Reviews You Can Rely On

Hoka Speedgoat 3 - Women's Review

A responsive and well-cushioned shoe that can handle ultra-distances across any terrain
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Hoka Speedgoat 3 - Women's Review
Credit: Backcountry
Price:  $140 List
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Manufacturer:   HOKA ONE ONE
By Amber King ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Nov 29, 2019
65
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Foot protection - 20% 9.0
  • Sensitivity - 20% 4.0
  • Traction - 15% 7.0
  • Stability - 15% 4.0
  • Comfort and Fit - 15% 8.0
  • Weight - 15% 7.0

Our Verdict

The Hoka Speedgoat 3 is widely appreciated by those who love underfoot cushioning that is responsive and springy. This unique maximalist shoe is widely heralded by ultra runners who seek out additional protection from impacts on the trail. The 4 mm heel-toe drop offers a little extra cushioning in the heel and ample cushioning in the forefoot. It protects well from underfoot hazards with a specific fit that doesn't slip on the run. The burly outsole performs well across all surfaces, even the roads, making it highly versatile. Unfortunately, the fit is best for those with a narrow foot, as the toe box is tapered, which can squish the toes of a woman with a wider foot. If you want more cushioning and a larger bounce in your step, and you have a regular to narrow foot, this is a great option to check out!
REASONS TO BUY
Super comfortable
Responsive
Durable
Well supportive
Breathable
REASONS TO AVOID
Stability
Fits only a narrow foot best
Expensive
How has the Speedgoat changed since the last iteration?
  • It's a tiny bit wider, but not by much
  • A little lighter
  • Improved upper for locking the foot down

Our Analysis and Test Results

If you appreciate maximalist cushioning with a preference for a narrow, neutral fit, the Hoka Speedgoat 3 is not to be missed. It features a beefy, bomber outsole that performs well on all trail surfaces. It also boasts responsive cushioning that'll have you bouncing to your next destination. Unfortunately, the stability of this shoe takes a little getting used to as it's higher than most trail runners, and thus we recommend it for situations where balance isn't super key.

Performance Comparison


hoka speedgoat 3 for women - the speedgoat 3 is a maximalist shoe that offers superb protection...
The Speedgoat 3 is a maximalist shoe that offers superb protection and traction over most surfaces. Its design takes a little getting used to and isn't the most inherently stable trail shoe out there. It is a top choice amongst ultra-runners for its fantastic cushioning and overall comfort.
Credit: Amber King

Foot Protection


Offering burly protection in the form of maximalist cushioning, this behemoth will keep your feet well protected. Hoka stacks 28-mm of responsive cushioning in the heel with 23-mm in the forefoot. Upon take-off and landing, you'll notice the springy nature of this maximalist shoe that Hoka users have come to love.

hoka speedgoat 3 for women - the upper is breathable and quick to dry when it encounters wet...
The upper is breathable and quick to dry when it encounters wet weather.
Credit: Amber King

This, in addition to the rugged outsole, provides all the protection you need from direct blows underfoot. The toe cap is surprisingly hard, with a breathable mesh overlay that is double layered for protection from debris.

hoka speedgoat 3 for women - a look at the amount of cushioning that ultimately provides the bulk...
A look at the amount of cushioning that ultimately provides the bulk of protection underfoot.
Credit: Amber King

Sensitivity


Unfortunately, with this amount of cushioning, it's hard to feel much on the trail. Underfoot, you won't feel direct blows, branches, or the like. However, you can note a slight presence of them.

hoka speedgoat 3 for women - unfortunately, given the underfoot cushioning, this isn't the most...
Unfortunately, given the underfoot cushioning, this isn't the most sensitive shoe out there, yet you can still detect undulations and trail hazards underfoot. You simply won't feel them.
Credit: Amber King

Traction


Traction on this shoe is excellent. The outsole uses a Vibram Megagrip sole that is quite sticky and trustworthy on both wet and dry rocks.

hoka speedgoat 3 for women - a look at the outsole and the relative lug depth.
A look at the outsole and the relative lug depth.
Credit: Amber King

The outsole has multidirectional lugs that are placed a good distance apart for decent mud shed while avoiding debris that gets stuck in cracks and crevices.


