Hoka One One Speedgoat 3 Review

The Hoka website and their entire public presentation are exercises in the honest ad copy. If a Hoka shoe says it can deliver something, you can bet that it will. There is nothing flashy or hyperbolic about the site. As far as we can tell, there are no pro athletes endorsing or lending their names to any shoes. It is refreshing to see a company focused on a quality product that makes customers happy.

The lack of over-the-top promises, though, doesn't mean Hoka shoes are cheap. They are the product of careful engineering and 10 years of responsive innovation. Prior to that, the two founders ran trails for fun and sport. They also helped design snowboards and other winter sports gear. All of that experience and ingenuity reflects in the retail price of the men's and women's Hoka Speedgoat 3. If you run trails regularly, it will be worth the investment to descend even overgrown trails with speed and comfort.

Hoka also makes more road and track-oriented shoes, of course. They all share that unique rocker-shaped, stacked, thick rubber sole and an ample amount of cushioning.

Another Hoka constant is the thickness and traction of their outsoles. The Speedgoat 3 features an asymmetrical pattern of thick, curved lugs set against a textured hard rubber pad. The result is a shoe that will keep you on your feet and moving. Racing down a trail at to speed is exhilarating, and that feeling is at the heart of the sport. But it can also be dangerous, especially if there are unseen rocks and tree roots. Hoka made this shoe to give you peace of mind, helping you beat your best time and compete with friends. You won't be worrying about tripping up or taking a spill. Instead, you can focus on the run and the play while you get stronger and faster.

The Speedgoat line, starting with the first Speedgoat released a few years back, is named after Karl "Speedgoat" Meltzer. Meltzer holds the record for the most wins in the 100-mile trail run event. Hoka sponsors him. The shoe won a prestigious Gear of the Year award from Runner's World Magazine in 2019. Athletes like Meltzer are not like NBA or NFL players with endorsement money falling out of their ears. If he lends his name to a shoe, you can rely on the shoe.

The upper construction is all synthetic open mesh. It allows air circulation, so your feet don't overheat and bacteria do not have a chance to flourish in the lining. That also means the shoe is not particularly warm during cold weather. The outsole is tough enough to let you glide over snow and slush, but you'll want to get some thick socks to add a layer of warmth. Unlike your favorite battered errand sneakers, you do not want to wear the Speedgoat 3 without socks. There is too much chance of chafing, and your foot sweat can cause damage to this expensive, engineered performance tool.

On the sides of the shoe, you will see the familiar lace cradle straps. They make for a tight-fitting experience, hugging your midfoot the same way a pair of Rollerblades does. The laces are standard flat textiles, with colors that compliment and accent the rest of the shoe. It would be simple to turn them into speed laces with an aftermarket kit, letting you pull on bungee laces so that the Hokas become like slip on's.

The toe box is not as snug, so you can wiggle your toes and use them for added stability. If you like to feel and connect with the ground beneath you, the Speedgoat will not be your new best friend. The extra-thick soles and abundance of cushioning mean you will connect with the shoe, not the ground. It is a matter of personal preference and running style, though we will always say thicker soles are safer on trails. They protect you from anything jagged that may be lying on the ground. The protection and comfort also let you wear the shoes for extended periods, making them suitable for hikers as long as you don't need the ankle stability offered by hiking boots.

The midfoot features TPU construction. We've written about TPU before, but here's a refresher. Understanding this versatile polymer will help you make a purchase decision, and it is also good to know since many athletic sneakers now use TPU in the midfoot or heel.

TPU or thermoplastic polyurethane is a plastic made of co-polymers. One of them is always polyurethane. Like other new wave plastics, TPU is heat-treated during manufacture. This helps give it heat resistance, as well as elasticity, cut and grease resistance, and the ability to mold to human feet while never losing shape or firmness. In a midfoot or heel cup TPU bed, the plastic is separated from your feet bu the stitched fabric or insole material that makes up the inside of the shoe.

What this means for the Hoka Speedgoat 3 is that your feet will rest on a solid polymer foundation that is extremely durable and firm, with the appropriate amount of "give" so you don't get footsore or uncomfortable. The midfoot plate is shaped similar to your foot, emulating any insole you would buy at a store. And it is separated from you by Hoka's trademark layers of cushioning. The payoff is a supportive ride that will not wear down for a long time, supporting you through all your trail running or neighborhood adventures. Yes, this shoe is so comfortable that it will integrate itself into your life. You won't want to save it just for the trail. Your editors speak from experience! We have all tried out Hoka sneakers at different times and are pleased with the ride.

The Hoka Speedgoat 3 is aimed at dedicated, long term, consistent trail runners. If you want a general-purpose, road running, or gym sneaker, we suggest looking elsewhere. The traction, lugs, and adhesion on the sole won't have much application outside of a downhill trail. And the expense is probably too much if you don't need the trail running performance. So, while you can use any of Hoka's shoes for the alternate purposes we outlined, the Speedgoat 3 is probably not your best choice.

We gave the Hoka Speedgoat 3 trail runner a 9 out of 10. The point off is for the stiffness of the shoe, which many users will find uncomfortable at first. Most of us expect a shoe this supportive to also be flexible. Since we are a general-purpose fitness site, too, we didn't want to give a 10 out of 10 to a shoe with this much of a limited application. We'd like to emphasize, once more, that the Speedgoat 3 is a very poor choice for lifting weights above low resistance, high rep dumbbell lifts that enhance cardio training (see the best shoes for weightlifting). To be a powerlifter, or to farmer carry a giant kettlebell, you need something with thinner, flatter soles, better foot lockdown, and little to no cushioning.

If you are a trail runner, and you know you will make regular use of them, we highly recommend the Hoka Speedgoat 3. It is grippy, lightweight, breathable, and provides enough midfoot lockdown to keep you safe and minimize foot injuries. While plantar fasciitis is a long-term condition that requires compression, rest, and TLC, shoes like the Speedgoat 3 have enough cushion to keep you moving even with that issue.