Hoka Speedgoat 7 vs Salomon Speedcross 6

Hoka Speedgoat 7 vs Salomon Speedcross 6: weight, drop (4 mm vs 10 mm), cushioning, lugs and which races each one suits best.

Quick verdict

The Hoka Speedgoat 7 is 23 g lighter. The Hoka Speedgoat 7 has more cushioning (37 mm at the heel). The Salomon Speedcross 6 grips better, with 5.8 mm lugs.

Hoka Speedgoat 7HokaHoka Speedgoat 7

The best-selling trail shoe in the US and an absolute ultra-trail classic. Max Hoka cushioning, a Vibram Megagrip outsole with 5 mm lugs for grip in mud and technical terrain, and a snug Matryx upper. Built to eat up kilometres without punishing your legs in long races.

Check price(se abre en una pestaña nueva)Hoka Speedgoat 7: specs and races
Salomon Speedcross 6SalomonSalomon Speedcross 6

Salomon's most versatile trail shoe, ideal for technical terrain and mud. Exceptional grip with Contagrip sole and EnergyCell+ cushioning.

Check price(se abre en una pestaña nueva)Salomon Speedcross 6: specs and races

Spec-by-spec comparison

SpecHoka Speedgoat 7Salomon Speedcross 6
Weight (per shoe)275 g298 g
Drop4 mm10 mm
Heel stack37 mm32 mm
Forefoot stack33 mm22 mm
Lug depth4.5 mm5.8 mm
FitNarrow–
Stable platform✓–
Waterproof––
Carbon plate––
Terrainmixed, technical, mudmud

Brand-stated specs or values measured by independent sources. Green marks the better value when one is clearly better.

Which races does each one suit? Checked against 249 races

For each race we look at the terrain, the distance and the average rainfall around race day in recent years, and see which shoe fits best.

Hoka Speedgoat 7: better pick in 156 of 249

Tied in 93

RaceWhat it needsHoka Speedgoat 7Salomon Speedcross 6
Grand Raid de La Réunion180 kmUltra: cushioningBuilt for itCopes
L'Infernal Trail des Vosges205 kmLikely mudBuilt for itBuilt for it
La Pretoriana50 kmMixed trailBuilt for itCopes
Mañaritik Atxetara43 kmRock and technical groundBuilt for itCopes
Topo Athletic Bibracte Ultra-Trail185 kmLikely mudBuilt for itBuilt for it
Trail Menorca Camí de Cavalls185 kmLikely mudBuilt for itBuilt for it
Ultra Tour des 4 Massifs176 kmUltra: cushioningBuilt for itCopes
UTMB Mont-Blanc174 kmUltra: cushioningBuilt for itCopes

Criteria: mud when it often rains around race day on soft ground; rock for skyrunning and vertical kilometres; ultra from 50 km; mixed otherwise.

Analysis: where they really differ

These are the two most searched trail shoes and they solve different problems. The Speedcross 6 is a mud specialist: 5.8 mm lugs and a 10 mm drop. The Speedgoat 7 is an ultra all-rounder: 33 mm of foam under the forefoot (11 mm more than the Speedcross), a 4 mm drop and 23 g less per shoe.

Choose the Hoka Speedgoat 7 if…

  • You are training for an ultra or races over 40 km and want fresh legs at the end.
  • You run mixed and technical terrain, not just mud.
  • You like a low drop (4 mm) and a snug fit.

Choose the Salomon Speedcross 6 if…

  • Your races are mud, wet grass or soft slopes.
  • You want maximum grip: 5.8 mm lugs.
  • You come from high-drop shoes (10 mm) and do not want to change your stride.
Check price: Hoka Speedgoat 7(se abre en una pestaña nueva)Check price: Salomon Speedcross 6(se abre en una pestaña nueva)
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