No matter what trail or terrain you're finding yourself on, the Speedgoat 4 is the one you want on your feet. Back are all the things you loved from previous versions from the lightweight, nimble feel to the responsive and plentiful cushioning and second-to-none grip, but HOKA added a few more 3D printed overlays on the midfoot for extra security and lockdown. Also greatly appreciated is a more accommodating toe box to keep the feet comfortable all day and all night (and really, as long as you want to keep it on your foot). It's no easy task to make a perfect product better, but HOKA keeps finding a way with the Speedgoat 4.
No matter what trail or terrain you're finding yourself on, the Speedgoat 4 is the one you want on your feet. Back are all the things you loved from previous versions from the lightweight, nimble feel to the responsive and plentiful cushioning and second-to-none grip, but HOKA added a few more 3D printed overlays on the midfoot for extra security and lockdown. Also greatly appreciated is a more accommodating toe box to keep the feet comfortable all day and all night (and really, as long as you want to keep it on your foot). It's no easy task to make a perfect product better, but HOKA keeps finding a way with the Speedgoat 4.
No matter what trail or terrain you're finding yourself on, the Speedgoat 4 is the one you want on your feet. Back are all the things you loved from previous versions from the lightweight, nimble feel to the responsive and plentiful cushioning and second-to-none grip, but HOKA added a few more 3D printed overlays on the midfoot for extra security and lockdown. Also greatly appreciated is a more accommodating toe box to keep the feet comfortable all day and all night (and really, as long as you want to keep it on your foot). It's no easy task to make a perfect product better, but HOKA keeps finding a way with the Speedgoat 4.
No matter what trail or terrain you're finding yourself on, the Speedgoat 4 is the one you want on your feet. Back are all the things you loved from previous versions from the lightweight, nimble feel to the responsive and plentiful cushioning and second-to-none grip, but HOKA added a few more 3D printed overlays on the midfoot for extra security and lockdown. Also greatly appreciated is a more accommodating toe box to keep the feet comfortable all day and all night (and really, as long as you want to keep it on your foot). It's no easy task to make a perfect product better, but HOKA keeps finding a way with the Speedgoat 4.
Last updated at 11/03/2024 09:38:36
originally posted on REI
I'll start with my trajectory to getting to these shoes: I have worn keen boots (targhee) for almost 7 years dedicatedly for hiking and backpacking primarily for the wide toe box. I started experiencing a fallen arch pain issue in one foot that even inserts could not alleviate the discomfort of, so decided to search for a new shoe. I tried altras - too roomy and rolled my ankle with them twice in one backpack, so wrote that off as not suited for the way I walk. Brooks cascadias are almost perfect, but the toe box too pointed, causing pain after 7 miles. Then I got to these shoes.I originally got the regular size 8.5, sized up half a size from my regular shoe size. I typically size 1 - 1.5 up from normal shoe size, so this was a surprise. After hiking ~6 miles in a ... MoreI'll start with my trajectory to getting to these shoes: I have worn keen boots (targhee) for almost 7 years dedicatedly for hiking and backpacking primarily for the wide toe box. I started experiencing a fallen arch pain issue in one foot that even inserts could not alleviate the discomfort of, so decided to search for a new shoe. I tried altras - too roomy and rolled my ankle with them twice in one backpack, so wrote that off as not suited for the way I walk. Brooks cascadias are almost perfect, but the toe box too pointed, causing pain after 7 miles. Then I got to these shoes.I originally got the regular size 8.5, sized up half a size from my regular shoe size. I typically size 1 - 1.5 up from normal shoe size, so this was a surprise. After hiking ~6 miles in a day, started to feel increasing discomfort at outside of my big and pinky toes. I learned there was a wide option, and this was it for me. Same size 8, and wide. I have now hiked maybe 150 miles on them.The shoes feel cushioned, supportive, and I can trust the traction. The arch pain I was getting below the inside ankle has mostly gone away with these, I think because I'm able to move my foot more easily than a boot. One weird issue that has gotten better but not gone away is the outside right part of the shoe under the ankle is just a bit too high, hitting my right ankle (only right side). At first, it was painful, but I think it took wearing in so the shoe is a bit more flexible now. I also had to fiddle with the tightness around the toes - too tight, and one of my toes went numb (weird). If not tight enough around the toes, then the tension is not distributed well across the tongue, and most of the pressure ends up on the top of the foot, resulting in some pain there. The thin tongue does not help with this - I truly wish it was a bit cushioned to absorb the tension. I do not experience the complaint others have with the tongue length. Lastly, I do feel that the back of the shoe / heel part could be slightly smaller (less wide and less tall) for my foot, sometimes I feel a bit of give back there, and have to re-tie to correct.
