Hoka Speedgoat 5 Trail Running Shoe Review
An in-depth long-term review of the Hoka Speedgoat 5 for trail running, hiking, and backpacking
March 21st, 2024
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OUR VERDICT
The Hoka Speedgoat 5 is one of our favorite shoes for hiking, backpacking, and of course, trail running. After 9 months and three pairs of Hoka Speedgoat 5, we still stand by our original assessment—the Hoka Speedgoat 5 is an excellent all-around trail running shoe.
The Speedgoat 5 gives stellar traction on most terrain, has one of the most supportive uppers of any shoe, and has plenty of cushion to keep your feet happy during long days on the trail.
These shoes are suited for everything from long and smooth dirt trails to rock hopping across scree fields with a backpacking backpack or a small running vest.
We tested the Men’s and Women’s Hoka Speedgoat 5 and the regular width and wide width for this review. I tested the Men’s version while trail running in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah. In the past two years, I’ve had two pairs of the Speedgoat 5 and have put nearly 1000 miles on those shoes—everything from weekend backpacking trips to 70-mile self-supported ultra runs.
You can read more in our guides to Best Men’s Trail Running Shoes and Best Women’s Trail Running Shoes.
COMPARE PRICES OF THE HOKA SPEEDGOAT 5
WOMEN'S
MEN'S
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SPECS
Cushion: Maximum
Stability: Neutral
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm): 4 mm
Stack Height: 38-34 mm
Lugs: 5-millimeter directional lugs. Lugs in the front of the shoe point forward, while the lugs on the heel point back.
Upper: Double-layer jacquard mesh
Midsole: CMEVA
Outsole: Vibram Megagrip outsole
Weight (pair): 10.3 oz (men’s), 8.5 oz (women’s)
COMPARISON TABLE OF SIMILAR MODELS
| TRAIL RUNNING SHOE | WEIGHT MEN'S | WEIGHT WOMEN'S | CUSHION | HEEL DROP | STACK HEIGHT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hoka Speedgoat 5 Men's Women's |
10.3 oz | 8.5 oz | maximum | 4 mm | 38 - 34 mm |
| Altra Lone Peak 8 Men's Women's |
10.7 oz | 9.15 oz | moderate | 0 mm | 25 mm |
| Salomon Speedcross 6 Men's Women's |
10.5 oz | 9.2 oz | moderate | 10 mm | 32-22 mm |
| La Sportiva Bushido II Men's Women's |
10.5 oz | 8.8 oz | moderate | 6 mm | 13 - 19 mm |
| Hoka Challenger 7 Men's Women's |
8.9 oz | 7.3 oz | maximum | 4 mm | 24 - 26 mm |
The Hoka Speedgoat 5 have great traction for rocky terrain and big jumps.
WHAT WE LIKED
Well-cushioned
Stable
Comes in wide sizing
Great traction
Durable upper
How we tested
The Hoka Speedgoat 5 are a trail running shoe that can take you on trail and off trail.
Treeline writer Sara “Socks” Kruglinski tested the Women’s Speedgoat 5 narrow version while trail running and hiking in California on snow, both hard pack and icy conditions. We also tested them on mud, hills, slippery terrain, wet rocks, and water crossings. We also tested them on dusty dirt, flour-like trails where you get super dirty and can’t run behind someone else because you eat their dirt the whole time.
Treeline writer Shawnté Salabert also tested the Hoka Speedgoat 5 in the women’s wide version. Shawnté has been wearing Speedgoats since version 2. She has used Speedgoats while backpacking and trail running for years, all across California from the desert in Joshua Tree National Park and the Anza Borrego desert to the Sierra, as well as on local trails in the San Gabriel and Santa Monica mountains. She’s also used them while trail running in Bend, Oregon.
I used the previous version, the Speedgoat 4 in wide sizing while backpacking on the Continental Divide Trail, the 700-mile Grand Enchantment Trail, and the Colorado Trail. I have worn the Speedgoat while thru-hiking on the 3,000-mile Continental Divide Trail in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. The plush cushioning on these shoes makes my feet feel less tired and beat up over 10+ hours of hiking. Also, after finishing a thru-hike while wearing the Speedgoat, my body feels better overall; the extra cushion in these shoes is excellent for your joints.
