Hoka Kaha 2 Low GTX review

Having tested the HOKA Kaha 2 Low GTX in and out, we found that it is primed for hikers who:

• go on long hikes and multi-day backpacking adventures on moderate terrain with a load up to 30 lbs (14 kg); if more, consider the HOKA Kaha 2 GTX boot.
• seek maximum underfoot cushioning and isolation from the trail
• rely on extra wide platforms for added support
• are willing to pay the premium price for excellent durability and high-quality materials

The hefty weight of this HOKA shoe can be a real mood killer for those who prioritise lightness in their hiking gear. If you need a shoe for day hikes and weekend trips, the lighter HOKA Anacapa 2 Low GTX (14.1 oz/400g) is more than enough. And it is considerably cheaper!

And if you do need a shoe for multi-day objectives with a heavier pack, take a look at the Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX among other options in our guide on the best backpacking shoes.

HOKA is synonymous with thick-foamed platforms and bottomless cushioning but the Kaha 2 Low GTX is by far the brand's most platformy hiking shoe, together with the Skyline-Float X.

Measuring its heel stack with a digital caliper, we got a towering height of 38.0 mm. It is notably thicker than the category average and also exceeds another generously cushioned HOKA shoe (the Anacapa 2 Low GTX) by 2 mm.

Built on the same platform as its mid-cut backpacking counterpart, the Kaha 2 Low devours every trail obstacle and keeps the foot protected from all the bumps, roots, and rocks. It also provides the most luxurious impact protection for long-distances hikes and multi-day adventures with a heavy backpack.

But the shoe's generous cushioning is not just limited to the heel area. Our caliper showed a whopping forefoot stack of 29.5 mm which is one of the tallest you can ever get in a hiking shoe!

That way, the Kaha 2 Low keeps the ball of foot and the toe joints safely isolated from the trail but you do pay with little-to-no ground feel. And while it's great on moderate terrain, it can make the shoe dangerously clunky on the more technical routes where the price for a misstep is higher.

Based on our caliper measurements above, the Kaha 2 Low GTX has a traditional heel-to-toe drop of 8.5 mm.

In this offset, your heel sits slightly higher above the toes, making heel landings safer and cushier as you carry a heavy load. It also helps to ease the stress on the Achilles and calves.

In addition to being very abundant, the shoe's cushioning also has a pleasantly soft feel to it. However, we wouldn't describe it as squishmellowy plush.

The Kaha 2 Low GTX features a dual-density midsole in which a softer (top) foam is complemented by a firmer (bottom) carrier foam. Pressing our Shore A durometer against the former, we got a below-average reading of 23.0 HA. That is 20% softer than average.

That way, you get a cozier experience directly underfoot but feel more stable closer to the ground. Overall, this HOKA shoe offers a balanced ride which is a bit more comfort-oriented than other hikig shoes.

Measuring the shoe's firmer foam layer, our durometer returned a very high reading of 38.0 HA. So it is, in fact, 65% denser than the primary compound.

It helps to keep the squishiness under control and adds surefootedness to the ride.

Because it is a warm and waterproof shoe, you are likely to consider this HOKA shoe for the cold season. And if that's the case, we must warn you that the Kaha 2 Low's soft goodness becomes less squishy and friendly when the mercury drops.

After keeping the shoe in the freezer for 20 minutes, we repeated the durometer measurement and discovered that its primary foam when from moderately soft to firm (29.0 HA). With a 26% increase in firmness, this shoe can feel less cushy and friendly after long hours of hiking or sitting in the cold.

The HOKA Kaha 2 Low GTX features a well-padded foam insole which showed a solid thickness of 5.4 mm on our caliper. It complements the shoe's exceptionally well-cushioned ride with a pleasant step-in feel and an extra buffer against foot fatigue.

Like many other HOKA designs, the Kaha 2 Low GTX features a moderate toe rocker (or toe spring) in the front and a SwallowTail Heel in the back.

We love this combo for the amazingly smooth heel-to-toe transitions it provides.

The only knock we have on the shoe's flared heel shape is that it tends to get caught in between rocks limiting the shoe's maneuverability on technical terrain.

The HOKA Kaha 2 Low GTX is only available in a standard width but it offers a proper medium fit for most hikers.

Measuring the shoe's gel mold with a caliper, we got a regular width of 92.2 mm in its widest part. Even though it is a smidge narrower than average, it still falls into the medium range.

There is no aggressive toebox tapering in the Kaha 2 Low either. Showing 72.3 mm of width in the big toe area, the toebox shape of this HOKA shoe is on par with the average.

Even with a large protective overlay on top of its toebox, the Kaha 2 Low showed a decent toebox height of 28.1 mm offering enough wiggle room above the toes.

We have no concerns about developing hot spots, blisters, or black toenails in this HOKA shoe.

Choosing the HOKA Kaha 2 Low GTX means that stability is going to be the least of your worries on the trail. Even if it's a high-mileage backpacking objective, you can count on the Kaha 2 Low for a solid footing.

The shoe's stout construction generates a ton of torsional rigidity even in the absence of a stiff shank inside the midsole. Testing its stiffness in our manual test revealed just how immune the Kaha 2 Low is to twisting. On a 1-5 stiffness scale, that's a clear 5/5.

This hiking shohe characteristic is essential for those who seek minimum foot wobbles on the trail as it prevents the foot from overworking under heavy load. This is particlurlay important for hikers with overpronation who seek better arch support.

We were surprised to see such a structured and beefy heel counter on a hiking shoe!

Its back portion didn't yield to our push-and-squeeze at all while its sidewalls showed just a little give, raising the shoe's heel counter stiffness to 4/5. Not to mention all that puffy collar padding which locked our heels and ankles very securely in place.