originally posted on REI
I have Hoka hiking boots that I bought several seasons ago and liked them a lot. I hike 12-15 miles a week and only wear trail runners in the summer. All of my trail runners were pretty much shot and I needed new ones. The Hoka Speedgoat 4 had great reviews so I decided to give them a try. They shoes looked and felt great a home but after wearing them on an easy 4.5 mile hike -- not so much. About a half mile in, I started getting low back pain which worsened as the hike went on. I knew about the biting tongue issue and sure enough the tongue bit into my ankles too. Despite the fact that I iced when returning home, my low back pain continued and was accompanied by right hip pain. The following day in addition to low back pain and right hip pain, both knees were ... MoreI have Hoka hiking boots that I bought several seasons ago and liked them a lot. I hike 12-15 miles a week and only wear trail runners in the summer. All of my trail runners were pretty much shot and I needed new ones. The Hoka Speedgoat 4 had great reviews so I decided to give them a try. They shoes looked and felt great a home but after wearing them on an easy 4.5 mile hike -- not so much. About a half mile in, I started getting low back pain which worsened as the hike went on. I knew about the biting tongue issue and sure enough the tongue bit into my ankles too. Despite the fact that I iced when returning home, my low back pain continued and was accompanied by right hip pain. The following day in addition to low back pain and right hip pain, both knees were throbbing and I was limping! Needless to say the Hoka Speedgoat 4 is not the trail running shoe for me. The abundant cushioning and high stack have completely thrown off my gait and caused my feet to noticeably pronate. Sadly I will have to return these shoes.
originally posted on hoka.com
This is the only shoe I have ever hiked in that hasn't given me heel blisters. I spent years trying what felt like every hiking shoe possible, but every hike ended with severe heel blisters no matter what kind of padding I used. Hiking was often miserable for me. I must have a unique foot shape with very narrow heels but not a narrow foot. I have been using these Hokas for over a year now and have finally been able to go on backpacks and longer hikes without issue. I still use moleskin on my heels just in case, and sometimes have to pad my small toes after 10 miles because the toebox is a little narrow, but that's nothing compared to the pain I had to deal with before. The grip is amazing, even on wet surfaces, and the significant padding easily protects against ... MoreThis is the only shoe I have ever hiked in that hasn't given me heel blisters. I spent years trying what felt like every hiking shoe possible, but every hike ended with severe heel blisters no matter what kind of padding I used. Hiking was often miserable for me. I must have a unique foot shape with very narrow heels but not a narrow foot. I have been using these Hokas for over a year now and have finally been able to go on backpacks and longer hikes without issue. I still use moleskin on my heels just in case, and sometimes have to pad my small toes after 10 miles because the toebox is a little narrow, but that's nothing compared to the pain I had to deal with before. The grip is amazing, even on wet surfaces, and the significant padding easily protects against walking on pointy rocks all day without a shim or rockplate. They feel very stable, even with a heavy pack, and the bottoms of my feet are less fatigued in these shoes than others I've tried. I can't stress enough how much I love my Hokas!I also have the Hoka sky kaha goretex boots, which I got for snowshoeing. They work for snowshoeing because I don't hike as far and can use gel pads on my heels in the cold, but when it's hot, the friction melts the gel pads and gives me heel blisters, so I can't use them in the summer.If you have weird feet like me and are curious, here's the list of other hiking shoes I've tried over the years: La Sportiva Trango TRK, Oboz Bridger mid, Keen Terradora, La Sportiva Bushido, Saucony Peregrine.
