Hoka Speedgoat 6 Running Shoes Review
An in-depth review of the Hoka Speedgoat 6 for trail running, hiking, and backpacking
August 14th, 2024
Home > Gear Reviews > Footwear
Our verdict
The Speedgoat 6 is an excellent all-around trail running shoe. If you’ve never worn the Speedgoat, now is a great time to start.
The Speedgoat models have remained a perennial favorite among Treeline writers for years. We’ve done everything from backpacking to trail running and hiking in the Speedgoats. Overall, the Speedgoat 6 is pretty similar to the Speedgoat 5, with 1 mm more heel-to-toe drop, an added heel pull loop, updated upper and midsole materials, and a redesigned outsole compared to the Speedgoat 5. Version 6 is a half-ounce lighter per shoe than the Speedgoat 5. Also, the Speedgoat 6 is available in a bunch of earth-tone and subdued colors, which is notable for Hoka since they historically have only used bright colors for their shoes. If you always wanted an olive green, black, or gray pair of Hoka Speedgoats, this update is for you.
The Speedgoat 6 gives stellar traction on most terrain. They’re suited for everything from long and smooth dirt trails to rock hopping across scree fields. They’re versatile and comfortable enough for most everything you’d do on your feet—hiking or running, big or small backpack, they’ll work great.
Its upper is one of the most supportive of any shoe. This is a high-stack trail shoe, some of the highest stack of any shoe in fact. A higher stack means tons of cushion to keep your feet comfortable and happy during long days on the trail. But even though your feet are higher off the ground, they aren’t prone to rolling as you might expect with that higher center of gravity.
Men's
Women's
We tested the Men’s and Women’s Hoka Speedgoat 6 for this review. I tested the Men’s version while trail running and backpacking in Colorado. I’ve put 1000s of miles on various Speedgoat iterations over the years, doing everything from thru-hiking and backpacking to ultramarathons. In the past three years, I’ve had three pairs of the Speedgoat 4, three pairs of the Speedgoat 5, and I’ve put 250 miles on my first pair of Speedgoat 6 shoes.
I used the Speedgoat 6 for a 160-mile backpacking trip on the Colorado Collegiate Loop and for many trail runs across Colorado. I also used the previous version, the Speedgoat 5, for trail running in Colorado and Arizona, and I used the Speedgoat 5 to thru-hike the Arizona Trail. I wore the Speedgoat 4 in wide sizing while backpacking on the Continental Divide Trail, the Grand Enchantment Trail, and the Colorado Trail.
The plush cushioning on these shoes makes my feet feel less tired and beat up over 10+ hours of hiking. My body feels better overall after finishing a thru-hike while wearing the Speedgoat. The extra cushion in these shoes is excellent for your joints.
Treeline writer Becca Downs has also tested the Women’s Speedgoat 6 while on trail runs across the Colorado Front Range. She’s relieved that Hoka didn’t change much with their newest Speedgoat because the Speedgoat 5 was already so good, “The balance of cushion and responsiveness, as well as the traction that serves well on most trails and crosses over to road comfortably, make the Speedgoats my go-to trail running shoe. The updates to the 6 enhance what I already loved about the 5.”
Treeline writer Sara “Socks” Kruglinski tested the Women’s Speedgoat 5 narrow version while trail running and hiking in California on hard-packed snow and icy conditions. She also tested them on mud, hills, slippery terrain, wet rocks, water crossings, and dusty dirt, flour-like trails where you get super dirty and can’t run behind someone else because you eat their dirt the whole time.
Treeline writer Shawnté Salabert also tested the Hoka Speedgoat 5 in the women’s wide version. Shawnté has been wearing Speedgoats since version 2. She has used Speedgoats while backpacking and trail running for years, all across California, from the desert in Joshua Tree National Park and the Anza Borrego desert to the Sierra and on local trails in the San Gabriel and Santa Monica mountains. She’s also used them while trail running in Bend, Oregon.
Below, we cover some of the major differences between the older and newer Speedgoat models. We were big fans of the Speedgoat 5 and are relieved that the Speedgoat 6 only saw subtle design tweaks. Hoka significantly improved the already great Speedgoat 4 when they designed the Speedgoat 5.
