Article by Jeff Valliere and Dom Layfield
2025 Hoka Speedgoat 2 ($160 Available now)
Introduction:
Jeff: The Hoka Speedgoat is named after (and designed in conjunction with) Karl “Speedgoat” Meltzer, the legendary and iconic ultrarunner with numerous 50-100 mile wins and ninety 100 mile finishes. Hoka has re-released the Speedgoat 2, which was a hugely popular shoe for its overall performance and versatility. This is not a re-review or re-hash, as the re-release is identical to the original Speedgoat 2 back in 2017, but if you want all of the details, you can revisit our detailed original review . 8 years later let’s see how it measures up to today’s shoes!
Pros:
- Iconic style [Jeff, Dom]
- Still great performance, even by today’s standards, 8 years later. [Jeff]
Cons:
- The price has gone up $20, but that is just reflective of inflation over that time I guess
- Narrow forefoot [Dom]
- Toe box nearly symmetric, ignoring foot anatomy [Dom]
- Lacks rocker, feels flat underfoot [Dom]
- Overbuilt heel [Dom]
Specifications:
Stack height: 32/28 mm
Sample weight, size US M10: 299 g / 10.5 oz
Details:
Jeff: As I mentioned above, the Speedgoat 2 re-release is identical to the original, colorways and all, but has also been released in some new colors as well.
I think the re-release of the 2nd version is a great pick from a nostalgia standpoint, as it was the first of the Speedgoat line to offer true performance (I think anyone would universally agree with me that the Speedgoat 1 was a complete flop, mushy, narrow, tippy and sketchy to run in).
Subsequent versions of the Speedgoat however starting with the 2 have all been great shoes, with subtle and incremental improvements along the way up to the current Speedgoat 6 (RTR Review).
(Top) Speedgoat 6 (Bottom)Speedgoat 2
Note wider Speedgoat 6 platform
Dom: The sight of these shoes put a big smile on my face: “Hello, old friend.” Unlike Jeff, I never owned a pair of the original Speedgoats, but I logged a ton of miles in version 2, and even in this same iconic, bright yellow colorway. I’m both surprised and delighted that Hoka chose to reissue this shoe. More than anything, it provides a real opportunity to step back and see how much hundred-mile shoes have changed.How did the Speedgoat 2 hold up over the years?
Jeff: Surprisingly well! While the Speedgoat line has progressed steadily over the years, it is clear that the Speedgoat 2 was ahead of its time and I would dare say far ahead of its time.
I knew back in 2017 that it was a special shoe, but I think looking back with 8 years of hindsight, it is even more clear now how well this shoe performed with a tall stack of plush, yet responsive cushioning, a wide, stable platform, a relatively streamlined design, very good foothold, exceptional traction, all in a very lightweight package.
Wearing the Speedgoat 2 and the Speedgoat 6 side by side and running in one immediately after the other, I do prefer the 6, as they are a little lighter, more responsive, fit is a bit more relaxed and forgiving, with a more flexible/pliable upper (while still being quite secure in technical terrain) and have better traction with the improved Traction Lugs.
The sum of these positive changes are certainly reflective of 8 years of innovation and of course make a great case for choosing the 6 over the re-release of the 2. That said, it is not a stark difference and if I gave these a blind test, I would be hard pressed to realize that this is 8 year old technology and shoe!.
Dom: Has it only been eight years? Boy, it feels longer. It’s hard for me, as an engineer, not to go down a rabbit hole thinking about the difficulties of resurrecting an obsolete product: materials and components are no longer available, tooling has changed.
After eight years, Is this really the same shoe as the original? Cosmetically, it looks really close: I pulled up a bunch of old photos, and I can’t see any differences. And the weight is essentially identical, within 1% of the original. But it’s likely that at a minimum, the midsole foam composition and Vibram rubber outsole formulation has changed slightly.
Dom: On the foot, I was immediately struck by a couple of things: firstly, the forefoot felt narrower than other ultradistance shoes that I’ve tested in the last few years. Not only that, but more modern shoes also tend to be more asymmetric in the toe box, providing more room for the big toe. Secondly, it felt very flat underfoot, much less rockered than most modern shoes. The SG2 had (what was then) a decent amount of toe rocker, and a little at the heel. But the majority of the sole is flat. Most newer trail shoes, particularly those geared toward racing, are much more heavily rockered: many actually have so little flat surface that on a table they do indeed roll back and forth like a rocking-chair.
Dom: The midsole foam – if it’s really the same stuff – has held up very well over time. I enjoyed the underfoot sensation, and it evoked nostalgia. I had forgotten that this generation of Hoka shoes, with their multi-level sole construction, feel something like a concertina folding when compressed, with the sensation of progressive layers giving way in turn. I recall that the EVO Mafate was similar.
Dom: Even at the time of its original release, I would have described the heel as ‘overbuilt’. The height is fine, but it feels needlessly wide and stiff. The SG2 was very much the era of bathtub construction, and Hoka went big: there is an excess of foam that doesn’t do much except make the heel feel heavy and numb.
Why pick the Speedgoat 2 now?
Jeff: Personally I would buy the 6 for the reasons mentioned above, but if you are looking for a fun retro shoe that has a collectible vibe with very acceptable modern day performance, something cool and unique that will turn heads and inspire conversation on the trail, then the Speedgoat 2 is for you!
Dom: I was unflinching with my criticism above, but I’m aware that evaluating this shoe against the current state of the art is both unfair and missing the point. A classic car doesn’t compare well to new vehicles on anything except style and vibes. The SG2 holds up better than I thought it would, but it is impossible to recommend from a performance perspective. For retro-chic vibes, however, it is a delight.
Jeff Valliere loves to run and explore the mountains of Colorado, the steeper and more technical the better. He has summited all of the 14ers in the state, many 13ers and other peaks in Colorado and beyond, plus, he has summited his local Green Mountain over 2,100 times in the past 20 years. He can be found on mountain trails daily, no matter the weather, season, conditions or whether there is daylight or not. On the side he loves to ski (all forms) bike and hike, often with his family, as he introduces his twin daughters to the outdoors. Jeff was born and raised in New Hampshire, but has called Colorado home for over 25 years. He is 5’9” and 145 lbs.
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ReplyDeleteWacky Flip
ReplyDeleteis great for quick fun or deep skill challenge. Always something new
This seems to be a legit re-release, unlike the re-release of the Clifton 1, which was a complete scam.
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