I'll start with my trajectory to getting to these shoes: I have worn keen boots (targhee) for almost 7 years dedicatedly for hiking and backpacking primarily for the wide toe box. I started experiencing a fallen arch pain issue in one foot that even inserts could not alleviate the discomfort of, so decided to search for a new shoe. I tried altras - too roomy and rolled my ankle with them twice in one backpack, so wrote that off as not suited for the way I walk. Brooks cascadias are almost perfect, but the toe box too pointed, causing pain after 7 miles. Then I got to these shoes.I originally got the regular size 8.5, sized up half a size from my regular shoe size. I typically size 1 - 1.5 up from normal shoe size, so this was a surprise. After hiking ~6 miles in a ... MoreI'll start with my trajectory to getting to these shoes: I have worn keen boots (targhee) for almost 7 years dedicatedly for hiking and backpacking primarily for the wide toe box. I started experiencing a fallen arch pain issue in one foot that even inserts could not alleviate the discomfort of, so decided to search for a new shoe. I tried altras - too roomy and rolled my ankle with them twice in one backpack, so wrote that off as not suited for the way I walk. Brooks cascadias are almost perfect, but the toe box too pointed, causing pain after 7 miles. Then I got to these shoes.I originally got the regular size 8.5, sized up half a size from my regular shoe size. I typically size 1 - 1.5 up from normal shoe size, so this was a surprise. After hiking ~6 miles in a day, started to feel increasing discomfort at outside of my big and pinky toes. I learned there was a wide option, and this was it for me. Same size 8, and wide. I have now hiked maybe 150 miles on them.The shoes feel cushioned, supportive, and I can trust the traction. The arch pain I was getting below the inside ankle has mostly gone away with these, I think because I'm able to move my foot more easily than a boot. One weird issue that has gotten better but not gone away is the outside right part of the shoe under the ankle is just a bit too high, hitting my right ankle (only right side). At first, it was painful, but I think it took wearing in so the shoe is a bit more flexible now. I also had to fiddle with the tightness around the toes - too tight, and one of my toes went numb (weird). If not tight enough around the toes, then the tension is not distributed well across the tongue, and most of the pressure ends up on the top of the foot, resulting in some pain there. The thin tongue does not help with this - I truly wish it was a bit cushioned to absorb the tension. I do not experience the complaint others have with the tongue length. Lastly, I do feel that the back of the shoe / heel part could be slightly smaller (less wide and less tall) for my foot, sometimes I feel a bit of give back there, and have to re-tie to correct.
I have Hoka hiking boots that I bought several seasons ago and liked them a lot. I hike 12-15 miles a week and only wear trail runners in the summer. All of my trail runners were pretty much shot and I needed new ones. The Hoka Speedgoat 4 had great reviews so I decided to give them a try. They shoes looked and felt great a home but after wearing them on an easy 4.5 mile hike -- not so much. About a half mile in, I started getting low back pain which worsened as the hike went on. I knew about the biting tongue issue and sure enough the tongue bit into my ankles too. Despite the fact that I iced when returning home, my low back pain continued and was accompanied by right hip pain. The following day in addition to low back pain and right hip pain, both knees were ... MoreI have Hoka hiking boots that I bought several seasons ago and liked them a lot. I hike 12-15 miles a week and only wear trail runners in the summer. All of my trail runners were pretty much shot and I needed new ones. The Hoka Speedgoat 4 had great reviews so I decided to give them a try. They shoes looked and felt great a home but after wearing them on an easy 4.5 mile hike -- not so much. About a half mile in, I started getting low back pain which worsened as the hike went on. I knew about the biting tongue issue and sure enough the tongue bit into my ankles too. Despite the fact that I iced when returning home, my low back pain continued and was accompanied by right hip pain. The following day in addition to low back pain and right hip pain, both knees were throbbing and I was limping! Needless to say the Hoka Speedgoat 4 is not the trail running shoe for me. The abundant cushioning and high stack have completely thrown off my gait and caused my feet to noticeably pronate. Sadly I will have to return these shoes.