The Speedgoat 6 is a fantastic shoe if you like going far on your feet. Whether you like to move fast or a little slower, they offer a stable platform and excellent traction for any trail.
We create reader-supported, objective gear reviews independently selected by our editors. This story may contain affiliate links, which help fund our website. When you click on the links to purchase gear, we may get a commission — without costing you an extra cent. Thank you for supporting our work and mission of outdoor coverage for every body! Learn more.
SPECS
Cushion: Maximum
Stability: Neutral
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm): 5 mm
Stack Height: 38-33 mm
Lugs: 5-millimeter directional lugs. Lugs in the front of the shoe point forward, while the lugs on the heel point back.
Upper: Lightweight woven textile upper
Midsole: CMEVA
Outsole: Vibram Megagrip outsole
Weight (pair):
(men’s), 9.8 oz (single)
(women’s) 8.2 oz (single)
Comparison table of similar models
| TRAIL RUNNING SHOE | WEIGHT MEN'S | WEIGHT WOMEN'S | CUSHION | HEEL DROP | STACK HEIGHT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hoka Speedgoat 6 Men's Women's |
9.8 oz | 8.2 oz | maximum | 5 mm | 35 - 40 mm |
| Hoka Speedgoat 5 Men's Women's |
10.3 oz | 8.5 oz | maximum | 4 mm | 38 - 34 mm |
| Altra Lone Peak 8 Men's Women's |
10.7 oz | 9.15 oz | moderate | 0 mm | 25 mm |
| Salomon Speedcross 6 Men's Women's |
10.5 oz | 9.2 oz | moderate | 10 mm | 32 - 22 mm |
| La Sportiva Bushido III Men's Women's |
10.5 oz | 8.8 oz | moderate | 6 mm | 13 - 19 mm |
What we liked
Well-cushioned
Stable
Comes in wide sizing
Great traction
Durable upper
Details
Fit
The Hoka Speedgoat 6 fits the same as other Hoka shoes. I’ve worn the Clifton, Challenger, Torrent, and Speedgoat versions 4-6 in US men’s sizes 9 and 9.5. Hoka's sizing is consistent across all of these shoe models and with other shoe brands. I usually wear a men’s 9.5 and Hoka’s size 9.5 fits as expected. If this is your first time wearing Hoka shoes, you should start with the size you usually wear in street shoes.
The Speedgoat 6 seems to fit about the same as the Speedgoat 5. This is a relief since version 5 was slightly narrower than version 4, and if version 6 followed the same trend, we’d have problems.
The Speedgoat also comes in wide sizing. If you have wider feet, you can get these to fit. I’ve worn the Speedgoats in men’s 9 wide (EE) for thru-hiking and backpacking. The wide sizing is perfect for thru-hiking, where your feet swell after long, hot hiking days. Wider shoes are also great for hotter climates, where hot trail runs will cause your feet to swell.
Fit in Toe Box
The Speedgoat 6 is wide in the toe box but not as wide as the Altra Lone Peak, Altra Timp, or Topo Ultraventure. The Speedgoat is wide enough for long days on the trail. If you last wore the Speedgoat 3 and wrote them off as too narrow in the toes, know that starting with the Speedgoat 4, Hoka made the toe box wider. They also kept the wider toe box on the Speedgoat 5 and the even newer Speedgoat 6.
Fit in Heel Cup
The Speedgoat’s heel cup fits my foot well. I often find that the heel cup in trail running shoes slips, but my heel never slips in the Speedgoat. Everyone’s feet are different, but everyone I know who likes the Speedgoat loves how the heel cup hugs their foot.
The entire Speedgoat upper fits remarkably well. It feels snug and stable without feeling too tight. The shoes even feel stable when I don’t have them laced tightly. The glove-like fit in the upper contributes to the excellent fit in the heel.
Midsole and Cushioning
The Speedgoat is known for having a large cushioning platform in the midsole, and the Speedgoat 6 is no different.
Hoka's signature midsole foam
Like most Hoka running shoes, the Speedgoat’s signature midsole foam is the standout feature. The Speedgoat 6 also features a lighter, more responsive midsole compound than previous Speedgoat models. The midsole is pillowy-thick and springy EVA foam that cushions your foot as it lands and bounces back as you push off for the next step.
