Hoka Speedgoat 6 vs Saucony Exodus Ultra 3: Which Trail Shoe Wins?

Introduction

The Hoka Speedgoat 6 and the Saucony Exodus Ultra 3 are the latest versions of two of the most popular deeply cushioned trail running shoes, and both come with changes that shake up how they feel compared to their predecessors. After putting good miles into both pairs, the verdict is not quite what you might expect: both updates are slightly disappointing against their own previous versions, but one clearly comes out on top for comfort and ride.

Key Specs at a Glance

The Speedgoat 6 retails in the UK for £140, while the Exodus Ultra 3 is a touch more expensive at £150. Weight is close: a UK 9.5 pair of the Exodus Ultra 3 tips the scales at 323g, while the Speedgoat 6 comes in lighter at 297g, though that figure is quoted in a UK 10 sizing.

Heel offset differs slightly too, with a 5mm drop on the Speedgoat 6 and a 6mm drop on the Exodus Ultra 3. Flip them over and the outsoles are also very different: the Speedgoat 6 uses a 5mm traction lug pattern, while the Exodus Ultra 3 runs a 4mm PowerTrac outsole pattern.

Upper Construction and Fit

The Exodus Ultra 3 uses a softer, more open engineered mesh, while the Speedgoat 6 has a tighter weave with a slightly harsher feel. Both shoes have a gusseted tongue for a more secure lockdown, but the Exodus Ultra 3 has more padding in the tongue. The Speedgoat’s tongue is fairly thin, with zonal padding worked down the center. It is an improvement over the Speedgoat 5’s tongue, but the extra padding in the Saucony still feels better. Padding around the ankle collar and heel is very similar, and both share a substantial heel cup, a flared heel design, and a handy heel tab.

On sizing, the Exodus Ultra 3 is true to size; a UK 9.5 fits really well on length. The Speedgoat 6 runs small: a normal UK 9.5 felt very tight and required going up half a size to a UK 10. Midfoot lockdown and heel hold are good in both, though the Saucony feels a touch more comfortable with the laces pulled tight, and it offers slightly more wiggle room in the toe box, even though the toe width is similar in both.

The biggest disappointment is irritation with the Speedgoat 6. Even after several runs, there is still some rubbing just behind the ball of the left foot on the instep. The Exodus Ultra 3 has produced no rubbing, irritation, or discomfort at all. On fit, upper performance, and comfort, the Exodus Ultra 3 clearly takes it.

Midsole Performance

Both are deeply cushioned trail shoes with generous stack heights, but the midsole construction differs. The Exodus Ultra 3 keeps Saucony’s dual compound setup: a soft, bouncy core of performance-based PWRRUN PB wrapped in a slightly firmer, more durable and stable PWRRUN foam, designed to balance comfort, stability, performance, and durability.

The Speedgoat 6 has a more traditional midsole, and Hoka claims a lighter, more responsive feel this time around. In practice, it has not delivered. The new midsole feels flat, firm, and overly stiff at the midfoot, especially compared to the Speedgoat 3, which felt super comfortable over distance, bouncy, and still stable on technical trails. Even after extra miles to bed the shoe in, the cushioning only softened marginally while the midfoot remains too stiff, and the irritation issues persist.

For those reasons, the Exodus Ultra 3 comes out on top for midsole performance, though it too feels a little flat and less responsive than the original Exodus Ultra and the Exodus Ultra 2, which struck a nicer balance between comfort and performance.

Which Shoe Comes Out on Top?

The outsole battle goes the other way. The Speedgoat 6 is clad in the brilliantly sticky Vibram Megagrip rubber with 5mm lugs, and it is genuinely hard to beat. The PowerTrac outsole on the Exodus Ultra 3 has performed well and never caused problems, though some runners report it struggles on wet rock. Megagrip is the stickier of the two, and it is rare to slip on wet rock or wet tarmac with it underfoot, so the Hoka takes the outsole round.

Overall, neither latest version quite matches its own predecessor. The Speedgoat 6 is not as good as the brilliant Speedgoat 3, and its midsole arguably feels better on the Speedgoat 5, though the new upper does lock down the midfoot more securely. The Exodus Ultra 3 has improved slightly as it has bedded in but still feels a bit flatter than the first two versions.

With the firm, stiff midsole and ongoing irritation issues on the Speedgoat 6, the Exodus Ultra 3 is the preferred shoe for running. It is not a bad shoe by any means: if you have not run in previous versions, you will probably really like the feel and performance. But fans of the original and the Ultra 2 may feel slightly let down.

Conclusion

The Saucony Exodus Ultra 3 wins this comparison on comfort, fit, and midsole feel, while the Hoka Speedgoat 6 fights back with lighter weight, better sizing stability, and the superior Vibram Megagrip outsole. If you value all-day comfort and a forgiving ride, the Exodus Ultra 3 is the safer pick. If you prioritize grip above everything else and can tolerate sizing up half a size, the Speedgoat 6 remains worth a look.