Hoka Speedgoat 6 Review | Most Versatile Trail Runner?

We are going to review the Hoka Speedgoat 6 trail runner for those wondering if it is worth it in 2024. I personally tested these trail runners in summer 2024. As a seasoned hiker and outdoors expert, I'll share my personal experience and expert review. The Speedgoat 6 are a pair of trail running shoes you will not want to miss out on. 

Hoka's Speedgoat 6 was released in June 2024. For many years, the Speedgoat has been a reliable trail runner in the hiking community. Hoka hiking shoes have been outperforming others in the industry the last few years, and the Hoka Speedgoat 6 is no exception. 

In contrast to its previous model, the Speedgoat 6 offers increased breathability and durability. Speedgoat 5 had issues with users complaining about the upper being too stretchy.

The Speedgoat 6 boasts a more rigid upper, a significant improvement over its predecessor. The Speedgoat 6 has also improved the durability of its midsole with compression-molded EVA.

The previous Speedgoat 5 model weighed in at 10.3 oz for men's size 9, and the Speedgoat 6 weighs in at 9.8 oz, making it much lighter.

Hoka Speedgoat 6 Specs

Price: $155

Profile: Comfortable, Aggressive Traction, and Stiff

Our Rating: 9.2/10

Hoka Speedgoat 6 Review Key Takeaways

• Aggressive traction and durability. The Speedgoat 6 has almost as excellent traction and grip as the Salomon Quest 4 Hiking Boots, which we rated as #1 for traction. 

• New and improved upper. The gusseted tongue works overtime, not allowing an ounce of debris to enter. 

• Fantastic option for trail running shoes. Hikers can also use the shoe because it is lightweight and provides excellent traction, something that most trail running shoes do not offer. This is what distinguishes the Speedgoat 6 from its rival trail runners: versatility. For $155, you can have a trail runner that can be used as a hiking shoe as well. 

Speedgoat 6 is a fantastic choice for those who are looking for mild-to-moderate trail running on the weekends. On the other hand, you can use this Trail Runner as a hiking shoe because of the aggressive traction it provides on technical terrain.

The Hoka Speedgoat 6 What We Liked

• Excellent traction on technical terrain. These trail runners can keep up with the most rough, uneven terrain hiking trails offer. 

• The Vibram Megagrip has 5mm lugs. The outsole of these shoes grips hard against terrain and digs into any surface you may need to grip onto.

• Excellent iteration on the upper. The upper is much more stiff and supportive than the previous Speedgoat 5.

What We Didn’t Like About the Hoka Speedgoat 6 

• The heel-to-toe drop is 5 mm, which is pretty low for most trail runners. We believe this is impeding the trail runner's performance.

• The Speedgoat 6 is quite expensive, at $155, which is higher than most trail runners. Hoka Hiking Gear typically carries a premium price tag.

Our Hand-Tested Analysis

Comfort 8/10 

Upon first slipping on the trail runner, we immediately recognized the difference between it and the Speedgoat 5. The upper is much stiffer, but it's still comfortable. The dual-gusseted tongue provides even more cushion.

You immediately feel the compression-molded EVA foam. This is one of my favorite insoles for hiking shoes. They offer excellent comfort and cushioning.

Without issue, the insole conforms perfectly to your foot. The heel cup is very comfortable, and it fits snugly against the end of your heel. We felt the heel cup was very roomy and didn't compress on your heel, as most trail runners tend to do.

The toe box has more than adequate room. While running, we felt that our toes were not rubbing against the top or bottom of the shoe. I did not experience many blisters while running and hiking with the Speedgoat 6. 

I wanted to emphasize how significantly the outsole enhances the overall comfort level of this shoe. Hoka is known to have very bulky outsoles that help with shock absorption.

Well, standing on the Speedgoat 6, you don't feel the ground right away; you feel like you were walking on pillows for the most part. 

Meta Rocker

The shoe's Meta Rocker geometry facilitates an efficient stride. This is what truly sets this trail-running shoe apart from its competitors. The Meta Rocker makes it feel like your stride is so light that you can move much quicker. With the meta-rocker adaptation, I feel as if my hip flexors do not have to work as hard.

Traction 10/10

We rated the traction of the Speedgoat 6 at 10/10 because it performs similarly to a hiking boot. The distinction between hiking boots and trail runners typically resides in their weight. Usually, it comes down to weight.

The heavier the outsole, the better the traction. However, the Speedgoat 6 defies these odds. This is what separates the Speedgoat 6 from the competition.

The traction on technical terrain for these trail runners isn't short of amazing. I tested these trail runners on various uneven terrains, and they performed excellently every time. The Vibram outsole grip is very strong; it is extremely flexible, increasing traction.

We tested the Speedgoat 6 in all different types of spring and summer terrain. The traction did not differ whether we were hiking or running, which is a crucial point.

Many trail runners falter for hikers because the outsole is too flexible and loses grip against tough terrain, not the Speedgoat 6. They held up excellently against terrain, whether trail running or hiking.

One excellent piece of data we got from these trail runners was that we were able to test them in the rain on a steep incline. The rainfall accumulated about 1 inch over an hour. We were able to continue our run despite the rain. 

We ended up ascending 300 feet of incline in the rain and did not experience one episode of slipping, which was quite impressive given the weather we were up against.

Overall protection 8/10

Starting at the front of the shoe, there is a protective toe bumper, as most trail runners do. It provided protection against sharp objects during the trail run. Unfortunately, due to their increased weight, most trail runners do not protect the sides of these shoes.

The Hoka Speedgoat 6 is vulnerable on the sides of the shoes, so you must be extra careful while on the trail. 