The midsole is also slightly curved to encourage your foot to roll forward when it lands. This maintains momentum as your heel strikes, rolls onto your forefoot, and pushes off. Hoka calls this a Meta-Rocker, and the result is subtle. But the Meta-Rocker does have an effect. It doesn't do all the work for you, but the curved shape helps propel you forward.
Level of cushioning compared to other trail shoes/road shoes
The Speedgoat 6 has 38 millimeters of stack height in the heel and 33 millimeters in the forefoot. The Speedgoat 5 had a 38-34 millimeter stack height, for reference.
Stack height measures the height from the outsole to the footbed. Shoes with a higher stack height, therefore, have more cushion. Most trail running shoes have between 20 and 30 millimeters of stack. The Speedgoat’s 38-33 millimeter stack is significantly more cushioning than average trail and road running shoes.
The more cushioning in the Speedgoats can also benefit heavier runners. The heavier you are, the more quickly you’ll compress the midsole cushioning in running shoes. But since the Speedgoat has so much cushioning, it will potentially last longer for heavier runners and everyone else, of course.
Impact absorption and energy return
The Speedgoat 6 provides excellent impact absorption with each footfall. As your foot strikes the ground, the shoe's midsole efficiently absorbs the shock and springs back. This helps propel you forward while offering excellent underfoot cushioning.
The Speedgoat’s impact absorption is great for those who land heavily on their heels as they run or hike. However, most runners and hikers tend to land more heavily on their heels as they fatigue, regardless of their typical foot strike pattern. This makes the Speedgoat's plush cushioning a valuable feature for just about everyone, especially during longer outings when maintaining proper form becomes challenging.
Comfort
As with the Speedgoat 5, the Speedgoat 6 is remarkably comfortable right out of the box. It requires no break-in time. The soft cushioning, excellent-fitting upper, and comfortable tongue and shoelaces make for an all-around comfortable shoe.
The Speedgoat 6 has an updated dual-gusset tongue. This tongue is more cushioned than previous versions and comfortably wraps around the top of your foot.
The Speedgoat 6's upper material has also been updated to a more breathable knit. This honestly feels pretty similar to the Speedgoat 5 upper, but we’re not complaining about that.
Stability
The Speedgoat is an incredibly stable shoe, especially for its high stack height. However, the higher stack height raises your foot’s center of gravity.
I’ve worn the Speedgoats for 1000’s of miles of hiking and trail running. In that time, I’ve never severely rolled my ankle while wearing a pair of Speedgoats. This is something I can’t say about most other trail runners, especially not for models I’ve worn for as many miles. The upper wraps comfortably around my foot so it doesn’t slide around in the shoe. And the low heel-to-toe drop keeps my foot from rolling.
Our senior editor, Brandon Lampley, doesn’t find the Speedgoat quite as stable, though: “As a heavy runner with somewhat tricksy ankles, I can attest that I am much more likely to roll an ankle in my Hokas than any of my lower-stack shoes. The cushioning is awesome, and I put up with the tradeoff. But if I feel like it will be a clumsy day, I wear a lower stack shoe and forgo the cushion.”
Support
Arch Support
The Speedgoat is a neutral-support shoe that doesn’t support your arch more than average. It doesn’t correct over or under-pronation, either. If you need arch support, you can add more supportive insoles. My favorite insoles for trail running and hiking are the Superfeet All-Purpose. But any insole with a rigid arch will give your feet more support than the simple insoles that come with the Speedgoat 6.
Lateral Support
The Speedgoat gives your feet excellent lateral support. The shoe's mesh upper fits really well. The supportive upper, combined with the footbed, keeps your foot planted as you push off laterally. They'd have more lateral support if they had a lower stack height. But overall, they provide excellent side-to-side support, especially for a higher-stack shoe.
Ride
The Speedgoat gives a responsive and bouncy ride. The Meta-Rocker midsole rolls your foot forward as you step, helping with forward momentum. The midsole is springy, so it helps push your foot off the ground as you take another step.
