REASONS TO BUY
Crazy lightweight
Surprisingly durable
Plush comfort
REASONS TO AVOID
Not waterproof
Can feel unsteady in uneven terrain
Not the most stable shoes
HOKA Speedgoat 5.0 Review
This lightweight trail running shoe has become a fast favorite among the thru-hiking crowd
Credit: Ryan Huetter
RELATED: Best Hiking Shoes for Men of 2024
Our Verdict
The Hoka Speedgoat 5 is somewhat of an outlier in our review of hiking shoes in that it is not really a hiking shoe but a trail running shoe that many hikers have adopted as their favorite piece of footwear for light and fast missions. The reasons these have become so popular should be no surprise — they are unbelievably comfortable and have great traction for trail use. They have good enough support for those who day hike or keep their overnight pack weight low but with none of the extra weight that a normal hiking shoe has. We have reviewed these as hiking shoes for our review, but take a look at the Speedgoat 5 in our trail running shoe review too to see if these are right for you.
Our Analysis and Test Results
For long hikes in dry conditions or where you need quick drying time after lots of river crossings, the Hoka Speedgoat 5 is a great addition to your quiver of hiking shoes. We love it as a shoe that can go trail running and then head out on a long fastpacking trip in the mountains. It is not the best at everything, making it a niche shoe model for most folks.
Performance Comparison
More cushion for long days on hard ground. Cover more miles with happy feet in the Speedgoat 5.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Comfort
Comfort is the main reason to consider the Speedgoat. They just feel like walking around on a big marshmallow, thanks to the hefty portion of dual-density compression molded EVA (CMEVA) foam midsole. This is a pretty soft version of this midsole, unlike some of the other Hoka hiking shoes and boots we have reviewed. The recycled engineered mesh is light, airy, and requires no time to break in. This shoe excels in warm weather since it breathes so easily.
13 miles and counting. Approaching this backcountry rock climb on trail was a perfect place for the Speedgoat. Our feet were WAY less tired by the end of this day (though the rest of our body was beat).
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Support
The CMEVA midsole of the Speedgoat is soft and squishy, providing a good barrier between your feet and the trail below. It does not feature a rock plate, midsole stiffener, or a shank of any kind, so there is virtually no torsional rigidity. This makes it really great in front-to-back flex when walking or hiking on trail, but pretty unsupportive when side-hilling over uneven ground. The height of these shoes (from the 2 inches of plush cushion) also makes them feel a little high when traveling in technical terrain.
Traversing along this smooth rock slab, we noticed the torque on the foot due to the height and the width of the forefoot outsole. Off trail terrain in the Speedgoat is OK, but caution should be taken.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Traction
A Vibram MegaGrip sole gives the Speedgoat great traction in most wet and dry conditions, and the 4mm deep Traction Lug sole design gives ample bite in loose dirt and adequate surface area contact in firm or smooth terrain. Obviously, being so soft, these shoes do not perform very well when edging.
The Traction Lug pattern is good, but the big recess in the heel area definitely starts getting some wear from rocks.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Water Resistance
The Speedgoat 5 is not water resistant at all. There is no waterproof membrane or any DWR coating on the mesh upper. They are tall, however, so you can walk through puddles or creeks that are up to 1.5" deep without getting wet. But when they do get wet, and they will, they dry off in no time. We really like these shoes on backpacking trips that involve a lot of river crossings (we hate taking our shoes off to cross treacherous waters), and they are dry with very little hiking time after reaching the other side.
Quickly crossing shallow streams like this one is about as much water as the Speedgoat 5.0 can handle, but if they get wet, no worries - they'll be dry in no time.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Weight
It is hard to even register the Speedgoat 5 when they are on your feet. Just 1.34 pounds for a pair of hiking shoes is unheard of. Sure, they have limited support, but these are awesome for fast and light adventures.
Light is right on long hikes, and doing 26 miles over 2 hiking days we'd prefer the lightest footwear we can get away with as long as it is supportive enough for our needs.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Durability
With a recycled engineered mesh upper that feels fairly easy to tear and a soft foam midsole that could be easily torn up by rocks, we are actually pretty impressed with the durability of the Speedgoat. No, they are not remotely comparable with something like a full leather hiking shoe, but for lightweight trail running shoes, we have seriously hammered on the Speedgoat, and they are still looking pretty good!
The Speedgoat 5 after ~50 miles and 4 or 5 hikes. Sure they will start to get scuffed up sooner than many hiking shoes, but overall we are pleased.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Should You Buy the Hoka Speedgoat 5?
This is a niche hiking shoe because it's true wheelhouse is as a trail runner. We recommend the Speedgoat to people who want a fast-drying shoe, one that is good for warm weather, or one that is comfortable enough to go lightweight backpacking with. And, of course, for anyone who also wants to run a bit when they're out hiking. The hiking crowd has adopted this trail running shoe for a reason, and we really do think it is a good value for what it is.
What Other Hiking Shoes Should You Consider?
For less than two pounds per pair, you could try out the Salomon X Ultra 4 Gore-Tex, which offers nearly the same comfort as the Speedgoat but with way more support and stability as well as waterproofing. If weight isn't your main concern, but comfort is, then the Hoka Anacapa 2 Low GTX adds in Gore-Tex and a more supportive midsole.
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Ryan Huetter
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