Hoka One One Anacapa Mid GTX

Early this year, I was on the lookout for a light hiking boot to add to my quiver. The boot should be ideally waterproof for the hike through wet grass and some streams. I was also more fond of high boots rather than normal shoes.

As I recently did fall in love with my Hoka One One trail running shoes, I did check their 2021 lineup. I did like the fit of the Tennine boot, but the seriously extended heel did steer me off. A precise foot placement with the huge heel seemed too awkward for me. As a second pair I did test the newly announced Anacapa Mid GTX (from here on simply referred to as Anacapa).

The Anacapa is a very lightweight (~905 gr per pair or 453gr per boot). For a proper boot this is really lightweight, especially considering the massively cushioned sole. The boot comes with an interesting construction in the heel part and feels much more than a trail running shoe than hiking boot. The toe cap is not strengthened to protect your toes - so banging your shoe against a rock will have an immediate impact on your toes, so be careful. The lacing is well done. Some improvement around the instep (tighter fit) would benefit my skinny feet. But it works well so far. Hiking in the boots is a joy - especially flat terrain. The sole has excellent grip, on rocks, muddy terrain and also on dry sections. Due to the fact that the sole is rather flexible, the boots are not ideal in snow or rubble. For that terrain they are simply too soft and take too much of a beating skidding down rubble. As long as you stay on the tracks, the shoe performs wonderfully and your foot will stay dry. When crossing streams, be aware that the heel part is cut very low and water will get into your shoe sooner compared to other hiking boots.

Awesome Traction

Superb traction with the Vibram Megagrip outer sole. It performed really well on almost all terrain types, including mud. On snow, the boot is a bit too soft to allow kicking in steps.

I just completed a two day trekking tour in the boots, covering almost 50 km and more than 2500 m of altitude. It was a joy on these boots - the cushioning is very supportive on the downhill, providing some really appreciated soft landings (that goes very easy on your knees). There is one downside I’d like to mention: The tongue is very very thin and light. I personally would prefer a bit more cushioning in the tongue to provide some protection from the lacing towards your foot. Especially on the downhill, a need to lace the shoes very tight not to slide forward (and start banging my toes to the front of the shoe). With the tight lacing there is a somewhat uncomfortable pressure on the foot. I would assume a bit more plush on the tongue would help to reduce the strain. Probably an area of improvement for an upcoming rework of the shoe.

Very thin upper

The tongue is very thin, especially in the part around your upper foot and instep. Some added cushioning would be welcomed.

Sizing-wise, I usually wear a 43.5 in street shoes and a 44.5 in most hiking boots. With the Hoka in general, I do size up. With the Anacapa I also use a 45 1/3 (or US 11) - the same size I’m wearing in my Hoka trail running shoes.

All in all, I do like the Anacapa very much. It’s a hiking shoe that is comfortable out of the box. It is well suited for three-season use and is at home on all types of tracks underground. Highly recommended if you are on the lookout for a lightweight, waterproof and grippy shoe.

Update late October 2021:

More and more I seem to gravitate to the Anacapa. It is such a comfy boot and the traction is superb. With winter coming the boot is getting a bit too cold though - and there is also (already?) some wear and tear of the sole, especially the very soft (light gray) part in the middle. Let’s see how that will hold up next year over the season.