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Buyer's Guide

HOKA Speedgoat 5 Review & Sizing Guide

Published Updated

Buy Speedgoat 5 from outlet or resale if you can find your size — the wider, plusher fit is what the 6 lost and the 7 only partially recovered; skip and step up to the Speedgoat 7 if your size is not available, since the 7 walks back most of the 6's narrowing The Speedgoat 6 were definitely not a solid replacement, they are narrow, stiff and less support such a let down.

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Key facts

Spec
CMEVA midsole, 33mm/29mm stack, 4mm drop, double-jacquard mesh upper, Vibram Megagrip 5mm lugs.
Fit
Wider, plusher forefoot than the Speedgoat 6; true to size; 2E wide also available at outlets.
Generation status
Discontinued at HOKA; lives at outlet, clearance racks, and resale around $90-$120.
Vs Speedgoat 6
Owners report the 6 is narrower, stiffer, less supportive — why the 5 still has a fan base.
Vs Speedgoat 7
The 7 is closer to the 5's roomy forefoot and softer ride, but stack and tongue are also revised.
Use case
Trail running, fast hiking, work-on-feet shifts, 12-hour shifts — also a value cushioned daily walker.

Full breakdown

HOKA Speedgoat 5 is the 2022-2024 generation of the brand's most popular trail runner — CMEVA midsole with a 33mm/29mm stack and 4mm drop, double-layer jacquard mesh upper with a TPU overlay, and Vibram Megagrip outsole with 5mm lugs. It is the version that built the cult Speedgoat following on Reddit before the Speedgoat 6 narrowed the forefoot and the Speedgoat 7 (just released) tried to bring some of that comfort back. The 5 is now discontinued at HOKA but still sells through clearance and outlet at $90-$120, and owners who hated the 6 hoard the 5 — one r/Hoka post celebrating a last brand-new pair captured the sentiment directly this is my last brand-new pair of Speedgoat 5s. Once these are worn out, that's it for me because they have been discontinued. Buy it if you can still find your size; skip it if you missed the window and just buy the Speedgoat 7.

FAQ

Why are r/Hoka regulars hoarding the Speedgoat 5 instead of buying the 6?

Because the Speedgoat 6 narrowed the forefoot, stiffened the midfoot, and lost some of the plush support that made the 5 the cult favorite. One long-time Speedgoat owner who used the 5 for both 12-hour work shifts and weekly hikes said the 6 was definitely not a solid replacement — narrow, stiff, less support, such a let down — and explicitly bought a last brand-new pair of 5s to ride out until they wear through The Speedgoat 6 were definitely not a solid replacement, they are narrow, stiff and less support such a let down. Buy the 5 if your size is available; the 7 is a softer reset but the 6 was the misstep.

Should I buy the Speedgoat 5 at outlet or just get the Speedgoat 7?

Buy the 5 if your size is available at outlet pricing and you specifically want the roomier 5 last; otherwise jump to the 7. The 7 walks back most of the 6's narrowing and updates the foam to a more responsive ride, and r/RunningShoeGeeks first-look reviews are generally positive on the 7 as the comeback after a disappointing 6 Hoka Speedgoat 7 - Coming Soon... a more responsive ride after the let-down of the 6. The 7 also adds a refined upper and improved Vibram outsole geometry; if the 5 is sold out in your size, the 7 is the upgrade path, not the 6.

Is the Speedgoat 5 comfortable for 12-hour work shifts or long days on feet?

Yes — it is one of the most-recommended trail-derived work shoes on r/Hoka for exactly this use case. The same long-time owner used the 5 for both work and weekly hikes and found it provided the perfect balance of cushioning, support, stability, and comfort across both they provided the perfect balance of cushioning, support, stability, and comfort. I didn't need multiple pairs for different activities. The Vibram outsole grips wet concrete and clinic floors well, and the wider 5 last accommodates the foot swelling that happens across a long shift better than the 6 does.

Speedgoat 5 vs Challenger for a multi-month trip with mixed terrain?

Buy the Speedgoat 5 if you expect any real trail or wet conditions; choose the Challenger 7 if you are mostly on graded paths and road. The Speedgoat's 5mm Megagrip lugs and stiffer rock plate handle technical terrain that the Challenger's road-leaning outsole cannot, and an r/Hoka multi-month trip question got the consensus toward Speedgoat for trail flexibility Challengers vs Speedgoats for 4 month trip. The Challenger is lighter, breathes better, and works better for street and indoor wear; the Speedgoat is the safer single-pair pick when terrain is varied — that is the buyer signal for the comfort-vs-grip trade.

How does sizing on the Speedgoat 5 compare to the 6 and 7?

True to size in the 5 with a roomy forefoot; the 6 runs snug-narrow at the same nominal size; the 7 sits between the 5 and 6, slightly snug but not as tight as the 6. Owners moving between generations consistently report needing to either size up half in the 6 or just go back to the 5. An r/Hoka sizing thread for the 6 and 7 emphasizes trying them on in-store if you can, because the last shifted twice in two generations Help with sizing for Speedgoat 6 or 7. If you wore the 5 true to size, you can carry that into the 7; the 6 needs special handling for wider feet.

Is the Speedgoat 5 GTX (Gore-Tex) variant worth the upcharge?

Yes for wet, rocky conditions where you actually need the waterproof bootie; no for hot weather or dry trail. The Speedgoat 6 GTX got the explicit endorsement for rainy hiking in the Azores on r/Hoka, and the same logic applies to the 5 GTX — Gore-Tex bootie + 5mm Vibram lugs handle wet rock and stream crossings up to ankle depth Hoka Speedgoat 6 GTX for hiking in the Azores? (rainy conditions). The tradeoff is breathability: GTX runs hotter and dries slower than the standard mesh, so skip it for summer trail or for buyers who run hot.