Our Verdict
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HOKA Speedgoat 5 - Women's | |||||
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Awards | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |
Price | $154.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $129.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $180 List | $84.47 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $100 List Check Price at REI |
Overall Score ![]() |
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Star Rating | |||||
Pros | Versatile lacebed, tons of cushion, great traction, durable | Comfortable, great traction, affordable, durable, packs out to fit your foot shape | Great weight distribution, stable architecture, breathable upper, well-tractioned | Light, very protective, excellent mud shed, superior traction, surprisingly stable | Affordable, responsive, beginner-friendly, familiar fit |
Cons | Poor sensitivity, lacks lateral support, no rock plate | Might be too cushioned for some runners, slightly less sensitive | Lace pocket is difficult to use, tight collar can bite into the ankle, pricy | Narrow fit, runs small, rigid construction, takes time to break-in | Less aggressive traction, runs slightly narrow |
Bottom Line | While not for all runners, those who like a solid stack and extra sticky soles will love running in these | A great all-around trail shoe that hosts some of our favorite protective features, all for a relatively affordable price | A great trail shoe that offers a streamlined fit with a grippy, confidence-inspiring outsole built to tackle the most technical terrain | Stable and deliciously sticky, this contender is just a crusher all the way around, built for training runs and long distances alike | An affordable shoe that is perfect for novice runners who want to take their trail legs for a spin |
Rating Categories | HOKA Speedgoat 5 -... | Hoka Torrent 3 - Wo... | Salomon S/Lab Ultra 3 | Dynafit Feline SL -... | Brooks Divide 3 - W... |
Foot Protection (25%) | |||||
Traction (20%) | |||||
Sensitivity (15%) | |||||
Stability (15%) | |||||
Comfort and Fit (15%) | |||||
Weight (10%) | |||||
Specs | HOKA Speedgoat 5 -... | Hoka Torrent 3 - Wo... | Salomon S/Lab Ultra 3 | Dynafit Feline SL -... | Brooks Divide 3 - W... |
Measured Weight (per shoe) | 8.57 oz (size 7) | 7.48 oz (size 7) | 8.68 oz (size 7) | 9.45 oz (size 7) | 8.04 oz (size 7) |
Stack Height (Heel, Forefoot) | 31 mm, 27 mm | 21 mm, 16mm | 26 mm, 18 mm | Not disclosed | 20 mm, 12 mm |
Heel-to-Toe Drop | 4 mm | 5 mm | 8 mm | 8 mm | 8 mm |
Upper | Mesh | Mesh | Anti-Debris mesh with sockliner | Mesh, continuous nylon | Mesh |
Midsole | CMEVA | EVA | Energy Save PU foam with Profeel Film rock protection | Feline SL midsole | EVA |
Outsole | Vibram Megagrip rubber | Rubber | Salomon Contagrip MA | Sticky Pomoco Outer | TrailTrack rubber |
Rock Plate? | No | No | Not disclosed | Not disclosed | No |
Wide Version Available? | No | No | Yes | No | No |
Sizes Available | 5 - 12 US | 5 - 11 US | 4 - 13 US | 5 - 11 US | 5 - 12 US |
Our Analysis and Test Results
A beloved favorite for some trail runners and a last choice for others, the updated Speedgoat 5 offers exceptional traction via the Vibram Megagrip soles with a long and versatile lacebed for a secure fit. We grew to love these runners, even though their numerical scores added up to much less than some of the more well-featured superstars in our review.
Performance Comparison
Foot Protection
The Speedgoat 5 offers some great protective elements but lacks others that we have grown to love. The tightly woven, double-layer mesh upper does a great job at keeping sand from infiltrating but provides little to repel water. The heel cup is uniquely shaped with some cushion and a propensity to mold to your anatomy and keep spare dirt particles out. The toe bumper is one of our favorites, as the transition from mesh to bumper feels seamless while running. Unlike more rugged shoes whose bumpers feel rigid against our toes, the Speedgoat's bumper is protective but unintrusive.
