Unlike a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating on, say, a ski jacket, this Gore-Tex membrane doesn’t mean water will bead up and roll off of the boots. The leather upper appeared to get wet, but my feet remained dry inside. This was my experience hiking a trail with patches of snow. Since the waterproofing layer is inside other materials, a hiking boot can appear wet but still be waterproof. The Kaha GTX (like any Gore-Tex boot) features a membrane that’s designed to let vapor out but keep water from getting inside the boot. Unlike some waterproof hikers, the Gore-Tex membrane didn’t automatically make my feet sweat, even when worn indoors for extended periods of time. Waterproofing & Breathability: Repels water and lets vapor out The Hokas are somewhat challenged in lateral movements, especially because of their platform stature, and are at their best mowing down obstacles in one direction on fairly groomed trails. Trail running or fast hiking in more technical situations off-trail where each step is a choice and you have to carefully select your footfalls is better done in a more minimalist trail running shoe. I ran a bit in these and found that they were at their best when moving fast in one direction. The broader heel and fairly wide toe platform make for a stable boot that doesn’t rock from side to side. If you prefer a thinner-soled trail running type of shoe, this may be too much cushion for you. That, of course, is the point of the extra padding which makes it easier to just keep on trucking, even when descending rocky terrain. While the traction of the Vibram sole seemed effective, one gripe I had with the performance was that the thickness of the sole from heel through toe made it harder to feel the ground and enjoy that tactile feedback as you hike. They might hold up fine on well-traveled trails, but several online customer reviews warned of durability issues and I’m curious to see how they stand up to abuse on less manicured trails over time. While it felt tough to the touch and I didn’t experience any damage in my testing, I wonder about the long-term durability of the midsole layers if hiking off-trail and in rough conditions. Still, the Vibram doesn’t continue up the sides of the midsole unlike many other hiking boots, so the rubberized foam is exposed to impacts. While it isn’t a thick sole (the EVA foam midsole is thick enough), the tread has some fairly serious 5mm lugs for a shoe with a running pedigree. I first realized that the Hoka One One Kaha hiking boots were more than just basketball shoes in earth tones when I saw the Vibram Megagrip outsole. Justin Park / TripSavvy Traction: Serious lugs I tested a size 11 and it fit snugly with a little room around the toe. The fit was great on my slightly narrow foot, however, if you’re on the wide end of the spectrum, you may want to consider a different boot since the Kaha’s don’t currently come in wide varieties. I found the laces easy to make snug which kept my foot in place and heel back, and gave my toes some room without sliding around in the toe box. This is likely thanks in part to the contoured insole and cushioning. The boots were comfortable right out of the box, despite the full-grain leather upper. If you’re new to the brand, you’ll probably be impressed by how cushioned they are for a hiking boot. So if you’re a Hoka One One enthusiast expecting the usual plush ride, lower your expectations a touch. And while they’re definitely a heavily cushioned hiker, they’re not quite as cloud-like as regular Hoka One One runners. Justin Park / TripSavvy Comfort: A step back from Hoka’s runnersĬomfort and cushioning is the hallmark of the Hoka One One brand, so you’d expect it in the Kaha hiking boots, especially since they look the part with the signature thick foam midsole.
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