Finding the right shoes for running can be a bit of a challenge, especially when you don’t know where to start. Luckily for you though, we’ve found the perfect shoes for you to consider purchasing if you love to run!
We’ll be going over everything you need to know about the Hoka Speedgoat 4s in this article.
From durability, all the way to how comfortable they are, by the time you have finished reading this review, you’ll know everything there is about these running shoes.
What Are The Hoka Speedgoat 4s?
The Hoka Speedgoat 4 is a shoe that has improved upon its earlier iterations and is designed for running on flat surfaces and long distances.
These shoes can provide you with all the protection you need for more than 50 miles of distance. They work great on trails of all kinds, from rocky terrain to water, and even snow and ice.
As they are the fourth editions, they are more durable and have better traction, and they fit even better than their earlier editions.
They have a Vibram MegaGrip included in their design, which is why they can work on practically any surface.
The Speedgoat 4 also used a midsole that provides ample cushioning for your feet, allowing you to run for longer distances.
The Speedgoat series of running shoes was actually designed with input and help from Karl Meltzer, who has completed and won most ultramarathons than any other runner in the world.
His success in these ultramarathons has largely been attributed to having the right footwear, so you can trust that the Speedgoat 4 was conceived with the help of a true expert.
Durability
The Speedgoat 4 is exceptionally durable, and they’d have to be in order to work on long distances and varying terrain conditions.
The wear and tear on these shoes are practically zero, and they offer plenty of traction, so you don’t have to worry about any tricky terrain ruining your running experience.
The Speedgoat 4’s are designed to be able to deal with stray rocks and wet surfaces, so you can enjoy your run and push on for longer, without having to worry about the shoes not being able to handle it.
The Speedgoat 4’s have been designed to be more breathable than other models too, so you don’t have to worry about your feet feeling constricted or tight.
They are designed with a tight weave that stops debris from getting into the shoe itself, meaning you don’t have to spend any wasted time removing them from your shoes.
The Speedgoat 4’s have 32mm of EVA foam under the heels and this prevents stepping on anything sharp, so any worries you had about minor injuries will disappear when you use these shoes.
Protection
When it comes to protection, the Speedgoat 4’s provide plenty of it. They are completely water-resistant, using a GORE-TEX material that prevents both your feet and socks from getting wet, so you can run through wet surfaces with ease.
Wet surfaces include puddles and even small streams, so you don’t have to alter your running routes too much when you wear these shoes.
As previously mentioned, the Speedgoat 4’s have 32mm of EVA foam under the heels, which can really protect your feet from injury.
You can feel things under your feet that would usually injure you as you run, but the EVA foam prevents any of it from actually penetrating the shoe.
Another great bit of protection that the Speedgoat 4’s offer is anti-ankle rolling. If you are prone to rolling your ankles when you run, then these shoes will counter that because of the way they have been designed to work well on multiple terrain types.
There are shoes that provide a bit more protection than the Speedgoat 4’s but it should be noted that the protection level on these shoes is more than enough for long-distance and varied terrain runs.
Comfort & Fit
The comfort that is provided with the Speedgoat 4’s is one of their biggest selling points. Once you unbox them, you will be good to go for a run right then and there.
They don’t require you to really break them in and you will feel the comfort in the fit practically instantaneously.
The Hoka Speedgoat series of shoes all look incredibly large when you first see them in person but don’t let that put you off. They might look large and bulky, but once you put them on, you’ll see that they aren’t bulky at all.
Their bulkiness is actually more on the outside of the shoe than on the inside, and they are designed like that to deal with the varied terrain you will encounter on your run, and they do a fantastic job of that.
The Speedgoat 4’s also provide you with plenty of comfort in terms of flexibility. They reduce the impact on your muscles and tendons, which other shoes usually don’t offer. This means that you will have a shorter recovery time between your runs, so you can run for longer.
Lots of people have complained in the past that the Hoka Speedgoat series of shoes have been too narrow on the toe box, so they have made sure that the Speedgoat 4’s toebox is a lot wider, which provides further comfort and a better fit.
You won’t need to size up or size down with these shoes, and they should always be a perfect fit providing you get the correct shoe size.
Speed & Responsiveness
It should be noted that the Speedgoat 4’s are more designed for long-distance running, so speed takes a bit of a backseat in terms of how effective it will be.
But this is more a note for anyone who wants to speed and zip down trails, so if you’re looking for something that will keep a steady pace, these shoes are great for that.
Their ability to handle a wide variety of terrain and surfaces makes them extremely responsive and your speed will actually increase because they are designed to work on these surfaces.
If you use a pair of shoes that don’t have as much responsiveness to varied terrains, you will naturally find yourself slowing down more.
Though they aren’t the fastest running shoes on the market, their durability, responsiveness, comfort, and protection make them a shoe that you absolutely need in your arsenal.
Stability
Hoka shoes are not usually known for their stability, and that has a lot to do with their 32mm underfoot platform. Moving your feet high off the ground will compromise your stability quite a bit, which may put some potential buyers off.
That being said, however, the Speedgoat 4’s have been praised for being Hoka’s most stable running shoe. They hug your feet in a way that keeps them incredibly secure which helps you to avoid slipping while you run.
The stability of the Speedgoat 4’s will actually improve over time as you use them more. You just need to spend a short amount of time getting used to them.
They do work better on flatter surfaces, but even on rockier and more uneven surfaces and terrains, with a little bit of practice and familiarity, you’ll find that you can increase your stability with little to no issues at all.
Weight
The size of these shoes does mean there is a little bit of weight to them. The Speedgoat 3 weighed about 22.5 ounces, whereas the Speedgoat 4’s weigh about 23.6 ounces, making them a bit heavier than their older counterparts.
They are one of the heavier running shoes you can invest in, which may impact the way you run a bit, but the weight is really a good trade-off for the protection, durability, and comfort you get when you use these shoes.
Because of the size of these shoes though, it really is a surprise that the Speedgoat 4’s aren’t actually even heavier than 23.6 ounces.
They may be a little bit heavier than a lot of running shoes that are out there, but just like the stability of these shoes, it will just take a bit of practice and familiarity to get used to them.
If you are looking for a pair of running shoes that are better for long-distance running and varing terrain, the weight of these shoes is actually worth sacrificing.
If you’re looking for a shoe that is better for speed and shorter distances though, you will probably want to look into another pair of running shoes.
Conclusion
The Hoka Speedgoat 4’s are an incredibly durable pair of running shoes that are perfect for keeping your feet protected for longer distances with more uneven terrain.
Though they are a bit heavier than some of the other running shoes out there, that should not put you off investing in the Speedgoat 4’s.
Overall, they will enhance your performance and their added comfort and fit will allow you to run for longer distances without having to worry about injury or longer recovery times.
