The Hoka Kaha 3 GTX hiking boots are some of our favorites this year. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
If you’re anything like me, you love hiking but don’t love hiking boots. I know many serious hikers are diehards for the support and structure of hiking boots, but I typically gravitate towards trail runners as they are lighter and more comfortable regardless of mileage. I opt for boots in two situations: wet, cold weather or loaded backpacking trips, when the added protection of boots is welcome. But then I got to try the new Hoka Kaha 3 GTX, and I just might hike in boots more often.
In our guide to the Best Women’s Hiking Boots, the previous model Hoka Kaha 2 GTX (now only available in Frost insulated version) was our runner-up thanks to its seamless blend of comfort and stability. Hoka gained popularity as a running brand, so the foray into boots hits a sweet spot of incorporating the features I love in trail runners with the added support you’d expect in a solid hiking boot. Hoka recently launched the updated version of the boot: the Hoka Kaha 3 GTX. The updated design is said to be cushier and more durable than its predecessor. Did one of my favorite hiking boots to date just get even better? I was eager to find out.
Related: Best Women’s Hiking Boots | Best Women’s Hiking Shoes | Camping and Hiking Reviews
Comfortable, durable, and supportive, the Hoka Kaha 3 is a winner in our book. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
First Impressions of the Hoka Kaha 3 GTX
Upon first inspection, the Hoka Kaha 3 GTX looks like a burly pair of hiking boots. They appear incredibly supportive, but also heavy and cumbersome. I was worried Hoka might have pushed too hard with the updates in the name of durability and support, and that some of the comfort from the Kaha 2 might have been sacrificed. But I know all too well that looks can be deceiving, so I wanted to be sure and give the Kaha 3 a fair try before landing on a verdict.
| Pros | Cons |
| Super comfortable midsole and upper | Heavier than Kaha 2 |
| Sole design provides excellent traction | Somewhat pricey |
| Looks better than previous model | Leather outer dries slowly |
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Testing the Hoka Kaha 3 GTX in the Redwood Forest
Weight: 2 lbs. 1.6 oz.
Upper Materials: Leather and GORE-TEX Invisible Fit footwear fabric with 71% recycled polyester face; quarter/tongue/lining: 100% recycled polyester mesh
Lining: 100% textile
Outsole: Vibram Megagrip 100% rubber
Most hiking boots are not comfortable out of the box and must be broken in before they are actually comfortable. I wouldn’t say the Hoka Kaha 3 GTX is necessarily comfortable the first time you wear them, but the boots aren’t as rigid or unyielding as something like a Lowa. I wore these on a couple of mellow walks and hikes initially to break them in — they felt a bit stiff at first, but no complaints other than that.
In terms of looks, I’m a big fan of the aesthetic of the latest Kaha. The hiking boots come in earthy shades that look good with every hiking outfit, and the new upper design is a bit more neutral and less gaudy than the Kaha 2. Looks don’t matter in terms of performance, but I still like to sport a cool pair of kicks when I’m on the trail.
The Fit
The Hoka Kaha 3 GTX fits true to size. In street shoes, I wear a women’s size 8, and that’s exactly what I ordered the Kahas. Perfect fit: The toe box isn’t insanely wide, but it is accommodating enough that you have plenty of room to spread your toes out without any pressure points. Plus, the boots feel snug enough to ensure your foot isn’t slipping around inside.
The Hoka Kaha 3 fits true to size. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Seriously Waterproof
For $240, I’d expect my hiking shoes to be reliably waterproof, and the Hoka Kaha 3 GTX delivers. The uppers are made with waterproof leather and GORE-TEX Invisible Fit footwear fabric, and the entire boot is coated with a PFC-free water repellency treatment. Finally, all of the leather portions of the boot are made from gold-rated waterproof nubuck leather, adding to the resiliency of the outer.
To test out the Kaha 3 GTX, I wore them on multiple hikes in the redwood forest near my home in Santa Cruz. It’s been a fairly wet winter, so a lot of my hikes have been in wet and muddy conditions, and these hiking boots have kept my feet warm and dry. I’ve also had to navigate my fair share of creek crossings, and as long as the water level is below the top of my boots, I’m good to go. Because the Kahas are mostly leather, they do take a bit to dry out completely, but the insides stayed dry, and that’s what truly matters.
