9 in Trail Running Shoes
Hoka - Speedgoat 5 Mid GTX
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Reddit Reviews:
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Based on 1 year's data from Mar 17, 2026 How it works
Liked most:
41
10
"Speed goats are the most comfortable on the downhill, especially if technical or steep."
"Personally, I’ve rucked the Bataan Memorial Death March (a full marathon with 35 pounds dry weight, terrain is part road / part desert sand) a couple of times in Hoka Speedgoat mids, with zero foot problems."
"The speedgoats are just so much comfortable even with the 120lb pack across a steep slope."
42
10
"Speed goats are the most comfortable on the downhill, especially if technical or steep."
"The speedgoats are just so much comfortable even with the 120lb pack across a steep slope."
"The speedgoats are just so much comfortable even with the 120lb pack across a steep slope."
47
6
"they are extremely durable. ... I’ve got well over 1000 miles out of a pair and they still have grip and the uppers are in great shape"
"As far as grip goes, all three are excellent. It's truly amazing how good they are at gripping scree, sand, and unstable terrain."
"Personally, I’ve rucked the Bataan Memorial Death March (a full marathon with 35 pounds dry weight, terrain is part road / part desert sand) a couple of times in Hoka Speedgoat mids, with zero foot problems."
14
16
"they are extremely durable. ... I’ve got well over 1000 miles out of a pair and they still have grip and the uppers are in great shape"
"they are extremely durable. ... I’ve got well over 1000 miles out of a pair and they still have grip and the uppers are in great shape"
"the sole/durability of them is crazy good."
12
19
"they are extremely durable. ... I’ve got well over 1000 miles out of a pair and they still have grip and the uppers are in great shape"
"the sole/durability of them is crazy good."
"My hoka speedgoats have well over 2000 miles now - some day hiking, trail running, but mostly backpacking. ... I’m surprised how they’re still holding up though especially after tons of hot baths and creek crossings."
31
2
"they are extremely durable. ... I’ve got well over 1000 miles out of a pair and they still have grip and the uppers are in great shape"
"As far as grip goes, all three are excellent. It's truly amazing how good they are at gripping scree, sand, and unstable terrain."
"As far as grip goes, all three are excellent. It's truly amazing how good they are at gripping scree, sand, and unstable terrain."
30
6
"they are extremely durable. ... I’ve got well over 1000 miles out of a pair and they still have grip and the uppers are in great shape"
"As far as grip goes, all three are excellent. It's truly amazing how good they are at gripping scree, sand, and unstable terrain."
"Out of the box, VERY grippy"
19
10
"Personally, I’ve rucked the Bataan Memorial Death March (a full marathon with 35 pounds dry weight, terrain is part road / part desert sand) a couple of times in Hoka Speedgoat mids, with zero foot problems."
"I had no blisters nor other foot problens with my hoka speedgoats."
"I had the aching feet with the LP4s and moved to Hoka Speedgoats and never looked back. ... I can hike all day with the softer Hokas and my feet never ache like they did with the Altras."
7
7
"Since wearing Hoka Speedgoats, now for years, I have not rolled my ankles once. ... The reason is that the sole is super wide and tapers aggressively from the fabric, outward into a wedge shape."
"helped me build up my ankle stability (6 years back)"
"helped me build up my ankle stability (6 years back)"
2
0
"Both dry out pretty quickly for me."
"they dry fast"
Disliked most:
10
26
"Personally I can't stand the soft foam right below the heel on those shoes- it wears thin enough after maybe 100 miles that small pointy rocks jab right in there. ... I have repeatedly bruised my heels on rocky downhills in Speedgoats, once so badly that I thought I'd broken my calcaneus. ... Never buying them again."
"The vibram kept separating from the midsole on mine after 50 or 100 miles."
"Out of the box, VERY grippy, but after 100 miles of trails they’re shredded. I had to switch to protect my wallet! ... Wasn’t really the shoe itself, the lugs/tread just get worn down to nothing in my usual hiking area in San Diego county. It’s a shame, I do love the shoe, just wish Hoka would make a change to a more rugged material."
3
12
"The vibram kept separating from the midsole on mine after 50 or 100 miles."
