Speedgoat 6 vs Sense Ride 5

The Hoka Speedgoat 6 is the do-everything trail running shoe that most runners reach for first, and for good reason. This is a max-cushioned trail workhorse built to swallow big miles on rough ground without beating up your legs. At 278g with a 5mm drop it is not the lightest trail shoe out there, but the deep, protective ride and grippy, aggressive-lugged outsole make it a genuine one-shoe quiver for anything from a muddy local loop to a mountain ultra. We rate it as the safe, sensible pick when you want cushion, grip and durability over outright speed. If you want a plated racer for shorter, faster efforts the Hoka Tecton X 3 is the sharper tool, and the newer Speedgoat 7 refines the same recipe. For most trail runners chasing distance and comfort, though, the Speedgoat 6 remains one of the most trustworthy trail shoes you can buy.

The Salomon Sense Ride 5 is the trail running shoe you reach for when you do not want to think too hard. It is a do-everything door-to-trail shoe with a moderate 8mm drop and enough cushioning to soak up long days without turning your foot into a marshmallow. At 286g it sits in the middle of the weight range, so it is not a light and racy trail shoe, but it is not a heavy tank either. What you get is balance. The grip handles wet grass, packed dirt and light rock without complaint, and it rolls happily onto tarmac for the road sections between trails. It is neutral, so it suits runners with a fairly stable gait rather than heavy overpronators. If you want one shoe for mixed UK trails, muddy commons and the occasional path run, this is a smart, honest pick. Chasing a fast time on technical mountain terrain? Look at something more aggressive like the Saucony Peregrine 16.