Hoka Kaha Low GTX Review

The Hoka Kaha 2 GTX is the Marcedeze of hiking boots. You will feel like you are walking on the clouds. Made from high-quality robust materials, a Vibram Megagrip rubber sole and wide toe box, these boots are designed to take on the adventure

I have used the Kaha 2 GTX to lead group hikes in various weather conditions including mud, rain, dirt, scree, and rocks. From backpacking trips to day hikes, the HOKA Kaha provides superior comfort, durability, & support for all hikers and environments.

This methodical analysis reveals the intricate design elements & performance that position the Kaha 2 Low GTX as an optimum choice for adventurers seeking individuals

Hoka Line Up

Best Hoka Shoes: Let’s Have a Look!

The Hoka Kaha 2 Low GTX is durable footwear designed for rough terrain and features advanced technology. This review explains a complete description of a shoe that redefines the standards of comfort, stability, & weather protection for outdoor enthusiasts. Evolving from its previous predecessor, the Kaha 2 Low GTX caters to the requirements of those seeking uncompromising performance in challenging outdoor environments.

Build Quality and Durability

The Kaha 2 GTX is Hoka’s high-end hiking boot. The leather is from a certified gold-rated tannery & feels premium. The boot is outfitted with Gore-Tex liner, Vibram Megagrip rubber & soft cushioning on the collar and tongue. There is foot protection with a solid toe cap & robust heel. It is very obviously a quality product.

This model has full-grain leather including its upper & has beefed up its sole with firmer rubber compounds that must resist wearing better than softer foam. The eyelets are, for the most part, protected with metal, & the traditional lacing system is easy to change out if a lace breaks in the field.

Lightweight shoes are expected

These weigh a decent 2.45 pounds per pair in a size 11. Certainly, other boots weigh less, but considering the height of the cuff & the amount of sole cushioning you get, this is an incredible boot for its weight. For a slight weight increase, you can gain top-tier traction in all mountain conditions with the boot better suitable for mountain adventures, though neither of these has the plush comfort found in the Kaha.

More competent models may be light as a feather, weighing closely a pound less, although they do not have the similar protection & stability. Simply said, this boot has a comfort-to-weight ratio that is unparalleled by any boot in this review. For those who have aching knees & are looking for a way to increase their longevity on the trails, this Kaha GTX boot is a perfect choice.

Comfort is Alaways a priority

The Kaha GTX boots blew us with their extraordinary comfort. These boots do not even give other models a fair fight trying to compete against it in this metric! Due to a blend of proprietary foam layers as the basis for its midsole structure, the one word to best describe the feeling of walking around in the Kaha is plush. Straight out of the box, these boots delivered exceptional all-day comfort, helping our feet to move around without being loose. My feet did not feel fatigued at the end of a long hiking day with more minimal midsole built.

We preferred the lacing system of this Hoka. It has leather cutout eyelet at the start of the laces, followed by four metal eyelets. In the mid of the lacing system, two eyelets are positioned side by side. Choosing the eyelets further onward makes the lacing system tighter across the top. Selecting for the eyelets positioned further back makes the heel box feel snugger.

I liked the adjustability to accommodate personal preferences. Two hooks at the top of the upper let the user to tighten the collar around the ankle with ease. The heel box felt brilliant to the feet, with no slippage. We like this lacing system yet missed the lace-locking feature found on some models.

The Hoka Kaha 2 Low GTX is comfortable & makes any hike feel like a short trip because of its supreme comfort. I never had a blister while using these boots, & I always reach my campsite still feeling comfortable in my boots. Because of its thickness, you cannot feel sharp or rocky terrain through the sole of the boot for the superior cushioning.

These boots are designed for longer day hikes as well as backpacking trips. It can handle the trail and the extra weight of a pack without compromising comfort or longevity.

Waterproofing

The GORE-TEX construction of the Hoka Kaha 2 Low GTX guarantees that your feet stay dry & comfortable in all weather conditions. Combining that with a durable water-repellent (DWR) coating & robust leather upper, the boot did a great job keeping water out during several creek crossings on the backpacking trip.

