Hoka

Speedgoat 6

Men's

Any reviews giving one star for the first released color way (orange/purple/yellow) should be deleted. The color of the shoe makes no difference on how it performs, fits, feels, etc. If you don't like the color don't buy it, but don't give it one star because you don't like the first color released. Onto the actual shoe review. The traction is great and the slight padding added to the tongue is a nice addition. The shoe is light and the upper is also more breathable and helpful when it's hot. With that said it's narrower and isn't as plush cushion wise as the 5's. I felt like the 5's absorbed the impact from small rocks and roots, but you feel them in the 6's. It feels like a mix between the Speedgoat 5's and Tecton X2's. Great traction and breathable, but a narrower fit and firmer. I personally prefer the 5's.

I bought these shoes from a local retailer. I wore them once for a trail run and the heel counter in the left shoe dug into my ankle and caused a significant amount of pain post-run. I went through the process of returning them directly to Hoka with proof-of-purchase (I paid for shipping out-of-pocket). The return was within 90 days of purchase and I am a HOKA member. They ended up denying my return and shipping the shoes back to me.

People writing reviews about the color and haven't even tried them onugh! These things are AMAZING! Toe box feels a little wider, great arch support for someone with a high arch. Heels feel super locked in. Can't wait for more colors, I need them all

Runs small, I had to go up 1/2 size from my regular size. The width seems about right, and the toe box is wider than on the Challenger, which I found to be a bit narrow. I got these for hiking and found them to be great for that. The vibram outsole is great, very grippy, and the lugs are deep enough to dig in when needed. There's a good amount of cushioning, but it's not so soft that it feels unstable. There's little to no padding in the tongue, so you may want to get some tongue pads to make it more comfortable if you need to have the laces really tight.

The SpeedGoat was once a great reliable shoe that did not fall apart. It was simply a tough shoe. Then Hoka releases the SpeeedGoat 6 and demolished the reputation of a high quality shoe. This is the my experience: Purchased the SpeedGoat 6, received it and inspected it. Immediately I found the exterior rubber sole was not properly glued to the shoe and rejected the shoe, sending it back to Hoka. I purchased another pair of SpeedGoat 6 shoes. It arrives and after visual inspection, the shoe looked fine. After the first run, the exterior sole begins to delaminate. I send back and get my money back. I buy another pair. Shoe arrives and all is good. Two months of light use, as I tie the shoe, the shoe string cut through the eyelet rending the shoe unusable. Hoka did warranty it and I got another pair. This time after 7 months of light use, the shoe string cut through the eyelet again. I have Two pairs of SpeedGoat 4's I still use and no issues. No delamination and the eyelets do not show the show strings cutting into the eyelet. I did submit a warranty claim to Hoka and was denied due to wear and tear. I see that Hoka is having issues with the SpeedGoat and many other of their shoes regarding quality control. I suppose it is easy to hang one's hat, stating "Normal wear and tear" but I have never had a shoe eyelet fail on me until the SpeedGoat 6. I never had a show delaminate so easy until the SpeedGoat 6. Hoka, there is a reason your market share is shrinking. If you continue to make poor quality products and then not stand behind the poor quality product when it fails, you will alienate your customers; which by the way make your paycheck possible. Never forget, your customers have a choice. Never forget that when the poorest reviews match your good reviews, that should be a wake up call that perhaps the issues many of your customers are having is not a "normal wear and tear" issue. Maybe its a Hoka issue.