HOKA Speedgoat 7 Reviews

About 500 miles in a single pair, including a 55K and a technical 50K with roughly 4,000 ft of climbing, plus long runs, tempo work and threshold sessions in mud, snow and dry. They like the lively, protective midsole that did not pack out late in long runs, a very secure heel and midfoot lockdown with room for foot swelling, and grip they never doubted on wet rock or steep roots. After 500 miles they saw no visible upper wear and no serious midsole compression, with the lugs good for roughly another 500.

Sized up half a size, a runner took the Speedgoat 7 straight out of the box on a 38 km hilly run without pinching or hot spots.

Sized up to EU44 2E, a runner found the Speedgoat 7 roomy and comfortable on a 7 km test run.

A runner finished a 50K in the Speedgoat 7 with feet feeling great and no blisters.

Two days of testing straight out of the box: a 10-mile run, then part of a planned 25-mile long run on rolling, twisty, technical trail with climbs and descents. They found the midsole responsive and stable with no wobble, the toe box well shaped with room to spare, the heel secure with no slippage, and little foot sliding downhill. Small notes: the single-density foam gives no softer heel to land on, and the tongue wraps a bit excessively. They see it as a dependable all-terrain, any-distance trainer.

About 100 km so far in cold Canadian conditions, in their usual true-to-size 10.5. They like the softer, bouncier midsole that has not bottomed out, a fit with no heel lift, and very good grip. On the downside, the toe box is narrow up front (a half size up or the wide version may help), the tongue is thin so cranking the laces can cause lace bite, and the forefoot mesh looks less breathable. They expect it to become their main shoe for technical terrain if it holds up.

Not a blow-your-socks-off update but 'a sigh of relief' that makes it worthy of the name again, with renewed comfort and control. One tester: it simply does what this shoe should. Another tester's pair began to delaminate before 50 miles, possibly a sample issue.

A great do-it-all trail shoe that ticks all the boxes, with a livelier ride than the SG6 thanks to the updated midsole. Overkill for light trails and gravel, and serious mud calls for deeper lugs.

'I love it': a brilliant all-rounder with the mix of comfort, light responsiveness and grip he wants. He'll use it for races, midweek miles and long runs, and it's a top contender for his trail marathons and ultras. Few negatives after 50 miles.