While testing it on steep slopes and flat terrain, it had the affinity to grab and bite down, in both wet and dry conditions. It has excellent traction for most surfaces. However, in the sloppiest, it will slip and slide around quite a bit.

hoka speedgoat 3 for women - a comparison of the challenger atr 5 (bottom) and the speedgoat...
A comparison of the Challenger ATR 5 (bottom) and the Speedgoat (top). The Speedgoat has a stickier outsole that does better on steep slopes and more technical terrain.
Credit: Amber King

Stability


While it's a decent performer for that of a maximalist contender, the stability is sub-par. The narrow and tapered fit at the top of the shoe doesn't allow for much toe splay, which makes balance a little difficult. With our foot nestled inside, we felt like we were riding high; thus, the platform width to height ratio is a little off.

hoka speedgoat 3 for women - a look at the harness system that attaches to the lacing system to...
A look at the harness system that attaches to the lacing system to add stability by wrapping the foot. Unfortunately, because the stack height is tall and the width is quite narrow, this shoe doesn't have the best stability on the trail.
Credit: Amber King

On the trail, the shoe keeps you upright. The midsole offers a little flexibility that wraps itself around rocks, but not terrain where rocks are large and might be fixed. This shoe is more rigid and provides a low profile feel across a broader platform. As a result, we'd recommend this shoe specifically for more non-technical terrain or where balance isn't much of an issue.

Comfort & Fit


We adore the comfort elements of this shoe. Commonly used in ultra distances, it offers more shock absorbance and cushioning for the long haul. The fit is a little more specific, doing best for those with narrow feet.

hoka speedgoat 3 for women - the speedgoat has a more narrow fit that tapers towards the top...
The Speedgoat has a more narrow fit that tapers towards the top, unlike the Challenger ATR 5 that is a little wider (with a wide fit option). We wish the Speedgoat had the option for a wider toe box!
Credit: Amber King

Unlike the Hoka Challenger ATR 5, it is only offered in one width, with the toe box tapering to a point, that doesn't allow much toe splay. The lacing system does a great job to lock down the heel to avoid lateral and front to back movement, which adds to the excellent comfort of this shoe.

hoka speedgoat 3 for women - a look at the plush yet minimalistic cushioning that adds comfort...
A look at the plush yet minimalistic cushioning that adds comfort that'll keep you happy for many miles.
Credit: Amber King

Weight


By in large, this Speedgoat 3 is a lightweight shoe, even for the bulky looking design. It weighs 9.4 oz for a size nine; however, it's not as lightweight as the Hoka Challenger 5.

hoka speedgoat 3 for women - the weight of one size nine speedgoat 3.
The weight of one size nine Speedgoat 3.
Credit: Amber King

Value


One a few will find the price worthy of the initial expense. It's best for those seeking a super cushioned and comfortable place. Commonly found at the start (and finish) lines of the ultra-racing world, it'll provide the cushioning you need for the longest distances out there. For others that seek a less niche shoe, it may not be worth the value.

hoka speedgoat 3 for women - running on a single track is one of our favorite places for this...
Running on a single track is one of our favorite places for this shoe. While it can tackle difficult terrain (once you've mastered and gotten used to this shoe) we appreciated it for rolling hills and other types of less technical trails.
Credit: Amber King

Conclusion


The Hoka Speedgoat 3 stands out for its maximalist design and narrow fit. It performs well on most surfaces, but it should be noted that stability does take a little getting used to. With popular utility in ultra-races, this shoe is best for those looking to minimize the impacts that trail running may have on the body.

hoka speedgoat 3 for women - the speedgoat is ultra-cushioned a surprisingly lightweight and...
The Speedgoat is ultra-cushioned a surprisingly lightweight and performs well on various surfaces.
Credit: Amber King

Amber King