I also tested the Speedgoat 5 while trail running in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah. I’ve worn them on countless trail runs, from 5 miles to ultramarathon distances, including a 70-mile self-supported run of the Indian Peaks Traverse route on Colorado’s Front Range. In 2023, after my initial review of the Speedgoat 5, I thru-hiked the 800-mile Arizona Trail in the Speedgoat 5.
In this gear review, we cover some of the major differences between the older and newer model below, but we think Hoka made significant improvements to the already great Speedgoat 4 when they designed the Speedgoat 5. It's the overall winner in our women's best trail running shoes guide and the best cushioned winner in our men's best trail running shoes guide.
The Speedgoat is a fantastic shoe if you like moving far on your feet. Whether you like to move fast or a little slower, they offer a stable platform and excellent traction for any trail.
Details
Here you can see the large section of midsole foam that's exposed to the ground in the middle of the heel section.
Fit
The Hoka Speedgoat 5 shoe fits like most other Hoka shoes. I’ve worn the Clifton, Challenger, Torrent, and Speedgoat in US men’s size 9.5. Hoka's sizing is consistent across all of these shoe models. And Hoka sizing is consistent with other shoe brands—I usually wear a men’s 9.5. If this is your first time wearing Hoka shoes, I’d start with the size you usually wear.
The Speedgoat also comes in wide sizing, so if you have a wider foot, you can get these to fit. I’ve worn the Speedgoats in men’s 9 wide (EE) for thru-hiking. The wide sizing is perfect for thru-hiking and backpacking, where your feet swell after long, hot hiking days. The wide sizing is also better for those who live in hotter climates or during hot summer trail runs where your feet will swell.
The author thru-hiking in the Hoka Speedgoat trail running shoes. Here, he is at Kokomo Pass (on the Colorado Trail/Continental Divide Trail).
The Speedgoat 5 does seem to be slightly narrower than previous iterations of the Speedgoat, however. Treeline writer Shawnté Salabert has a lot to say about the fit of the Speedgoat, “I'm a longtime Hoka Speedgoat wearer. [I] started in on them in [version] 2, and I still look for those on Poshmark and other sites because they're still my fave for backpacking (but not for running).” Salabert tested the Speedgoat 5 for various trail runs and thru-hikes, including the Backbone Trail.
She says, “I always got a regular size 8.5 in V2, V3, and V4. So I did the same when the 5s came out, and I had immense pain within 2 miles of my first run, developing blisters on the insides of both feet…My foot was literally hanging over the side of the MUCH narrower insole, causing the weird rubbing. A friend had the same issue, and he recommended I try a wide, which works just fine!”
“I've never had to get a wide in any shoe before, so this was super weird to me that my beloved Speedgoats suddenly required it. I read some buyer reviews [...] that mentioned having the same issue. They must have made a narrower last or something when they designed this model. I have no idea why - but it was annoying, because the wides are a little harder to find in stores, generally.”
Verdict: you don't need to have wide feet to benefit from the wider foot version.
Running gravel trail in the Hoka Speedgoat 5 shoe, which is known for a relatively wide toe box.
Fit in Toe Box
The Hoka Speedgoat 5 has a relatively wide toe box. It isn’t as wide as the Altra Lone Peak or Topo Ultraventure, but it’s wide enough for long days on the trail. If you last wore the Speedgoat 3 and wrote them off as too narrow in the toes, know that starting with the Speedgoat 4, Hoka made the toe box wider. They kept the wider toe box on the Speedgoat 5 as well. If you have wide feet, the toe box is even wider in the wide version.
Fit in Heel Cup
The Speedgoat’s heel cup fits my foot really well. I often find that the heel cup in trail running shoes slips, but my heel never slips in the Speedgoat.
The entire upper of the Speedgoat fits remarkably well. It feels snug and stable without feeling too tight. They even feel stable when I don’t have the shoes laced tightly. Glove-like fit in the upper contributes to the great fit in the heel.
The midsole and cushioning on the Hoka Speedgoat 4 can handle a cactus thorn! This happened on a run in the desert southwest.
