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10.7 oz. (303 g) for a US M9, 9 oz. (255 g) for a US W7.5
40mm in heel, 35mm in forefoot (5mm drop)
Wet, technical trails
Vibram Megagrip outsole, Gore-Tex upper, CMEVA midsole
Available now for $180
Introduction to the Hoka Speedgoat 7 GTX
JOHN: A few years back, when I reviewed the Speedgoat 6 GTX, I was injured and couldn’t run the Barkley Fall Classic. However, I volunteered all day wearing it at my post on Bird Mountain, making sure runners didn’t go the wrong way. I also did a couple of other runs in it and felt like it was so good I could use it in a race.
That said, I have a complicated history with GTX shoes; some feel more like hikers because they're clunky, make my feet sweat, trap water, and don’t drain well. We've all been there, so no need to rehash all that.
I received the Hoka Speedgoat 7 GTX on a Thursday night as I was leaving for Knoxville, Tennessee, to run the Barkley Fall Classic. Doing a basic inspection of the shoe, I felt like I could run the race in it (especially after using the previous version at Frozen Head volunteering).
Was I crazy to use a GTX shoe straight out of the box on such a hard race? Well yeah, but let’s see how the Speedgoat 7 GTX did out there.
What we like about the Hoka Speedgoat 7 GTX
JOHN: The amazing thing about this shoe is it doesn’t really feel like a GTX shoe. The temperature at the race was very warm, but my feet never felt overheated. The Gore-Tex Invisible Fit membrane didn’t make the shoe feel stiff or bulky, and the ride wasn’t clunky at all. It honestly felt like a standard trail shoe. If I didn’t know this was a GTX shoe, I wouldn’t have guessed just from running in it.
One thing that really excited me was the toggle lacing. I’ve never used a Hoka shoe with laces like this before, and it worked great. It didn’t negatively impact the fit at all, and the US M11.5 fit my foot really well with no excess room. The stretchy dynamic vamp also helped the upper feel secure without feeling restrictive.
A lot of people at the race complained about foot problems, but underfoot the Speedgoat 7 GTX delivered all-day comfort. The compression molded EVA foam midsole gave me plenty of cushioning without feeling overly soft or unstable. I had no real issues with my feet except for one that I’ll touch on in the next section.
The Speedgoat 7 GTX delivered outstanding protection even at Frozen Head. I kicked rocks, ran through briars, and dealt with all kinds of crazy terrain, and the Cordura upper did a great job of keeping my feet protected. I never let out any war cries because of my feet on this one.
The outsole saved me many times. I’m not a graceful trail runner at all, especially when I’m having to slide down steep hills. The Vibram Megagrip outsole with 5mm traction lugs gave me a lot of confidence and really helped me stay upright.
I’ve also been critical of the exposed foam on past Speedgoats because it can be soft and easy for sticks, rocks, and other trail debris to tear into. That was not the case here. After running BFC, the outsole still looks great. I was honestly stunned.
Great job, Hoka!
What we don't like about the Hoka Speedgoat 7 GTX
JOHN: So, I have a big-time caveat here. I punished this shoe for almost 11 hours and somewhere around a marathon distance (Laz does math slightly differently and GPS is not allowed).
With that being said, my toes felt a little rough toward the end of the race from doing so much up and down. It was worse on my right foot, and there may have been an insole issue. When I received the shoe, I didn’t notice until the morning of the race; the right insole looked like it had been placed incorrectly and was bunched up at the heel. I had to take it out and put it back in, but it might have slid around some during the race as a result.
That may have been it, but as I told another runner out there also having similar issues (with Hoka shoes/ insoles), if that’s the only foot problem you have at the Barkley Fall Classic, that’s a pretty good day.
Final thoughts on the Hoka Speedgoat 7 GTX
JOHN: This is the best Gore-Tex shoe I’ve ever used.
I missed the final 50k cutoff at Barkley Fall Classic and came away with a marathon finish, but the Speedgoat 7 GTX had nothing to do with that. The shoe was tougher than I was!
Gore-Tex shoes can often feel hot, stiff, and clunky, but Hoka really nailed this one. It feels much more like a standard Speedgoat while still giving you the benefits of waterproofing.
This is the Gore-Tex shoe for people who hate Gore-Tex. I took it to Frozen Head to really test it, and it performed even better than I expected. I may not have made the 50k cutoff, but the shoe absolutely passed the test.
You can pick up the Speedgoat 7 GTX for $180 at Hoka by using the shop link below.
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An obsessed runner, John has run in most ultra races in the Mid-Atlantic area. Since he’s an ultra runner, it’s no surprise he’s also a lover of food. He’s also a dedicated father, caregiver, and veteran.
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