Published April 2026
If you are a Speedgoat loyalist, you will already know that after the popularity of the 5, the Speedgoat 6 divided opinion. It was a capable shoe, but something felt a little off compared to the beloved 5. The midsole was firmer, the upper felt looser, and many runners who had worn Speedgoats for years quietly admitted the magic had gone a bit flat.
The Speedgoat 7 has just dropped, and the question everyone is asking is the same one — is it actually worth upgrading, or is this just a new colourway and a few tweaks dressed up as something significant?
Having run in both the 5 and the 6 extensively, here is our honest take on what has changed, what has stayed the same, and who should buy what.
Quick Answer
If you are currently running in the Speedgoat 6 and are happy with it, the 7 is a meaningful upgrade but not an emergency one. If you ran in the 6 and found it too firm, too flat or frustrating around the heel collar, the 7 fixes all of those things and is absolutely worth switching to. If you skipped the 6 entirely because of what you heard about it, now is a great time to come back to the Speedgoat.
SPEEDGOAT 7 – MENS SPEEDGOAT 7 – WOMEN
What Was Wrong with the Speedgoat 6
To understand why the 7 matters, you need to understand what went wrong with the 6. When it launched, the feedback from the trail running community was fairly consistent across the board.
The midsole was the biggest complaint. Hoka moved to a firmer CMEVA foam which made the shoe feel stiff and unresponsive compared to the 5. On longer runs the midsole seemed to lose what little energy it had fairly quickly, leaving your legs doing more of the work than they should.
The tongue was the second issue. It was thin, slightly too short, and on longer runs or with certain lacing styles it irritated the front of the ankle. A seemingly small thing that became a significant annoyance over time.
The heel collar design also attracted criticism. The pronounced flared heel occasionally let debris in and caused issues for runners trying to attach gaiters. Some runners also found it created rubbing around the Achilles on longer efforts.
The 6 was by no means a bad shoe. The Vibram Megagrip outsole was excellent, the fit was secure on technical terrain and the durability was actually better than the 5. But it had lost some of the character that made the Speedgoat such a beloved shoe for so many runners.
What Hoka Changed in the Speedgoat 7
The midsole is the biggest story. Hoka have ditched the CMEVA foam entirely and replaced it with supercritical EVA, the same technology usually reserved for high-end race shoes. The foaming process infuses gas into the foam creating tiny air bubbles, resulting in a material that is lighter, softer and more responsive. On the trail the difference is immediately noticeable. There is a lively, springy quality to each stride that the Speedgoat 6 simply did not have. You get cushion and protection without that dead, flat feeling underfoot. Importantly the foam also holds its energy better over long runs, so you are still getting some spring and forward propulsion well into mile 20 or 25.
The tongue has been completely reworked. It is longer, more padded, and partially gusseted at the top. This single change makes the shoe feel significantly more comfortable across the front of the ankle and lace line. Anyone who struggled with tongue bite in the 6 will notice the improvement from the first run.
The upper is tougher and more secure. The mesh is now static rather than stretchy, which means the lockdown feel you have at mile one is the same at mile 20. The toe bumper is more rigid, offering better protection on rocky descents. The midfoot wrapping creates a more secure, dialled-in feel overall.
The heel has been redesigned. The collar sits slightly lower than the 6 but is more padded, creating better lockdown with no Achilles rubbing. The split heel bevel has also been reworked, creating a deeper and smoother curve that makes downhill transitions noticeably more controlled and more enjoyable on steep technical descents.
The outsole gets a refresh. Vibram Megagrip remains the rubber of choice, with 5mm lugs providing excellent grip on most surfaces. The lug pattern has been subtly revised to improve braking and downhill control.
Side by Side Comparison
| Speedgoat 6 | Speedgoat 7 | |
|---|---|---|
| Midsole foam | CMEVA, firm and flat | Supercritical EVA, softer and bouncier |
| Weight | 281g (men’s) | 272g (men’s) |
| Drop | 5mm | 5mm |
| Stack height | 40mm heel / 35mm forefoot | 37mm heel / 32mm forefoot |
| Outsole | Vibram Megagrip 5mm lugs | Vibram Megagrip 5mm lugs, revised pattern |
| Tongue | Thin, short, no gusseting | Longer, padded, partially gusseted |
| Heel collar | Flared, occasionally problematic | Lower, more padded, better lockdown |
| Upper | Woven textile, stretchy | Engineered mesh, static, more durable |
| Wide fit | Available | Available |
| UK price | Around £140 | £145 |
Who Should Upgrade
Upgrade from the 6 to the 7 if:
You found the 6 too firm or flat underfoot. The supercritical foam is a genuinely significant improvement and you will notice it immediately.
You experienced tongue bite or irritation at the front of your ankle. The new tongue fixes this completely.
You had issues with the heel collar in the 6, whether debris was getting in or the Achilles rubbing. The redesigned collar addresses both.
You are buying your first pair of Speedgoats. The 7 is the best starting point the series has offered in years.
SPEEDGOAT 7 – MENS SPEEDGOAT 7 – WOMEN
You can probably wait or grab a discounted 6 if:
You are happy with the Speedgoat 6 and have no complaints. The 7 is better, but the 6 is still a capable shoe, and if it is available at a reduced price now the 7 has launched, it represents good value.
You are mid-training block. Switching shoes mid-training always carries a small risk of adjustment. If you have a race in 4-6 weeks, finish in your current shoes and switch after.
Our Verdict
The Speedgoat 7 is the best version of this shoe since the 5, and depending on who you ask, it may be the best Speedgoat yet. Hoka have listened to the feedback on the 6 and made targeted, meaningful changes rather than tinkering for its own sake. The supercritical foam midsole alone justifies the version bump, and the tongue and heel collar improvements fix the two most consistent complaints about the previous shoe.
At £145 in the UK it is a £5 increase on the Speedgoat 6, which given the quality of the upgrade, feels more than justified.
If you are a Speedgoat fan who has been waiting to see whether the 7 would restore the magic, the answer is yes. It has. And, if like us, you have a wider foot, both the Speedgoat 7 and the Speedgoat 6 are available in wide fit. If wide fit trail shoes are a priority for you see our dedicated guide here.
SPEEDGOAT 7 – MENS SPEEDGOAT 7 – WOMEN
READ OUR FULL SPEEDGOAT 7 REVIEW
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