Midsole and Cushioning
The Speedgoat 5 is most notable for having a large cushioning platform in the midsole. This maximal cushioning is found in many Hoka shoes.
Hoka's signature midsole foam
Hoka’s signature midsole foam is the standout feature of the Speedgoat 5, as with most Hoka running shoes. The Hoka midsole is a pillowy-thick yet springy layer of EVA foam. This EVA foam cushions your foot as it lands, then propels you as you push off for the next step.
Hoka’s midsole is slightly curved to encourage your foot to roll forward as you land. This maintains momentum as your heel strikes, and you push off your forefoot. Hoka calls this a Meta Rocker, and the result is subtle but does have an effect. The Speedgoat doesn't do all the work as you move down the trail, but the curved shape does help propel you forward.
The Hoka Speedgoat 5 are well cushioned shoes that can handle rocky terrain.
Level of cushioning compared to other trail shoes/road shoes
The Hoka Speedgoat has 38 millimeters of stack height in the heel and 34 millimeters in the forefoot. Stack height in a shoe measures the height from the outsole to the shoe's footbed. The higher the stack height, the more cushion a shoe has. On average, trail running shoes have between 20 and 30 millimeters of stack. The Speedgoat’s 38-34 millimeter stack is significantly more cushioning than average trail and road running shoes.
The more cushioning found in the Speedgoats also can be beneficial for heavier runners. The heavier you are, the more quickly you’ll compress the midsole cushioning in running shoes. But since the Speedgoat has so much cushioning they will potentially last longer for heavier runners, and everyone else.
Impact absorption and energy return
The Speedgoat’s midsole cushioning absorbs impact with every step. When your foot impacts the ground, the shoe’s midsole cushioning takes most of the impact, not your foot and joints. The midsole is springy, so after it absorbs that impact, it bounces back, propelling your foot off the ground as you take another step.
If you tend to land hard on your heels when running and hiking, you’ll especially stand to benefit from the impact absorption in these shoes. However, most people tend to land hard on their feet at least some of the time because that tends to happen as your legs fatigue, and everyone eventually gets tired. So, most people will benefit from the plush cushioning in the Speedgoats.
The Hoka Speedgoat is remarkably comfortable right out of the box. They require no break in time.
Comfort
The Hoka Speedgoat is remarkably comfortable right out of the box. They require no break in time. The soft cushioning, excellent fitting upper, and comfortable tongue and shoelaces make for an all-around comfortable shoe.
Shawnté Salabert has this to say about the comfort of the Speedgoat 5 compared to previous versions, “The [Speedgoat 5 feels] significantly lighter and more comfortable on my feet than the 4s, which I thought were overtly stiff over the forefoot, so much so that it took a while for me to break in a pair anytime I bought them.”
Stability
The Hoka Speedgoat is a remarkably stable shoe, especially when you consider the high stack height. With the higher stack height, the Speedgoat puts your foot higher off the ground, which does make it inherently less stable.
I’ve worn the Speedgoats for 1000’s of miles of hiking and trail running. In that time, I’ve never severely rolled my ankle. The upper wraps comfortably around my foot so it doesn’t slide around in the shoe. And the low stack height keeps my foot from rolling.
Our senior editor, Brandon Lampley, doesn’t find the Speedgoat quite as stable, though: “as a heavy runner with somewhat tricksy ankles, I can attest that I am much more likely to roll an ankle in my Hokas than any of my lower stack shoes. The cushioning is awesome, and I put up with the tradeoff. But if I feel like it will be a clumsy day, I wear a lower stack shoe and forgo the cushion.”
The Hoka Speedgoat 5 is a neutral support shoe, which means it doesn’t support the arch more than average.
Support
Arch Support
The Hoka Speedgoat is a neutral support shoe, which means it doesn’t support the arch more than average. It also doesn’t correct over-pronation or under-pronation issues. If you need more arch support, you can add insoles to these shoes, which I’ve often done with great success. My favorite insoles for trail running and hiking are the Superfeet Trailblazer or the Superfeet Green, but any insole with a rigid arch will provide more arch support than the basic insoles that come in the Speedgoat.
