Jenna Lyons is a RErun Ambassador for 2017/2018. We asked her to test out a pair of the Hoka Speedgoat 2’s and tell us what she thought. You can follow Jenna’s adventures @littlelyoness.
HOKA SPEEDGOAT 2: Like Dancing on Rainbows
By Jenna P. Lyons
I reviewed the Hoka Speedgoat 2. Admittedly, I never tried the original Hoka Speedgoat, so I have no standards by which to compare this newer shoe to an older Hoka product. I chose to test the Speedgoat 2 in three environments: (1) on a super smooth trail with little rocks; (2) on a super technical, rocky, steep trail; and (3) having a cappuccino at Black Coffee with a dress on.
In true law student form, I organized my review of this shoe in five bulletpoints to avoid the vagueness rabbithole many shoe reviews fall into. Enjoy!
1. Traction & Responsiveness
They have Vibram Megagrip lugs and sole, which provide for great traction. However, if you’re not used to the cushion cloud platform or lack of a rock plate, these shoes can feel unstable, especially if you’re hauling down a rocky, gravelly steep downhill or jumping laterally from cloud to cloud.
2. Comfort
These feel like running on a cloud. Or a marshmallow. This is due to the soft upper and the super soft cushion. For a more accurate depiction of how I felt on my runs in these shoes, click this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ky3Ordfqn88. No really, click the link 🙂
The finer details:
- Weight: About 8.2 oz for a fairy foot like mine; 9.8 oz for a Men’s 9.For reference, the women’s shoe is about as heavy as an average hamster. The men’s shoe is about as heavy as the same average hamster that has just eaten 3 or 4 walnuts.
- Drop: 4.5mm (32mm heel, 27.5mm forefoot). Roughly the size of a baby seahorse.
3. Looks
I love platform shoes, so these are perfect! Though the Speedgoat 2 is more low profile than other Hokas, there is still substantial cushion. I felt somewhat dorky walking around town in them, but that probably has nothing to do with the shoes. The colors are vibrant like a pet shop full of parakeets, so this will come down to personal preference for many folks who desire to run in Hokas.
4. Price
$140. . .the same as many other trail shoes and the same price as roughly 70 cups of coffee. They’ll probably last longer, though, due to the beefiness of the lugs and sole.
5. Fit
These fit pretty true to size. I normally wear a 36.5 or 37 European size in La Sportivas, and a 6 in all US-sized shoes, and the Hokas I have been running in are a size 37 1/3 (US 6). I have average width feet, and these fit snugly, which means if you have really wide feet, these may not be comfortable for you. I also have high arches, and would recommend insoles for other folks with high arches.
Conclusion
The Hoka Speedgoat 2 is a wonderful shoe that will make you feel like a pink unicorn running on a rainbow. It is the same price as most other trail shoes and fits true to size. It is a great shoe for long runs, especially if those runs take place on dirt roads or smoother single track. They aren’t great if you’re aiming to run super super fast, jump laterally, or chase children. I wouldn’t do box jumps in them. They are also not great for going on a first date or going to church. But you could go to coffee in them with a dress on. The upper is soft and comfortable, and so is the platform cushion. The lugs are beefy, and provide great traction on gravel. Like parakeets, the Speedgoat 2 comes in sweet colors that will make you giggle. If you have an injury or if impact from running hurts your knees, hips, ankles, or back, the Hokas may be a good shoe for you, pending doctor and/or PT approval. If you really want to be running when you are really old, then the Hokas are probably a good choice for you. Verdict: Quality shoe that you will probably love!
