HOKA Speedgoat 5 Review

Analysis and Test Results

Hoka have gone full on with the Vibram Megagrip on the Speedgoat 5, which offers a really incredible grip on slippery or loose surfaces. This is especially good if you’re looking for a fast and light shoe and know you’ll be tackling loose rock, scree or sandy uphill and descents. They do come at a price point, and this is certainly at the higher end considering what they offer, but they’re a beautiful feeling shoe which, used in the right way, will add something great to your hiking shoe selection.

Performance Comparison

Traction

The Hoka Speedgoat 5 makes use of a Vibram Megagrip sole, which handles extremely well in even the toughest of circumstances. We tested this shoe in rugged and slippery terrain and it held excellent traction throughout. If you’re moving fast and light, this is going to be important to you, and you’ll find very quickly you can trust the positioning and agility of the Speedgoat 5.

Breathability

One of the things we love about the Speedgoat 5 is how breathable it is. Making use of extensive mesh and synthetic materials throughout the shoe, it remained breathable even on hot summer days. In fact, in this area, the Speedgoat 5 actually performed better than some of the other hiking shoes in our roundup. The non GTX version of the shoe (which we tested) probably allows this due to the lack of a waterproof membrane, and this of course can’t be compared with a waterproof shoe that does loose some of its breathability due to a waterproof membrane. However, this is an excellent shoe for the warmer months, warmer conditions, or a light hiker for shoulder seasons.

Ankle Support

Like most low-rise trail runners and hiking shoes, the Speedgoat 5 doesn’t really offer a lot by way of ankle support. However, the lacing system, which provides a custom fit, and rises higher than some of its competitors allows for a very secure tie. This means that when hiking, and especially when moving faster, the Speedgoat 5’s hold the foot firmly in place which does help with confidence and foot positioning. Of course, this doesn’t stop ankle rolls and other injuries, but it does help to give better positioning in the first place which can help prevent serious problems on the trail.

Arch Support

The arch support offered in this hiking shoe was an area we weren’t hugely keen on. This shoe doesn’t use a plate between the insole and outsole. In reality, this means that the cushioning or protection isn’t as strong between the foot and the ground. Some hikers love this, being able to feel the ground as you hike. We weren’t as keen on this, especially on tougher surfaces where you might start to get a little bored of this after a while (we did). What that means too is that the arch support is slightly less ‘protected’ in these shoes than some others in our reviews. Your foot is bent a little more, or at least can be. For most hikers, this won’t be an issue, but if arch support is something that’s important to you, you might want to consider a more rigid shoe, like the Hoka Anacapa Breeze Low.

Fit

Many trail running shoes that have a chunky toe and side rand will allow this to cut into the interior, and the fit of the shoe. This can make shoes with this level of head on, and side protection feel a little narrower. We were impressed that the Hoka Speedgoat 5 seems to have kept this on the outside and doesn’t cut into the space inside the shoe. This leads to an average, or slightly wider fit in the toe box with a slightly narrower back in the women’s fit. It doesn’t feel too roomy at the back, and once tightened correctly to the shape of your foot, it feels nicely in place and secured with no movement. This is excellent for preventing rocks or other debris from entering the shoe mid hike.

Materials

The Hoka Speedgoat 5 makes use of an entirely synthetic construction, and Hoka makes a point of listing the materials used in this shoe as vegan. They use a double layer jacquard engineered mesh, EVA sock liner and EVA foam insole. The sole and rand are made exclusively of rubber. Hoka also make a point of listing that various materials used in production are recycled. 34% recycled polyester upper mesh, 70% recycled nylon laced and 30% recycled polyester with a 100% recycled polyester sock liner.