Lateral Support
The Speedgoat provides excellent lateral support overall. The mesh upper of the shoe fits really well. The supportive upper, combined with the footbed, keeps your foot planted as you push off laterally. They'd probably have more lateral support if they had a lower stack height, but they provide excellent side-to-side support overall.
Ride
The Speedgoat gives a responsive and bouncy ride. The Meta Rocker midsole rolls your foot forward as you step, helping with forward momentum. The midsole is springy, so it helps push your foot off the ground as you take another step.
The Hoka Speedgoat 5 has great traction on most technical terrain.
Outsole, Grip, and Traction
Performance on various terrains
The Hoka Speedgoat has 5-millimeter multi-directional lugs that give great traction on most technical terrain. The lugs in the front of the shoe bite into dirt or mud when pushing forward, and the lugs on the heel point backward to provide traction when braking and downhill scenarios. It's got excellent grip on technical trail.
Wet and dry conditions
The Speedgoat has a Vibram Megagrip outsole, which provides unparalleled grip on wet rock and grips extremely well in dry conditions. These shoes grip in adverse conditions better than most other trail runners.
The author thru-hiking the Continental Divide Trail in the Hoka Speedgoat trail running shoes.
Versatility
The Speedgoats are perfect if you’re looking for an all-around great trail shoe for everything from running to backpacking to day hiking.
The Speedgoats are my favorite shoe for hiking and backpacking, but they are also great for trail running. I’ve thru-hiked 1000s of miles in these shoes, hiked 14ers, and ran on every surface from dirt to gravel to pavement. They do very well in all these conditions. They’re not ideal road running shoes, but the lugs aren’t too aggressive for short paved sections. If you’re doing a lot of crossover running with a long run on pavement, check out the Hoka Challenger.
Responsiveness
The Speedgoat has a super responsive midsole EVA foam midsole that’s 38 millimeters thick in the heel and 34 millimeters in the forefoot. The midsole is well-cushioned yet springy, so it doesn’t absorb the energy you put in as you push off the ground.
Warmth
The Speedgoat has a very breathable mesh upper, so it’s not very warm. I’ve used these shoes in many winter running conditions, and they’re roomy enough to accommodate thicker socks. This makes them warm enough for dry and cold conditions, but the standard mesh upper version of the Speedgoats won’t be very warm for wet and cold conditions. There is a Gore-tex version of the Speedgoat 5, which is significantly warmer in cold and wet weather. We tested the women’s version of the Speedgoat GTX for our Best Women’s Trail Running Shoes review as well.
Break-In Time
The Speedgoat is comfortable out of the box, with no break-in time required. The
Speedgoat midsole is the most comfortable immediately, and the rest of the shoe is made of soft materials that are comfortable right away.
Upper and Breathability
The Hoka Speedgoat has a double-layer jacquard mesh upper that’s very breathable in hot conditions (Jacquard mesh refers to a type of fabric where the colors and patterns are incorporated into the weave of the fabric itself). I’ve used these shoes in many hot desert conditions, and they’re breathable enough to keep my feet comfortable.
The author used a single pair of Hoka Speedgoat shoes for 800 miles on the Continental Divide Trail (which shares trail with the Colorado Trail).
Durability and Longevity
I used a pair of Speedgoats for 800 miles while thru-hiking the CDT. This is pretty freaking good for thru-hiking shoes and long-distance hiking shoes, especially on a trail as rugged as the CDT. The trail was mostly smooth and sandy in New Mexico and Colorado, but there were also plenty of rocky sections. I don’t always get quite that many miles out of a pair of Speedgoats, but they’re a relatively durable trail shoe overall.
We do have some lingering questions about the durability of the Speedgoat 5 compared to previous models. Shawnté says, “I do wonder if they'll break down [or] tear more easily than the 4s, though - they feel like the most ‘delicate’ Speedgoat iteration I've worn.”
Midsole Durability
After about 300-400 miles of running or thru-hiking, the Speedgoats' midsole will compress and won’t give your feet as much cushion. But since they have so much cushion to start, the Speedgoats are still relatively comfortable for longer than many trail running shoes. If you’re solely using the Speedgoat while hiking without a heavy pack, I suspect the midsole won’t compress as quickly, too.
