HOKA Speedgoat 5.0 Review
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
This Product
HOKA Speedgoat 5.0 | |||||
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Awards | Best Overall Hiking Shoe | Best for Scrambling | Best Lightweight Technical Hiker | Best Bang for Your Buck | |
Price | $107.83 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $180 List $179.95 at Backcountry | $179.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $149.95 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $59.99 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers |
Overall Score | |||||
Star Rating | |||||
Bottom Line | This comfortable and lightweight trail runner is one of our favorite shoes for fast and light missions especially in hot weather | Unbelievably comfortable and supportive, these awesome hiking shoes can do it all | This is a supportive hiking shoe that is perfect for scrambling and peak bagging | This is the definition of a solid hiking shoe, and is a perfect choice for those not wanting to compromise on off-trail performance | This inexpensive but good quality hiking shoe is a perfect choice for just starting out on the trails |
Rating Categories | HOKA Speedgoat 5.0 | Hoka Anacapa 2 Low GTX | Salewa Mountain Tra... | Salomon X Ultra 4 G... | Columbia Crestwood |
Comfort (25%) | |||||
Support (20%) | |||||
Traction (15%) | |||||
Water Resistance (15%) | |||||
Weight (15%) | |||||
Durability (10%) | |||||
Specs | HOKA Speedgoat 5.0 | Hoka Anacapa 2 Low GTX | Salewa Mountain Tra... | Salomon X Ultra 4 G... | Columbia Crestwood |
Measured Weight (per pair, size 11) | 1.34 lbs | 1.96 lbs | 2.16 lbs | 1.76 lbs | 1.82 lbs |
Upper | Recycled engineered mesh | Recycled mesh | Synthetic | Synthetic, textile | Suede leather, mesh, webbing |
Lining | None | GORE-TEX Invisible Fit | Gore-Tex Extended Comfort | Gore-Tex membrane | None |
Flood Height | 1.5 in | 3.0 in | 3.5 in | 3.25 in | 1.5 in |
Last Board/Shank | Not specified | Not specified | Nylon | ADV-C chassis | Not specified |
Midsole | CMEVA (Dual density EVA) | EVA (30% sugarcane) | EVA | EnergyCell | Techlite |
Outsole | Vibram Megagrip rubber with Traction Lug | Vibram Megagrip rubber | Pomoca MTN trainer Lite | Contagrip MA rubber | OmniGrip |
Width Options | Regular, wide | Regular | Regular | Regular | Regular, Wide |
Our Analysis and Test Results
For long hikes in dry conditions or where you need quick drying time after lots of river crossings, the Hoka Speedgoat 5 is a great addition to your quiver of hiking shoes. We love it as a shoe that can go trail running and then head out on a long fastpacking trip in the mountains. It is not the best at everything, making it a niche shoe model for most folks.
Performance Comparison
Comfort
Comfort is the main reason to consider the Speedgoat. They just feel like walking around on a big marshmallow, thanks to the hefty portion of dual-density compression molded EVA (CMEVA) foam midsole. This is a pretty soft version of this midsole, unlike some of the other Hoka hiking shoes and boots we have reviewed. The recycled engineered mesh is light, airy, and requires no time to break in. This shoe excels in warm weather since it breathes so easily.
Support
The CMEVA midsole of the Speedgoat is soft and squishy, providing a good barrier between your feet and the trail below. It does not feature a rock plate, midsole stiffener, or a shank of any kind, so there is virtually no torsional rigidity. This makes it really great in front-to-back flex when walking or hiking on trail, but pretty unsupportive when side-hilling over uneven ground. The height of these shoes (from the 2 inches of plush cushion) also makes them feel a little high when traveling in technical terrain.
Traction
A Vibram MegaGrip sole gives the Speedgoat great traction in most wet and dry conditions, and the 4mm deep Traction Lug sole design gives ample bite in loose dirt and adequate surface area contact in firm or smooth terrain. Obviously, being so soft, these shoes do not perform very well when edging.
Water Resistance
The Speedgoat 5 is not water resistant at all. There is no waterproof membrane or any DWR coating on the mesh upper. They are tall, however, so you can walk through puddles or creeks that are up to 1.5" deep without getting wet. But when they do get wet, and they will, they dry off in no time. We really like these shoes on backpacking trips that involve a lot of river crossings (we hate taking our shoes off to cross treacherous waters), and they are dry with very little hiking time after reaching the other side.
Weight
It is hard to even register the Speedgoat 5 when they are on your feet. Just 1.34 pounds for a pair of hiking shoes is unheard of. Sure, they have limited support, but these are awesome for fast and light adventures.
Durability
With a recycled engineered mesh upper that feels fairly easy to tear and a soft foam midsole that could be easily torn up by rocks, we are actually pretty impressed with the durability of the Speedgoat. No, they are not remotely comparable with something like a full leather hiking shoe, but for lightweight trail running shoes, we have seriously hammered on the Speedgoat, and they are still looking pretty good!
Should You Buy the Hoka Speedgoat 5?
This is a niche hiking shoe because it's true wheelhouse is as a trail runner. We recommend the Speedgoat to people who want a fast-drying shoe, one that is good for warm weather, or one that is comfortable enough to go lightweight backpacking with. And, of course, for anyone who also wants to run a bit when they're out hiking. The hiking crowd has adopted this trail running shoe for a reason, and we really do think it is a good value for what it is.
What Other Hiking Shoes Should You Consider?
For less than two pounds per pair, you could try out the Salomon X Ultra 4 Gore-Tex, which offers nearly the same comfort as the Speedgoat but with way more support and stability as well as waterproofing. If weight isn't your main concern, but comfort is, then the Hoka Anacapa 2 Low GTX adds in Gore-Tex and a more supportive midsole.