewing a shoe that you could tell wasn't an ideal fit, my recommendation would have been to instead first go to, say, the local REI (the video says you're in Ft. Collins, and there is one there) and try on the normal width version and see if that worked better for you.
Great comment! Thanks for your insight, love it. I got these shoes from the brand and was set on testing them. Didn't know they were too wide or high volume until I was deep into testing.
Can't speak for the wide version, but I do absolutely love the standard version. They are the perfect shoes for 90% of the trails I run on. For heavily muddy terrains and snow I use Salomon Alpine XA 2. I usually don't run on very rocky and technical trails. I'm a medium to heavy runner (a lot of muscles on the upper body, too), I tend to land on the midfoot and forefoot and I really appreciate the cushioning of the medium and forefoot on these shoes as I would appreciate the cushioning on the heel if I were a heel striker. Also the top mesh is very durable and not beeing a heel striker I tend not to consume and traumatize the sole/midsole on the back, so these shoes do last me for about 800 kilometers in decent conditions. Vibram Megagrìp is awesome (I wish Salomon used this one instead of Contagrip).
For recovery run and more casual training I use Hoka One One Challenger atr 5 and find them equally awesome regarding fit and cushioning. The sole is more suited for compact and smooth terrain as well as asphalt.
Great comment! I've been running more and more in the challenger ATR 6 lately for my recovery runs and it's really growing on me for a comfy slow shoe that can be on road and off road.
I totally agree with the fit issue. I adjusted my laces multiple times also. I thought it was just me and my weird feet, haha.
Ya, somthing was off on these, hoping the 5s will nail it. The EVO Speedgoat was a bit better in my opinion, and wait until you see our review on the Torrent 2!
I have no complaint, best shoe I ever have.
Thanks for the comment. Tons of people love these!
Only someone who has gotten used to marshmallows shoes would think this is stiff or firm. To someone coming from standard trail shoes, it is super soft
Maybe I got a bad batch... Mine are super stiff, can barely even bend the shoe in my hands. I really loved the Torrent 2 over the Speedgoat, but it's just my opinion.
This trail shoe is also my best/favorite road shoe. Go figure.
When it's comfortable and works on both surfaces why not!
I found the comfort to be an issue as well.Toe box for me was too narrow for long runs.One of the best shoes I’ve ever used for fast downhill on trails though,it just sticks to the ground.
Thanks for sharing! Glad to hear I was not alone in this sentiment. And I agree, it's a beast on the downs.
13 Wide perfect fit for my heavy weight. No complaints. I maybe 260lbs. Downhills are a breeze, literally.
I have pair in 14 2e wide surprisingly heal actually narrower at base compared to my 14 speedgoat 3s doesnt flare out as much .insoles nicer in 4s .speedgoat 3s had aggressive arch in there insole used to dig into my arch .definitely more room up front in 4s
Absolutely the best shoe I've owned. It's grippy and stable. I use them for all running and hiking. Let's hope they don't change this one too much and mess it up.
I actually found the 3 too mushy and unstable (a lot of ankle role issue in tech trails), the 4 is the sweat spot for me.
Glad it works for you, tons of people love this shoe, I think the EVO was a better design for my style.
This or an Altra Olympus 4 0 for my first 50k? 🤔 - so tough to decide
I haven't had the pleasure of trying the Olympus yet, hopefully soon, they look great.
Caught with the same decision to make! Let me know which worked out for you
I’m in a constant battle between wanting both stability and cushion. Seems like this could be a reasonable balanced version of both? I’ve been torn between this (EVO) and the Topo Ultraventure PRO.
I have not run in the EVO but wish I had it here to compare because I have heard that it solves some of the issues I had in this shoe. Hope to try it soon!
Does the Speedgoat 4 provide more foot stability than the Clifton 8?
Planning to buy it for Christmas ... im a newbie trail runner wannabee .. should i buy it or not? thanks
I think the Speedgoat EVO is better, its a bit lighter, also really liked the Torrent 2 a ton more. But if you need max cushioned then this thing can crush trails.
@@RunRepeatcomThanks!! but sad to say EVO is not available here in my place (PHILIPPINES) and also SG 4's on sale at $73 only so i did order a pair online last dec 11 .. hope it will be delivered before Christmas ..
What insoles do you use? I didn't know you could get a custom SuperFeet
Max, I have the ME3D insoles from Superfeet. www.superfeet.com/en-us/me3d They can make custom recovery slides too, which I also have and love!
Fit is subjective and price does not effect price.
Fit is very subjective for sure. For me it fit oddly, I have a wide foot but that wasn't really the issue with this shoe. In the end it just didn't perform as well as some others in this category, but I will be looking forward to the 5 to see what they change.
Hi, Would these make a good hiking sneaker ?
Seems to me that this is kind of an isolated case with the fit for you. I think that you should have tried the normal width and that would've been better, but anyways, you focused on the fit way to much and ended up talking bad about a great shoe, one or if not the best. Also, I don't understand how you can say that they are stiff if they have so much cushioning.
I don't disagree with you, I think this would be a great shoe if it fit me right. The Torrent 2 review is about to come out and that shoe blew me away, it's everything I wanted the speedgoat to be. But it wasn't just the fit, my foot had some issues going numb, like the footbed was too hard, even though it's a max cushioned shoe, it didn't feel like it had a soft ride to me. A few others have commented on this fit issue as well. Hopefully they will fix some of the issues in the next version.
BOOO YAHHHHH
Haha, ya, I really really wanted these to knock my socks off! Stay tuned for the Torrent 2!