When using these shoes for running, I don’t push them for more than 400-500 miles because the well-cushioned midsole is the best part of this Hoka shoe for protecting my joints when running. But even after I stop wearing a pair of Speedgoats for running after the midsole compresses, I think they’re cushioned enough for hiking.
The Speedgoat are incredibly durable trail running shoes that could handle 700-800 miles of thru-hiking before it needed to be retired.
Wear and tear in upper materials
The Speedgoat upper materials are incredibly durable. With every pair of these shoes, the upper is never the first thing that wears out. I’ve never experienced the upper material ripping to the point where they were unusable with a pair of Speedgoats.
Outsole longevity
The Speedgoats have an average level of outsole durability. The Vibram Megagrip rubber has adequate longevity when used on dirt and rocky terrain. However, there is a large section of exposed midsole foam in the middle of the outsole. This exposed foam is the weakest point of the Speedgoats regarding durability.
I’ve worn these shoes to the point where the outsole rubber still had plenty of tread left, but the exposed midsole foam was worn all the way to the insole. This was after approximately 700 miles of rough and rocky terrain, but the exposed midsole section of the outsole is usually why I have to retire a pair of Speedgoats.
Price and Value
At $155, the Hoka Speedgoat 5 is slightly more expensive than many trail running shoes, but it’s not the most expensive trail running shoe, either.
For reference, the La Sportiva Akasha II costs $175, and the Altra Olympus costs $170 (down $10 from the previous model).
But many shoes cost less than the Speedgoat 5 as well: the La Sportiva Bushido II costs $155, the Salomon Speedcross 6 costs $140, the Brooks Cascadia 17 costs $140, and the Inov-8 Terraultra G 270 costs $160. The Altra Lone Peak 8 costs $145. The Olympus and Lone Peak are the only trail running shoe that actually went down in price in 2024.
Something to consider here is longevity: if you can get more miles out of a more expensive pair of shoes, then you won’t have to buy new shoes as often and potentially save your knees in the process. Also, the Altra Olympus and the Hoka Speedgoat are the only shoes listed above that come with a Vibram Megagrip outsole, which costs more than a company’s own proprietary rubber outsole.
Sustainability/Ethical Company
Hoka’s parent Company, Deckers Brands, is a member of the United Nations Global Compact, the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative committed to following ethical practices in labor, environment, and anti-corruption.
By 2030, Hoka aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and water usage by 20% per pair of shoes. By 2027, they aim for 25% of all materials used in their footwear to be made from recycled, regenerated, or natural materials. Read more about Hoka’s sustainability goals here.
Features
The Hoka Speedgoat is not the lightest trail shoe, but not the heaviest either.
Volume
The Hoka Speedgoat 5 is a medium-volume shoe. It will accommodate most average foot shapes. It also comes in wide sizes to fit higher-than-average volume feet.
Weight
The Speedgoat weighs 10.3 ounces per US Men’s size 9 shoe. This is not the lightest trail running shoe, but it’s not the heaviest, either. If you want this much cushion, you can’t get much lighter than these shoes. Most lighter shoes will have less cushion than the Speedgoat.
Stack Height
The Speedgoat 5 has 38 millimeters of stack in the heel and 34 millimeters in the forefoot.
Heel-to-Toe Drop
The Speedgoat has 4 millimeters of heel-to-toe drop. This is less than many trail running shoes, but they aren’t a zero drop shoe. If you’re used to zero drop, these will feel less foreign than a shoe with 7-10 millimeters of drop, like the Salomon Speedcross or La Sportiva Jackal II.
The Hoka Speedgoat 5 have traditional laces with an extra eyelet for alternate lacing patterns.
Laces/Lockdown
They have traditional flat laces with an extra eyelet at the top for alternate lacing patterns. However, these shoes fit well enough that I rarely employ alternate lacing patterns using that upper eyelet.
Midsole Technology
The midsole on these shoes is plush and cushioned but springs when you push off it. Compared to the Speedgoat 4, the 5 has a lighter-weight midsole while providing the same level of cushioning.
Outsole and Lug Pattern
The outsole has 5-millimeter directional lugs. The lugs in the front of the shoe point forward, while the lugs on the heel point back. This gives you traction when pushing off forward, running downhill, or braking.
