 This Product
Hoka Kaha 3 GTX - Women's | |||||
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| Awards |  Best Max Cushion Hiking Boot |  Best Overall Hiking Boots | Best Lightweight Hiking Boot for Backpacking |  Best Bang for Your Buck | Best Hiking Boot Under $100 |
| Price | $240 List $240.00 at REI | $199.00 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $198.95 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | $81.69 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | $65.01 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | The ultimate hiking boot when it comes to all-day comfort, support, and stability | While less supportive than a traditional leather hiker, these boots excel in comfort and agility while saving weight | An instant favorite of our testing team thanks to unparalleled comfort, stability, waterproof performance, and traction, all within a lightweight package | A great choice for day hikes and moderate backpacking trips, these boots lack support and padding for shouldering heavier loads on extended trips | This hiking boot offers impressive performance in exchange for a modest price tag |
| Rating Categories | Hoka Kaha 3 GTX - W... | La Sportiva Ultra R... | La Sportiva TX Hike... | Merrell Moab 3 Mid... | Columbia Crestwood... |
| Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Support (25%) | |||||
| Traction (15%) | |||||
| Water Resistance (15%) | |||||
| Weight (10%) | |||||
| Durability (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | Hoka Kaha 3 GTX - W... | La Sportiva Ultra R... | La Sportiva TX Hike... | Merrell Moab 3 Mid... | Columbia Crestwood... |
| Measured Weight (per pair) | 2. 06 lbs (size 8.5) | 1.56 lbs (size EU 40) | 1.66 lbs (size 8.5) | 2.06 lbs (size 8) | 1.80 lbs (size 8.5) |
| Upper | Gold-rated waterproof nubuck leather | Debossed Nubuck Leather, TPU | Nubuck leather | Pigskin leather, mesh | Leather, mesh and webbing |
| Width Options | Regular | Regular | Regular | Regular, wide | Regular, wide |
| Waterproof Lining | Gore-Tex | ePE GORE-TEX Extended Comfort | bluesign-certified ePE GORE-TEX Extended Comfort waterproof/breathable membrane | Waterproof membrane | Omni-Tech |
| Midsole | EVA (30% sugarcane EVA) | Injection-molded MEMlex | Compression EVA with co-molded stabilizing insert | Super Rebound Compound | TechLite |
| Heel Height | 2.5" | 1.8" | 1.5" | 2.0" | 1.5" |
| Shaft Height | 7.0" | 6.25" | 6.0" | 4.9" | 5.0" |
| Sole | Vibram Megagrip 100% rubber | FriXion AT 2.0 rubber with Trail Bite heel | Vibram Ecostep EVO rubber | Vibram TC5+ | Omni-Grip |
The Hoka Kaha 3 GTX is a plush and comfortable modern hiking boot that is stable and supportive enough for everything from day hikes to multi-day backpacking trips with the extra weight of a heavy pack. The fit of the latest iteration is improved with a combination of Hoka's GORE-TEX Invisible Fit, a cushy midsole, and a streamlined one-piece outsole for better durability. The Vibram outsoles, Hubble Heel, and Swallow Tail features are designed to provide confidence and stability with every step. Looking for our favorite when it comes to all-day comfort? The Hoka Kaha 3 GTX is at the top of our list.
The Hoka Kaha 3 GTX features a unique hiking boot design that provides plush cushioning thanks to a higher bed (2+ inches) of foam underfoot. The 100% recycled polyester quarter, tongue, and lining mesh combine with a Gold-rated waterproof nubuck leather to provide comfort for your feet throughout the duration of your hike. The latest iteration offers a GORE-TEX Invisible Fit that is more true to size and more narrow in the toebox, which was perfect for our lead tester who has narrow feet and high arches. The Achilles-friendly heel collar surrounds the ankle with ample cushioning, while locking the heel and ankle into place without causing any discomfort.
While these hiking boots are comfortable right out of the box, we found that taking the time to put some miles into the soles prior to an extended trip would better soften the firm leather upper, thereby allowing for more comfort, especially when carrying the extra weight of a backpack. We also recommend taking the time to properly position the thick tongue of the boot, which we found to make or break the comfort, depending on whether or not the laces could pinch your feet when the tongue is not placed in the correct position. Overall, the plush cushioning, perfectly padded ankle and tongue, along with an updated fit, made these boots our go-to when we wanted to maximize comfort on the trail.
It may be difficult to find a more stable hiking boot than the Hoka Kaha 3 GTX thanks to a wide base of neutral support found within a symmetrical bed of cushioning. This boot is designed with poured and molded polyurethane sockliners (with 50% plant-based Susterra) to limit foot fatigue as well as dual-density midsoles constructed from 30% sugarcane EVA to offer more spring with every step. The substantial ankle shaft measures three inches in height and is equipped with three metal lacing hooks that hold the foot in place, without allowing any motion on the interior, even during steep descents.
