Hoka Tor Ultra Hi Review

The Hoka Tor Ultra Hi is a dynamic and revolutionary hiking boot. They are not ordinary hiking boots. They are HUGE and brightly coloured. These boots have taken six years of Hoka’s running shoe technological developments and executed them to create the most comfortable hiking boots out there. They are the most cozy comparing the boots in that category. Comfortable feet are essential to enjoying the outdoors, & these Award-winner boots are an excellent choice.

The TOR ULTRA HI is an extraordinary outdoor boot. Vibram MegaGrip outsole rubber and the EVA & RMAT material midsole blend provide traction & cushioning. The Meta-Rocker geometry in the midsole delivers a smooth ride. A blend of tough nylon & leather gives support around the foot and ankle. EVent waterproofing technology keeps your feet dry.

I can bet you will get a new pair of shoes for both running and hiking after reading this review which I have shared from my experience

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Hoka Tor Ultra Hi Detailed Review

The Hoka Tor Ultra Hi is part of their debut lineup of shoes that transition the brand from moving into the world of backpacking and hiking. They offer an e-vent bootie for full waterproof protection and a full-grain leather upper for durability.

The Hoka Tor Ultra Hi moves the brand into the world of hiking and backpacking. They offer an e-vent boot for full waterproof protection and a full-grain leather upper for durability.

First Impressions

After unboxing, the first thing that hit me was how lightweight they were. The shoe weighs around 17 ounces, which is extremely light. These shoes look like they would be big and clunky, but they are light as a feather

At first I was attracted to this shoe due to the tall ankle collar and the additional benefits this would provide in deep snow, a nice upgrade over several other shoes with just a built in gaiter. I was looking forward to the extra ankle protection it would deliver, from rocks, crusty snow, logs, or any other obstacles you might find while pushing through rough terrain and conditions. My expectation were surpassed in both of these regards, as they did protect my ankles several times from scuffs and bumps.

Initially, I was worried that the high collar would be irritating, distracting or even cause chaffing, yet these worries quickly vanished on the first run. I wore Hoka Tor Ultra Hi with a mid-shin height, medium or heavy wool sock & completely forgot about the taller cuff when outside running or hiking.

With each run, the material softened a bit to become more flexible, while I also became more familiar to the fit & feel of the shoe over time. Also, the Meta-Rocker outsole helps facilitate forward motion with less bending of the ankle, which is useful for a shoe that has such a high top.

The Boot is comfortably Fitted

The fit in general is fairly comfortable, it feels like the inside of the Hoka Tor Ultra Hi boot is making positive contact with all of the foot. There are no visible gaps or spaces inside. The boot hugs & conforms well to the shape of my foot.

Arch support is brilliant. The semi stiffness of the plastic around the heel cup delivers ample ankle support. The interior shape, combined with being neatly trimmed & sewn help prevent unnecessary points of contact to minimize friction that would cause chaffing and blisters. The comfortable fit did a good job of keeping the top of the boot sealed, & I had no problems with debris entering the boot while hiking.

Make and Durability

The upper of this shoe mainly consists of full-grain leather & textile overlays. eVent waterproof membrane offers the shoe a look and feel of durability and quality. The material is reasonably stiff, but in a protective, supportive & welcoming sort of way, feeling sturdy without being the least bit confining or restricting.

After 80 energetic miles, Hoka Tor Ultra Hi is holding up extremely well. The leather uppers have taken the brunt of the mishandling, hitting rocks & going through water. They are a bit scratched, yet the leather was strong, the stitching is still looking great, & there is no breakdown in the footbed.

A healthy combination of mesh, leather, & rubber allows for durability and breathability. The rubber is a bit unique.

Comfortable Boots should be the Priority

These boots are very comfortable. By far the most comfy boots I have ever used. There were no break-in periods for me, & were just as comfortable on day one as they were after three months of hard use. The comfort of these Hoka Tor Ultra Hi boots to me was certainly near perfect, I did not encounter any hot spots, blisters, pressure points, or other uneasiness related to poor fit. This even held true while wearing the boots while completely soaked & wetted through.

