Hoka Speedgoat 7 vs Salomon Ultra Glide 2: The Trail Running Shoe That Fits Your Miles

The Hoka Speedgoat 7 and Salomon Ultra Glide 2 sit at #1 and #2 on Gavler's Best Trail Running Shoes list — a 9.6 and 9.3 respectively. Both are max-cushion trail shoes designed for long days on dirt. Both weigh under 10 ounces. Both cost under $170. Choosing between them comes down to one question: what kind of trail do you actually run?

Updated July 2026 — one thing changed since this comparison first ran: Salomon has replaced the Ultra Glide 2 with the Ultra Glide 4 (it skipped the 3 in the US). The good news is that this comparison holds. The Ultra Glide 4 keeps the same 41/35mm stack, the same 6mm drop, and the same Energy Surge midsole — the ride character described below is unchanged. What's new is a lighter, more breathable upper and a higher price: $159.95, up from the Ultra Glide 2's $139.95. If you can still find the Ultra Glide 2 on clearance, it's the same shoe underfoot for less; if you're buying new, you'll get the 4. The Speedgoat-versus-Ultra-Glide decision underneath is identical either way.

The Case for the Hoka Speedgoat 7 ($165)

The Speedgoat 7 is a ground-up redesign, and it needed to be. The Speedgoat 6 drew criticism for a stiff, unforgiving midsole that lost the magic of the Speedgoat 5. Hoka responded by ditching the old foam entirely for supercritical EVA — a process that injects gas into the foam to create micro air pockets, yielding a lighter, more responsive ride without sacrificing cushion.

The result is the most versatile Speedgoat ever. Vibram Megagrip with redesigned chevron-shaped lugs bites into loose gravel, wet rock, and steep descents with confidence. The 5mm lug depth is aggressive enough for genuine technical terrain — something the Ultra Glide can't match. Multiple testers at Road Trail Run praised the improved traction specifically on steep, loose climbs where previous Speedgoats slipped.

The redesigned upper fixes the tongue-bite issue that plagued the 6, and the new heel collar locks your foot in place on descents. At roughly 9.1 oz (257g) on independent scales, it's the lightest Speedgoat to date — and, marginally, lighter than the Ultra Glide. The 4mm drop keeps you closer to the ground than the Ultra Glide's 6mm, which technical trail runners tend to prefer.

The trade-off: the Speedgoat runs narrow. If you have wide feet, you'll need to size up half a size — and even then, it may feel snug across the forefoot on hot, swollen-foot ultras.

The Case for the Salomon Ultra Glide 2 ($140, now the $160 Ultra Glide 4)

The Ultra Glide doesn't try to be a technical scrambler. It's a long-distance comfort machine — and it does that one job exceptionally well. Everything in this section applies equally to the Ultra Glide 2 and the current Ultra Glide 4: same midsole, same geometry, same rolling ride.

The Energy Surge foam midsole paired with Salomon's reverse camber geometry creates a rolling, road-like ride on trail. Where the Speedgoat rewards an aggressive, front-foot stride, the Ultra Glide rewards a relaxed, efficient gait. Over 50K and beyond, that efficiency adds up. Ultra Running Magazine calls it "the most comfortable shoe for 50+ mile efforts," and runners who measure their days in hours, not miles, consistently reach for it.

The Contagrip outsole is adequate on packed dirt, gravel, and moderate terrain — but "adequate" is the operative word. Compared to the Speedgoat's Vibram Megagrip, it lacks grip on wet rock and loose descents. Outsole durability is also a known limitation: expect to see worn lugs by 400-500 km (250-310 miles), which is below average for the category.

The Quicklace system is a genuine advantage for ultra runners — fast transitions at aid stations and no hot-spot pressure points from traditional lacing. At about 9.8 oz (278g) it's a hair heavier than the Speedgoat, not lighter — the two are close enough that weight is a wash. On price, the Ultra Glide 2 launched at $139.95, undercutting the $165 Speedgoat by $25; the current Ultra Glide 4 closes most of that gap at $159.95.

The trade-off: the fit runs narrow, possibly more so than the Speedgoat. Runners with wider feet report the upper feeling constricting, particularly over longer distances when feet swell.

The Verdict

Buy the Hoka Speedgoat 7 if you run technical trails — roots, rocks, loose surfaces, steep grades. The Vibram Megagrip traction is a class above, the supercritical EVA foam is responsive enough for everything from daily training to race day, and the 5mm drop keeps you connected to the trail. It's the most complete trail shoe available in 2026.

Buy the Salomon Ultra Glide if you run long on moderate terrain — fire roads, packed singletrack, mixed gravel. The cushion-forward ride is unmatched over 50K distances, the Quicklace system is a genuine ultra-running advantage, and at $140 for the Ultra Glide 2 (or $159.95 for the current Ultra Glide 4), it's the better value for runners who don't need aggressive traction.

The Gavler community has spoken — the Speedgoat 7 edges it at #1 — but the margin is close enough that your terrain and distance should decide, not the rankings. See where both stand and cast your vote on the Best Trail Running Shoes list.

Common Questions

Which is better for ultra running, the Hoka Speedgoat 7 or Salomon Ultra Glide 2?

For ultras on non-technical terrain — fire roads, packed dirt, gravel — the Salomon Ultra Glide 2's Energy Surge foam and reverse camber geometry deliver relentless cushion over 50+ mile efforts. For ultras with technical sections — rock gardens, roots, loose scree — the Speedgoat 7's Vibram Megagrip lugs and more responsive ride give you confidence where the Ultra Glide would force you to slow down.

How do the Hoka Speedgoat 7 and Salomon Ultra Glide 2 compare on weight?

They're remarkably close, and both sit just under 10 oz. Independent scales put the Speedgoat 7 at roughly 9.1 oz (257g) in men's size 9 and the Ultra Glide 2 at about 9.8 oz (278g), so the Speedgoat is marginally the lighter of the two despite its deeper, more aggressive lugs. Salomon's current Ultra Glide 4 lands near 10 oz (about 285g). At this margin, weight shouldn't decide it — terrain should.

What's the price difference between the Speedgoat 7 and Ultra Glide 2?

The Hoka Speedgoat 7 retails for $165. The Salomon Ultra Glide 2 launched at $139.95, and its 2026 successor — the Ultra Glide 4, which uses the same midsole and geometry — lists at $159.95. Whichever Salomon you find, the gap to the Speedgoat is small enough that terrain and distance should drive your choice, not price.

Can I use the Hoka Speedgoat 7 for road running?

You can, but you shouldn't long-term. The 5mm Vibram Megagrip lugs will wear down faster on pavement, and the aggressive tread pattern feels clunky on smooth surfaces. For mixed road-trail running, the Ultra Glide 2's Contagrip outsole transitions between surfaces more smoothly.

How does Gavler rank these trail running shoes?

On Gavler's Best Trail Running Shoes list, the Hoka Speedgoat 7 holds the #1 spot with a 9.6 score, and the Salomon Ultra Glide 2 is #2 with a 9.3. Rankings are determined entirely by community votes — one vote per user.