Hoka Speedgoat 5 review

Who should buy the Hoka Speedgoat 5

We think getting a pair of the Hoka Speedgoat 5 is a good idea if: 

• you're a trail runner who wants to run swiftly on rough trail surfaces
• you're looking for a trail shoe that's fit for short to long-distance runs
• you're an ultrarunner who wants a responsive racing shoe
• you're training for a 50K competition
• you're planning to train long miles on the mountain (~30 to 50 miles) 

Who should NOT buy it

If you have wide feet, the fifth version of the Hoka Speedgoat might be a letdown. If you want a shoe that's roomy in the toe box, go for the New Balance Fresh Foam X More Trail v3 or Altra Timp 4 that's really roomy.

Hoka Speedgoat 5 vs. 4: From better to best

We thought that the Speedgoat 4 was the better version of all Speedgoats. Come the Speedgoat 5, and now we know what best in class really means. Here are some of the important updates: 

• amped-up traction, thanks to its redesigned lug pattern
• a more forgiving fit
• lighter midsole that leads to weight trimming (US M10 goes from 11.25 oz to 10.25 oz)

Traction that goes above and beyond

The Speedgoat 5's Vibram outsole has a strong bite on frozen surfaces, moderate mud, and loose off-trail surfaces. 

This is owed to the shoe's updated lug spacing. They're not too far apart, generating a very tacky grip.

We also measured the lug depth on the Speedgoat 5 to be a solid 3 mm.

Quite breathable for a trail shoe

With its protective upper, the Speedgoat 5 still manages to keep the foot well-ventilated. See how easily the smoke passes through it in various parts of the upper.

The video below also shows which areas are more transparent and breathable.

Adding pep to your step

If you're a long-time fan of the Hoka Speedgoat, the Speedgoat 5 rides a lot like the Hoka Evo Speedgoat but bouncier and with better energy return. 

The Speedgoat 5 is also among the softest trail running shoes on the market. It is a whopping 150% softer than the average!

What's unique about the Speedgoat is that even when exposed to cold temperatures, it remains softer than most running shoes at room temperature.

After spending 20 minutes in the freezer, the shoe's foam did get 63.6% firmer but its "frozen" condition is still 34% softer than most shoes at room temperature.

Springy toe-offs

Add in the late-stage Meta-Rocker, and toe-offs are made easy and seamless. So if you want to set PRs, you can with this shoe.

The Speedgoat 5 also has a good amount of flex in the forefoot to help with smoother heel-to-toe transitions. It is 18% more flexible than the average across running shoes.

Disclaimer: We measure the flexibility 5 times before noting down the results.

Feel stable on any terrain

The shoe doesn't waver in support, especially in the heel and midfoot. We never felt tippy when cornering fast and during off-camber side-hilling.

This is no surprise given the shoe's beastly wide platform. In the forefoot (116.4 mm), it is 5 mm wider than the average. And in the heel (97.5 mm), it is a whopping 8.3 mm wider.

Strength level: Speedgoat

The Hoka Speedgoats are solid AF. They employ the Vibram outsole which is practically indestructible. And the midsole is just as awesome. After 30+ miles on rough terrains, there is NOT a single sign of compression. It's built like a tank. We expect it to last at least 400 miles.

Feels light, is light

At 276 grams or 9.7 oz (US M 9), the Hoka Speedgoat 5 is light. For comparison, the average weight of trail running shoes on the market is 300 g (10.6 oz).

In hand and on foot, it doesn't weigh you down.

The Speedgoat 5 fits like a dream

Contrary to the Speedgoat 4 and the Evo Speedgoat, the Hoka Speedgoat 5 has a more flexible upper that's also more forgiving. This makes it a great pick for high mileage when the foot starts to swell.

However, we anticipate that runners with really wide feet may experience pinky-toe pinching. That is due to the shoe's slightly tapered toebox shape.

The shoe's upper is also a tiny bit narrower in the forefoot compared to running shoes on average (by 1.9 mm). However, it is still quite roomy, based on our measurements (96.3 mm).

The tongue is also gusseted, making the lockdown even better. And it has a butterfly design that wraps around the top of the foot securely.

We are surprised by the absence of lace bites because the tongue is rather thin on the Hoka Speedgoat 5. At 2.3 mm, it is much thinner than the average 6 mm.

No heel slips

The Hoka Speedgoat 5's heel offers a locked-in fit. It's sufficiently padded and cups the rearfoot excellently.

And this is given that the heel is not very stiff. We gave it 2 out of 5 (5 is the stiffest) in our subjective assessment.

Shields the foot from the harsh trail

A toe rand is present in this shoe, which protects the foot when bumping into rocks and roots.

It's complemented by the shoe's copious amount of cushion that mutes out ground feel in favor of protection.

The heel stack is a good 27.5 mm in thickness while the forefoot is 23.7 mm. It is a few millimeters thinner than the average but the fact that both areas are so well-cushioned, the shoe offers an even level of impact protection.

The measured heel-to-toe drop appears to correspond to the brand's statement. We got it at 3.8 mm while the brand claims it to be 4 mm.

Reflective elements are a handy touch

Runners who tend to hit the road or the trail in low-light conditions will appreciate the shoe's reflective feature.

Nice to know about the Hoka Speedgoat 5

• The upper is constructed using recycled materials. 
• The upper is also vegan, meaning that the Hoka Speedgoat 5 doesn't use any animal products or products tested on animals.