Speedgoat 7 vs Targhee III Waterproof
How these two compare on everything we measure — where the AIs rank them, what reviewers and buyers say, and how they price. The differences are the point — they decide which one is yours.
Side by side
Every signal we hold, on one shared scale. The leading side is lit — and where the AI panel and the reviewers pull apart, the row says so.?
Built from what 4 AI models (Google-ai-mode · Perplexity · Claude · ChatGPT) recommend for real buyer questions, layered with reviewer test summaries, Google buyer ratings, street prices and press. The short answer and verdict are derived from where those signals diverge — not written by hand for either product.
Independent — not a vendor, not advertising, not a paid review. How we score →
Where the juries disagree
Three juries score these products — the AI panel, the video critics, the Google buyers. They don’t all agree here.
The widest split: Reviewers score the Targhee III Waterproof 2.5/5 while buyers rate it 4.3/5 — the juries read the same product differently.
Which is better for what
Across the buyer-questions both appear in, who the AI panel ranks higher — and the widest gaps.?
Critics & buyers
The human jury in one chapter — what the video reviewers score and say, the reviews behind it, and how Google buyers rate them.
What reviewers say
Distilled from the video reviewers — the score, what they praise, where they push back.?
Reviewers praise
- Supercritical EVA midsole is noticeably softer and more responsive than the previous version, with better expected longevity
- Vibram Megagrip outsole with 5 mm lugs delivers strong traction across wet, muddy, and mixed terrain
- Redesigned heel collar eliminates the awkward shape of the prior version and improves lockdown and comfort
Reviewers push back
- Sizing runs small — most reviewers recommend going up a half size, and getting it wrong makes the shoe unusable
- Toe box volume remains low; runners with wider or higher-volume feet will still find it too tapered
- Breathability is limited in the denser woven sections of the upper, particularly in darker colorways
The Speedgoat 7 is a meaningful recovery for the line, with a livelier midsole and improved fit that win back most reviewers who were burned by its predecessor.
Reviewers praise
- Waterproofing keeps feet dry in mud and rain without overheating
- Strong traction on varied terrain from multidirectional lugs
- Comfortable cushioning and arch support for long-distance wear
Reviewers push back
- Soles separate from the upper prematurely
- Plastic heel counter breaks and becomes unwearable
- Heavier and bulkier than competing trail shoes
A genuinely waterproof hiking shoe with strong traction and comfort that suffers from premature durability failures in critical structural components.
Reviewers disagree on whether the toe box improvement is sufficient: some find the wider fit a meaningful upgrade, while others say it still tapers too aggressively for natural toe splay
One reviewer found durability catastrophic and switched brands; the other rated construction as durable and solid
The reviews behind this
The actual video reviews the summary above is distilled from — tap any to watch on YouTube.
What buyers say
Aggregated Google Shopping ratings — the score, the aspects owners rate, and a real quote.?
Can you trust the claims
Each maker’s marketing weighed against independent tests — how many claims hold up, and the weakest one.?
The verdict: which to buy
Our read of everything above — who leads each point, and who each is for.
Net: Speedgoat 7 leads 1 of 4 · Targhee III Waterproof 2.
Which one is right for you
How each suits the seven buyer types — a good fit, a maybe, or not for you.?
Each leads on different points — pick the one strong where you shop.
We don’t crown a winner. Both are strong; the differences above decide it for your use. Where a signal is missing, we leave it blank rather than guess.
as of June 29 · 3 shared buyer questions?
Common questions
The questions people ask comparing these two — answered from the data above.
The AI panel ranks Targhee III Waterproof higher (avg #7.3 fused across 5 questions in Hiking Shoes vs #7.8), but it’s close — reviewers and buyers split differently.
Targhee III Waterproof — $155–$170 vs $165 across retailers.
Video reviewers score Speedgoat 7 4.0/5 and Targhee III Waterproof 2.5/5 — see what each praises and pushes back on above.
Google buyers give Speedgoat 7 4.3 and Targhee III Waterproof 4.3 out of 5.
Its predecessor in the line is the Speedgoat 6. We track Speedgoat 7 at #7.8 on the AI panel and 4.0/5 with reviewers; the Speedgoat 6 page shows how the older model holds up.