Hoka Speedgoat 6 - Women's Review

The redesigned Hoka Speedgoat 6 is unlike its predecessor. With a mild 5 mm heel-toe drop, a rugged Vibram outsole, and 360-degree comfort, this shoe is one of the greats if your running takes you across a huge variety of terrain types.

Performance Comparison

Foot Protection

The protection of the Speedgoat 6 is similar to that of versions past. The weight of the outsole has been redistributed for comfort, but the 32 mm stack still provides ample underfoot protection sans a rock plate. The engineered mesh upper deflects particles well but doesn't provide a ton of protection from moisture — our socks felt damp after traversing a dewy field. This penetrable upper dries well, making it a solid choice for warm summer running. The toecap isn't the burliest we've seen, but it provides adequate protection from rogue rocks, stumps, and whatever else you may encounter on the trail.

The tongue and heel collar weave together beautifully for comfort and protection. In many trail shoes, we prefer to wear ankle-height running socks, but the thick-enough comfort of the Speedgoat's heel collar allowed lower socks to work well. While the Speedgoat 6 is not the beefiest shoe we've seen in terms of protection, it provides enough to have you scampering through the mountains with ease.

Traction

Vibram-soled trail shoes often perform incredibly well in this metric, and the Speedgoat 6 is no exception. With a Vibram Megagrip outsole, the ride in the Speedgoat is nothing if not confidence-inspiring. Hoka reconfigured the outsole pattern — which allegedly mimics a goat's hoof — for ultimate grip. The multidirectional, 4 mm deep lugs boast updated texture and new, sharper angles to help runners bite down on the trail. The epic grip of the Speedgoat's outsole pairs wonderfully with its new midsole and chassis. These pieces come together to create an agility-ready shoe that is ideal for rock scrambling, unpredictable terrain, and your local dirt track.

Sensitivity

Whew. Where do we begin? The previous version of the Speedgoat felt thick and almost marshmallowy underfoot. The bulk of the weight of the Speedgoat 5 rode underfoot, which led to a somewhat clunky and dull trail feel. Enter the Speedgoat 6, a completely reimagined trail shoe with an updated midsole that provides a more responsive pep, while the levity of the textiles allows you to feel the trail beneath you. It is far from the most sensitive trail shoe on the market, but if you are looking for a bit of trail information, a responsive kick, and overall comfort, the Speedgoat has just enough for us to recommend it to you.

Stability

The slight rigidity of the heel cup and lateral walls of the Speedgoat 6 make it feel super stable as you run. While not necessarily a shoe built to compensate for overpronation, it is certainly stable enough for runners who want confidence out on the trails. The reconfigured design of the Speedgoat allows your feet to feel like they are sitting a bit more securely toward the ground than in the previous model. This creates a feeling of natural stability and lockdown that far surpasses that of Speedgoats that came before.

Comfort and Fit

From the moment we slipped our tired feet into the Speedgoat 6, we knew we had a pretty comfy running shoe on our hands. Gone are the days of needing to adjust to the underfoot stack, meshy upper, and pillowy undercarriage. The Speedgoat has had a comfort glow-up, and our crew of rowdy testers is here for it.

The heel cup and lateral edges are a bit rigid but remain soft to the touch without sacrificing durability. Hoka dropped the aggressive Achilles structure, creating a less polarizing rearfoot feel. The redesigned upper feels light and breathable, making the Speedgoat great for warmer runs. The dual-edged gusseted tongue is incredibly forgiving and stretchy, with just enough cushion under the lace bed for all-day comfort. The Speedgoat represents a lovable balance of strength and comfort, especially in the worth of durable, clunky trail shoes. From a fit standpoint, we think that the Speedgoat will suit most runners' anatomies. The taper of the toebox might feel a bit cramped for some runners, but Hoka manufactures a wide version, which can likely rectify this feeling. The Speedgoat is not a soft, squishy pillow of a trail shoe, but if you are seeking a trail runner with ample protection, durability, Vibram-based traction, and rugged comfort, this shoe will serve you well.

Weight

Weighing in at 7.57 ounces per shoe in women's size 6.5 regular, the Speedgoat packs balanced cushion and protection into a moderately weighted shoe. As shoes are trending lighter and lighter, our testers prefer these middle-of-the-pack shoes for most efforts (road races and track days notwithstanding). Moderately weighted shoes tend to offer more robust durability, more functional reactions, patterning, and lugs, and better overall protection. All of these elements ring true when it comes to the new and super-improved Speedgoat 6.

Should You Buy the Hoka Speedgoat 6?

We recommend the Speedgoat 6 for runners seeking a durable, beefy, do-it-all trail shoe that is well-balanced across our rating criteria. Sure, other shoes outscore it individually, but the sum of the parts of the Speedgoat makes it a capable, comfortable, and rugged trail companion. Hoka's decision to offer a wide version of this beautifully redesigned further stokes our enthusiasm for it.

What Other Trail Running Shoes Should You Consider?