Hoka One One, a division of Deckers Brands, released a new short film Monday, “The Speedgoat,” to accompany the reimagining of the sneaker for both men’s and women’s released last month.
The updated sneaker, the Speedgoat 2, keeps all of the cushion, traction and lightweight construction from the first edition, adding a wider base for more stability, opening up the toe-box for an improved fit and increasing traction with new lug shapes in all directions to help runners do their best off-road.
The film takes a look at the running career of Karl “Speedgoat” Meltzer, the very first Hoka-sponsored runner, with more than 100-mile trail race wins to his name, also setting the speed record for the 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail last year.
“I’m really psyched that Hoka accepted the idea [for the Speedgoat] and said to hell, let’s do it,’” Meltzer said in the video. “I hung up the phone and I had a big smile on my face. They liked it and now we have a bad-ass trail shoe that can handle any terrain.”
The short video highlights Meltzer’s childhood, how he got into running and the life he lead before his accolades, growing up as an active kid in New Hampshire. The almost 20-minute video shows his training in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains and through to his days as a top-notch pro-athlete.
“Hoka is a brand that was born in the mountains, and a brand that originated with trail and ultra running,” said Lee Cox, Hoka One One VP of sales and marketing. “Our partnership with Karl, our development of his signature trail running shoe and our production of this entertaining and unconventional short film all reflect our continued commitment to the side of the sport that got us started.”
The video is available to watch online, while the sneaker sells online now for $140.