Prolonged exposure to water resulted in the leather absorbing some moisture, but it never led to leaking. This shoe will protect you from getting wet and cold whether you are hiking through rain, snow, or puddles.

Design

I love the design of the Kaha as they are rugged, plush, and very comfortable lightweight hikers that shine on the trail with their various features. The Kaha 2 GTX has a range of colors to help you find a pair that fits your personality on the trail. I have the Black ones as they go with any outfit, yet the purple ones caught my eye, too! Some may find the style of the Kaha “big” or “clunky” owing to how thick the sole of the boot is and its overall profile is compared to other brands. But that thick sole is what makes the Kaha so comfortable & versatile for a range of terrains.

The Hoka Kaha 2 Low GTX prioritize functionality, but it features a sleek & stylish design. The combination of premium materials and the best craftsmanship provides this trail shoe with a premium and modern look. You can feel fashionable & confident while enjoying the great outdoors.

Heel Design

HOKA is well-known for their invention in boot/shoe design & the Kaha 2 GTX includes their patented SwallowTail™ and HUBBLE® heel. These features help on descents by allowing more surface area for your heel strike and aids with the heel transition for the next step. I certainly observed a difference in my hikes from my first pair of Kahas, to the newest model with these design features. I was concerned that the extra bit at the back of the shoe would cause me to trip or get caught on rock overhangs, yet that has not been a problem.

Traction

For the outsole, Hoka uses Vibram & their sticky Megagrip compound. The tacky rubber gripped constantly on rock, & the 5-millimetre lugs were aggressive enough to bite into softer ground. It is a well-balanced design. The boot’s oversized base & patches of blown rubber mean it is most comfortable on established trails rather than scrambling or covering more technical terrain. For standard backpacking trips and day hikes the Hoka offers plenty of grip.

Breathability

While using these boots, my feet do not feel hot while I am hiking, so I will say the breathability is standard. It would be hard to make them any more breathable without compromising the waterproof features.

Sustainability

Hoka, like many footwear companies today, is looking at how they can decrease their environmental impact. Their parent company, Deckers, is a member of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), the world’s prime corporate sustainability initiative, and Hoka precisely has several explicit objectives over the next few years for reducing energy use, carbon emissions, & water usage, as well as increasing use of recycled, renewable, regenerated, or natural materials in their footwear.

The Gore-Tex membrane is made of 45% recycled content, the mesh and laces also feature recycled material, the DWR treatment is free of harmful per fluorinated compounds, and the molded PU sock liner is 50% made from soybean oil instead of crude oil.

Ankle Support

There is some disagreement about just how much ankle support a tall boot, like the Kaha, can truly give you. Because of sports injuries, I sustained playing volleyball and running track in high school, I have had previous injuries to both ankles. My track coaches had to wrap my ankles for me before each meet or invitational to confirm I had the correct support to prevent injuries. I ultimately learned how to do it myself & took that knowledge with me as I continued participating in sports & athletics into adulthood.

I know how significant ankle support is & what it feels like when the ankle support is solid. When it comes to ankle support, there are not any tall hiking boots that offer THAT level of support that wrapping will do.

I can confirm that when I am using my Kaha boots, I notice less muscle soreness than I do when I hike in trail runners. My ankles never feel fatigued & I have not rolled my ankle while wearing my Kahas, despite having mis-stepped before.

There is sufficient ankle support, which gives me confidence with each step I take, knowing how vulnerable my ankles are to injuries.

Who Should Buy This

The Hoka Kaha 2 Low GTX is the finest for outdoor activities. Whether you are an experienced trail runner, hiker, or someone who loves outdoor adventures, this shoe caters to your needs. It is designed to provide the necessary protection, durability, and comfort for everybody who enjoys spending time in nature.

Conclusion

The Hoka Kaha 2 Low GTX offers outstanding value for outdoor athletes. Its durability, waterproofing features and comfort make it an excellent choice. While it may be priced somewhat higher than several other trail shoes on the market, the greater features and performance justify the cost. With this shoe, you are getting a reliable and high-quality product that will enhance your outside adventures.