My feet have a unique shape. Very narrow overall, yer very wide in the forefoot owing to over ten years of barefoot running. The wide toebox of the Tor Ultra Hi allowed my toes to splay comfortably. My heel & ankle stayed firmly in place, which caused virtually zero rubbing. Meaning…ZERO BLISTERS. And finding a shoe that does not cause blisters is essentially like finding the Holy Grail in my book. They run true to size, which is always appreciated.

Unlike most other hiking boots, the Tor Ultra Hi has very thick & soft soles. The three modules that make Hokas unique are what they call the “rocking chair, marshmallow, and the bucket seat.” The rocking chair is the rocker that is added to the sole, turning both the toe & the heel up a bit, to help maintain an even gait. The marshmallow is the oversized midsole, both in height & width, providing stacks of cushion for the foot. Lastly, the bucket seat is the deep heel cup that keeps the heel in place & adds comfort.

We were doubtful of this innovative running technology executed into hiking boots, but the Hoka proved to be comfortable all day long, even on off-trail hikes on rocky, steep terrain. There was little break-in period & no sign of uneasiness, even after hours on our feet. The boots that came close to the Hoka’s in terms of comfort were the Vasque Monolith, the Salomon X Ultra Mid 4, and the Keen Targhee III, but the Hokas truly take the cake in this category.

Protection

Hoka TOR ULTRA HI delivers 32 mm of cushion in the heel & 28 mm in the forefoot. The EVA and RMAT blended midsole is comfortable & compliant while maintaining brilliant support and surprising response. The signature maximal Hoka midsole not only offers excellent cushion for long days on the trail but delivers amazing protection from impact on rocky terrain.

Water Resistance

Made with Hoka’s eVent waterproof & breathable technology, the Tor Ultra proved to be water-resistant. The uppers appear thin, which allows the foot to breathe. But they are waterproof enough to perform in the rain.

The height of the sole helped keep water out in small puddles & streams. The water did not even reach the fabric of the upper. The Hoka TOR ULTRA HI has a water-resistant coating. It has super thick soles & a higher ankle height that kept us above the water for most of the creek crossings we came across.

Traction

The Hoka TOR ULTRA HI has 5 mm lug depths and an aggressive tread pattern that keeps your feet on the steepest, most rough terrain. The lugs add stability overall as they are well-positioned along the outside of the sole. The Vibram MegaGrip outsoles felt extremely grippy on rocks, and the tread pattern kept us on track in gravel & dirt.

In which area it is best

I recommend Hoka Tor Ultra Hi to a wide variety of groups. For the peak bagger or mountaineer, looking for a waterproof, protective, warm, reasonably light, well-cushioned shoe for long days or multi-day trips.

The Tor Ultra Hi performs extraordinarily well for long-distance backpacking. The ankle collar keeps water & debris out while stabilizing the foot, making it a good option for wet, snowy, rough terrain. The extra cushion & stability from the oversized midsole make them the most comfortable boot I tried. They also handle well on rugged terrain, therefore they are great for trips above the tree line.

Any runner who does not want to be slowed by winter, no matter how cold and snowy it becomes. The Hoka Tor Ultra Hi is beneficial for ultra-adventure runners who are out for long days that involve rocky terrain, and wet or snowy conditions, but want a lighter shoe that can also handle long approaches.

Snowshoeing, The Tor Ultra Hi is warm enough and waterproof enough to work very well & the toe is slimmer than several dedicated winter boots and is more likely to fit into non-expedition, running-style snowshoes. Backpacking, trekking, general hiking. With the extra cushion, lightweight & waterproofing, ankle support, the Tor would be an excellent choice.

Conclusion

If you want an extremely supportive, very lightweight, comfortable, and breathable boot with excellent traction then look no further, you have found it! I strongly recommend these boots to anybody looking for these features in a backpacking boot. The only cause I would advise someone not to get these is if you’re carrying a load over 45 lbs.