A longtime trail runner, I always prefer dirt trails to pavement when it comes to going for a run. And while in my earlier years I may have prioritized lightweight shoes while training for trail races like the Dipsea, I’ve long since made the switch to stable runners because those priorities changed.
From the brand’s beginning, I’ve been a fan of Hoka shoes, and the new Hoka Speedgoat 5 is the pair I’m rocking at the moment.
These technical trail shoes are just as good for hiking as they are for running, which makes them extremely versatile as a travel choice. When I don’t have to pack a sport-specific shoe for everything, it lightens my load and allows me to keep to a carry-on bag. Also, unless I’m hiking a trail where I need to worry about rolling an ankle, trail running shoes are a great replacement from over-ankle hiking boots when you’re in warmer climates.
The Speedgoat 5 is the newest version of the Speedgoat series, retaining the same stack height and rocker profile, but with updated features like a lighter midsole compound, double-layer jacquard mesh, and Vibram Megagrip with Traction Lug (to dial up the grip on loose soil). This updated version has added traction and ditched some weight, giving you a shoe with good stability and balanced cushion for those long miles on the trail.
The women’s Speedgoat 5 comes in a wide variety of colors: deep lake/ceramic, scuba blue/black, deep teal/water garden (pictured), festive fuchsia/camellia, elderberry/lilac marble, coastal shade/green glow, blue coral/camellia, blue graphite/evening primrose, and purple impression/bluing. They all list for $155 on the Hoka site.
There’s also a men’s version for the same price in these color combinations: deep lake/ceramic, scuba blue/black, blue graphite/kayaking, thyme/fiesta, puffin’s bill/amber yellow, blue coral/evening primrose, fiesta/radiant yellow, and duffel bag/thyme.