We also found its elf collar design beneficial for hiking downhill as it prevented the shoe edges from digging into the Achilles.

The chunky platforms of HOKA shoes provide some of the most planted hiking experiences. And this is exactly what you can expect from the Kaha 2 Low GTX too.

Even though you don't need a caliper to see just how broad its midsole is, it is our job to let you know how it stacks up against the competiion.

Showing 112.8 mm in the widest part of the forefoot, the Kaha 2 is not that much wider than the average but its heel width makes all the difference...

With a whopping caliper reading of 106.3 mm, the HOKA Kaha 2 Low GTX beats all records and becomes the widest hiking shoe heel in our catalog! In fact, it is just as wide as the Kaha boot!

It is the broadest landing area you could possibly imagine in an outdoor shoe and it made us feel exceptionally surefooted.

It only makes sense that such a burly high-stacked shoe doesn't bend so easily in the forefoot. So don't expect much agility or maneuverability in the Kaha 2 Low GTX.

Putting the shoe through our flexibility testing machine, we discovered that it takes 35% more force to bend it by 30 degrees compared to an average hiking shoe. That makes it one of the stiffest options not only torsionally (side-to-side flexi) but also longitudinally (forward flex).

On the bright side, you get the benefit of a more stable and structured underfoot experience.

But now let's talk about the price you have to pay for all that cushioned and stable goodness...and that's shoe's weight.

The HOKA Laha 2 Low GTX is a real whale on the scale at 16.8 oz (476g) in a men's US size 9. It is one of the heaviest hiking shoes we've ever tested in the lab and is even on par with some hiking boots!

As much stability and impact protection as those extra pounds provide, they also contribute to faster foot and leg fatigue on those long-haul adventures. If you want a similar HOKA option that weighs 2.7 oz (77g)! less, do consider the Anacapa 2 Low GTX.

We believe that the HOKA Kaha 2 Low GTX has all it takes to become your next winter hiking shoe.

Its solid leather upper already makes the shoe warm and protective as is but the Gore-Tex waterproofing membrane inside it amplifies that weatherproofing.

Not even a tiny streak of vapor managed to escape through the shoe's airtight toebox lowering its breathability score to 1/5.

It's not your summer-ready shoe but if you need one, we highly recommend the HOKA Skyline-Float X among other breathable options.

The Kaha 2 Low GTX is only available in a waterproof version and relies on the world-famous Gore-Tex lining to provide top-notch protection from rains, puddles, and wet grass.

But please keep in mind that the shoe's flood level is at the ankle and if the water gets inside, you're left with a swampy in-shoe experience until the end of the hike. For deeper creeks, river crossings, and downpours, please consider the HOKA Kaha 2 GTX boot.

We are amazed at how the Kaha 2 Low GTX's leather upper can take a beating with no significant wear and tear!

Having exposed it to sandpaper for 12 seconds in our Dremel test, the shoe's nubuck leather just didn't seem to be bothered at all. With just a minor scuff and no loss of structural integrity, we rated its toebox durability with a high score of 4/5. That's what Leather Working Group Gold-Rated leather stands for!

Add a protective toebox overlay and a toe bumper to the equation, and you get a shoe that can sustain sharp vegetation, rock strikes, and stick pokes.

Looking at the shoe's interior lining, we found that the Kaha 2 Low uses a highly durable material for its collar too.

This slick fabric fended off the Dremel like it was just a minor nuisance and earned the shoe's heel padding durablity the highest score of 5/5.

With no serious scuffing or tearing, the shoe's interior lining has very promising longevity!

Bulit on the exact same platform as the Kaha 2 boot, the HOKA Kaha 2 Low GTX features the same durable Vibram outsole as well.

The compound confirmed its hardness with a high durometer measurement of 87.0 HC.

The shoe's Vibram rubber continued to prove its worth in our highly abrasive Dremel test. With less than a milimeter of damage (0.7 mm to be precise), it outperformed many other hiking shoe outsoles.

HOKA didn't skimp on the amount of rubber either. Our caliper recorded a standard outsole thickness of 2.5 mm in the Kaha 2 Low GTX.

With a lug depth of 4.3 mm, the HOKA Kaha 2 Low GTX is not much toothier than the average hiking shoe.

It's not your best bet for muddy situations, but we found that it shines on both dry and wet rock slabs as well as mossy logs.

We also found the shoe's heel braking to be very effective on steep descents thanks to the smaller packed lugs in the heel area.

The Kaha 2 Low GTX is HOKA's most premium hiking shoe and it comes with a respective price tag.

But having put the shoe through the wringer, we can confirm that it indeed meets the high-set bar with the amount of cushioning, stability, and protection packed into it. It's basically a backpacking boot with a low-cut collar! The shoe also promises excellent longevity with low cost per wear.

However, if you are in serach of a less burly shoe for leisurely and moderate day hikes, there is just no need to invest in the Kaha. The more approachable Anacapa 2 Low GTX is a fantastic option.

We found no reflective elements on the Kaha 2 Low GTX in our low-light visibility test.

The Kaha 2 Low GTX offers a very pleasant and padded step-in feel without being an overkill. We measured its tongue thickness at 8.8 m and there is anout the same anount of foam in the collar. Just enough to keep the foot and ankle comfortable all day long.

The shoe's tongue is fully integrated into the upper leaving no gaps on the sides. While this is essential for waterproofing, it also keeps the interiors protected from debris and small pebbles.

The on-and-off is pretty easy in this HOKA shoe thanks to the finger loop and the extended elf collar at the back.

The shoe's insole is removable so have the option to replace it with a custom orthotic.