Hoka Speedgoat 5 GTX review

We concluded that the Hoka Speedgoat 5 GTX is an excellent choice for:

• Enthusiasts of Hoka trail shoes looking for a waterproof addition to their collection.
• Runners seeking a versatile, Gore-Tex running shoe that's capable on trails and even occasional road use.
• Trail runners in need of a winter-ready shoe with a Vibram Megagrip outsole for enhanced grip.
• Those looking for a Gore-Tex shoe that also offers good breathability.

The Hoka Speedgoat 5 GTX is undeniably heavy, and there's no getting around that fact. If lightness is your priority, we think it's a good idea to skip the waterproof feature due to the Gore-Tex membrane's weight.

In this case, we suggest considering the non-GTX Speedgoat 5 or the Nike Pegasus Trail 4. For ultra runners prioritising speed and a carbon plate over waterproofing, the Nike Ultrafly is worth a look.

Another aspect that didn't impress us in the lab was the Speedgoat 5 GTX's performance on extremely challenging terrains, like mud. For such conditions, a shoe with larger, chevron-shaped lugs, like the Salomon Speedcross 6 GTX, will offer superior performance.

The Speedgoat 5 GTX, with its 34.6 mm stack height, offers a high cushioning level, enabling runners to tackle long distances on trails. It's even suitable for those ultra races with river crossings or wet conditions.

In the forefoot, we measured 27.6 mm, which is above the average and provides a fantastic amount of protection.

Midfoot and forefoot strikers can be confident they'll have plenty of cushioning!

We noticed a 7.0-mm drop from the forefoot to the heel, which is quite different from Hoka's stated 4-mm drop. But remember, in our lab, we stick to World Athletics guidelines. 

It's interesting to see these differences between what brands say and our findings. To understand more about why this happens, check out our detailed guide.

In the midsole, we found CMEVA foam. This means no superfoams like PEBA for the Speedgoat 5 yet, and we don't expect them anytime soon.

But, this foam performs really well, definitely enhancing the performance compared to regular EVA foam.

It's bouncy, comfortable, and softer than many running shoes. It scored 19.4 HA on our durometer test. To get an accurate result, we measured it after cutting the shoe in half, which is a necessary step.

To check how cold temperatures might change the Speedgoat 5 GTX feel, we put it in the freezer for 20 minutes before testing it once more.

After leaving the ice cream alone, the shoe was noticeably firmer, registering 30.3 HA on our test.

This shows a mind-blowing 56.2% difference, which clearly highlights the underperformance of the CMEVA midsole in this test, just as we expected based on our research.

For a trail shoe with a premium, cold-resistant midsole, check the Saucony Endorphin Edge.

Hoka uses an average insole in this model. It's pretty standard, feeling normal with a thickness of 4.5 mm, which is typical for most running shoes.

The fit is very comfortable, but don't expect a shoe crafted for those with wide feet.

At 99.1 mm, it's designed to be comfortable but, at the same time, to enhance stability. We think this is the right approach for this shoe. However, if you plan on racing ultras, consider going half size up.

The area around the big toe isn't very tapered, measuring 79.1 mm. It offers a regular fit, maybe slightly roomier than other Hokas.

Regarding stability, the Speedgoat 5 GTX offers the same reliable, steady experience as its non-waterproof counterpart.

While it's not specifically designed as a stability shoe, even runners needing a bit of support will find they fare quite well in this shoe.

A significant part of the stability in the Speedgoat 5 GTX comes from its high torsional rigidity.

We rated it 4 out of 5, indicating it's quite substantial. So keep in mind that it may feel a bit stiff for those looking for a more flexible trail running experience.

The heel counter seemed pretty average to us, offering enough flexibility to be comfortable for any runner. We gave it a 3 out of 5 score, which aligns with most trail shoes. It shows that Hoka chose a safe, risk-free approach here.

One of the most celebrated aspects of the Speedgoat series is its stability, which might surprise runners at first glance.

Hoka manages to deliver fantastic stability, largely thanks to the previously mentioned torsional stiffness and also the shoe's impressive width. Measuring 116.7 mm, it provides a generous landing platform, effectively preventing the foot from collapsing laterally.