Outsole, Grip, and Traction
Performance on various terrains
The Speedgoat has 5mm multi-directional lugs that provide great traction on most terrains. The Speedgoat 6's lug pattern has been tweaked to improve traction, but like most other changes, it’s not very different from the Speedgoat 5’s lug pattern. The outer edge of the forefoot on the Speedgoat 6 now has three tooth-like lugs for added traction. There is also slightly less outsole material on version 6, which means more exposed midsole foam compared to version 5.
More exposed midsole foam isn’t great for durability. I wore the Speedgoat 6s while talus hopping and crossed several scree fields in them, and they haven’t completely fallen apart after nearly 300 miles. But, more exposed foam doesn’t bode well for durability. I wouldn’t choose these shoes for serious off-trail travel, and if I did, I wouldn’t expect them to last.
The lugs in the front of the shoe bite into dirt or mud when pushing forward, and the lugs on the heel point backward to provide traction when braking and in downhill scenarios.
Wet and dry conditions
The Speedgoat has a Vibram Megagrip outsole, which grips better in adverse conditions than most other trail runners. It gives awesome grip on wet rock and sticks to dry, slick rock well, too.
Versatility
The Speedgoats are close to perfect for an all-around trail shoe. If you want one pair of shoes for trail running and backpacking that will work well in most conditions, this is a great choice.
The Speedgoats are my favorite shoe for hiking and backpacking but they’re also great for trail running. I’ve thru-hiked 1000s of miles in these shoes, scrambled up mountains, and ran on everything from hard-packed dirt to gravel and even pavement. They do very well in all these conditions. They’re not ideal road running shoes but are okay for short paved sections. If you do lots of crossover runs with longer paved sections, check out the Hoka Challenger, which has a similar fit and feel but a less aggressive outsole.
Responsiveness
The Speedgoat has a very responsive EVA foam midsole that’s 38 millimeters thick in the heel and 33 mm in the forefoot. The midsole is very cushioned, yet springy. It doesn’t feel mushy when you push off the ground while still giving excellent impact absorption.
Warmth
The Speedgoat is not very warm. Its breathable knit upper doesn’t trap heat.
I’ve used the Speedgoat 5 for winter running with thick socks for added warmth. While the Speedgoat 6's mesh upper is different from the jacquard upper from the 5, they both feel comparable in terms of breathability. Therefore, I suspect the Speedgoat 6 will perform about as well for winter running as version 5 does.
The fit is roomy enough to accommodate thicker socks, making them warm enough for cold and dry days. But the standard Speedgoat won’t be warm enough for cold and wet conditions.
There is a Gore-tex version of the Speedgoat 5, which will be warmer than the standard Speedgoat 6. Generally, the Gore-tex versions of trail runners are released in the fall, so we expect the Speedgoat 6 GTX to be released soon.
We tested the women’s version of the Speedgoat GTX for our Best Women’s Trail Running Shoes review as well.
Break-In Time
The Speedgoat 6, as with the Speedgoat 5, requires no break-in time. They’re comfortable immediately out of the box.
The midsole is most comfortable immediately, and as the shoes break in, they feel increasingly less bouncy. The rest of the shoe is made of soft, comfortable materials that are also immediately comfortable.
Upper and Breathability
The Speedgoat 6 has a super-breathable woven textile upper. I’ve used these shoes in hot desert conditions, and they’re breathable enough to keep my feet comfortable on hot days. The upper material has changed from the Speedgoat 5 to Speedgoat 6, but the new woven textile upper performs nearly identically to the double-layer jacquard mesh upper on the 5. Both the 5 and the updated 6 feel super breathable.
Durability and Longevity
I used a pair of Speedgoats 4s for 800 miles while thru-hiking the CDT. This is outstandingly good for thru-hiking shoes, especially on a trail as rugged as the CDT. The trail was mostly smooth and sandy in New Mexico and Colorado for that section and pair of shoes. I’ve been chasing that level of longevity ever since and have never gotten more than 500 miles out of any other pair.
So, most pairs of Speedgoats don’t last for more than 400-500 miles, but that’s relatively durable for a trail running shoe overall.
So far, we’ve put about 250 miles on our pair of Speedgoat 6 shoes. These are the lightest Speedgoats yet, but this doesn’t seem to be impacting durability.
