Hoka Speedgoat 6 Review | Most Versatile Trail Runner?
In this article, I’m going to share my HONEST Hoka Speedgoat 6 review for those who are wondering whether they are still WORTH IT in 2025.
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. For more analysis on the iterations of the Speedgoat 6 vs 5 read below.
Read Here: Hoka Speedgoat 5 vs 6 | Which Is Better?
For this review, I have put in over 80 hours into testing my own personal pair of the Hoka Speedgoat 6 so I’m familiar with how they feel and perform hiking on the trails. I’ll go over comfort, traction, weight, water resistance, fit, stability & support, and durability.
I’ll be sharing my critical opinion with 10 years of experience as a trail guide and experienced trail runner.
Editor’s Note: This review was updated on 5/20/25 with new overall scores after further testing in 2025.
Our Verdict
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 was not as impressive as the Speedgoat 5 in certain categories while doing better in others.Â
In contrast to its previous model, the Speedgoat 6 offers increased traction 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. However, that rigid upper really scored low in our comfort objective testing. The Speedgoat 6 has also improved the durability of its midsole with compression-molded EVA.
Overall, the Speedgoat 6 is still a reliable trail running shoe for the hardcore trail runner who isn’t as concerned with cushioning and comfort after a long break in period. Its versatility as both a trail runner and hiking shoe appeals to runners looking for an all-around shoe.
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.
Speedgoat 6 Pros and Cons
- Outstanding traction
- Durable and secure
- Great on-trail feedback
- Most versatile trail runners (can use for hiking shoes as well)
- Issues with comfort on upper
- Low heel-to-toe drop (5mm)
- Foot fatigue
- Price
See Our Hands On Youtube Review
Should you buy the Hoka Speedgoat 6?
Buy if
- You want one of the BEST traction models of a trail runner
- You prioritize versatility on trail
- You are trail running very steep terrain, and need maximum traction
- You want a trail runner that is secure and durable
DON’T Buy if
- You prefer the most comfortable trail runner on market
- You aren’t willing to pay top dollar for a trail runner
Hoka Speedgoat 6 Price
At the time of this writing, the Speedgoat 6 are priced at $155 retail, but available on Hoka.com below for as low as $123 brand new.
Order the Hoka Speedgoat 6 for the LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE (Do NOT pay retail):
Disclosure: These links may provide a discount and in return, give us a commission in order to run the website 🙂
Hoka Speedgoat 6 Comfort: 7/10
Upon first slipping on the trail runner, I immediately recognized the difference between it and the Speedgoat 5. The upper is much stiffer, but it’s decently 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: 8.5/10
We rated the traction of the Speedgoat 6 at 8.5/10 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.
Weight 8/10
The Speedgoat 6, which we wore, was a men’s 10.5. They weighed 10 ounces, which is extremely lightweight.Most Hokas shoes have such a “lightweight feel” to them because of the meta rocker, this is no exception.
 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.Â
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.
Water Resistance 5/5
The Hoka Speedgoat 6 does come in a GTX version, which is what we tested. They held up well in the 10 minute submersion test.
Consider the Gore-tex version if you plan on running through creeks or in wet weather. However, consider the non-waterproof version if you want less weight and more breathability.
How Does The Hoka Speedgoat 6 Fit?
The volume of the Speedgoat 6 is much less than the previous models. I recommend moving to the wide size if you are concerned about the overall volume.
The tongue of the shoe is very compressive on the top of your foot which a lot of users found very discomforting. The synthetic material is much more robust and less inviting than the previous modes. While this is great for stability and support, it takes away from our scoring for fit and comfort.
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.
Fit: 6.5/10
Stability & Support 8.5/10
The Speedgoat 6 earns high praise in the stability and support testing. The torsional stability is much better which aids in midfoot stability. A wider heel platform really aids in hindfoot stability especially when ascending on uneven terrain.
The stiff upper really internally hugs your foot, not allowing any sort of movement inside the shoe. This really hurts the comfort of the shoe overall, but really aids in stability for those tackling technical terrain.
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.
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.
Is the Hoka Speedgoat 6 worth it?
Overall, if you are a hardcore trail runner looking for top notch traction and stability, the Speedgoat 6 delivers. However, if you are looking for the same comfort and flexibility as the Speedgoat 5 you will be disappointed.
The Speedgoat 6 was completely revamped and is made for the smaller niche of runners looking for performance over comfort and cushion.
The strengths of this shoe are the versatility, performance, and price!
The drawbacks to consider are comfort and fit. If you are looking for a more comfortable version check out the Hoka Challenger 7 or the Merrell Agility Peak 5 as a budget option.
Overall, I was very impressed with the Hoka Speedgoat 6, a very versatile trail runner.
Value 3.5/5
Scoring Breakdown
Comfort 7/10
Traction 8.5/10
Overall protection: 7/10
Water Resistance 5/5
Weight 8/10
Fit 6.5/10
Stability & Support 8.5/10
Durability 8/10
Value 3.5/5
Total Weighted Score: 1.4 + 1.7 + 1.7 + 0.8 + 0.7 + 0.8 + 0.5 + 0.35 = 7.9
Our Rating: 7.9
At the time of this writing, the Speedgoat 6 are priced at $155 retail, but available on Hoka.com below for as low as $123 brand new.
Order the Hoka Speedgoat 6 for the LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE (Do NOT pay retail):
Disclosure: These links may provide a discount and in return, give us a commission in order to run the website 🙂
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
How We Tested and Our Methodology
I personally tested the Hoka Speedgoat 6 in 2024 through 2025 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 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.
Adventure Awaits,
Tyler
Our Founder Tyler has over 15+ years of experience in the outdoors, including Hiking, Trekking, Mountaineering, Survival Skills, and much more. Tyler also serves as a Mountain Guide.