This is the only shoe I have ever hiked in that hasn't given me heel blisters. I spent years trying what felt like every hiking shoe possible, but every hike ended with severe heel blisters no matter what kind of padding I used. Hiking was often miserable for me. I must have a unique foot shape with very narrow heels but not a narrow foot. I have been using these Hokas for over a year now and have finally been able to go on backpacks and longer hikes without issue. I still use moleskin on my heels just in case, and sometimes have to pad my small toes after 10 miles because the toebox is a little narrow, but that's nothing compared to the pain I had to deal with before. The grip is amazing, even on wet surfaces, and the significant padding easily protects against ... MoreThis is the only shoe I have ever hiked in that hasn't given me heel blisters. I spent years trying what felt like every hiking shoe possible, but every hike ended with severe heel blisters no matter what kind of padding I used. Hiking was often miserable for me. I must have a unique foot shape with very narrow heels but not a narrow foot. I have been using these Hokas for over a year now and have finally been able to go on backpacks and longer hikes without issue. I still use moleskin on my heels just in case, and sometimes have to pad my small toes after 10 miles because the toebox is a little narrow, but that's nothing compared to the pain I had to deal with before. The grip is amazing, even on wet surfaces, and the significant padding easily protects against walking on pointy rocks all day without a shim or rockplate. They feel very stable, even with a heavy pack, and the bottoms of my feet are less fatigued in these shoes than others I've tried. I can't stress enough how much I love my Hokas!I also have the Hoka sky kaha goretex boots, which I got for snowshoeing. They work for snowshoeing because I don't hike as far and can use gel pads on my heels in the cold, but when it's hot, the friction melts the gel pads and gives me heel blisters, so I can't use them in the summer.If you have weird feet like me and are curious, here's the list of other hiking shoes I've tried over the years: La Sportiva Trango TRK, Oboz Bridger mid, Keen Terradora, La Sportiva Bushido, Saucony Peregrine.
I went into a local store that carries this style of HOKA. Very skeptical of the shoe because I have gone through tennis shoes like crazy for the past couple of months. The gentleman was very helpful and helped size my foot. I wear a 7 1/2 and he sized me 1/2 up to give me room for my toes. The first day my feet hurt but I was very comfortable. The second day I was very much on my feet all day, I was able to maneuver very well. Once the day was over my feet were killing me but the shoe itself was very comfortable, I took them off for the day and my feet were in no pain. I was very impressed because I was on my feet all day and they did hurt. The third day having these shoes my feet hurt to the bare minimum almost no pain, I didn't want to take them off. They feel so ... MoreI went into a local store that carries this style of HOKA. Very skeptical of the shoe because I have gone through tennis shoes like crazy for the past couple of months. The gentleman was very helpful and helped size my foot. I wear a 7 1/2 and he sized me 1/2 up to give me room for my toes. The first day my feet hurt but I was very comfortable. The second day I was very much on my feet all day, I was able to maneuver very well. Once the day was over my feet were killing me but the shoe itself was very comfortable, I took them off for the day and my feet were in no pain. I was very impressed because I was on my feet all day and they did hurt. The third day having these shoes my feet hurt to the bare minimum almost no pain, I didn't want to take them off. They feel so nice and have helped me from having aching feet that I constantly was complaining about. I'm hoping they are as durable as they seem. Very much recommend if you are constantly moving. I work at a Vet Hospital and I'm up and down all day. I have never loved a shoe more. The shoe itself is not appealing to me but the comfort is hard to beat. The style is also growing on me the more comfortable they make my feet feel. I most definitely feel the support on the parts of my feet I put the most weight.