Midsole Durability
With previous versions of Speedgoat, after about 200-300 miles of running or thru-hiking, the midsole will compress and won’t feel as cushioned. So far, after nearly 300 miles on the Speedgoat 6, this hasn’t started to happen as much. Hoka updated the midsole on the 6, making it lighter and more responsive. So hopefully, the issue with previous Speedgoats doesn’t happen with this newest version.
However, since these shoes have so much cushion to start with, previous versions of the Speedgoat were still relatively comfortable even after the midsole compressed. If you only use the Speedgoat while hiking without a heavy pack, the midsole won’t compress as quickly, but it will still happen.
When using these shoes for running, I don’t push them for more than 400-500 miles because the well-cushioned midsole is the best part. Even after I stop wearing a pair of Speedgoats for running, I think they’re cushioned enough for hiking. Overall, I would expect to get about 350-400 miles out of a pair of Speedgoats, and any more should be seen as a bonus.
Wear and tear in upper materials
The Speedgoat 6 upper is quite durable. I’ve never had the upper rip on a pair of Speedgoats before the outsole wears out. The updated upper material of the Speedgoat 6 seems to be at least as durable as previous versions, too. After 300 miles the upper looks dirty, but otherwise looks pretty good.
Outsole longevity
The Speedgoats have an average outsole durability. Vibram Megagrip rubber is softer than some rubber, but it doesn’t wear out significantly faster than harder rubbers and provides better grip.
However, there is a large section of exposed midsole foam in the middle of the outsole. This exposed foam is the weakest point of the Speedgoats in terms of durability. We keep expecting Hoka to leave a smaller section of exposed midsole foam with a new version of the Speedgoat, and it keeps not happening. There is still an exposed section of midsole foam right in the middle of the heel on the Speedgoat 6, and it’s even slightly larger than it was on the Speedgoat 5.
I’ve worn the Speedgoat 5 to the point where the outsole rubber still had plenty of tread left, but the exposed midsole foam was worn all the way to the insole. This was after approximately 700 miles of rough and rocky terrain, but the exposed midsole section of the outsole is usually why I need to retire a pair of Speedgoats. I expect the same to happen with the 6s as well.
Price and Value
At $155, the Speedgoat 6 is slightly more expensive than many trail running shoes, but it’s not the most expensive trail running shoe, either. It’s worth noting here that it didn’t increase in price from the 5 to the 6, either. The Speedgoat 5 also costs $155, but you can probably find a discounted pair now that the 6 is available.
For reference, the La Sportiva Akasha II and the Altra Olympus 6 each cost $175. However, many shoes cost less than the Speedgoat 6: the Altra Lone Peak 8 and Brooks Cascadia 18 cost $140, and the La Sportiva Bushido III and Salomon Speedcross 6 cost $145.
Something to consider here is longevity: if you can get more miles out of a more expensive pair of shoes, you won’t have to buy new shoes as often and potentially save your knees. Also, the Altra Olympus and the Hoka Speedgoat are the only shoes listed above that come with a Vibram Megagrip outsole, which costs more than a company’s own proprietary rubber outsole.
Sustainability/Ethical Company
Hoka’s parent Company, Deckers Brands, is a United Nations Global Compact member, the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative committed to following ethical practices in labor, environment, and anti-corruption.
By 2030, Hoka aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and water usage by 20% per pair of shoes. By 2027, they aim for 25% of all materials used in their footwear to be made from recycled, regenerated, or natural materials. Read more about Hoka’s sustainability goals here.
Features
Volume
The Speedgoat 6 is a medium-volume shoe, which means it accommodates most average-shaped feet. It also comes in wide sizes to fit feet with higher-than-average volume.
Weight
The Speedgoat 6 weighs 9.8 oz per US Men’s size 9 shoe. This is not the lightest trail running shoe, but it’s pretty light, and Hoka managed to shave 0.5 oz off the weight of each shoe with the Speedgoat 6 compared to the 5. If you want this much cushion, you can’t get much lighter than these shoes.