"Out of the box, VERY grippy, but after 100 miles of trails they’re shredded. I had to switch to protect my wallet! ... Wasn’t really the shoe itself, the lugs/tread just get worn down to nothing in my usual hiking area in San Diego county. It’s a shame, I do love the shoe, just wish Hoka would make a change to a more rugged material."
"the soles wear down too quickly"
2
9
"I might try to stay away then. I’ve been able to avoid rolls for a while but a bad one is such a big set back ... I might give those a try first. ... I’m going to give them both a try but would rather not fall in love if it’s going to get me injured haha"
"I might try to stay away then. I’ve been able to avoid rolls for a while but a bad one is such a big set back ... I might give those a try first. ... I’m going to give them both a try but would rather not fall in love if it’s going to get me injured haha"
"the speed goats have a bit of an outward flare from the top to the bottom of the soul. Creates a larger footprint, a bigger platform. Certainly helped. But largely, I twist my ankles regularly. It fucking hurts"
6
26
"Personally I can't stand the soft foam right below the heel on those shoes- it wears thin enough after maybe 100 miles that small pointy rocks jab right in there. ... I have repeatedly bruised my heels on rocky downhills in Speedgoats, once so badly that I thought I'd broken my calcaneus. ... Never buying them again."
"The vibram kept separating from the midsole on mine after 50 or 100 miles."
"Out of the box, VERY grippy, but after 100 miles of trails they’re shredded. I had to switch to protect my wallet! ... Wasn’t really the shoe itself, the lugs/tread just get worn down to nothing in my usual hiking area in San Diego county. It’s a shame, I do love the shoe, just wish Hoka would make a change to a more rugged material."
4
15
"I was running exclusively in SGs, and rolled my ankle badly thrice in three months at the end of last year."
"I might try to stay away then. I’ve been able to avoid rolls for a while but a bad one is such a big set back ... I might give those a try first. ... I’m going to give them both a try but would rather not fall in love if it’s going to get me injured haha"
"the speed goats have a bit of an outward flare from the top to the bottom of the soul. Creates a larger footprint, a bigger platform. Certainly helped. But largely, I twist my ankles regularly. It fucking hurts"
2
15
"They fit more rigid with more pressure points and have less room in the tow box. ... They were never as comfortable out of the box or hiking as a topo athletic shoe and I’ve had several pairs. ... I’m always very ready to take these shoes off at the end of the day.. ... after a long day, my feet feel like they were in a rock crusher since the cushion 0%."
"even in the men's wide I have to wrap my bunions in leukotape and still get a lot of irritation due to the toe squeeze of the tapered toe box (and I'm already going up 1/2 size)"
"even in the men's wide I have to wrap my bunions in leukotape and still get a lot of irritation due to the toe squeeze of the tapered toe box (and I'm already going up 1/2 size)"
2
15
"They fit more rigid with more pressure points and have less room in the tow box. ... They were never as comfortable out of the box or hiking as a topo athletic shoe and I’ve had several pairs. ... I’m always very ready to take these shoes off at the end of the day.. ... after a long day, my feet feel like they were in a rock crusher since the cushion 0%."
"even in the men's wide I have to wrap my bunions in leukotape and still get a lot of irritation due to the toe squeeze of the tapered toe box (and I'm already going up 1/2 size)"
"even in the men's wide I have to wrap my bunions in leukotape and still get a lot of irritation due to the toe squeeze of the tapered toe box (and I'm already going up 1/2 size)"
1
2
"Speedgoats are great, but they’re too stacky and cushioned to provide top level traction in super technical terrain."
"Speedgoats are great, but they’re too stacky and cushioned to provide top level traction in super technical terrain."
"But, for really really muddy nasty situations I have a pair of Inov8 with deep lugs that are amazing."
1
1
"But, for really really muddy nasty situations I have a pair of Inov8 with deep lugs that are amazing."
1
2
"Indeed the vibram lugs after 18 months of using mostly on hard surfaces were destroyed on one side. ... And that may happen in general to trail shoes with big lugs instead of more asphalt oriented outsole."
