The Hoka Speedgoat 6 GTX is a path operating shoe for climbing and operating on reasonable terrain and hard-packed trails. It has a light-weight cushion and a flared outsole, offering good shock absorption and balanced consolation with a responsive toe-off. A stack top of 5 mm makes them simpler to transition to than a full zero drop path runner, whereas nonetheless offering related advantages together with a extra pure gait and higher impression dispersion. Accessible 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 hold your ft drier in cool and moist climate.
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Specs at a look
- Gender: Males’s (Girls’s additionally accessible)
- Vast sizes accessible: 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 & Vast
- 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 evenly cushioned path operating shoe constructed for protecting 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 additional spring in every step.
The toe field within the Speedgoat 6 is reasonably broad so you’ll be able to splay your toes, though nowhere as broad because the Altra Lone Peak 8, which I’ve additionally been utilizing this yr. In any other case, the inside of the sneakers is pretty slender though broad sizes can be found: I’ve a comparatively slender foot and I discovered the match to be comfy sufficient, however not roomy. Out of the field, the Speedgoat 6 appears to be like additional 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 in the back of the shoe, which is designed to make them simpler to take off. Sadly, it might intrude with gaiter match as a result of it stands proud a lot. It is a concern for hikers who kick up a variety of particles after they stroll and profit be sporting a gaiter to dam it from coming into the shoe. A gusseted tongue helps block a number of the particles, however Speedgoats shouldn’t have a gaiter lure 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 high-quality and extra sturdy mesh cloth which helps hold sand and dirt out of the sneakers. There’s additionally significantly extra impression and abrasion resistance across the toe field and down the edges of the sneakers. The GTX model we examined labored nicely at maintaining moisture out of the shoe, notably after the heavy mountain dews we’ve got most mornings in autumn. Whereas I desire sneakers that drain nicely and dry shortly many of the yr, a Gore-tex liner is a godsend when the times get shorter and cooler.
The midsole padding on the Speedgoat 6 is comparatively gentle and the sneakers feels fairly stiff to stroll in. It is a huge change from the plush midsole padding of the earlier mannequin. Hoka additionally elevated the stack top 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. If you happen to concur, I’d encourage you to select up a number of pairs of the Speedgoat 5 earlier than they’re offered out.
Traction
The Speedgoat 6 has Vibram’s MegaGrip outsoles with multi-directional 5 mm lugs that present good grip in combined and muddy circumstances. The lugs are positioned ahead, backward, and towards either side 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 onerous sand and gravel that makes up many of the trails utilized by hikers and path runners. Up to now, 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 edges of the toe field the place my different path runners usually fail first.
Advice
Hoka Speedgoat 6 Path Runners are a good selection in case you are somebody who’s trying to hike many miles on onerous compacted trails and needs to really feel assured of their footing mile after mile. Their tightly woven uppers hold sand and grit out whereas the flared sole helps with stability. They is likely to be a bit overkill for operating on rail trails or different graded paths and aren’t excellent for nimble rock hopping, however they may actually hold your ft and knees happier on lengthy hikes and backpacking journeys.
The Speedgoat 6 is the newest mannequin of the favored Hoka Speedgoat product line. If you happen to preferred the Speedgoat 5, be forewarned that the Speedgoat 6 is a considerably completely different shoe, with the next stack top, the next drop, and a unique path really feel. If you happen to preferred the Speedgoat 5s as a result of they had been a luxurious and comfy path runner, you may need to decide 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.
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Disclosure: The writer owns these sneakers.
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