Head-to-head · Best Trail Running Shoes

Hoka Speedgoat 7 vs Saucony Peregrine 14

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Hoka Speedgoat 7 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.7 vs 4.4). The gap is mostly about trail runners who want one highly cushioned, grippy shoe for varied terrain and long miles — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Trail Running Shoes

Hoka Speedgoat 7

4.7

$39.99as of Jun 7

The Speedgoat 7 is the best-overall trail shoe: Hoka's flagship pairs a new supercritical midsole with the gold-standard Vibram Megagrip outsole for a cushioned, grippy, genuinely do-everything ride. RoadTrailRun's testers scored it around 9.7/10, iRunFar named it a top pick, and Believe in the Run praised its refined, versatile feel.

Strengths

— New supercritical midsole adds noticeable pop and responsiveness, especially uphill
— Vibram Megagrip outsole with 5mm lugs grips confidently in nearly any condition
— Genuinely versatile across short, long, technical, and door-to-trail running

Watch-outs

— Tall, max-cushion stack isn't for minimalist or low-to-the-ground runners
— Ride firmed up slightly versus earlier Speedgoats
— Premium $160 price

$39.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #5 in Best Trail Running Shoes

Saucony Peregrine 14

4.4

$140

The Peregrine 14 is the best-value trail shoe: a lightweight, versatile all-rounder with deep PWRTRAC lugs and a comfortable ride, priced closer to $100 than $200. RunRepeat called it an excellent pick for value, comfort, and versatility, iRunFar recommended it as a do-it-all shoe at a great price, and Running Shoes Guru scored it 10/10.

Strengths

— Excellent value — strong all-around trail performance well under premium pricing
— Deep, chevron-shaped PWRTRAC lugs grip well in dry conditions and handle moderate mud
— Lightweight and versatile from trail newbies to experienced dirt-baggers

Watch-outs

— Grip slides on wet wood, moss, and slick organic matter
— Lower stack offers less cushioning than max-stack rivals on long rocky runs
— Firmer outsole rubber trades some wet-surface tackiness for durability

$140 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Hoka Speedgoat 7

More cushioned and versatile than the mud-specialist Salomon Speedcross 6 and the value-focused Saucony Peregrine 14, with a grippier Vibram outsole than the Brooks Cascadia 19. Far more cushioned and higher-drop than the zero-drop Altra Lone Peak 9.

Saucony Peregrine 14

A cheaper, lighter all-rounder than the premium Hoka Speedgoat 7, with deeper lugs than the Brooks Cascadia 19 but less mud grip than the Salomon Speedcross 6. More cushioned and higher-stacked than the zero-drop Altra Lone Peak 9, and the best-value pick of this group.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Hoka Speedgoat 7	Saucony Peregrine 14
Weight	9.7 oz (M)	9.4 oz (M)
Drop	4mm	4mm (2.2mm measured)
Stack height	37mm heel / 33mm forefoot	27.3mm heel / 25.1mm forefoot
Support type	Neutral	Neutral
Cushioning	Max (supercritical EVA)	Moderate (PWRRUN)
Outsole	Vibram Megagrip	PWRTRAC
Lug depth	5mm	4.7mm
Width options	Standard, Wide	Standard, Wide

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