This benefit isn't just for forefoot strikers.

With 95.3 mm in the heel, the shoe also offers the same width in the rearfoot. This makes it suitable for heel strikers who have mild pronation issues.

Since it doesn't have a rock plate or a carbon-fibre plate, we expected a low value in our 90-degree bend test, where we assess the shoe's longitudinal stiffness.

Indeed, we ended up with a pretty average value of 29.8N.

We repeated the test after freezing the shoe for 20 minutes, similar to what we did with the midsole softness test. This time, the result came in at 34.3N.

That's just a 15.4% difference, showing a very impressive performance from the CMEVA foam, especially compared to what we saw with the midsole softness. This is a good result.

Here's where it gets interesting. In the lab, the Speedgoat 5 GTX weighed in at 11.3 oz or 319g. In comparison, the non-GTX Speedgoat 5 is lighter, tipping the scales at 9.77 oz or 277g. This means it's 15% lighter.

So, the question is, do you need waterproofing enough to give up 1.5 oz of lightness?

The Speedgoat 5 GTX features a double-layer jacquard mesh with a Gore-Tex membrane. From our lab testing experiences with Gore-Tex shoes, we expected a low score in breathability—typically a 1 out of 5. But, to our surprise, the Speedgoat 5 GTX earned a 3 out of 5!

Why the higher score? While the toebox lacks airflow, Hoka opened up the tongue, allowing effective heat and moisture escape.

However, water can enter the shoe through the ventilated tongue. So, we recommend not submerging the shoe beyond that level.

When we held the upper to the light, the toebox and medial parts' lack of ventilation was evident—no light passed through.

For more evidence, we headed to our lab's microscope.

There, we saw the thick, dense mesh we anticipated. After leaving the microscope, we examined the Speedgoat's unique construction.

Unlike most shoes, Hoka positioned the GTX membrane inside rather than outside the upper. Additionally, the mesh is made of 44% recycled materials, which is always a big plus!

The TPU overlays on the Speedgoat 5 GTX hinted at an impressive result—they cover a significant portion of the mesh.

True to our expectations, in our Dremel test, this shoe scored a 4 out of 5, nearly acing it. You can look forward to exceptional durability, even if you're hitting hard, rocky trails.

Riding high on the success of our last test, we turned our attention to the heel for another round with the Dremel.

And once again, the Speedgoat 5 GTX impressed us with its stellar performance, elevating it well above the average trail running shoe!

The outsole, manufactured by the Italian company Vibram, features an 86.0 HC rubber in terms of hardness.

It seems like they're aiming for a balance between grip and durability.

In our final Dremel test, we put the rubber to the ultimate challenge.

After a brutal test, we examined the results—it was a draw! With a 1.1-mm indentation, the outcome was decent but not extraordinary.

With a 2.5-mm thickness, the outsole of the Speedgoat 5 GTX has enough rubber to ensure long-lasting wear, judging from our previous results. There's nothing to worry about here, so let's move on.

The Speedgoat 5 GTX is a trail running shoe designed to handle all kinds of terrain. Its 3.5 mm lugs are of average length, versatile enough to manage wet, sticky single tracks and still perform well on harder, packed trails.

We tested the shoe across a wide range of terrains. From our experience, it performed at its best on easy-to-moderate trails and gravel roads.

Not having any reflective elements on a trail running shoe is a downside for us. We're not too keen on that.

In the tongue padding department, the Speedgoat 5 GTX is quite lean, with only 2.9 mm of padding.

This is on the lower side, so those who often have issues with the instep should be careful when tightening the laces on this shoe. Or you can try an alternative lacing technique from our guide.

However, aside from that, it does its job well, providing great functionality and the added bonus of weight savings.

As a Gore-Tex shoe, we anticipated nothing less than a fully gusseted tongue, and Hoka certainly delivered.

With this feature, debris and water will have a tough time getting into the shoe.

The Speedgoat 5 doesn't have a heel tab, but like many Hoka shoes, it features a swallowtail that can be pulled if needed. It's not enough to call it heel tab, but you can definitely grab it.

The insole is fully removable since it's not glued to the midsole, which is great!