Reflective Material
The Speedgoat 5’s mesh upper is subtly reflective. And like all Hokas, they come in various bright colors that are more visible in low-light scenarios.
Extended Arches Pull Tab
They have an extended arch pull tab on the heel of the shoe. This pull tab integrates the heel loop and the actual heel of the shoe into one piece. Due to this pull tab, the Speedgoat 5 is extremely easy to put on or tack off.
Meta-Rocker
The Speedgoat 5 has a slightly rounded Meta-Rocker midsole that gives a smooth and efficient ride. This rounded midsole promotes a natural running pattern and allows your foot to roll forward with each step.
Style and design
The Men’s Speedgoat 5 comes in 11 different cool color options. The Women’s version comes in 13 different colors.
The Speedgoat 5s outsole after finishing the section of the Arizona Trail in the Superstition Wilderness.
Long-Term Testing Notes
Since this story first went live, I went through three pairs of Speedgoat 5s. I got 400-500 miles out of each pair.
I think the Speedgoat 5 isn’t actually more durable than previous versions, like I’d hoped and alluded to in my initial. But I’m not even sure if that’s the case because we tested the Speedgoat 5s in incredibly rocky and rugged terrain on the Arizona Trail.
SPEEDGOAT 4 VS SPEEDGOAT 5
A close-up of the women’s Speedgoat 4.
The Hoka Speedgoat 4 was sold under the old name "Hoka One One Speedgoat before their name changed to just Hoka. The name change isn’t the only difference between the Speedgoat 4 and Speedgoat 5.
Lighter Midsole
The Speedgoat 5 features a lighter midsole than the Speedgoat 4. This lighter midsole makes the Speedgoat 5 lighter than the 4, even though the upper has more material. The Speedgoat 5 weighs 10.3 ounces, while the Speedgoat 4 weighs 10.8 ounces.
Redesigned Upper
The Speedgoat 5 upper is completely redesigned compared to the 4. The 4 was made of a single layer of breathable mesh with printed overlays for support and durability, but these printed overlays caused creases to form as you walked or ran. These creases tended to rip eventually.
The upper on the Speedgoat 5 doesn’t have those printed overlays; instead, it has a double-layer jacquard-engineered mesh upper. The mesh upper on the 5 is more flexible, which makes it more comfortable than the 4. We had hoped it would mean increased durability over the 4s, but after wearing three pairs of Speedgoat 5s to the end, we think we got about the same miles as in the 4s.
The printed overlays on the Speedgoat 4 caused creases in the toe box that would eventually tear, but the Speedgoat 5 doesn't have this issue.
Different Outsole Design
The Speedgoat 5 and 4 have a Vibram Megagrip outsole, but the Speedgoat 5 outsole is redesigned. Most notably, the Speedgoat 4 had a separate piece of rubber on the back of the outsole's heel. I had this portion of the outsole fall off the Speedgoat 4 prematurely more than once. This isn’t an issue with the Speedgoat 5, which has a single piece of rubber across the entire outsole. We had hoped this would mean increased durability on the Speedgoat 5, but we got about the same miles as in the 4s. However, we tested the 5s on more rugged terrain (Arizona vs. Colorado).
The outsole design of the Speedgoat 4 had a separate piece of rubber at the heel that could fall off as the shoe wears.
SHOULD I BUY THE HOKA SPEEDGOAT 5?
The Speedgoat 5 is a great trail shoe overall. If you’re looking for a shoe for hiking, backpacking, and trail running that fits well, is supportive, and has great traction, this shoe is worth considering.
WHAT COULD BE BETTER
I love everything about the Speedgoat 5, but it’s not the lightest shoe. For extra-speedy runs, there are lighter shoes than the Speedgoat 5. If you like the Speedgoat but want something speedier, I go with the La Sportiva Jackal II or the Merrell Long Sky 2. However, these shoes don’t have as much cushion, so they aren't as comfortable as the Speedgoat.