I purchased these in order to start training with them for a 400 mile backpacking trip in Europe. I like the cushion and stability. Love the toe space. As I train, I am paying attention for hot spots, sock configurations, how the shoes handle going downhill, and where they are creasing. I don't feel that my toes are sliding forward and jamming into the tip of the shoe. There are some things concerning me and I hope that I will see the outcome early enough that if I need to try another option, I will have time to buy something else. I am seeing some creasing that already looks like the material (vinyl) is showing some cracking on the pinky toe side of the shoe. I also have noticed the back of the shoe collapses very easily when I am putting the shoes on and it's ... MoreI purchased these in order to start training with them for a 400 mile backpacking trip in Europe. I like the cushion and stability. Love the toe space. As I train, I am paying attention for hot spots, sock configurations, how the shoes handle going downhill, and where they are creasing. I don't feel that my toes are sliding forward and jamming into the tip of the shoe. There are some things concerning me and I hope that I will see the outcome early enough that if I need to try another option, I will have time to buy something else. I am seeing some creasing that already looks like the material (vinyl) is showing some cracking on the pinky toe side of the shoe. I also have noticed the back of the shoe collapses very easily when I am putting the shoes on and it's difficult to get the back to straighten back out flat on my achilleas/heel area. So far it has not caused rubbing in the area. As with other Hoka's that I have purchased, these too prevent toe joint pain that I sometime experience with other shoes.
When I returned from the Pacific Crest Trail my podiatrist told me I could start wearing Hoka Bondi or a walking boot until my possible fractures healed. I chose the Bondis in wide and LOVE them.Now I'm ready to get back on the trail seriously & I was hoping to get a pair of Speedgoats as a transition from the Bondis. I went to REI & tried on the wide Speedgoats. I wanted them to work, badly. Unfortunately, the wide stops being wide before getting to the ball of my foot. I was bummed out, but thought maybe if I went up another size they may work. No. Down a size? No. I also have Morton's Neuroma & a small bunion, and the Speedgoats would have killed me pretty quickly due to the strangely narrowed shape of the footbox. I wouldn't recommend these if you have ... MoreWhen I returned from the Pacific Crest Trail my podiatrist told me I could start wearing Hoka Bondi or a walking boot until my possible fractures healed. I chose the Bondis in wide and LOVE them.Now I'm ready to get back on the trail seriously & I was hoping to get a pair of Speedgoats as a transition from the Bondis. I went to REI & tried on the wide Speedgoats. I wanted them to work, badly. Unfortunately, the wide stops being wide before getting to the ball of my foot. I was bummed out, but thought maybe if I went up another size they may work. No. Down a size? No. I also have Morton's Neuroma & a small bunion, and the Speedgoats would have killed me pretty quickly due to the strangely narrowed shape of the footbox. I wouldn't recommend these if you have Morton's Neuroma, bunions or even truly wide feet.That said, they felt very well made--super grippy, ample cushion & more supportive than competing brands. I *really* wish the wides were wider in the footbox.
