HOKA Speedgoat 6 W Review

Testing the HOKA Speedgoat 6 W’s

We spent a week hiking in the Dolomites this fall, which meant rocky trails, big elevation days, dusty switchbacks, and plenty of uneven terrain, so I brought the Speedgoat 6s with me for something light that would still give me support on longer days.

The first thing I noticed was how secure they felt. They’re definitely snug and narrower than what I usually go for, but once I got used to that, I felt super locked in. On rocky sections, especially when jumping down or scrambling up, I wasn’t sliding around inside the shoe. They hugged my foot in a way that gave me a bit more confidence to move quickly without second-guessing my steps.

That said, the narrow fit did get noticeable by the end of the day. It wasn’t in a painful way, but was definitely something to be aware of if you have wider feet or like a bit more room. I’ll probably wear thinner socks next time instead of my thick wool hiking socks.

The grip was great. I didn’t have to think about it, which is always a good sign. The lugs are deep enough to grip onto loose trail, but they didn’t feel bulky. Even on dry gravel or sharp rocky bits, I felt secure. And they held up in a short afternoon thunderstorm. While they obviously aren’t waterproof, I still wasn’t slipping much, even on wet rock.

And of course, the cushioning is very, very comfortable. This is something HOKA has always done well and is continuing with this version of the shoe. Nothing beats the feeling of putting on a new pair for the first time. Like clouds!

About the HOKA W Speedgoat 6

The Speedgoat 6 has a responsive midsole, solid grip with Vibram Megagrip, and a breathable mesh upper. The drop is 5mm, which works well for me. I like feeling connected to the trail, but still want a bit of lift, so these are doing the trick very well so far. The stack height is noticeable, but I didn’t feel unstable at any point. It’s pretty on par for the normal expectations of a HOKA shoe.

The heel is structured and keeps things in place, and the tongue stayed put all day, which seems like a small thing, but it really adds up. I didn’t get any hot spots or weird pressure points, and they dried fairly quickly after a short river crossing.

They’re not waterproof, so keep that in mind for wet weather. But for dry trails, alpine terrain, or long summer days, they’re a good option if you want to move light and avoid bulky shoes.

I’ve only had them for a few weeks, so I can’t speak to long-term durability yet, but so far, they’re holding up well. There’s no wear on the lugs, no fraying on the upper, and the cushioning still feels fresh. It feels like these could be a longer-lasting HOKA than previous models.

Conclusion

All in all, I’m really pleased with this version of the HOKA Speedgoat. I’ve had a few of the earlier versions as well, and this one feels like they’re starting to really dial in on the needs of the wearer. The shoes are cushy, lightweight, and actually gripping the way I need for hikes and the occasional run. They’re super comfortable for long days, and I don’t mind putting them back on when it’s time to go to dinner, which is a good sign in my book. My main hope is that they last for the year, and perhaps into next summer’s season as well, as that was my biggest gripe with previous models. The HOKA W Speedgoat 6 gets an A+ from me!