Salomon Speedcross 6 vs Hoka Speedgoat 7 — Which Trail Shoe Should You Buy?

Published April 2026

Two of the most recognisable names in trail running. Both are priced at around £140-£145. Both are worn on ultra starting lines across the UK, and across the globe, most weekends. Both have passionate, loyal followings. So which one should you actually buy?

We have run extensively in both the Salomon Speedcross 6 and the Hoka Speedgoat 7 and know them well. This is our honest comparison to help you decide.

BUY SALOMON SPEEDCROSS 6 – MENS  

BUY SALOMON SPEEDCROSS 6 – WOMENS

BUY HOKA SPEEDGOAT 7 – MENS   

BUY HOKA SPEEDGOAT 7 – WOMENS

Salomon Speedcross 6 vs Hoka Speedgoat 7 – Quick Answer

If you run primarily on muddy, soft, technical trails, the Speedcross 6 is your shoe. Nothing beats those aggressive lugs in the conditions British trail runners face most of the year.

If you want an all-terrain workhorse for longer distances on mixed ground, the Speedgoat 7 is the better choice. More cushioning, more versatility, more shoe for the long haul.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Grip and Traction

This is where the biggest difference lies, and for many runners it will be the deciding factor.

The Speedcross 6 has aggressive 8mm chevron-shaped lugs made from Contagrip MA rubber. They are specifically designed to bite into soft, muddy ground and shed mud quickly. On a wet, boggy, muddy British winter trail, this shoe is outstanding — arguably the best mud shoe available at any price. The lugs dig in, propel you forward and clear themselves between strides.

The Speedgoat 7 uses Vibram Megagrip with 5mm lugs. Vibram Megagrip is widely considered the best all-terrain outsole rubber available, and it delivers on that reputation — superb grip on wet rock, packed dirt, gravel, roots and mixed terrain. But those 5mm lugs are not built for deep sticky mud the way the Speedcross lugs are. In genuinely muddy conditions, the Speedcross 6 wins comfortably.

On every other surface — rock, technical singletrack, gravel, hard-packed trails — the Speedgoat 7 matches or beats the Speedcross. Vibram Megagrip on wet rock in particular is exceptional.

Winner for mud: Speedcross 6, no contest. Winner for mixed terrain: Speedgoat 7.

Cushioning and Ride

The Speedgoat 7 has the clear advantage here. The new supercritical EVA foam midsole is noticeably more responsive and protective than the Speedcross 6’s Energy Save foam. After a long day on technical terrain, the Speedgoat keeps your legs fresher and your joints better protected.

The Speedcross 6 is not a poorly cushioned shoe; it handles long distances fine, but it is firmer underfoot and more direct. Some runners prefer this as it gives better ground feel and a more connected sensation. Others find it punishing on longer efforts.

If you are training for or racing ultras where cushioning accumulates importance over miles and hours, the Speedgoat 7 has a meaningful advantage.

Winner: Speedgoat 7.

Fit and Feel

Both shoes run narrow compared to many alternatives. Both are available in wide fit versions, which we strongly recommend for runners with wider feet.

The Speedcross 6 uses Salomon’s Sensifit technology with a Quicklace system. The fit is precise and wraps snugly around the foot, which inspires confidence on technical terrain. The Quicklace is divisive; some runners love the speed and simplicity, others miss the customisation of traditional laces.

The Speedgoat 7 has a more conventional lacing system with excellent midfoot lockdown. The upper is tougher than the Speedcross 6, and the heel collar holds the foot firmly on rocky descents. The tongue is well-padded, and the toe bumper provides good protection.

Both shoes feel secure and purposeful on the trails. The Speedcross has a slightly more aggressive, locked-in feel. The Speedgoat feels more planted and stable.

Both shoes run narrow, and both are available in wide fit versions. If wide feet are a consideration for you, we have a dedicated guide to the best wide fit trail running shoes which covers both the Speedgoat 7 Wide and other wide fit options in detail. See our best wide fit trail running shoes guide here.

Winner: Too close to call — comes down to personal preference.

Durability

Both are well-built shoes from brands with strong reputations for quality. The Speedcross 6 upper is robust, and the Contagrip outsole wears well on most terrain, though the aggressive lugs can wear faster on hard surfaces like tarmac or rocky paths.

The Speedgoat 7 upper uses a static engineered mesh that does not stretch out over time, which improves long-term fit retention compared to previous versions. Vibram Megagrip is one of the most durable outsole rubbers available and holds its grip properties well over many miles.

Winner: Marginal advantage to the Speedgoat 7 on hard and mixed terrain. The Speedcross 6 is more durable in the muddy conditions it is designed for.

Versatility

The Speedcross 6 is a specialist shoe. It is exceptional at what it is designed for — soft, muddy, technical trails — but on hard surfaces, the aggressive lugs feel uncomfortable and wear quickly. It is not a shoe you would want to use on the road or gravel sections.

The Speedgoat 7 genuinely earns the all-terrain label. It handles road to trail transitions well, works on rocky mountain terrain, gravel tracks, woodland paths and everything in between. It is one of the few trail shoes that earns the one-quiver description.

Winner: Speedgoat 7 by a clear margin.

Who Should Buy the Speedcross 6

You run primarily on soft, muddy, wet trails. The Speedcross 6 is built for exactly these conditions, and nothing rivals it on this terrain.

You do shorter to mid-distance runs where deep cushioning is less critical. The Speedcross is excellent up to marathon distance and beyond, but the Speedgoat’s cushioning advantage becomes more meaningful the longer you go.

You race obstacle course events. The Speedcross 6 is the go-to shoe for OCR for good reason.

You want a shoe that excels in the worst British winter conditions. From November to March, the Speedcross is one of the most useful shoes you can own.

Who Should Buy the Speedgoat 7

You want one shoe that handles everything. Mixed terrain, road to trail, technical ground, long ultras — the Speedgoat 7 is one of the most versatile trail shoes available.

You run long distances. The supercritical foam midsole and the generous stack height keep your legs fresher over the miles in a way the Speedcross cannot quite match.

You run on mixed terrain that is not predominantly muddy. Rocky trails, limestone paths, gravel tracks, mountain terrain — the Speedgoat 7 handles all of it brilliantly.

You want a shoe that works year-round. The Speedgoat performs in almost all conditions except deep mud.

Can You Own Both?

Honestly, yes — and many serious trail runners do. These shoes complement each other perfectly. The Speedgoat 7 is your year-round all-terrain workhorse. The Speedcross 6 comes out when the trails turn properly muddy and nasty. Together, they cover almost every condition British trail running throws at you.

Our Verdict

There is no definitive winner between these two shoes because they are designed for different purposes and suit different runners. The Speedcross 6 is the best muddy trail shoe money can buy at this price. The Speedgoat 7 is the best all-terrain trail shoe for long distances.

If you can only buy one and your running is mixed, the Speedgoat 7 is the more versatile choice. If you run predominantly in wet, muddy British winter conditions, the Speedcross 6 is unbeatable.

BUY SALOMON SPEEDCROSS 6 – MENS   

BUY SALOMON SPEEDCROSS 6 – WOMENS

BUY HOKA SPEEDGOAT 7 – MENS   

BUY HOKA SPEEDGOAT 7 – WOMENS

READ OUR FULL SALOMON SPEEDCROSS 6 REVIEW

READ OUR FULL HOKA SPEEDGOAT 7 REVIEW

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