I bought these shoes used (in fantastic condition) from an REI Members Garage Sale and have worn them for about a year of twice-a-week runs and monthly backpacking trips. They are SUPER breathable and dry very quickly. Even with thick wool socks, my feet stopped "squishing" after creek crossings within about 20 minutes. The cushioning on the soles has held up well, as has the traction texture. The overall design of the shoe makes running/trekking comfortable even if your feet start to swell. Zero blisters and the shoes are still holding up well after all this use.However, the strip of material that extends down from the tongue peeled up and curled off the shoe after their first time off the pavement (not shown in picture). I can't say if this was due solely to ... MoreI bought these shoes used (in fantastic condition) from an REI Members Garage Sale and have worn them for about a year of twice-a-week runs and monthly backpacking trips. They are SUPER breathable and dry very quickly. Even with thick wool socks, my feet stopped "squishing" after creek crossings within about 20 minutes. The cushioning on the soles has held up well, as has the traction texture. The overall design of the shoe makes running/trekking comfortable even if your feet start to swell. Zero blisters and the shoes are still holding up well after all this use.However, the strip of material that extends down from the tongue peeled up and curled off the shoe after their first time off the pavement (not shown in picture). I can't say if this was due solely to construction or had something to do with the fact that I did not purchase them new. It does not affect the functionality of the shoe, but the rubber curly cue over my toes looks a little silly. More practically, these shoes are not fully compatible with gaiters. The soles are mostly even, so gaiter straps have a tendency to snag on things common to unpaved trails. There is not a dedicated loop for a gaiter to hook onto either, so you're forced to hook the front to your shoelaces. Neither of these things seemed worth deducting a full star, but they are worth pointing out.Overall, these are still my absolute go-to for hitting the trail.
I am so grateful for the Speedgoat, AND for HOKA's awesome return policy. I was needing to upgrade trail shoes to something that could get me through a 50 mile ultra over LOTS of ROCK. After reading many reviews, I narrowed my search to THIS shoe, and another brand that I use a LOT which features a foot shaped toe box. Both shoes were advertised to have lots of cushioning, which is what I needed to move swiftly over the terrain I was going up against. The other shoe was more familiar/comfortable to me out of the box. This one, however, won out on the up-and-down-hill-aggressively-rocky-terrain-test. The footshape felt awkward to me, but the "bounce" and comfort the Speedgoat provided on the bottoms of my feet was unparalleled....! The other company also offered a 30 ... MoreI am so grateful for the Speedgoat, AND for HOKA's awesome return policy. I was needing to upgrade trail shoes to something that could get me through a 50 mile ultra over LOTS of ROCK. After reading many reviews, I narrowed my search to THIS shoe, and another brand that I use a LOT which features a foot shaped toe box. Both shoes were advertised to have lots of cushioning, which is what I needed to move swiftly over the terrain I was going up against. The other shoe was more familiar/comfortable to me out of the box. This one, however, won out on the up-and-down-hill-aggressively-rocky-terrain-test. The footshape felt awkward to me, but the "bounce" and comfort the Speedgoat provided on the bottoms of my feet was unparalleled....! The other company also offered a 30 day trial period, so back that shoe went.Fast forward to my 50 miler. I am sure that the Speedgoats saved me foot fatigue from the terrain. I am sure that I felt more confident charging down rocky downhills w/o worrying about exact foot placement with every step. BUT I MISSED MY BELOVED FOOTSHAPED TOE BOX SO MUCH! Mid-ultra I noticed a lot of tenderness in the toes, and it affected my ability to charge downhill in the last 20ish miles. Post-ultra, after my recovery week, I noticed that when I wore my Speedgoats for gentle trail runs, my feet "relived" their toebox trauma, but when I wore out my less cushioned, but roomy footshaped trail shoes, my toes felt awesome post run. The Speedgoat is an awesome shoe. HOKA is an awesome company. But my other trusted brand is also really awesome, and I am just wishing for a merger! For my chill training runs, I'm grabbing my footshaped trail shoes every time. I only feel the "tradeoff" of bounce and cushioning are worth it for racing, or very aggressive trail workouts on rocky terrain. BUT I WOULD BE A CONVERT IF A SHOE LIKE THE SPEEDGOAT CAME IN A MORE NATURAL FOOTSHAPE. :) :) :) Lmk, HOKA if you ever lean this way in shoe development. ;)