Stack Height
The Speedgoat 6 has 38 mm of stack in the heel and 33 mm in the forefoot. This is one millimeter less stack in the forefoot than the Speedgoat 5, and may be where some of the weight savings come from.
Heel-to-Toe Drop
The Speedgoat 6 has 5 mm of heel-to-toe drop, which is less than many trail running shoes. However, it isn’t a zero-drop shoe. If you’re used to zero drop, it will feel less foreign than a shoe with 7-10 mm of drop, like the Salomon Speedcross or La Sportiva Jackal II.
Laces/Lockdown
They have traditional flat laces with an extra eyelet at the top for alternate lacing patterns. These shoes fit well enough that I don’t usually use alternate lacing patterns with that upper eyelet.
Midsole Technology
The midsole on these shoes is plush and cushioned but springs when you push off it. Compared to the Speedgoat 5, the 6 has a lighter-weight midsole while providing a similar level of cushioning.
Outsole and Lug Pattern
The outsole has 5mm directional lugs. The lugs in the front of the shoe point forward, while the lugs on the heel point back. This gives you traction when pushing off forward, running downhill, or braking.
Reflective Material
The Speedgoat 6’s mesh upper is subtly reflective. Like all Hokas, it comes in some bright color schemes that are more visible in low-light scenarios. But, there are a surprising amount of quieter, less visible color schemes with the Speedgoat 6.
Extended Arches Pull Tab
The Speedgoat 6 has an extended arch pull tab on the heel, but it’s less extreme than on the Speedgoat 5. Unlike the 5, the Speedgoat 6 also has a heel pull-on loop. This makes the shoe easy to pull off and put on.
Meta-Rocker
The Speedgoat 6 has a rounded Meta-Rocker midsole that gives a smooth and efficient ride. This rounded midsole promotes a natural running pattern and allows your foot to roll forward with each step.
Style and design
The Men’s and Women’s Speedgoat 6 comes in 5 different cool color options. The color choices integrate more neutral colors than many versions of the Speedgoat, but there are still some bright color schemes available.
Speedgoat 5 vs. Speedgoat 6
Sizes available: 7-15 (men’s), 5-12 (women’s
Widths available: regular, wide
Heel Drop: 4 mm
Stack height: 33 mm (heel) / 29 mm (toe)
Weight: 1 lb. 4.6 oz (men’s), 1 lb. 1 oz (women’s)
Cushioning: moderate
There are several differences between the Speedgoat 5 and Speedgoat 6 including:
Lighter Midsole
The Speedgoat 6 weighs 9.8 oz per shoe. The Speedgoat 5 weighs 10.3 oz per shoe. Most of this weight savings comes from the lighter midsole that comes in the Speedgoat 6.
Redesigned Upper
The Speedgoat 6 has a redesigned upper made of breathable woven material. The material looks similar to the Speedgoat 5, but the design is different. The reinforced laminate around the toe is textured, as is the laminated section around the laces at the toe.
Different Outsole Design
The outsole design is different as well. It’s not groundbreakingly-different, but it is different. There are small teeth-like cleats along the outside edge of the forefoot. There is also less outsole material overall, which means the outsole has more exposed midsole foam.
Refined Heel Tab
The heel tab has been reworked as well. The Speedgoat 6 now has a heel pull loop, unlike the extended arch pull tab on the Speedgoat 5 heel. The updated Speedgoat 6 is a less pronounced version of the Speedgoat 5 heel tab design. The heel pull loop makes it easier to put the Speedgoat 6 on compared to the 5, too.
Dual gusset tongue
The Speedgoat 6 has more padding in the tongue. It also has two gussets so it conforms to the top of your foot better.
For more info, read my in-depth long term review on the Speedgoat 5.
Men's
Women's
Should I buy the Hoka Speedgoat 6?
The Hoka Speedgoat 6 is one of my favorite trail shoes. If you want a shoe for hiking, backpacking, and trail running that fits well, has great traction, and has a comfortable, supportive upper, this shoe is worth considering. If you can find a pair of discounted Speedgoat 5, it’s worth snagging those as well since the differences between the newer and older models are minimal.