Moving towards the heel, there is no protective rubber once the outsole transitions to the synthetic material. This also exposes you to sharp objects or anything that can pierce your heel. We believed that the synthetic material covering the heel was excessively thin, potentially leading to tearing over time.

Understability so, We understand trail runners must be very lightweight; however, we felt the protection around the heel of the Speedgoat 6 was too thin and vulnerable.

Overall, the Speedgoat 6 has excellent overall protection in the front of the shoe but is lacking towards the heel. The iterated version of the gusseted tongue definitely has better protection; we didn't feel any debris entering the shoe around the tongue area. 

Water Resistance X

The Hoka Speedgoat 6 unfortunately does not come in a Gore-Tex version for waterproofness. Most trail runners do not come in waterproof versions. We wish Hoka offered this feature. Realistically, trail runners that are waterproof will be much less breathable. However, many runners attack the trail while running in the rain or snow. 

Weight  9.5/10

The Speedgoat 6, which we wore, was a men's 10.5. They weighed 10 ounces, which is extremely lightweight. I've talked about this in previous articles; most Hokas hiking shoes have such a “lightweight feel” to them. The Speedgoat 6 is no exception; compared to other hiking boots, such as the Salomon X 4 Ultra, which weighs in at 1 pd 12 ounces, they are the most lightweight version you can find. 

I did not feel any sort of foot fatigue while trail running with these shoes. I believe this is due to the Speedgoat 6's lightweight design, as well as the outsole's design.

When deciding on trail running shoes, this is important because foot fatigue can become a real issue, especially while running on an incline.

Fit 10/10

I ordered a men’s 10.5, which fit perfectly. My shoe size is usually on the wider side. The Speedgoat 6 does come in a wide fit, but I did not feel this was necessary for me. The synthetic material of the shoe contributes significantly to its volume. The synthetic material is extremely flexible and can expand to fit your foot's volume.

The laces are excellent and have an extra eyelet at the top, which really helps secure your foot down into the shoe. I did not have to use any sort of special lacing technique with these shoes. 

Design and Aesthetics 9/10

Overall, Hoka has designed a really great trail-running shoe. The outsole's sleek design with the transition to the mesh makes it look subtle, as they are the same color.

The Speedgoat 6 comes in various color selections; the most popular right now is the Antique Olive/Squash combination. Neutral colors are also available. 

Internal Chassis

Speedgoat 6 also has a new internal chassis for more stability and support. We noticed more lateral stability as compared to previous models. Of course, most trail runners are low-cut and put you at risk for ankle sprains. 

While descending mountains, we noticed that the internal chassis really provided extra stability laterally, which helps to fight off ankle sprains.

Sustainability/Materials 10/10

Hoka has made a huge effort in recent years to incorporate recyclable, sustainable materials into their products. The Speedgoat 6 is 100% vegan and made with sustainable materials. Deckers, who owns Hoka, is a member of the United Nations Global Impact, which takes the initiative to follow safe labor practices and work on sustainable materials.

Thanks to their recycled paper movement, Hoka has saved over 1.15 million trees since 2016. Hoka has also set a goal to reduce water usage in their footwear by 2030. 

Durability 8/10

While testing the Speedgoat 6, I did not note any breakdown of the outsole or the lugs. The Vibram Megagrip outsole is known to be very durable and sustainable over the long term. Trail runners are known to be less durable than hiking boots because of the lighter materials. 

We did have some issues with the material around the heel. The material is extremely thin, which is beneficial for breathability. However, the mesh is so thin that it can easily tear or rip. While we did not personally experience this during testing, it is something to monitor closely.

My Experience With The Hoka Speedgoat 6

Overall, I had an excellent experience with the Hoka Speedgoat 6. The Speedgoat 6 is such a versatile trail runner. I specifically tested this trail runner as a hiking shoe, and boy, did it shine. You can easily compare it to a hiking shoe due to its impressive traction.

Overall, I was very impressed with the Hoka Speedgoat 6, a very versatile trail runner. This shoe is definitely worth it after my testing. 

How does the Speedgoat 6 compare to other hiking shoes/Trail Runners?

Compared to other hiking boots and trail runners in its class, such as the Salomon X 4 Ultra and the Merrell Moab 3, the Speedgoat 6 stands out from the competition through its lightweight and superior traction. 

The Merrell Moab 3 and Salomon X 4 Ultra have better overall protection and comfort, but not the breathability the Speedgoat 6 possesses.

If you are looking for a similar model in terms of performance, we recommend checking out the Hoka Anacapa 2.

How We Personally Tested Our Methodology

I personally tested the Hoka Speedgoat 6 in the summer of 2024 with the sole intention of providing you with the most unbiased review possible. Mountaineer Journey is a 100% independent publisher with years of testing and reviewing outdoor equipment.

Over the past decade, I have logged over 2,000 hiking miles across diverse terrains, from the rugged Appalachian Trail to the challenging Rocky Mountains. This extensive experience allows me to evaluate the Hoka Speedgoat 6's performance accurately in real-world conditions. 

We currently pay for the products we test ourselves; no company or manufacturer pays us to sway our opinions or decisions.

Can you wear speedgoat 6 on the road?

Yes, you may wear the Speedgoat 6 on the road. The asphalt or concrete may cause premature wear on the vibram sole, so beware. 

What is the difference between Speedgoat 5 and 6?

The Speedgoat 6 has superior traction and comfort. The Speedgoat 6 also offers a dual-gusseted tongue, as some users complained about dirt and debris entering the shoe. The Speedgoat 6 also has a lighter version than the 5.

Hoka Speedgoat 6 Release Date

June 2024 saw the release of the Hoka Speedgoat 6.

Adventure Awaits,

Tyler