I go running / walking through my local city/town park (pretty flat, mostly gravel, cement and wood trails. The usual route I take is not necessarily long or arduous, but I bought these shoes for the traction (my old sneaks that I would run in outside, albeit, were not trail shoes, would allow for slipping after rain). I also made a hike straight up an 800 ft mountain nearby and that's also when these shoes really shined in all its glory! Uphill, downhill, through rain, mud, any condition, these shoes have amazing traction and grip. If your foot is sloped at an up or downward angle, you can FEEL how well your feet are planted and stable on any surface you're standing on because of these shoes' amazing grip. These are my first pair of Hokas, which I bought in ... MoreI go running / walking through my local city/town park (pretty flat, mostly gravel, cement and wood trails. The usual route I take is not necessarily long or arduous, but I bought these shoes for the traction (my old sneaks that I would run in outside, albeit, were not trail shoes, would allow for slipping after rain). I also made a hike straight up an 800 ft mountain nearby and that's also when these shoes really shined in all its glory! Uphill, downhill, through rain, mud, any condition, these shoes have amazing traction and grip. If your foot is sloped at an up or downward angle, you can FEEL how well your feet are planted and stable on any surface you're standing on because of these shoes' amazing grip. These are my first pair of Hokas, which I bought in conjunction with Clifton 7's (for the gym / indoor usage, which I also ordered in a size 8). The Cliftons fit JUST RIGHT but this size 8 in the Speedgoat 4's left me with TONS of room in the front toe box, which had me really worried that I might have to exchange them. As soon as you get yourself used to wearing the shoes and after about 10-20 mins of walking in them each time, I don't notice the extra room anymore. I am assuming they give you more room in the front to allow your foot to move more freely and comfortably when it's at an angle. This appears to be the case. I ordered the wide option and they fit great around that area.The cushioning is so comfortable with every step you take.The design is beautiful and chic and the reflective details make me feel really safe in any visibility.
I am a hiker with very sensitive feet. My feet have always been my body's weakest link and were always deeply sore after a long hike--until I switched to Hoka trail running shoes. I have both the Speedgoats and the Challengers, both of which I love for different situations.The Speedgoats are simply an amazing shoe (paired with a Protalus insert). The grippy soles are perfect on desert terrain. The padding is so helpful for any rough landscape. They feel like feathers, which helps me feel less tired. And my feet only ache at the end of the day, which is a huge improvement over the pain and deep soreness I previously experienced with many different brands/types of hiking shoes. I can hike longer distances as a result. I usually wear an 8.5 and went with a 9, which ... MoreI am a hiker with very sensitive feet. My feet have always been my body's weakest link and were always deeply sore after a long hike--until I switched to Hoka trail running shoes. I have both the Speedgoats and the Challengers, both of which I love for different situations.The Speedgoats are simply an amazing shoe (paired with a Protalus insert). The grippy soles are perfect on desert terrain. The padding is so helpful for any rough landscape. They feel like feathers, which helps me feel less tired. And my feet only ache at the end of the day, which is a huge improvement over the pain and deep soreness I previously experienced with many different brands/types of hiking shoes. I can hike longer distances as a result. I usually wear an 8.5 and went with a 9, which feels good on my feet. Although I agree that the tongue is a strange material, I have not experienced the same issues as other reviewers. I did not like these shoes at first because they felt so stiff but after about ten miles, they felt good enough to keep.I just ended an eight week work-related trip in Death Valley and put many hard miles on these shoes, including backpacking and 200 miles of cross-country day-hiking. I also wore the same pair for about 125 trail miles in Zion NP last autumn (two backpacking trips and lots of day-hiking). The shoes are showing quite a bit of wear from the difficult terrain but my feet feel great. Other shoes might last longer but feeling better makes more frequent replacement fine with me. I have converted four friends to these shoes and they all agree that they are perfect for hiking and even backpacking, if they fit your feet. As I said, these shoes are a miracle, at least for me.
