The Hoka Speedgoat 6 GTX is a path operating shoe for mountaineering and operating on reasonable terrain and hard-packed trails. It has a lightweight cushion and a flared outsole, offering good shock absorption and balanced consolation with a responsive toe-off. A stack peak of 5 mm makes them simpler to transition to than a full zero drop path runner, whereas nonetheless offering comparable advantages together with a extra pure gait and higher influence dispersion. Obtainable in waterproof lows (reviewed right here), non-waterproof lows, and waterproof mids, they’ve good toe-box safety and gore-tex lined uppers to assist maintain your toes drier in cool and moist climate.
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Specs at a look
- Gender: Males’s (Girls’s additionally obtainable)
- Large sizes obtainable: Sure
- Weight: 11.1 oz (males’s 10.5 reviewed)
- Heel Drop: 5 mm
- Heel Stack Top: 40 mm
- Forefoot Stack Top: 35 mm
- Midsole: EVA
- Outsole: Vibram MegaGrip w/ 5 mm Traction lugs
- Rock Plate: No
- Width: Common & Large
- Variations: Low. GTX Low (Gore-Tex), GTX Mid
- Mfg Weight (pair): 1 lb 3.6 oz
The Speedgoat 6 GTX
The Hoka Speedgoat 6 GTX is a frivolously cushioned path operating shoe constructed for masking lengthy distances. It’s a really energetic shoe that’s fairly actually formed to maintain you in your toes, with a sloped forefoot that appears to propel the foot ahead as weight is shifted from heel to toe. This extra rocker creates the sensation of getting a little bit further spring in every step.
The toe field within the Speedgoat 6 is reasonably large so you may splay your toes, though nowhere as large because the Altra Lone Peak 8, which I’ve additionally been utilizing this 12 months. In any other case, the inside of the sneakers is pretty slim though large sizes can be found: I’ve a comparatively slim foot and I discovered the match to be comfy sufficient, however not roomy. Out of the field, the Speedgoat 6 seems to be further lengthy, however I think that’s an optical phantasm created by the shoe’s design as a result of fit-wise they’re barely quick in size in comparison with the earlier mannequin.
The Speedgoat 6 has an prolonged heel tab behind the shoe, which is designed to make them simpler to take off. Sadly, it could intrude with gaiter match as a result of it stands proud a lot. It is a concern for hikers who kick up plenty of particles after they stroll and profit be carrying a gaiter to dam it from coming into the shoe. A gusseted tongue helps block a few of the particles, however Speedgoats would not have a gaiter entice on the heel for holding a gaiter just like the Altra Lone Peaks.
The outside of the shoe has been upgraded because the final model with a really nice and extra sturdy mesh cloth which helps maintain sand and mud out of the sneakers. There’s additionally significantly extra influence and abrasion resistance across the toe field and down the perimeters of the sneakers. The GTX model we examined labored nicely at preserving moisture out of the shoe, significantly after the heavy mountain dews we’ve most mornings in autumn. Whereas I desire sneakers that drain nicely and dry rapidly a lot of the 12 months, a Gore-tex liner is a godsend when the times get shorter and cooler.
The midsole padding on the Speedgoat 6 is comparatively mild and the sneakers feels fairly stiff to stroll in. It is a massive change from the plush midsole padding of the earlier mannequin. Hoka additionally elevated the stack peak the the Speedgoat by 5 mm on this newest model of the shoe, given them a really completely different really feel. I wouldn’t say that I desire the Speedgoat 6 over the Speedgoat 5s. In the event you concur, I’d encourage you to select up a number of pairs of the Speedgoat 5 earlier than they’re bought out.
Traction
The Speedgoat 6 has Vibram’s MegaGrip outsoles with multi-directional 5 mm lugs that present good grip in blended and muddy situations. The lugs are positioned ahead, backward, and towards both sides to advertise higher traction. They’re additionally 1mm (20%) longer than on the Spedgoat 5 and a good suggestion firmer enhancing sturdiness, on the expense of some path really feel.
Sturdiness
The Speedgoats are designed to run or stroll over the exhausting sand and gravel that makes up a lot of the trails utilized by hikers and path runners. To date, I’ve been fairly impressed with the shoe’s sturdiness. The outsole has proven little or no put on and the higher mesh doesn’t present any abrasion alongside the perimeters of the toe field the place my different path runners usually fail first.
Advice
Hoka Speedgoat 6 Path Runners are a sensible choice in case you are somebody who’s seeking to hike many miles on exhausting compacted trails and desires to really feel assured of their footing mile after mile. Their tightly woven uppers maintain sand and grit out whereas the flared sole helps with stability. They may be a bit overkill for operating on rail trails or different graded paths and usually are not excellent for nimble rock hopping, however they’ll actually maintain your toes and knees happier on lengthy hikes and backpacking journeys.
The Speedgoat 6 is the newest mannequin of the favored Hoka Speedgoat product line. In the event you preferred the Speedgoat 5, be forewarned that the Speedgoat 6 is a considerably completely different shoe, with the next stack peak, the next drop, and a special path really feel. In the event you preferred the Speedgoat 5s as a result of they have been a luxurious and cozy path runner, you would possibly need to choose up a pair or two earlier than they disappear. The Speedgoat 6 is stiffer and narrower though it has a extra sturdy mesh outer and higher toebox safety than the earlier mannequin.
Disclosure: The writer owns these sneakers.
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