Article by Dom Layfield, Jeff Valliere, Jacob Brady, and Sam Winebaum
Hoka ONE ONE EVO Speedgoat ($160)
Introduction
Jeff: The Speedgoat 2 and 3, as well as the EVO Mafate 1 and 2 have been some of my favorite shoes and have consistently occupied a permanent spot on my top shelf of first pick shoes. I have used the Speedgoat 2 for racing mountain trail marathons and half marathons, but do admit that on longer distances, they can start to feel a bit snug as my feet swell, even on my somewhat slim foot. The EVO Mafate and especially the revised EVO Mafate 2 have upped the game, with a very secure/durable, yet comfortable Matryx upper, with now a bit of give now due to the small stretch section just ahead of the lower lace eyelets (breathable vamp it is called).
I have not raced in a bit, but if I were, the EVO Mafate 2 would be my pick over the aforementioned versions due to its much more responsive midsole. The EVO Speedgoat retains the proven cushy midsole and outsole of the Speedgoat 2 and 3, yet completely re-tools the upper to the Matryx material in the EVO Mafate 2, a more pliable, thinner softer version of the fairly dense and scratchy Matryx material found in EVO Mafate 1 . The kevlar fibers woven into Matryx upper makes them very light, breathable, non moisture absorbing and secure, without the need for postings and overlays. For some, depending on positioning, postings and overlays can cause discomfort, create a structural weakness, add weight and decrease flexibility with the Matryx upper is intended to remedy all of that.
Dom: The elevator pitch for the EVO Speedgoat is this: the upper of the EVO Mafate 2 meets the sole of the Speedgoat 3. If you’re familiar with both shoes that’s really all you need to know. Otherwise, read on.
Dom: The Speedgoat 2 was the shoe I chose to race at UTMB in both 2017 and 2018. And I was fully expecting that the updated Speedgoat 3 would be my choice in 2019. I have a complicated relationship with these shoes. For daily running, they are not to my liking: the sole stack is so thick and stiff that ground feel is all but non-existent; the upper feels like it clamps my foot to the sole. However, for long races like UTMB, the fact that the Speedgoat is bulletproof, secure, and utterly dependable, all while clocking in at a competitive weight, trumps comfort and other considerations.
Dom: Hoka’s original EVO Mafate had a similar stack height to the Speedgoat, but with a softer sole, having that signature Hoka ‘marshmallow’ cushion versus the firmer ride of the Speedgoat. With the EVO Mafate 2, Hoka tweaked the upper, crucially adding a stretch panel across the forefoot that made the toebox more accommodating, and (for me) much more comfortable. I liked the EVO Mafate 2 enough to use it in the 5-day Dragon’s Back Race in the UK. I chose the EM2 because I thought the pillowy sole would be the most forgiving option available to run for ~9 hours/day. I think this was largely true. But I also found that the traction from the partial-coverage outsole was disastrously unreliable. This, combined with instability from the tall, soft stack caused several hard falls, ripped hands, and broken poles. In retrospect, I have to conclude that the EM2 is a much better choice in gentler terrain. I had previously used this shoe to race at the Canyons 100k race in California, and experienced no problems at all.
Dom: If you made it through the long-winded discussion above, you’ll understand why the prospect of a EVO Mafate 2 upper (comfortable, durable) connected to a Speedgoat 3 sole (grippy, stable, durable) is an enticing prospect, potentially leveraging the strengths of both shoes. In my opinion, the EVO Speedgoat delivers on this promise. Not only does it find a happy synergy between the characters of its parents, but also it does so at a notably lighter weight than either: in my size (US M10), the Speedgoat 3 weighs 310 g per shoe; the EVO Mafate 3 is 305 g; the EVO Speedgoat is 285 g.
Jacob: The EVO Speedgoat is the next progression of the Speedgoat line, transforming a rough-terrain, descent-blasting, long-distance trucker—the Speedgoat 3—into a true race-class shoe. The EVO Speedgoat boasts a significant weight drop due to a very lightweight and breathable Matryx upper, alike to Hoka’s other max-cushion trail shoe, the EVO Mafate (1 and 2). The Speedgoat 3 (SG3) has been my primary trail shoe for the past few months and carried me through both my first ultra and mountain race. I choose the SG3 over the EVO Mafate as the foothold is top notch—unbeatable for the often unmaintained and very rooted trails of the northeast US. I love the SG3 though weight is its primary weakness, so the release of a significantly lighter version with the same out/midsole is exciting stuff!
Sam: I was very intrigued to test the EVO Speedgoat. After much success by Hoka elites in the EVO Mafate in 2018, I was surprised to learn that Jim Walmsley set the Western States 100 record as well as 3d place at the very fast course Sierre Zinal 30K in this evolution of the Speedgoat.
I for sure couldn’t see that kind of speed attained in the regular Speedgoat. I never much cared for the Speedgoat 1 and 2, the two versions I have run. Stiff, squishy, quite snug especially upfront unless the terrain was super technical they felt more like hikers than trail runners. I really enjoyed the Torrent for some 25K trail races last year as it had just enough cushion and plenty of traction at a much lower weight. The EVO Mafate 1 was a rocket for me on smoother terrain and even some road but its upper was a bit scratchy and stiff up front. I also wished for more flexibility in both the Speedgoat and EVO Mafate. Along comes the approximately 1 ounce lighter EVO Speedgoat, pretty much matching the Torrent in weight. A more pliable comfortable upper than the others (I did not test EVO Mafate 2 with its similar Matryx material). Check! More flexibility. Check! Lots of softer cushion and a great stabilizing and grippy outsole. Check! Time to test.
Pros
Jeff/ Sam/Dom/Jacob:
Light at 9.3 oz for all the cushion/protection, about an ounce lighter than Speedgoat 3 and EVO Mafate 2 with similar stack heights
Increased comfort and easier on the toes front fit compared to Speedgoat 3,
Breathable, non moisture absorbing, rapid draining
Responsive for a maximal soft cushioned shoe,
Traction & Durability
Sam: a great blend of soft bouncy all day, any pace any terrain comfort, flexibility and decent response from the outsole.
Cons:
Jeff: Some may find them to be a bit hard to handle in technical terrain
Sam: Toe box while incredibly comfortable lacks side of bumper overlays and the soft flexible midsole makes off angle front landings not as secure and stable for more technical terrain.
Jacob: Foothold on technical terrain is a step down from the Speedgoat 3