What could be better
I love everything about the Speedgoat 6, and with the newly updated, even lighter design, it’s about as light as many lightweight trail running shoes. However, there are many other comparable shoes out there now. So even though the Speedgoat 6 is still great, it’s not as great because there are plenty of other trail running shoes that are about as good. This isn’t a dig against the Speedgoat 6, but more a testament to how far trail running shoes have come.
How we tested
I tested the Speedgoat 6 on a 160-mile thru-hike of the Colorado Collegiate Loop and while trail running across Colorado on mountain runs from 10 to 30 miles. I’ve worn the Speedgoats on runs of all lengths in all conditions, from cold and rainy to even colder and snowy and hot, dry weather.
I have worn the Hoka Speedgoat 4 while thru-hiking the 3,000-mile Continental Divide Trail in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. I also thru-hiked 700 miles on the Grand Enchantment Trail in the Speedgoat 4 and wore Speedgoat 5 while thru-hiking the Arizona Trail.
Similar models / other shoes you may prefer
Altra Lone Peak 8
Sizes available: 7-16 (men’s), 5.5 - 12 (women’s)
Widths available: regular, wide
Heel Drop: 0 mm
Stack height: 25 mm
Weight: 1 lb. 5.4 oz (men’s), 1 lb. 2.3 oz (women’s)
Cushioning: moderate
The Altra Lone Peak 8 is a zero-drop trail running shoe with much less stack height than the Speedgoat 6. It also has a much wider toe box than the Speedgoat, even in wide sizing. The rubber compound on the Lone Peak isn’t as sticky as the Speedgoat's, though. Like the Speedgoat, these trail running shoes are popular with thru-hikers.
View the Altra Lone Peak 8
Men's
Women's
Salomon Speedcross 6
Sizes available: (men’s), (women’s)
Widths available:
Heel Drop: 10 mm
Stack height: 32 - 22 mm
Weight: 10.5 oz (men’s), 9.2 oz (women’s)
Cushioning: moderate
The Salomon Speedcross 6 has a more aggressive lug pattern than the Hoka Speedgoat and a much higher heel-to-toe drop. Generally speaking, the Speedcross feels faster on hills but isn’t as well-cushioned. It is also a narrower shoe than the Speedgoat. Like the Speedgoat, the Speedcross comes in wide sizing.
Related: Read our full verdict in our Salomon Speedcross 6 in-depth Review.
View the Salomon Speedcross 6
Men's
Women's
La Sportiva Bushido III
Sizes available: (men’s), (women’s)
Widths available:
Heel Drop: 6 mm
Stack height: 13 - 19 mm
Weight: 10.5 oz (men’s), 8.8 oz (women’s)
Cushioning: moderate
The La Sportiva Bushido III is an aggressive trail runner with a sticky outsole that runs pretty narrow. However, the new Bushido III comes in wide sizes as well. The Bushido doesn’t have nearly as much cushion in the midsole as the Speedgoat. The Bushido III is worth a look if you want a fast trail runner that keeps your feet closer to the ground.
View the La Sportiva Bushido III
Men's
Women's
Brooks Cascadia 18
Sizes available: (men’s), (women’s)
Widths available:
Heel Drop: 8 mm
Stack height: 12 - 20 mm
Weight: 11.65 oz (men’s), 10.05 oz (women’s)
Cushioning: moderate
The Brooks Cascadia 18 has less stack height and more heel-to-toe drop than the Speedgoat. The Cascadia also doesn’t have as aggressive of a tread pattern as the Speedgoat, but it costs less than the Speedgoat and is a great all-around trail shoe.
View the Brooks Cascadia 18
Men's
Women's
Why You Should Trust Us / About The Author
Sam Schild is a thru-hiker, trail runner, cyclist, and mountain athlete based in Colorado. He’s been a runner since he was a child when he ran five days a week as cardiovascular training for soccer. As he grew older, he stopped playing team sports and focused on running and cycling.
After moving to Colorado a decade ago, he started trail running on the local trails. Since then, he has completed countless ultra-distance self-supported trail runs on trails throughout the American Southwest. He has thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Grand Enchantment Trail, Arizona Trail, and the Colorado Trail twice, always in trail runners. The Hoka Speedgoat is his go-to shoe for long-distance hiking.
You can read more about Sam on his author page or website.