The Kahas are one of the comfiest pair of hiking boots we have ever tested. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Comfy and Cushy
Perhaps the biggest benefit of Hoka Kaha 3 GTX is the boot’s insane level of comfort. Saying that a hiking boot is comfortable feels like a bit of an oxymoron (to me), but the Kaha is the real deal.
The updated polyurethane sock liner doesn’t rub, is comfortable, and is designed to reduce foot fatigue during long days on the trail. To further help reduce foot fatigue, the sugarcane EVA midsole is nice and thick, protecting your feet while delivering a nice spring to each step. The midsole works well to help absorb shock, which I found especially nice when carrying a heavy load. It’s softer than a PU sole or some of the stiffer boots on the market, without feeling spongy or unstable.
A problem I often encounter with hiking boots and hiking shoes is rubbing around the ankle, tongue, and/or heel tab. Hoka did a good job with the Kaha 3 to ensure minimal rubbing and maximum comfort. The boots feature padding around the ankle and the tongue is smooth and lies flat. Finally, the heel tab sits low enough so that it doesn’t rub, but it still serves its purpose nicely to make it easier to pull the boots on and off.
Multiple quick lace metal loops make it easy to find your perfect fit. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Secure and Supportive
Like many of the brand’s boots, the Hoka Kaha 3 GTX features Hoka’s patented Hubble Heel and Swallow Tail design. The Hubble Heel is a little less pronounced in the recent update (which improves the looks of this boot), but it still does plenty to add impact absorption on heel strikes. And the Swallow Tail is sort of like a split in the heel rubber that is supposed to help adhere to uneven terrain. Essentially, the combination of the two delivers a wide, stable platform that is incredibly responsive. That wide heel does wonders for stability and keeping your ankles from rolling.
To further assist with a secure fit, the laces on the Kaha 3 GTX run all the way up to the top of the boot, with multiple quick lace metal loops so you can easily find your perfect fit. When the terrain was mellow, I found that I liked using one of the lower hooks because they delivered a looser fit around the ankle, which I found to be more comfortable. But for more technical terrain where I was at higher risk of twisting an ankle, I secured the laces on the top loop, and my feet and ankles felt incredibly supported.
Vibram Megagrip outsoles coupled with 4 mm lugs deliver reliable traction underfoot. Photos: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
The Traction
In addition to comfort and support, the traction on a pair of hiking boots is paramount. The last thing you want on a hike or backpacking trip is to be slipping and sliding the entire time. Thanks to the Vibram Megagrip outsoles, the boots are still as grippy as ever. The tread compound feels tacky and features little bumps along the lugs that seriously feel like they aid in traction.
I don’t have the most sure footing on creek crossings and always get nervous when I jump to a wet rock that my feet will slip out. The Kaha 3 was nice and grippy on wet rocks, and when the trail dried out and the dirt loosened up, I found that my footing felt secure as well.
The Competition
The Hoka Kaha 2 and Kaha 3 are very similar boots, but the updates are mostly beneficial. The downside of the upgrades is that the Kaha 3 weighs slightly more: the Kaha 2 rings in at 1 lbs. 15.4 oz. while the 3 weighs 2 lbs. 1.6 oz. It’s not a massive difference, but lighter always feels a bit nicer underfoot. On the flipside, the Kaha 3 does indeed feel more durable while still delivering the generous support and comfort of the 2. Plus, in our opinion, they look much better.
At $240, the Kahas are a bit expensive. The cost is a touch above average, but still, we think, a fair price for a great boot. If you’re looking to save some cash but still want a reliable yet comfortable hiking boot, the Merrell Moab 3 is about $100 cheaper, but it isn’t as durable and it’s not quite as supportive.
The Hoka Kaha 3 GTX offers substantial comfort and style. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Final Thoughts On the Hoka Kaha 3 GTX
If comfort is your top priority, then you will love the Hoka Kaha 3 GTX hiking boots. Made from nubuck leather, the boots not only look good but are incredibly durable and supportive. Although the Kaha 3 is a tad heavy and pricey, the cushioning adds a spring to your step, helping to reduce foot fatigue on extra-long hikes.
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