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. With my 15+ years of hiking and trail running experience this is one of the better performance trail runners out on the market. 

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 hiker.

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

Speedgoat 6 Pros and Cons 

 Pros

• Outstanding traction

• Durable and secure

• Great on-trail feedback

• Most versatile trail runners (can use for hiking shoes as well)

Cons 

• Issues with comfort over upper

• Low heel-to-toe drop (5mm)

• Foot fatigue

• Price tag ($155)

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): 

Hoka Speedgoat 6 (Hoka.com)

Disclosure: These links may provide a discount and in return, give us a commission in order to run the website 🙂

Hoka Speedgoat 6 Comfort: 8/10 

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 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 and trail runners. 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. I 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, I 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 the result is no different here.

While, 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

I rated the traction of the Speedgoat 6 at 10/10 because it performs similarly to hiking shoes. The distinction between hiking boots and trail runners typically resides in their weight. This is why I call the Speedgoat the most versatile trail runner. It is a very similar profile to the Salomon X Ultra 4. 

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.

I tested the Speedgoat 6 in all different types of spring and summer terrain. The traction did not differ whether I was 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.

While the midsole and shoe in general, are much more stiff this helps aid in the traction. Unfortunately stiffness usually scores lower in comfort, hence the lower rating for comfort in this shoe. 

One excellent piece of data I got from these trail runners was that I was able to test them in the rain on a steep incline. The rainfall accumulated about 1 inch over an hour. I was able to continue my 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 I was up against.

Weight 4.5/5   

I wore was a men's 10.5. They weighed 10 ounces(or  10.76 on our scale), which is extremely lightweight. I've talked about this in previous articles; most Hoka 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 felt minimal 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 and non-GTX version. The waterproof membrane on these are excellent. I tested both in the snow and rain and they performed well.

Don’t forget the flood height of a trail runner is much lower than a hiking boot. If you are getting wet above your ankles it doesn’t matter how well the waterproof membrane performs, your trail runners will get waterlogged.

I would suggest getting the non-GTX version if you are worried about breathability. 

Does The Hoka Speedgoat 6 Fit Well?

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 didn't have to use any sort of special lacing technique with these shoes. 

Hoka Speedgoat 6 Fit  5/5 

Speedgoat 6 Stability & Support 4/5

The 6 revealed a new iteration with a wider base to increase support. I felt The increased ability right away especially against technical terrain. I felt my ankle was able to achieve full range of motion, I was protected against over-eversion or inversion preventing sprains.

Previously, the earlier Speedgoat models did not offer as much stability and support as the Speedgoat 6 does. I believe this is due to the wider base and stiffer midsole. 

Internal Chassis

Speedgoat 6 also has a new internal chassis for more stability and support. I 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, I 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.

I 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 I did not personally experience this during testing, it is something to monitor closely.

Is the Hoka Speedgoat 6 worth it? 

If you are looking for a high performance trail runner with hiking shoe versatility then the Speedgoat 6 is definitely worth it. 

Being able to get a trail runner and hiking shoe in one model for under $130 is a great deal in my opinion. 

If you're somebody who is mainly trail running in moderate to steep terrain with some trail hiking on the weekends, this is the shoe for you.

The strengths of this trail runner are the grip and traction, light weight, outstanding support, and versatility. 

The drawbacks to consider would be there are more comfortable models out there such as the Salomon S/Lab Ultra or La Sportiva Bushido. 

Overall, as a weekend trail runner I don’t think you can go wrong with picking up a pair of the Hoka Speedgoat 6 with the deals that are going on right now.  

Value: 5/5 

Scoring Breakdown 

Comfort: 8.0 / 10 

Traction: 10 / 10

Weight: 4.5 / 5

Waterproofness: 5/5

Stability & Support: 4 / 5

Fit: 5 / 5

Durability: 8 / 10

Value: 5 / 5

Total: 49.5 / 55

 Our Rating: 9.0 / 10 

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): 

Hoka Speedgoat 6 (Hoka.com)

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 Speedgoat 6 for over 20+ trail runs with the sole intent of giving you 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