Our verdict
Pros
- Very wide toebox
- Protective midsole
- Superb lockdown
- Super grippy outsole
- Excellent for fast runs in the mountains
- Super grippy outsole
- Super comfy
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Colorways might be a downer
- A bit pricey
Audience verdict
- Top 30% in Altra Timp 4
- Top 30% in zero drop running shoes
- trail running shoe
Comparison
The most similar running shoes compared
+ + Add a shoe | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audience score | 86 Good! | 80 Good! | 76 Bad! | 82 Good! | |
| Price | $150 | $140 | $130 | $155 | |
| Trail terrain | Moderate | LightModerate | Moderate | LightModerate | |
| Arch support | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | |
| Weight lab Weight brand | 10.4 oz / 294g 11 oz / 312g | 10.2 oz / 288g 10.7 oz / 303g | 9.6 Toebox width at the big toe 9.1 Added heel cup provides stability | 9.5 oz / 269g 9.8 oz / 277g | |
| Drop lab Drop brand | 0.2 mm 0.0 mm | 1.4 mm 0.0 mm | 0.1 mm 0.0 mm | -0.1 mm 0.0 mm | |
| Strike pattern | Mid/forefoot | Mid/forefoot | Mid/forefoot | Mid/forefoot | |
| Midsole softness | Balanced | Balanced | Balanced | Balanced | |
| Difference in midsole softness in cold | Normal | Small | Normal | Small | |
| Plate | - | - | - | Rock plate | |
| Toebox durability | - | Good | Very bad | Good | |
| trail running shoe | - | Decent | Decent | Decent | |
| Outsole durability | - | Decent | Good | Good | |
| Breathability | Moderate | Moderate | Breathable | Moderate | |
| Toebox width at the widest part | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
| Toebox width at the big toe | - | Wide | Wide | Wide | |
| Stiffness | Moderate | Moderate | Flexible | Moderate | |
| Difference in stiffness in cold | Big | Small | Normal | Small | |
| Torsional rigidity | Flexible | Flexible | Moderate | Stiff | |
| Midsole width in the heel | Flexible | Flexible | Flexible | Moderate | |
| Lug depth | 3.4 mm | 3.0 mm | 3.3 mm | 3.0 mm | |
| Heel stack lab Heel stack brand | 23.3 mm 25.0 mm | 22.7 mm 25.0 mm | 22.1 mm 20.5 mm | 28.6 mm 29.0 mm | |
| Forefoot lab Forefoot brand | 23.1 mm 25.0 mm | 21.3 mm 25.0 mm | 22.0 mm 20.5 mm | 28.7 mm 29.0 mm | |
| Widths available | NormalWide | NormalWide | Normal | Normal | |
| Season | Winter | Summer | Summer | Winter | |
| Removable insole | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Orthotic friendly | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Ranking | #222 Bottom 45% | #219 Bottom 14% | #245 Bottom 4% | #196 Bottom 23% | |
| Popularity | #47 Top 12% | #52 Top 21% | #182 Bottom 28% | #92 Top 36% |
Who should buy the Hoka Speedgoat 5
We found that the Hoka Speedgoat 5 is most suitable for trail runners and outdoor enthusiasts looking for the following:
- a pair of all-around trail shoes for various types of terrain
- zero drop running shoes
- adequate cushioning and a wide toe box for all-day comfort
Comfier trails ahead with the Hoka Speedgoat 5
The Hoka Speedgoat 5 might not be the best choice if you find it a bit over your spending limit. The more affordable Altra Superior 6 Hoka Speedgoat 5.
Also, if colorways are an issue, we suggest the No compromises on stability which offers more colours that might suit your needs better.
Breathability is just right
The Lone Peak 7 never felt too hot on our feet and we found the airflow quite decent to keep us comfortable.
Assessing the amount of smoke passing through the fabric in our smoke pumping machine test, we rated the shoe's breathability as 3 out of 5. This is considered an average for trail running shoes.
Hoka Speedgoat 5 (left), Adidas Runfalcon (right)
Heel stack lab.
The top area is not very breathable due to the heavily padded tongue. The tongue is shockingly thick on the Lone Peak 7! We measured it at 10.1 mm whereas the average is 6 mm.
A cushion that’s unexpectedly plush and just right
The Hoka Speedgoat 5 feels very well cushioned for how thin it is.
Checking the stack height with callipers, we found that the stack of the shoe is a little thinner than the stated 25 mm. Our measurements show 23.3 mm in the heel and 23.1 mm in the forefoot.
This is pretty thin for a trail shoe indeed. However, it was always enough to prevent rocks and roots from hurting our feet.
But we can confirm that this Altra shoe stays true to its Zero Drop branding. Based on our test, it is 0.2 mm.
he more affordable.
As for the foam's softness level, our durometer measurements show that the Hoka Speedgoat 5 has an average level of firmness. We describe this type of cushioning as balanced.
To see how the foam behaves when the temperatures drop, we put the shoe in the freezer for 20 minutes and measured its softness again. The cushioning got 25.7% firmer which is the normal difference for trail shoes. What it means for the runner is that the shoe might take some breaking in on a chilly day.
Keeps the foot locked in for the outdoors
We think that Altra achieved a perfect balance of plushness, rigidity, and responsiveness to make the Lone Peak 7 a very nimble option cIf you need a wider platform in a trail shoe, consider.
Flexible trail runner
Contributing to a sense of nimbleness is the shoe's flexible design. We measured the shoe's resistance to bending and found that it is 25% more flexible than trail running shoes on average.
In our manual assessment of twisting and bending the Lone Peak, it proved to be pliable as well. On a 1-5 scale, where 1 is the most flexible, we rated its longitudinal and torsional flexibility as 2.
No compromises on stability
In addition to being a very agile shoe, the Hoka Speedgoat 5 doesn't skimp on stability either. With its low-to-the-ground profile and wide base, the shoe won't let the ankles roll that easily.
Even though it is not among the widest trail shoes, the Lone Peak 7 has a decent width to it to keep you stable when traversing challenging terrains. In the forefoot, we measured it to be 106 mm...
...and Grip / Traction.
If you need a wider platform in a trail shoe, consider oz / 294g.
Keeps the foot locked in for the outdoors
The presence of a gusseted tongue plays its part in the lockdown and keeps debris out of the interiors.
trail running shoe.
We also highly appreciated the added heel cup on this version. This added just a touch of guidance to the ankle.
It is not a stiff heel counter though. On a 1-5- scale where 5 is the stiffest, we ranked it at 2.
Comfier trails ahead with the Hoka Speedgoat 5
One of the shoe's major highlights is of course the accommodating toe box. It is unbelievably spacious with its rounded shape that remains wide even around the toes (where most shoes become too narrow). This design allows toes to have a more natural splaying upon ground contact.
A grippy outsole that lets you trust the Hoka Speedgoat 5
This Altra shoe comes with a confidence-inspiring outsole!
Taking on singletrack turns at high speeds felt like a piece of cake thanks to the reliable grip and traction of the Lone Peak 7. We found the shoe's bite to be solid even in mud, puddles, and on wet pavement.
We measured the lug depth on the Altra Lone Peak at 3.4 mm. This is a solid depth for trail shoe treading.
Despite the beefier lugs of the Hoka Speedgoat 5, we found it to be pretty easy to clean up. The shoe actually did it for us while we were still on the run.
Pricey trail runners
At a price point of £150, the Hoka Speedgoat 5 comes off as a tad expensive. But given how much the prices have gone up over the past year, this Altra shoe actually ended up around the average £150 of trail running shoes.
