I bought the Hoka Speedgoat 4 before running the 100 km White Rose Ultra. Foolishly, I hadn’t properly checked the course profile and only discovered afterwards that it was roughly 50% country roads and 50% trails. My usual shoes were designed for technical mountain terrain and heavy mud. What I needed was something that would perform well on both tarmac and trail — and the Speedgoat 4 promised exactly that.
Key Facts
- Sole: Vibram ® Megagrip Sole
- Lug Depth: 5 mm for added grip and stability
- Drop: 4 mm
- Weight: 306 g per shoe
- Fit: Standard and Wide Fit options
- Price: £100 – £130
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Performance and Comfort
The Speedgoat 4 has an impressively cushioned sole — it looks and feels more like a road shoe than an aggressive trail runner. This makes it particularly comfortable when transitioning between hard surfaces and compact summer trails. The Vibram® Megagrip sole provides solid traction on light mud and uneven ground without feeling overly stiff.
I wore them for my first 100 km race. Because I bought them close to race day, I didn’t get the chance to fully break them in, so I did pick up a few blisters — not surprising given the distance. Even so, the shoes felt comfortable on the road sections and handled the muddy November paths well. They can feel a little tight across the top of the foot, but this is easily resolved with careful lacing.
Since then, I’ve used the Speedgoat 4 across a variety of terrains. I don’t find them particularly confidence-inspiring on fast, technical descents, as the thick cushioning can feel slightly unstable. However, for the majority of my running — mostly road and local trails around Bristol — they’ve been excellent.
Fit and Options
For runners with wide feet, Hoka offer the Speedgoat 4 in a Wide Fit, which is a great option and adds comfort without compromising performance.
Final Thoughts
The Hoka Speedgoat 4 is a brilliant all-rounder. It’s ideal for city-centre trail running or routes that combine pavement and off-road terrain. If you regularly transition between road and trail, these shoes strike an excellent balance between cushioning, grip, and comfort.
If your focus is on technical mountain trails, you might prefer something with a firmer, lower sole for added precision. But for everyday mixed-terrain running, the Speedgoat 4 remains one of the best choices available.
Buy
| Model | Weight | Drop | Price | Buy Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hoka Speedgoat 4 | 306 g | 4 mm | £100 – £130 | View on Hoka |
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