Arguably the best selling trail running shoe on the current market, the GOAT is back with a brand new look and feel! Earlier this year, Hoka took home the gold medal in our Gear of the Year Awards for the stunningly cushioned and responsive Speedgoat 5. Now, there's a new model in town.
We welcome the 6th edition of this iconic all round trail shoe, built for and named after the original Speedgoat, HOKA athlete Karl Meltzer. Speaking of iconic athletes, we at LFTO have once again invited Sportsshoes' own Ben Mounsey to give us his first impressions of this highly anticipated shoe. Let's find out how he's getting on...
Ben says: "As a huge fan of the Speedgoat franchise, I've been desperate to get my hands on a pair for testing to see exactly what's changed (and hopefully improved!) from Version 5.
"A workhorse for technical terrain, this latest reissue has been refined with a lighter and more breathable upper than its predecessors, a plusher dual gusseted tongue, an even higher midsole stack and drop (now 5mm) and a revised lug orientation inspired by the hoof of a goat (what else!?).
"I've been testing it for a number of weeks and I'm pleased to say that fellow SG fans won't be left disappointed. It's lighter than previous versions and feels even more stable and secure, thanks to the new foot-hugging internal chassis.
"Compared to version 5, the Speedgoat 6 has a stiffer heel counter so you can really feel the extra stability, plus the lacing configuration has also been adapted to provide more lockdown in the forefoot. Both of which contribute to less lateral movement inside the shoe and really help to counteract the additional stack height. The TPU overlays on the upper have also been repositioned to protect the exposed area of stitched material below the laces.
"In my opinion, it's the combination of these subtle improvements that really help to make this version of the Speedgoat the best yet.
"For those unfamiliar with the Speedgoat, this shoe is the most versatile in the HOKA trail range and the best for all-round performance. And this latest version has it all - comfort, style, and that plush cushioning that the SG is most famous for. So, if you're looking for one trail shoe to do everything from training to racing or 5k to Ultras, then this is it!"
