Something changed for me as a hiker when I entered my 30s: I started needing cushy boots to put in the same double-digit mileage trail days that I used to. Whether I’m cruising up a training hike near my hometown of Boulder, Colorado, with my pup, Marla, or lugging a heavy pack for an overnight trek in a new country, my tootsies are now shod in lots of midsole foam. Rather than fighting my newfound state as a young hiker with elderly, pre-arthritic feet, I embraced it, and now I’m constantly on the hunt for that elusive shoe that’ll give me the traction, waterproofing, cushion and stability that I so crave. My latest obsession? Hoka’s Kaha 2 GTX.
I recently embarked on a 10-day trek along the Nakasendo Way with the famed tour company Walk Japan. In it, I knew I’d be hiking more than ten miles a day some days, in hugely variable terrain. Some days had mellow strolls along dirt forest paths, while others involved pouring rain and ancient, Edo-period cobblestones, which are notoriously uneven. I’m pleased to say that at every turn, the Kaha 2 really delivered.
Combining sincerely awesome footwear technology I was familiar with (like grippy Vibram soles and Gore-Tex waterproofing) with increased sustainability from previous models (the boots are made with over 50% recycled polyester and boast a PFC-free water-repellency treatment), Hoka has manufactured a pair of truly fantastic hiking boots for those of us who need to baby our feet time and again. Below, I’ll get into how and why this shoe stands out above the others in my closet.
At just under 1 pound per shoe, these ultra-cushioned, ultra-waterproof hiking boots are certainly lightweight. They’re some of the most stable boots we’ve ever tested too, offering fantastically grippy Vibram soles that excel in rugged, mixed terrain, plus recycled polyester throughout for a more eco-friendly footprint.
Both men’s and women’s models are available in nine colors. The men’s version comes in sizes 7 to 15, while the women’s comes in 5 to 11.
What I liked about them
After hiking these babies across Japan’s rugged rural landscape, they quickly became one of my favorite pairs of hiking boots ever. Hoka’s combination of grippy Vibram soles, Gore-Tex waterproofing and its proprietary Swallowtail heel make for a plush, dry and traction-heavy boot, no matter what terrain you find yourself hiking across.
Superior stability
The first thing I noticed when I put on the Kaha 2 GTX for an inaugural dog walk around my Colorado neighborhood was their strikingly odd heel shape. But after a few quick strolls through the snow and across a couple of miles of slick pavement, I realized that this design is not just for funky good looks; it’s part of Hoka’s ingenious ground-up plan for maximum stability on uneven terrain.
The Kaha 2 GTX are built with a Swallowtail heel, designed to ease foot and balance adjustments on rooty, rocky, uneven terrain. In addition, the boots boast the brand’s Hubble heel, which is designed for easy heel-to-toe rocking when you’re stomping around all day. In short, the two combine to keep your feet firmly balanced while striding across less-than-stellar trail conditions. In my opinion, this is a huge boon for on-trail safety, especially when you’re carrying a heavy pack and rolling an ankle is the last thing you need.
Excellent waterproofing
I encountered two days of rain on my long trip through Japan, and I spent both of them walking around for hours. At no point did my socks ever feel wet or damp from the constant downpour; I was able to trek up and downhill with ease, resulting in blessedly blister-free afternoons. Hoka uses Gore-Tex’s famous waterproof fabric in the Kaha 2 GTX, which is breathable yet doesn’t allow water to pass through, resulting in a cozy, dry hiking experience for your feet.
I also took my Kaha 2 boots on a long weekend sojourn to a hot springs resort in Colorado, to see how they fared in the snow. Once again, they performed beautifully, and though they are not a true pair of winter boots with thick insulation, they kept my feet warm and dry when walking my pup around the resort’s extensive grounds.
Fantastic grip
As I mentioned before, Japan’s Nakasendo Way serves up incredibly varied terrain. One day, my group was hiking up and down steep stone stairs, while the next, we might be trekking along a cypress-lined forest trail or ambling down a cobblestone alleyway in search of an ancient inari shrine. No matter where I took them, I felt supported with excellent traction and heel stability of the Kaha 2 boots. Not only do the soles contain Vibram Megagrip rubber to help you stick to the path, even when they’re wet, but they are also lined with 5-millimeter lugs, which are great for those muddy, gravel-filled trails that require longer protrusions to truly grab the loose soil.
What I didn’t like about them
Hoka’s Kaha 2 GTX boots check basically every box we have for great hiking boots. In a perfect world, there are just a few things we’d improve, namely in the price and durability departments.
Midsole foam is delicate
In order to create hiking boots that are both lightweight and supportive, most modern brands are turning to plush EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) foam in their midsoles, which is made up of thousands of tiny compressed bubbles. This is all fine and good, except for the fact that it scuffs easily because it isn’t as dense as something heavier, like full-rubber soles. But, of course, no one wants to get saddled with mountain shoes that weigh 2 pounds a pop.
After hiking in my Kaha 2 GTX boots for three or four long days, I noticed that I had accidentally cut several large divots into the sides of my heels, likely the result of my narrow gait and the fact that these boots have three metal hooks to hold the laces in place that can sometimes nick the inner foam if I take a narrow step. This is an issue I have with most hiking boots on the market today, but it bears repeating here in case you know you’re going to be guiding off-trail in Alaska all summer or plan to take the Kaha 2 boots out in incredibly rocky, steep terrain for many days in a row. They are fabulously comfortable, just not the most durable boots in the world.
They are expensive
Sometimes, in the world of outdoor gear, you’ve got to pay for superior materials and craftsmanship. For better or worse, that’s definitely the case with Hoka’s Kaha 2 GTX boots, which cost a hefty $240. If you don’t need as much cushioning as these or you live in a drier climate and can skimp on the waterproofing, you can still nab a pretty excellent set of lightweight Hoka Trail Code GTXs for just $185, which is a huge savings.
How they compare
At $240, the Hoka Kaha 2 GTX are truly superior boots at a superior price point. If you’re more of a fair-weather hiker who doesn’t go out in the rain, or you don’t need an ultra-cushy hiking boot to protect your soles, check out Hoka’s Anacapa Breeze Mid, which is lighter at only 12 ounces per shoe, while boasting the same 6-millimeter drop as the Kaha 2, and cost a significantly less $170. It also comes in a waterproof GTX version for $195.
The $150 Merrell Moab 3 Mid hiking boots are some of the most popular women’s hiking boots on the market today, and fans love them for their great price, grippy traction and excellent waterproofing. Still, they’ll lack some of that noteworthy heel stability that the Kaha 2’s extra-wide Swallowtail shape provides on uneven surfaces, and they aren’t as cushioned as the Hoka either.
If price is one of the most important factors for deciding which hiking boots you should grab, you could always go with a tried-and-true classic from trusted outdoor brand Columbia and get its Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof Boots for a mere $100. However, this boot doesn’t feature the sustainable materials or the name-brand Gore-Tex waterproofing of the Kaha 2 GTX.
Bottom line
When you’re carrying a heavy load or simply want a plush hiking shoe to take care of your sensitive or achy feet, there are no better boots than Hoka’s eco-friendly Kaha 2 GTX hiking boots. Built with incredible waterproofing, fabulously grippy Vibram soles and extra-stable heels for weathering the roughest trails, this is a design that’ll keep you comfy and blister-free on the toughest outdoor excursions.
