Hoke speedgoat review green women's running shoes

By Marnie Kunz,
Certified trainer and run coach

My Hoka Speedgoat review is based on my experience running in the women’s Hoka Speedgoat 6 trail running shoes. I trained for and ran a trail half marathon in these shoes. As a Hoka fan and enthusiastic trail runner, I was eager to try these. This review is based on my experience as a running coach and runner training in the Speedgoat 6 running shoes on a variety of terrain, including city park trails and upstate New York single-track trails with rocky, technical areas. Here’s the full breakdown of the Speedgoat 6 features, cost, and what to expect while running in them.

Hoka speedgoat review woman runner with medal — I wore the Hoka Speedgoat 6 for my first trail half marathon.

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What’s In Hoka Speedgoat 6 Trail Running Shoes? Key Features

The Hoka Speedgoat 6 shoes are an updated version of Hoka’s popular Speedgoat 5 trail running shoes. The Speedgoat 6 has added cushioning and lower ventilation than the Speedgoat 5s, making them a good shoe for cooler weather runs. Due to less ventilation, they may not be the best choice for extra long distances like ultra running.

Cost

As with other Hoka running shoes, like the Hoka Mach 6, the Hoka Spedgoat 6 is a moderate to higher-priced running shoe (currently priced at $155). The GTX waterproof versions of the shoe cost more, currently $20 more for the Hoka Speedgoat 6 GTX and $30 more for the Speedgoat 6 Mid GTX.

Waterproof GTX Hokas

The Hoka Speedgoat 6 running shoes come in regular versions as well as waterproof, with the Hoka Speedgoat 6 GTX including a Gore-Tex Invisible Fit waterproof membrane to keep your feet dry on the trails in all conditions. I got the regular shoes that are not waterproof but if I was doing it again, I’d opt for the GTX for running in rainy conditions and mud. There is also a Speedgoat 6 Mid GTX model with a flexible collar around the ankle area to keep out debris on the wildest of trails.

Cushioning and Support

The Hoka Speedgoat 6 has CMEVA (Compression-Molded EVA) foam midsoles, just as in previous iterations of the shoe. These durable midsoles provide ample cushion, with more padding than previous versions and a high stack height. The Speedgoat 5 had 27.5 mm of cushioning in the heel while the Speedgoat 6 has 32.1 mm of cushioning, a big increase. This extra cushioning and the heel collar add comfort and support for longer trail runs.

For my Hoka Speedgoat review, I also want to mention the gusseted tongue that has some padding. This triangular tongue is common for trail running shoes to prevent slipping and the extra padding in the tongue makes the fit more comfortable.If you bring the laces up through the very top hole, however, you won’t have padding under the top laces, so I wore mine laced through the second holes.

Springiness

As with previous Hoka Speedgoats, the Speedgoat 6 trail running shoes have a rocker design, giving your foot a smooth heel-to-toe transition when you run. I really like this feature and feel like it makes the shoes better for racing and faster runs. These shoes could also be excellent hiking shoes.

As a side note, I do not recommend these shoes for running on pavement as the aggressive lugs feel clunky on pavement and will wear down more quickly with pounding the pavement.

Neutral Trail Running Shoes

The Hoka Speedgoat 6 are neutral trail running shoes, which means they aren’t designed for people who overpronate. As someone with mild pronation issues, I was able to comfortably run in these shoes. They also have more rigidity than many trail shoes, which adds some stability to them.

Traction and Grip

No Hoka Speedgoat review would be complete without exploring the trail running features of the shoes. The Hoka Speedgoat 6 has good traction for a variety of trail conditions, with multi-grip lugs that work wonders on trails. The Hoka’s Vibram Megagrip outsole includes the latest technology from Vibram for enhanced grip and excellent traction on the trails. The lugs and grip of the shoes are some of the best features, making it easier to navigate even the most technical terrain.

Width and Toe Boxes

The biggest drawback of my Hoka Speedgoat review is the tight fit of these shoes. The Hoka Speedgoat 6 shoes feel narrow to me, as someone with slightly wide feet (not wide enough to have to order size wide shoes but my feet need enough room in regular shoes, doing well in wider shoes like the New Balance 860s). In the future, I would order these in a size wide to offset the tight fit of the regular sized ones.

Many other Hoka Speedgoat reviews report this tightness issue as well. If you like a more snug toebox and shoe, however, or if you have narrow feet, the Speedgoat 6 may be a great option.

Hoka Speedgoat Review: Trail Running with Traction

Shoe Type: Trail Running Shoes
Shoe Category: Neutral Trail
Weight: 232.5 grams (8.2 oz)
Heel-to-Toe Drop: 5.0 mm drop
Stack Height: Women: 38 mm in heel, 33 mm in forefoot, Men: 40 mm in heel, 35 mm in forefoot
Widths: Regular and wide
Waterproof: Available in waterproof GTX versions

Pros:

Excellent grips for running long distances in all terrain
Well-cushioned shoe, with more padding than previous iterations of the Speedgoat
Waterproof versions available
Durable trail shoes
More padding in the tongue than in previous versions

Cons:

Shoes are on the narrow side, making them less suitable for people with wide feet
Lower breathability in the upper than previous Speedgoats, making them better suited to cooler weather conditions

Going the Distance on Trail Runs

As my Hoka Speedgoat 6 review shows, these rugged trail running shoes come in a variety of options - with waterproof, ankle collar, and wide varieties available. The ample cushioning and excellent lugs give the shoes great traction and comfort for running over dirt, rocks, and whatever Mother Nature throws your way. With a snug fit and less breathability than the Speedgoat 5 shoes, these trail running shoes are best suited to those who have narrow feet (or get a wide size) and for running in cooler conditions.

Have you tried Hoka Speedgoat trail running shoes? Follow and tag @Runstreet on Instagram to share your feedback. For more firsthand reviews, training tips, and workouts from a running coach, sign up for our Wellness Wednesday newsletter.

Happy running to you!

Marnie Kunz is a NASM-certified personal trainer and USATF- and RRCA-certified running coach based in Brooklyn, NY. Marnie likes helping people get and stay active to enjoy a better quality of life. When she’s not doing fitness things, Marnie enjoys exploring with her dog, a mischievous rescue Akita.

Hoka Speedgoat Review - Running in the Speedgoat 6 Trail Shoes