Appearance

These hiking shoes/trail running shoes will be fairly divisive – for many they may be too full on. Hoka have become synonymous with brightly colored shoes, and the Speedgoat 5 are no different. Other hikers will love their distinctive looks and the range of color options they’re offered in. Personally, we loved the way they look. The chunky outsole does have a big part to play in their distinctive looks. They almost look like they have a platform and can look a little chunky on the foot. Once we got used to the space they took up and how this feels on the trail, we really liked the overall ergonomics to looks balance that these shoes have.

Durability

The Hoka Speedgoat 5 on inspection is well made, there is plenty of support in traditional ‘stretch’ and ‘weak’ points. The durable nylon finish on the upper is also well positioned. If treated correctly, and looked after well, these shoes should last for a long time.

Sustainability

Hoka make a big point about how various parts of the shoes are made from varying degrees of recycled materials. The mesh used on the uppers is made from 34% recycled material. The sockliner is made with 100% recycled polyester and the laces are a mix of 70% recycled nylon and 30% recycled polyester. This is great to see.

Water Resistance

This is the non GTX version of the Speedgoat, and it is possible to buy the GTX version too, if you are wanting a waterproof shoe. This shoe isn’t intended for use in water or the rain and therefore should only be used on drier days. It doesn’t offer any real protection from wet weather, so you can expect wet feet if you use them in wetter conditions.

Weight

These trail runner/hiking shoe hybrid have a very low and impressive weight – coming in at around 460g/1lb per pair. That is considerably lighter than a lot of other shoes in our reviews. You notice this, but it doesn’t feel flimsy. In fact, it really helps to negate fatigue on the trail. It allows you to feel like you can bound fast and light. We found that the lightness of this shoe offset some of the bulkiness of the toe and side of foot rand. All in all, it left for a shoe that balanced really well.

Insoles

The Hoka Speedgoat 5’s come with a fairly standard insole. This will be suitable for most hikers, but if this is something you feel you need more support on, you will have no problem replacing them with an insole catered to your specific needs.

Break-in Period

Considering their comfort and cushioning alongside the bouncy sole, we were surprised that the Hoka Speedgoat 5’s had a slightly longer break in period than some of the other shoes in our reviews. They were not rigid as such, they just take some getting used to. The cushioned and bouncy sole feels like you are much higher when you’re hiking or trail running. Combined with that is the fact that you can feel the ground quite substantially under your feet. For some hikers, this will be an added bonus, but it was something we weren’t so keen on. It takes a few wears to really feel your way into these shoes, but once you do, they are comfortable and you feel like you’re gliding.

Lacing System

Even though the lacing system is classed as standard, these hiking shoes use a slightly longer lacing track than a lot of other shoes – which seems to allow for more opportunity for tensioning and getting a fit that feels right for you. It allows you to keep your foot in good position throughout the shoe, and it also worked especially well for scrambling and jumping over rocks and big strides on the trail. The laces also feel grippy, which means they don’t slip or loose tension throughout the day.

Toe Protection

The Hoka Speedgoat 5 has a decent sized rubber rand at the front of the shoe, which protects well against bumps and knocks. Because of the lacing system which allows you to keep your foot solidly in your shoe and well positioned based on your individual foot shape, we found we had no movement when going downhill that would cause any toe problems or any rubbing or stubbing from the inside.

Conclusion

The Hoka Speedgoat 5 seems to be a trail runner and hiking shoe that has an either love it or hate it following – some runners seem to love this shoe more than any other on the market due to it’s bouncy feel and cushioned sole. Others think it is chunky and overkill. We generally found that we liked it, but only if you see it for what it is. It isn’t a robust, traditional hiking shoe, and as such, it is much better suited to warmer months, warmer climates and well trodden trails. Yes, the shoe has excellent traction on scree surfaces and sand, but we found it was just too much on hard alpine trails and left our feet feeling quite abashed by the end of a tough rocky day. That said, this shoe is effortlessly light – in fact, at 460g/1lb it is one of the lightest in our reviews and if you get used to this shoe and it’s intended uses fit you, we think you’ll probably fall in love with it.