Karl Meltzer first adopted the nickname “Speedgoat” when a race director friend put it down in the place of his name on a race entry. Ever since the name became synonymous with ultra-running. Now almost 30 years later HOKA, a sponsor of Karl’s have released their 5th rendition of this “badass trail shoe” that was conceived in Karl’s head. The HOKA Speedgoat has become exceptionally popular in Ireland over the past few years. If you go to any trail race you are bound to see a few of these colourful, chunky shoes toeing the start line.
Since the shoes release, almost exactly 1 year ago, we have been putting the Speedgoat 5 to the test. We have tested the HOKA Speedgoat 5 on jungle trails in South America, rocky trails in Killarney National Park and the muddiest puddles available in the Dublin Mountains.
About the shoe
Large sole. Bright colours. Distinctive design. These are all hallmarks of a Speedgoat, and the 5 is no different. This eye-catching shoe fits our feet securely thanks to the semi-gusseted tongue and secure lacing layout. The Speedgoat has a late-stage meta-rocker design which is a hallmark of HOKA shoes. This helps keep your legs ticking over even towards the end of an ultra. It has quite a stout heel counter with a new Achilles flare which is designed to protect the tendon and help you easily put on the shoes. The Speedgoat has a Vibram outsole with 5mm lugs which is plenty for most trails in Ireland and abroad.
The everything shoe?
One of the main reasons we love the Speedgoat 5 is how versatile it is. It has; enough cushion to protect the legs but not so much that you feel unstable, enough tread on the outsole to keep you stuck to most terrain but not so much that roads are uncomfortable, and is light enough (284 grams in UK9) to go faster in if needed. However, it is possibly most at home bopping along mellow mountain trails on a long easy day. Hence, it has solidified itself as a staple on the feet of notoriously picky ultrarunners!
On a recent trip to Colombia, I had no hesitation when packing my pair of runners for the trip. The shoe was lightweight and breathable enough to deal with the warm summer temperatures and kept my legs feeling fresh even after back-to-back long runs. Upon returning to Ireland I had the same confidence in bringing the shoes to Killarney National Park for a wet weekend.
In our training, we use the HOKA Speedgoat 5 for long trail runs (20km+) or on days when our legs are feeling particularly tired.
The “perfect” shoe for Ireland?
No. Although, I don’t know if that is possible. Irish running terrain is some of the most varied and challenging you can throw at a shoe. In a standard mountain or trail running race in Ireland, you could encounter; wet muddy trails, hard-packed walking trails, country roads, rocky mountains and swallow-you-whole bogs. Making a shoe that excels on all of this terrain would be an impossible task. The Speedgoat ticks enough of the boxes to be a staple part of our running shoe rotation and one we have recommended to people.
Outsider Hero of The Week Ellie Berry of Tough Soles used her Speedgoats this summer to set a new speed record for climbing all of the mountains in Ireland. She covered about 600km in her Speedgoat 5s. What Ellie really loves about these shoes is that, “you never need to break these shoes in. I take them from the box into the hills.” Ellie would often customise the lacing on her shoes and boots in order to get a secure fit, however, she leaves the laces as is on the Speedgoat 5 which is a testament to how secure they fit.
Who is it for?
We would recommend the HOKA Speedgoat 5 to someone who is familiar with HOKA road running shoes and wants to have a similar experience on the trails. We would also recommend them to someone who wants a no-nonsense shoe that they can rely on for daily off-road training.
Long term thoughts
We are now on our second pair of HOKA Speedgoat 5. Our first pair wore out after 5 and a half months of near-daily use. This is normal and to be expected for a pair of trail runners. If you are a low-mileage runner or a runner who only occasionally takes to the trails or if you meticulously care for your shoes you could expect to get closer to a year out of a pair.
Useful Links
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Some Irish races we think the Speedgoat 5 would be great for:
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