SIMILAR MODELS / OTHER SHOES YOU MAY PREFER
Altra Lone Peak 8
Sizes available: 7-16
Widths available: Regular, Wide
Drop: 0 mm
Stack height: 25 mm
Weight: 11 oz (men’s), 9.2 oz (women’s)
Cushioning: Moderate
The Altra Lone Peak 8 is a zero-drop trail running shoe with much less stack height than the Speedgoat 5. The Lone Peak also has a much wider toe box than the Speedgoat, even when you compare it to the Speedgoat in wide sizing. The rubber compound on the Lone Peak isn’t as sticky as the Speedgoat, though. Like the Speedgoat, these trail running shoes are popular with thru-hikers. The Lone Peak 8 is one of the only trail running shoes whose 2024 model is less expensive than the 2023 model.
COMPARE PRICES OF THE ALTRA LONE PEAK 8
WOMEN'S
MEN'S
Salomon Speedcross 6
Sizes available: 7-14 (men’s), 5-11 (women’s)
Widths available: Standard, Wide
Drop: 10 mm
Cushioning: Moderate
Stack height: 32-22 mm
Weight: 10.5 oz (men’s), 9.2 oz (women’s)
The Salomon Speedcross 6 has a more aggressive traction lug pattern than the Speedgoat. It also has a lot more heel-to-toe drop than the Speedgoat. Generally speaking, the Speedcross feels faster on hills but isn’t as well-cushioned. The Speedcross is a narrower shoe than the Speedgoat, and it also comes in wide sizing.
COMPARE PRICES OF THE SALOMON SPEEDCROSS 6
MEN'S
WOMEN'S
La Sportiva Bushido II
Sizes available: 40-47 (EU sizing men’s), 36 - 43 (EU sizing women’s)
Widths available: regular
Drop: 6 mm
Cushioning: moderate
Stack height: 13 - 19 mm
Weight: 10.5 oz (men’s), 8.8 oz (women’s)
Fit: runs small, size up
The La Sportiva Bushido II is an aggressive trail runner with a sticky outsole that runs pretty narrow. The Bushido also weighs less than the Speedgoat but doesn’t have nearly as much cushion in the midsole. The Bushido II is worth a look if you want a fast trail runner and have narrower feet.
COMPARE PRICES OF THE LA SPORTIVA BUSHIDO II
MEN'S
WOMEN'S
Brooks Cascadia 17
Sizes available: 7-14 (men’s), 5-12 (women’s)
Widths available: Standard
Drop: 8 mm
Stack height: 12-20 mm
Weight: 11 oz (men’s), 9.8 oz (women’s)
Cushioning: moderate
The Brooks Cascadia 17 has less stack height and more heel-to-toe drop than the Speedgoat. The Cascadia weighs less than the Speedgoat, but it doesn’t have as aggressive of a tread pattern. The Cascadia also costs less than the Speedgoat and is a great all-around trail shoe.
COMPARE PRICES OF THE BROOKS CASCADIA 16
MEN'S
WOMEN'S
Altra Timp 5
Sizes available: 7-15 (men’s), 5.5 -12 (women’s)
Widths available: regular
Drop: zero
Stack height: 29 mm
Weight: 9.8 oz (men’s), 8.2 oz (women’s)
Cushioning: moderate
The Altra Timp 5 is the newest version of the Timp line and our favorite. The Timp 5 has a tacky Vibram Megagrip outsole, which grips rocks and dirt in wet or dry conditions. This is new to the Timp line and a welcome addition for river crossings, scrambling up a mountain over slick rock, and moving confidently over varied terrain. They also have a new Altra EGO™ MAX midsole, which gives great cushion yet doesn’t feel too soft when you push off the ground.
COMPARE PRICES OF THE ALTRA TIMP 5
MEN'S
WOMEN'S
WHY YOU SHOULD TRUST US / ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sam Schild is a thru-hiker, trail runner, cyclist, and mountain athlete based in Colorado. He’s been a runner since he was a child when he used to run five days a week as cardiovascular training for soccer. As he grew older, he stopped playing team sports and focused on running and cycling.
After moving to Colorado a decade ago, he started trail running on the local trails. Since then, he has completed countless ultra-distance self-supported trail runs on trails throughout the American Southwest. He has thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Grand Enchantment Trail, and the Colorado Trail twice, always in trail runners. The Hoka Speedgoat is his go-to shoe for long-distance hiking.
You can read more about Sam on his author page or website.
