Hoka One One Kaha 2

The Hoka One One Kaha 2 GORE-TEX was my go-to hiking boot in 2023. The excellent cushioning with the great fit made it the ideal package for most of my hikes this year.

Hoka is marketing the shoes as an adventurous boot delivering peak performance with peak plushness. The GORE-TEX membrane kept my feet dry even while hiking one week in rainy and wet conditions. For my usage, the boot did pack a good balance of warmth for hiking above treeline also in summer. The boot was so comfortable that I even stopped bringing camp shoes for the easy time at dinner around my tent.

The grippy sole is one of the highlights, providing solid grip in all conditions. The sole is substantially more robust than the one of the Anacapa Mid GTX. After one year of usage, the sole is still in very good condition - the upper on the boot does show some wear though. Sharp rocks leave marks pretty fast on the soft leather.

What I’d love to see improved in a next version of this boot is a longer tongue. For some strange reason, the tongue seems to be too short, resulting in laces slipping “out on top”. 5-10mm of additional length would really help substantially. On the other hand, the tongue is substantially beefier than the one on the Anacapa Mid GTX - much appreciated and adding helpful protection.

Great look with exceptional functionality

The plush feeling of a trail runner with a very grippy sole and excellent damping.

The boot performs best on demanding hikes, also covering long distances. For climbing or mountaineering type of activities where you cover lots of boulders and snow fields, there are better options.

All in all, I really like this boot for hiking and would highly recommend them.