Hoka Speedgoat 6 review: Is the goat back on form?
Weight: 278g (M), 232g (W)
Stack height: 38mm (heel), 33m (forefoot)
Drop: 5mm
Type: Neutral/trail
In the decade since the first iteration hit the trails, Hoka’s Speedgoat series has garnered a reverential following for its blend of traction, responsiveness, stability and comfort. Named after Karl Meltzer, the American ultrarunner who has won the Hard Rock 100 five times, these shoes are designed to be workhorses, carrying you over long distances in comfort while also aiding your movement up and down hilly terrain.
Now on its sixth iteration, the Hoka Speedgoat 6 takes everything runners loved about its predecessors and introduces a few key updates aimed at making it an even better all-terrain trail shoe. With a redesigned midsole, an improved upper, and the same trusty Vibram Megagrip outsole, the Speedgoat 6 is built to handle everything from muddy paths to rocky inclines, while keeping your feet cushioned and secure. But how does it stack up on the trails? We've been putting it to the test on a variety of terrain, from local UK trails to the French Alps, so let’s dive in.
Hoka Speedgoat 5 vs 6: What’s new?
Even though the silhouettes of the Speedgoat 5 and 6 may look similar, Hoka has put a lot of effort into improving two key aspects of its most popular trail shoe: the midsole and the upper. This is mainly due to some longstanding issues around durability/breakdown and stretching that some runners experienced in the v5 (we don't mention version 2). Not only do we get a new compression-moulded EVA midsole on the latest version, there’s a new engineered woven mesh upper, plus reinforcements through the midfoot to reduce slippage and lock the foot securely to the base.
The overall shape of the shoe is slightly narrower, too, so Hoka has added a softer mesh area in the forefoot that allows for a little bit more movement there.
On the design, it's becoming more and more apparent that what made Hoka stand out from other brands is now common place. There's not much Hoka can do about this and the Speedgoat 6 is a good looking shoe, but sadly no longer as unique as it once was.
How does the Hoka Speedgoat 6 fit?
Ali: I opted for my usual UK 8.5 in the Speedgoat 6 and found it ran true to size. The new, narrower shape of the shoe contributes to a more secure and locked-in feel, while the engineered woven mesh upper, combined with the reinforced midfoot, really helped to keep my foot in place, especially on more technical trails.
That said, the toe box does feel a little tight at first, and while this wasn't a deal-breaker for me, Ben had some issues.
Ben: I too opted for my usual UK 12.5 in the Speedgoat 6 and they're certainly the right size as I wouldn't want anything bigger. However, there is always a trade off between needing a snug and secure fit to give you that confidence in a trail shoe and also delivering comfort. The Speedgoat 6 does manage that balance, but the narrowness did create a couple of contact points towards the front of the shoe on the inside edge of my big toes. This is only something I've had before with the Asics Fuji Trail 2; another narrow fitting trail shoe that is quite tapered. Sock choice can make a difference here, but with a more padded sock that I prefer for longer runs, it did feel a bit too snug and that's when the friction occurred.
The softer mesh mentioned above did ease this issue some what and running on the flat and hills was fine, but more flex in the upper isn't great on the descents, so in an ideal world I would have preferred a bit more room and less stretch. That being said, my foot shape is more on the square side of the things and this shoe has a very precise looking tapered toe, so there's that to consider.
What’s the Hoka Speedgoat 6 like to run in?
Ali: The Speedgoat 6 feels nicely cushioned underfoot, which makes long days on the trails feel comfortable, especially over rocky or uneven surfaces. After several miles of testing, the new midsole also appears to hold up better than the v5, too, though it does translate to a slightly firmer ride. I didn’t find this to be a negative thing, though. In terms of stability, the shoe really shines. That firmer midsole, combined with a moderately padded heel collar and improved arch and medial support, provided a solid, secure ride — especially when I was moving over more technical sections.
Even with the shoe's high stack height, I never felt wobbly or unsure of my footing, either, and I was able to tackle pretty much every kind of trail with confidence. The Speedgoat 6 also feels lighter than previous versions, giving it a sense of agility and responsiveness.
While I've mostly stuck to trails in the Speedgoat 6, it can handle short stretches of pavement on route to the trails, but I wouldn't use it for anything more.
Like the previous iteration, the shoe is equipped with a Vibram Megagrip outsole, providing excellent levels traction on wet, muddy and dry surfaces. On my trail running holiday in the French Alps, they gripped well on looser dirt, rocks and steep ascents and descents. A toe cap provides extra protection from rocks, roots and other trail debris.
Ben: Aside from some small moments of rubbing on descents, I agree with Ali about how the Speedgoat performed. For a bigger shoe, the sense of contact with the ground was very reassuring and added to a sense of nimbleness that belies its size.
The midsole is a big improvement on v5 and the ride quality is a testament to that; the slightly firmer midsole means longer runs are improved as the shoe doesn't feel like it's collapsing under you. There is a more positive feel to the Speedgoat and it encourages you to tackle the terrain rather than feel like you have to be overly cautious.
The Vibram grip feels robust and provided plenty of grip in dry and dusty conditions. Whatever mud I found was handled with ease too, but this shoe is much more at home in rocky, dry trails rather than thick mud that requires something like the Inov8 Mudtalon.
RW verdict
All in all, the Hoka Speedgoat 6 feels like a well-rounded upgrade. It delivers the comfort and protection we expect from a Hoka trail shoe, but with added stability and durability that lets you get more out of it. The firmer ride and snug fit might take some getting used to, but if your feet allow it, it’s a great choice for longer days on the trails. In fact, whether you're a trail running novice seeking a little stability or an advanced runner searching for a cushioned yet responsive ride, there's a lot to love about the Hoka Speedgoat.
Alternatives
If you like Hoka but need something more road-friendly than the Speedgoat, the Challenger 7 is a great choice. It provides the cushioning Hoka is known for but with a more adaptable design for both road and trail.
Alternatively, Nike's Kiger 9 is slightly more nimble and versatile, handling both trails and paved sections more easily than the Speedgoat, with a lighter and more responsive ride.
And the Brooks Cascadia 18 offers a good blend of cushioning and protection, like the Speedgoat, but is slightly more flexible on mixed terrain.
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