"I find running on road in luged shoes way more uncomfortable"
travellingyogidude 0.5Hoka Speedgoat 5 mid trail running / hiking boot (goretex) for a recent 3 week pet sit in Sweden. Light and comfortable for long’ish hikes / bike rides in outdoor gear, and bright / colourful / smart enough for wearing with jeans to bars etc. Took nothing else and had no issues. Only travelled with an Osprey Daylite 26 +6 & an 8L Cotopaxi sling so space was at a premium.
142riemann 0.3There are many great recommendations in r/Rucking. Try this thread: [https://www.reddit.com/r/Rucking/comments/1k8q1j0/lets\_talk\_footwear/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Rucking/comments/1k8q1j0/lets_talk_footwear/) Personally, I’ve rucked the Bataan Memorial Death March (a full marathon with 35 pounds dry weight, terrain is part road / part desert sand) a couple of times in Hoka Speedgoat mids, with zero foot problems. But I don’t think they come in all black. Could perhaps paint them? (I’m only half joking.)
Accomplished_Try_179 0.3Btw I have been a lover of Hoka Speedgoat for several years. I use a GTX mid version & use it for mostly trail running in ❄️ winter time. I use the La Sportiva Bushido outside of winter. * hiking boots vs trail runners https://www.reddit.com/r/vancouverhiking/comments/1ltydv7/hiking_boots_vs_trail_runners/ * What shoes do you swear by? https://www.reddit.com/r/vancouverhiking/comments/o77olh/what_shoes_do_you_swear_by/
Ascend 0.3Same, I've got 2 pairs and they do great for Trifectas, super comfortable. For people considering, you'll want the cheaper regular version, not the MTX, since you don't want waterproof.
Waterproof helps for shallow water like snow to avoid your socks getting wet. If water gets inside the shoe through the top, like deep water, swimming, dunk wall, it just means the water is trapped inside. The non-waterproof one lets water seep out above the toe box. I have both since I do prefer the waterproof on regular trails, but a lot of the Spartans have some deep water.
I've got both of the same shoes. The Speedgoats are perfect, I generally like the Spartan shoes too but they have two issues: a lot less padding makes them tear up my heels (even when I taped to try to prevent), and they seem more slippery and don't grip surfaces super well, like Olympus and the rope climb.
Evjemoen 0.3Trail runner Mids might just be your new travel MVP, ankle hugs without the boot bulk. Check out: [Hoka Speedgoat Mid GTX](https://www.hoka.com/en/us/mens-trail/speedgoat-6-mid-gtx/1155152.html?dwvar_1155152_color=OTC) / Weatherproof clouds for your feet [NNormal Tomir 2.0 Mid](https://www.nnormal.com/en_US/men/shoes/tomir/nnormal-tomir_2_0_boot-N2BTR02-002) / Allround Kilian-approved mountain beast One shoe to explore, run and roam.
nicholt 0.3Hey OP, I asked a similar question a few years ago and I got the same spiels but I do still think that a high-cut runner isn't a bad idea. I don't think it's completely removing your ankle from the running equation, just giving you extra support. Something like the hoka speedgoat mid seems like a good shoe provided they fit right for you. I've also really wanted to try the Nike Kiger because it's a pretty low stack trail shoe and I think that would feel a lot more stable. Currently I have the Nike zegama and the fit is perfect just feels a bit tall.
Actual_Woodpecker108 0.1I love my GTX Speedgoats
Mine have broken in, but I have also used them for running and walking Very durable shoe, and comfortable when broken in. I have chronic back and hip pain and they’ve been great to me. Tbh if I’m not wearing my work boots, I’m wearing Hokas. Speedgoats, Bondis, Mach 3
Careless_Whispererer 0.1This is my choice. My Hokas have a different foot splay.
im-an-actual-bear 0.1I really really love my Hoka speedgoat gtx
JExmoor 0.1Road to trail GTX shoe is basically the description of the Nike Pegasus Trail GTX. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to try them on though as Nike's tend to run a little bit narrow and don't work for everyone. The Hoka Speedgoat also has GTX versions and those will have a Vibram outsole with larger lugs which may not be too annoying walking in urban settings (vs running on roads).