The Hoka Kaha 3 GTX does such a good job supporting our feet by locking them into place within a substantial cuff, we can't help but wonder if our feet are losing overall fitness since the shoe is doing all the work of stabilization on the trail. While the boot does allow for some forward and lateral motion, it also feels a little bit like a cast, firmly positioning the feet, even when moving through uneven terrain. That being said, the pronounced support could be just what you're looking for, whether you're out for an extended day hike or are simply keen to find a boot that provides more substantial support that allows you to comfortably and confidently carry the extra weight of a backpack.
The overall traction provided by the Hoka Kaha 3 GTX is attributed to the Vibram Megagrip 100% rubber outsoles along with four millimeter lugs on the bottom that will grip even in extremely loose terrain. While the Hubble heel and Swallowtail design add some bulk to the boot, they do provide confidence and stability with every step, even when wet from crossing streams.
This toothy traction may take some getting used to, as our testers found the thick lug pattern to grip slippery granite so well that our feet would stick to the boulders and cause us to stumble. The thicker cushioning can also take some getting used to, as you will likely have to adjust your stride. Caveats aside, the top-notch performance of the Vibram Megagrip outsole is tough to beat, allowing the Hoka Kaha 3 GTX to receive high marks when it comes to traction throughout a variety of terrain types.
The Hoka Kaha 3 GTX is constructed from a Gold-rated waterproof Nubuck Leather upper, a top honor given by the Leather Working Group, an initiative dedicated to responsible and sustainably sourced leather practices. Whether we were negotiating snowfields, crossing streams, or fully submerging these boots, water never seeped into the waterproof leather upper, thanks to both the membrane and the topically applied PFC-free water repellent treatment. The boot also features one of the highest flood heights, measuring about 4 1/2 inches, thereby increasing the water resistance as you navigate snow or find yourself crossing lots of streams in the early season.
Per usual, these tightly sealed leather uppers also created a very hot boot, especially when hiking in the heat at lower elevations. Our testing team found the tipping point to be right around 75°F, before the interior of the boot became uncomfortable. The leather does absorb a little bit of moisture after long periods of exposure, such as snowfields, and after being fully submerged. That said, when crossing streams or during inclement weather, the water simply beads off the water repellent treatment. If you're looking for excellence in waterproof performance, the Hoka Kaha 3 GTX doesn't disappoint.
Our comprehensive review includes hiking boots that range in weight from 1.5 to 2.5 pounds. The Hoka Kaha 3 GTX sits right in the middle, weighing 2.06 pounds for a US Women's size 8.5. Needless to say, these boots don't exactly cater to those seeking a fast and light mission.
Although one of the heavier boot designs in the review, the Hoka Kaha 3 GTX provides a durable nubuck Leather upper, a plush amount of cushioning, along with excellent waterproof performance that adds some weight and bulk to the heavily padded and supportive design.
The Hoka Kaha 3 GTX features a sustainably sourced Nubuck Leather upper along with an updated one-piece outsole design for added durability. The molded TPU heel counter and beefy toe cap that covers most of the forefoot will protect your feet from debris and rocks encountered on the trail. Three metal lacing hooks are found along the well-cushioned ankle cuff that effectively secure the laces and hold the ankle in place.
When researching these boots prior to testing, we noted some reviewers mentioning the lack of durability in the new glue utilized in this design; however, after several miles in the boots, we didn't experience any issues ourselves. Hoka also changed the laces to a thicker and slightly overkill shoelace. While the new lace is likely more durable, it also makes the boot more difficult to tighten down around the ankle cuff. The durable metal hooks on the cuff are also prone to snagging when navigating a narrow trail. All that being said, we put plenty of miles into the Hoka Kaha 3 GTX and have no significant durability concerns to report.
When it comes to excellence in overall comfort, it's tough to beat the performance of the Hoka Kaha 3 GTX. From the plush cushioning to the updated fit to the sustainably sourced Nubuck leather, this high-quality design will keep your feet comfortable and supportive for many miles ahead. The waterproof performance is provided through a combination of a waterproof Gore-Tex membrane and a topically applied water repellent treatment. The boot is highly supportive and durable enough to carry the extra weight of a backpack. If you're after the crème de la crème of stability and comfort, look no further than the Hoka Kaha 3 GTX.
The Hoka Kaha 3 GTX is our top choice for those after supreme comfort, high quality, plush cushioning, neutral support, and excellent water resistance. While we find them to be comfortable and stable for those with more narrow foot shapes, we recommend other options like the Altra Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Mid 2 for those who need a little extra space in the toebox. If versatility is your preference and you'd like a little more flexibility in the upper, the Danner Mountain 600 Leaf Gore-Tex is worth checking out. If waterproof performance is number one on your list, check out the La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX. And you're interested in the overall favorite of our testing team, the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX received high marks in every testing metric.
