Gore-Tex trail running shoes.
Prepping for the 2024/2025 ski season, I’ve been logging trail runs this fall on the local northern Nevada trails in Hoka’s Speedgoat 6 GTX and Speedboat 6 GTX Mid.
Features
Hoka’s Speedgoat 6 GTX trail runners in low and mid-ankle heights feature a narrow, fairly straight last, compression molded EVA midsoles with a stack height of 40mm/35mm, seamless waterproof Gore-Tex Invisible Fit uppers (a fabric designed for a softer, more flexible fit that provides protection from water), flat gusseted tongues, padded heel collars, and Vibram MegaGrip outsoles with 5mm lugs.
The exterior on the Gore-Tex uppers contains 70% recycled polyester, and the laces contain a combination of recycled polyester and nylon.
Fit
The Speedgoat 6 GTX trail runners fit me snugly around the heel, and they felt supportive under the arch, with a slight amount of room up front around the ball of my foot and in front of my toes. (If you have wider feet, definitely test fit the shoes to make sure you have enough mid-foot and toe space, and opt for the wider EE fit if needed.)
The main fit difference between the low and mid versions in my D width was the taller ankle collar on the mid-version. The mid-version’s ankle collar was comfortable, did not add any difficulty for me when taking the shoes on and off, and provided good protection against dust and mud.
However, my narrow ankles left some gaps. I wonder if wearing a lightweight gaiter would have provided much more protection against trail debris. Still, the mid height was beneficial when I ran through the first two early season Sierra snowstorms; the extra height helped keep trace amounts of snow from sneaking in.
I found that using Hoka’s deeper ankle lock lacing was uncomfortable in both the low and the mid versions because the ankle collars and tongues did not cushion enough to prevent uncomfortable pressure on my ankles when the shoes were laced up. Fortunately, a less aggressive lacing setup using the next closest eyelets was plenty snug for me, and my feet did not slip or move around in the shoe at all, even when I was climbing and descending trails pitched over 20 degrees. Nice!
Trail Performance
Both versions of the Hoka Speedgoat 6 GTX felt balanced after several weeks of hard use. I liked that I felt the cushioning in the heel on steep, rocky downhills while still feeling accurate and stable on my feet. A slight rocker sole made for a natural, efficient toe-to-heel gait at both low to medium speeds, and the midsole stiffness and toe cap were protective without feeling clunky or inefficient.
The Gore-Tex Invisible Fit uppers seemed to breathe well in 40oF- 70oF temperatures, keeping my feet dry. The Gore-Tex uppers were effective at keeping my feet dry as long as I avoided wading too deep into creeks or running into deeper, wet snowbanks where any free moisture would pour in above the shoe’s ankle collar and tongue and seep through the eyelets.
The 5mm deep lugs might be a little chunky for only running on pavement, but they shed wet sand and gripped well on granite and loose scree on the trails. The Vibram MegaGrip outsole stuck well to whatever the trail offered up.
Durability
After a dozen runs on each pair of shoes neither version shows any significant wear in the soles or uppers or exhibits a loss of cushioning in the midsole. As performance trail shoes, the lacing eyelets are cut directly through the woven upper and are not reinforced with metal eyelets, so I didn’t pull as hard on the laces as I do I’m when cinching up my leather mountaineering boots that have heavy-duty metal fasteners. Despite the lack of reinforcement, the eyelets and laces have held up fine. With a decent amount of care, brushing and hand wiping off any mud, and removing the sock liners to let the shoes air dry when the shoes get wet, I expect the Speedgoat 6 GTX and Speedgoat 6 GTX Mid trail runners to hold up for several hundred miles and be comparable in durability to any of the higher-level trainers I’ve worn in the past.
I found both Speedgoat 6 GTX and Speedgoat 6 GTX Mid excellent for daily training on mixed dirt and rocky terrain with good efficiency, a natural transition from heel to toe, and excellent comfort at both hiking and running speeds.
I liked the extra cushioning of the ankle wrap on the mid version, and I’d likely pick the taller Speedgoat 6 Mid GTX version for longer fall runs in the mountains where I might hit some snow or melted water streaming down the trail that could flow over the top the low cut version. Both styles felt extremely capable on the trail, especially in the last miles of longer runs when my legs and balance were not at their best and the trails became steeper and rockier.
Bottom Line
I do a lot of trail running on varied terrain that includes clay, sand, dirt, and more. I was looking for trail running shoes that could mitigate the foot pounding on long runs and provide a blend of cushioning, stability, durability, weather resistance, and foot protection. I found that both Speedgoat 6 GTX styles provided everything I needed and have lacing options for different fits. Additionally, the Gore-Tex uppers are effective at breathing and keeping my feet dry as long as I don’t submerge them.
I appreciate that Hoka provides useful information on their site that let me know more about the shoe, including: the levels of stability (neutral) and cushioning (balanced).
Details
The Hoka Speedgoat 6 GTX is available in men’s sizes 7-15, in D and EE widths. Colors: Slate / Aloe Vera and Black / Outer Orbit. The women’s Hoka Speedgoat 6 GTX is available in sizes 5-12, in two widths. Colors: Smoky Quartz / Quartzite and Black / Outer Orbit.
Hoka Speedgoat 6 GTX Mid comes in men’s sizes 7-15 in: Satellite Grey / Stardust, Ultramarine / Stormy Skies, Outer Orbit / Lettuce. Women’s Hoka Speedgoat 6 GTX Mid available in Asteroid / Cosmic Grey, Electric Aqua / Midnight, and Galaxy / Guava in sizes 5-12.
$170 Speedgoat 6 GTX, $180 Speedgoat 6 GTX Mid
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