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Had the same issue with the SG5 and switched to Normal Tomir 2.0 and am very happy with them.
I'm heavier and the SG5s are my go-tos. Also been liking the Topo MTN racer 3 of late
You probably want to go to a store and try a few, or order a few and return the ones that don't work. Lots of speedgoat mentions so I'll add the Salomon Genesis - I loved the speedgoat 5, but the 6 doesn't work for me so I switched to the Genesis instead. Loving it so far. I know this is controversial but I also love the quicklace system, feels so much more secure and consistent than standard laces.
where are you from? are you into shopping china shoe? i have SG5, and currently im running in Li-Ning Di Lu2 (arnv009), and its as close to SG5, or even better midsole feel. only thing, its kinda 0.5cm short on its sizing
if you are in asics n like asics fit, maybe Fuji n Trabuco also something you should look into. for my light gravel, i have Novablast3 TR, n sometimes also got away with Adizero SL2. but my long distance trail shoes are Torrent2, Speedgoat5, XodusUltra2 n just newly acquired EndorphinRift. among my lineup, SG5 probably overkill for something under 30km. for Salomon, most reviewer would highlight about its narrowness. take note
i used xu2 for my utmb chiangmai 100k n verbier 100k, theyre plenty cushioned. prior to these 2 races, i used sg5 for transjeju 100k n chiangmai 50k, also comfy. the reason i went for xu2 for my recent races coz theyre less 'bulky' than sg5. so far for my races with dropbag access, i havent swap shoes despite having 2nd shoe in bag, but i do swap socks n insoles(when theyre damp)
It's a tough one, where I live you pretty much need to have both. I often use my speedgoats 5 gtx for short and quick hikes in the forest, without goretex they will be completely soaked. In summer time/dry times I use my speedgoats 5 without goretex. If you are only running with them, don't mind getting wet and they dry for the next time you use them, there is no real reason for goretex.
It's a tough one, where I live you pretty much need to have both. I often use my speedgoats 5 gtx for short and quick hikes in the forest, without goretex they will be completely soaked. In summer time/dry times I use my speedgoats 5 without goretex. If you are only running with them, don't mind getting wet and they dry for the next time you use them, there is no real reason for goretex.
I hope this isn’t a completely pointless post as the specific model - HOKA Speedgoat 5 - isn’t available and I can’t vouch for the 6 but hopefully it’s similar. North of 200lbs, this shoe was a revelation to me, I didn’t realise at the time that trail shoes could be as cushioned. I never had any issues with stability either. I’m not looking forward to replacing them.
I loved as well the 5th iteration of the speedgoat, and I have been enjoying the mafate speed 4 more than the speedgoat 6.
My SG5 was cooked at only 250 miles, midsoles were dead and uppers started to tear. La Sportiva prodigio lasted around 260 before both uppers torn on both sides of both shoes and midsoles were dead Norda 001 is at 300+ miles of the same and even worse trails and have zero signs of wear except the sole
I can’t speak too much for speedgoats but I can for Norda and LS. Both the 001 and 001A as well as the prodigio feel firmer, but still well cushioned. On all three pairs if you step on a sharp rock you will feel it, but they’re all super precise and feel great on technical terrain. I ran 2 50k’s in my Prodigios and that’s just about the limit for them, they did super well though especially since I’m 180lbs and tall. Norda is supremely comfy though, never once been blistered by them anywhere at all, they’re nice and roomy but not clunky. Even if you get them wet the insole doesn’t absorb water like the open celled foam in the Prodigios. Prodigios are comfy if you have light socks and avoid water, if they get wet they quickly start sucking and gave me blisters and gnarly nasty toes after 50k. Speedgoat was very comfy during my training runs, but felt a little too high up and often time clunky. Overall I’d give it to Norda, my 001 have 550 miles and the uppers are still mint while the outsole is getting pretty worn with at least another 100 miles of running left. 001A is also solid, definitely more responsive under foot
I went up half size to 11, and had a hot spot under the ball of my foot after one run. Returned for my normal 10.5 and feel like I get rubbing in the bunion area behind my big toe. These 7s just don’t fit like past versions. 5s were effortless. I’ve made the 10.5s work but I’ve had to use Squirrels Nut Butter in that spot and it blisters on longer runs and I’ve been blister-free for years usually. Shame, I was amped for the 7s.
Rankings by Use Case
Top recommendations from others in the same boat
Best for Deep mud and soft ground

Top pick
Salomon - Speedcross Series
Best for Quick draining and drying for wet trails

Top pick
Hoka - Speedgoat Series
Best for Road-to-trail transitions

Top pick
Nike - Pegasus Trail Series
Best for Steep technical descents

Top pick
Salomon - Genesis Series
Best for Technical rocky terrain

Top pick
La Sportiva - Prodigio Series
Best for Ultra-marathon racing

Top pick
La Sportiva - Prodigio Series