The Speedgoat 5 lacks a rock plate, which is part of why the upper construction feels fairly minimalist, despite this shoe being of a maximalist design. Because of the outsole, stack height, and shape, we didn't miss a rock plate, but we award more points to shoes that include them. Since these shoes have a full 31mm of underfoot construction, the protection provided for the sole of your foot is next level.
Traction
The Speedgoat 5 employs Vibram Megagrip rubber as its base, allowing it to be an incredibly trustworthy shoe no matter the terrain. Much like other shoes that use Vibram soles, the Speedgoat sticks to even slippery granite with ease.
The updated sole design includes specified traction lugs and a burly 5mm deep lug pattern across the sole. The lugs helped us feel surefooted as we raced across loose scree of varying inclines.
Sensitivity
The Speedgoat 5 is not a sensitive shoe by any means. At its highest, your heel is lifted 31mm off of the trail, and at its lowest, a tall27 mm.
However, though the sole of the Speedgoat is maximal, the lack of lateral support allows you to feel out trail features, though in a very muted way. We found that some of the more rigid and protective shoes prevent this, so it was a pleasant surprise to learn that there is at least some relationship with the trail while running in these.
Stability
We feel that the Speedgoat 5 does a great job of balancing its minimal and maximal elements, but it lacks some stability, in our opinion. It has a 4mm drop, which is moderate enough to feel stable and secure through the base of support. However, the EVA sockliner upper provides very little lateral stability. If you have strong glutes and healthy ankles, you needn't worry about this. But if you are inclined to overpronation, these shoes might not be your best bet. The dual-layered mesh provides as much lateral stability as mesh can, but it lacks the structural integrity of more rigid uppers.
All in all, the Speedgoat is adequately stable. We loved running in these, as do many gritty trail runners, but some people might find that they aren't quite stable enough. The heel stack and mesh outer won't be a match for everyone, but it makes for a delightful ride for those it works for.
Comfort and Fit
Because of its seamless toe bumper, the Speedgoat feels like it runs a bit bigger than most shoes. In some shoes, the bumper seems to eat into toe real estate, and we recommend sizing up in those cases. The Speedgoat rides like the bumper was added in addition to the standard shoe length, which makes it seem long but also adds to its overall comfort.
We grew to love the long lacebed because it allows us to cinch the toebox to perfection. Since this style of lacebed is unique, it definitely took a bit of getting used to, which is the name of the game when it comes to running in these shoes. The platform-esque feel was awkward at first, especially on sandy trails, but this sensation dissipated after a bit of a break-in period.
The underfoot remained plush as it conformed to our foot shape, making for an even more comfortable ride. Even though we criticized the lack of lateral stability provided by the sockliner upper, it is incredibly comfortable. We never felt any hotspots while running in these shoes, a sensation that we get really nitpicky about when endeavoring to provide you with the most reliable information possible.
Weight
A women's size 7 US weighs in at 8.57 ounces per shoe which is on the lighter side, especially for such a stacked shoe. But, because of how the weight is distributed, we couldn't help but notice that these shoes felt heavier underfoot than others. Some shoes offer more evenly distributed weight that makes them feel nearly weightless on the trails, despite it weighing in slightly higher on the scale. That said, once we grew used to the profile of the Speedgoat, the cumbersome underfoot feel became less prominent.
Should You Buy the HOKA Speedgoat 5?
The Speedgoat 5 is a reliable, durable, and grippy shoe that will go the distance with you. If you love a plush ride combined with a sockliner upper and versatile lacebed, this might be a great pick. However, we hesitate to widely recommend this shoe to all trail runners because it is too unique to suit everyone's needs. We recommend trying the Speedgoat on before buying if you can to ensure it is comfortable for your foot shape.
What Other Trail Running Shoes Should You Consider?
As mentioned, the unique features and profile of this shoe might not be a perfect match for you. If you want a maximalist shoe with a bit more protection and a broader appeal, snag the Hoka Torrent 3 instead. If a rugged, well-tractioned shoe is what you're after, the Salomon Speedcross 6 is another great option, though it has a full 10mm drop. If cushion and comfort are your main priorities, the plush and grippy Altra Lone Peak 7 is a comfortable consideration. The Lone Peak provides a more forgiving fit and is slightly more affordable than the Speedgoat.
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