HOKA  Speedgoat 7 Trail-Running Shoes - Men's

HOKA as a brand have become my first stop when looking for athletic shoes. While I’ve used many brands over the course of a fairly active life as a runner, triathlete and now a walker and gravel cyclist, these shoes fit me well and support indoor and outdoor activities that also includes just getting around in comfort. I don’t fully take advantage of everything this shoe will do, but it supports everything I want or need to do in comfort and style. It’s only money, and at this point in my life, continuing to be active and fit are a high priority

 I wore these for about 50 miles across two weeks. I ran in very soft and squishy mud and then hard in Rocky Arizona desert. They performed great and they felt great on my feet. But after cleaning them, I found that the tread was separating on the back of 1 foot and the front of another. It looked like it could’ve been a problem with the molding. I understand that the challengers also have an issue with tread coming off the back. I liked the shoe a lot so I am going to return them and try again.

The Speedgoat 7 is much improved over the 6. The midsole foam is softer, the tongue is longer, and the sole is fuller. The upper has less stretch than the previous version, but it is still very comfortable.

**This is. a review as a faster, toe striking runner** The speedgoat 5 was a favorite, a mountain shoe that has some cushion. The Speedgoat 6 was stiff as a brick and just wasn't it. I thought the Speedgoat 7 would be awesome, it felt responsive and exciting with that mountain shoe DNA. Unfortunately, the upper on this does not allow for any amount of adequate lock down and creates an unstable ride downhill. The grip on this shoe is great as always. This being said the midsole foam is good, it's still years behind other shoe manufactures, but it's soft and has a decent amount of energy return. This shoe kind of feels like it wants to be a La Sportiva Prodigio Pro and I would just shell out the money for those instead.

The shoes arrived today and I tried them on, first thing. Thin pair of Injinji socks, I wear a 10.5 in the Mafate X, so that’s what I purchased with these. They are running 1/2 size small, in my opinion. I like the way the shoe fits, and feels otherwise-it’s definitely a different feel than the Mafate X-not nearly as soft. I am going to REI on Tuesday and exchange these for size 11. I will update my review when I’ve had a chance to get outside and test the shoe for its intended use.

I like these much better than the prior version. However, I've been dealing with plantar fasciitis and I'm getting some foot pain so I'm trying other shoes.

I have used these for 2 days of hiking in Joshua Tree NP and a road run. So far so good. They feel stable, offer good cushion, and are very supportive. I have a wide foot so I wish the toe box was a little bigger but I was comfortable enough in them. No hot spots.

The uppers are made of recycled plastic, zero breathability. I love that they tried to do something good, the shoe feels great otherwise, but after about 30min they were hot and wet.