Hoka Speedgoat 6 review: a trail classic attempts to retain its title as the GOAT

The Hoka Speedgoat has ranked among the best trail running shoes for over a decade now. It has been offering a comfortable and predictable pace over treacherous terrain long before trail running became the hottest fitness buzzword.

The high stack means plenty of underfoot comfort, while a Vibram-derived sole – complete with goat-inspired tread pattern – provides plenty of grip over a variety of surfaces. This has essentially been the winning formula since day one.

We loved the Hoka Speedgoat 5 , noting that the narrow fit is probably one of its biggest downfalls. However, after personally racking up the miles in pretty much all of the previous generations, I found that the fifth generation weren’t as robust as some of the other shoes I have in my regular rotation.

The Saucony Peregrine 12 , for example, is still holding up pretty well, while the midsoles of my previous generation Speedgoats are showing serious signs of wear and tear.

Hoka claims it has improved robustness in the latest model by tweaking the midsole formula, introducing a new lug pattern, and reducing the weight slightly.

With plenty of competition in the stability trail running shoes world these days, can Hoka’s Speedgoat still claim to be one of the best?

Hoka Speedgoat 6 review

Price and availability

The Hoka Speedgoat is available directly from Hoka UK and Hoka US with a recommended retail price of £140/$155. The shoe is also available in most other markets, including Australia, where it retails at AU$289.99.

In terms of choice, the French brand offers plenty, with bespoke fits for both men and women, as well as five colourway options that range from bright and loud, to far more earthy and subdued. There is also the option of a wide fit, but this limits the colours on offer.

Specifications

• Best for : light trails, hiking, all-day comfort
• Tested weight : 278g/ 9.8oz (men’s UK 8.5)
• Stack height : 40mm (heel), 35mm (forefoot)
• Drop : 5mm
• Fit : Narrow
• Support : Neutral

Design and materials

You really do have to hold the Speedgoat 6 up against its predecessor to pick out some of the design and material choice changes at play here.

The midsole foam is arguably the biggest update and not only is the way it wraps around the underfoot fresh, it is also fashioned from a new CMEVA foam that is marketed to offer improved longevity without sacrificing long distance comfort.

This remains a high-stack shoe, with an increased heel-to-toe drop of 5mm, over the previous generation’s 4mm. Despite this, it remains a stable option that is designed for long distance comfort, perhaps sacrificing some of that speed for additional assistance and a plush underfoot feel on tough terrain.

The upper has also been updated with a new, more breathable woven design, while a "four-way stretch dynamic vamp" sits at the very front and reduces the compression on toes while you traverse undulating terrain.

The toe bumper that wraps around the front of the foot has been increased to give better protection from rocks and debris, plus Hoka has turned its attention to the tongue, opting for a dual-sided gusseted solution for extra comfort.

There’s a breathable elastic mesh that keeps the tongue in place and upper section has a thick padded band to stop laces digging in to the top of your foot.

Finally, runners will notice a reinforced loop at the back of each shoe, which helps with getting them on and off, but it also acts as a handy solution for strapping the Speedgoat 6 to a hiking backpack or other device when on the move.

Performance and comfort

Much of the beloved Speedgoat formula has been carried across in the latest generation, including the heavily rockered sole, a massive stack of underfoot cushioning and solid lugs that provide excellent on most trails.

I decided to take these for a test run after we experienced some fairly heavy rainfall, meaning my usual trails were a lot slippier than normal for this time of year.

The Vibram sole remains great and the new lug pattern digs into softer mud well, while I didn’t notice a massive build up of crud between said lugs as the miles racked up.

The Speedgoat 6 appeared to shed most of it with ease, with only a slight build-up towards the heel.

Above all else, there’s plenty of torsional rigidity (the shoe doesn’t twist from side to side), meaning it felt really planted as soon as the trails started to become more technical and off-camber.

That pronounced rocker also helped to propel the shoe forward, making it nice and easy to settle into a rhythm.

View the Hoka Speedgoat 6 from the front and the shoe’s heavily tapered design is really noticeable - basically, this model is all midsole and sole, with a very narrow upper stitched up top.

I tend to opt for a half size up in Hoka models, purely because they often size-up on the narrow side, while room in the toe box is an enduring issue.

However, Hoka does offer a wide fit, so it makes a lot of sense to physically try a variety of shoes on before committing.

Aside from the narrow fit, overall comfort felt very good. The extra padding on the gusseted tongue is a welcome addition and the extra padded heel offered a locked-in feel during the run.

The Vibram Megagrip sole is a tried-and-tested option, with the refreshed lug design provided ample traction across multiple surfaces. Granted, you wouldn’t want to sit on the tarmac for too long in these, but the experience isn’t unbearable. It’s possible to perform a little road-to-trail without too much discomfort.

Similarly, there are hardier shoes out there if maximum traction is your ultimate goal. The Speedgoat has long been a solid all-round option and it still fulfils this brief nicely.

Who’s the Hoka Speedgoat 6 for?

Recreational trail runners will enjoy the added stability and even seasoned pros will appreciate the levels of comfort on offer with the Speedgoat 6.

Admittedly, Hoka offers more hardcore trail running shoes, such as its upcoming, carbon-infused Texton X 3 and even the racier Zinal 2, while the Challenger 7 offers a better road-to-trail experience.

The Speedgoat has always been one to reside off-road and it still very much shines off the beaten path, whether that’s when running or walking.

But there are plenty of rivals out there now, and this isn’t the best for running in very hot climates, seeing as breathability isn’t a huge strong point, while at the other end of the spectrum, it also isn’t fully waterproof.

Should you buy the Hoka Speedgoat 6?

Perhaps not quite the GOAT, Hoka’s long-standing trail running shoe is still very good, especially if you place comfort high up on your list of must-haves.

In terms of rivals, Brooks offers the excellent Caldera 7 and the Saucony Peregrine has long been a favourite among T3 staff for its lightweight design and excellent reliability.

As previously mentioned, Hoka offers more speed-focussed options, which go a little lighter on the comfort features in pursuit of smashing PBs.

But I’ll admit that stuff isn’t really for me any more, which is probably why I thoroughly enjoyed plodding my favoured trails in the Speedgoat 6, which felt like they could go on forever at an easy pace.

Verdict

Hoka has addressed some of the issues that knocked the Speedgoat off its perch with regards to the previous iteration, namely beefing up the midsole so it is now better at soaking up impacts and making a few tweaks to the design to increase comfort levels.

This is a great shoe for those who like to take it a little easier, but enjoy the trails for longer, rather than gunning for a PB with laser-like focus.

Hoka shoes still run narrow and I found them snug, even when opting for half a size above my usual selection, while I felt there are more breathable options out there for running in hot climates.

But, as an excellent running (and hiking) all-round stability shoe, the Hoka Speedgoat is still up there with some of the best, even if it isn't the outright GOAT.