How to Choose Hiking Boots

Cushier and more durable than before, the women's HOKA Kaha 3 GTX hiking boots are in it for the long haul whether you're gearing up for a day hike or multiday expedition.
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Imported.
View the HOKA Kaha Product LineView all HOKA Women's Day Hiking BootsBest Use | Hiking |
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Footwear Height | Over-the-ankle |
Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
Waterproof | Yes |
Type of Waterproofing | Leather Working Group Gold-rated waterproof nubuck leather |
Upper | Main: leather and GORE-TEX Invisible Fit footwear fabric with 71% recycled polyester face; quarter/tongue/lining: 100% recycled polyester mesh |
Lining | 100% textile |
Midsole | EVA (30% sugarcane EVA) |
Outsole | Vibram Megagrip 100% rubber |
Weight (Pair) | 2 lbs. 1.6 oz. |
Gender | Women's |
5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | |
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U.S. Women's | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 |
UK | 3.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 |
EU | 36 | 36.6 | 37.3 | 38 | 38.6 | 39.3 | 40 | 40.6 | 41.3 | 42 | 42.6 | 43.3 | 44 | 44.6 | 45.3 |
Foot Length (in.) | 8.7 | 8.8 | 9 | 9.2 | 9.3 | 9.5 | 9.6 | 9.8 | 10 | 10.2 | 10.3 | 10.5 | 10.7 | 10.8 | 11 |
Measurements are stated in inches.
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I love Hoka Brand, they are recommended by my podiatrist and my physical therapist. But the Kaha 3 GTX Hiking Boots were pretty disappointing. I wore them 3 times hiking. The first issue I had was the boot does not fit snug around the foot and when you descend from the hill your foot slides to the toe and cramps the toe to the front of the boot. What made me bring them back for a different brand, was the shoe was separating from the sole. The glue is not strong enough. When I brought them back, I was told that this is a common problem with this boot.
May come back and update once I get the right size, but the toe box change is pretty significant from the Kaha 2 to the 3. I loved the Kaha 2 and have been wearing a size 9.5 for the past two years which had room for downhill movement. This new version apparently has a smaller toe box, I verified that the 10.2in is what the Kaha 2 was and thought it would be fine ordering the Kaha 3 at a 9.5 since the specs are the same. However, the shoe is visibly smaller and the inserts I had in my Kaha 2 curl up inside the Kaha 3. A little disappointed as I ordered these specifically for a trip to the rockies. (Photo has the Kaha 2 on the right and the new Kaha 3 on the left, you can see there is about a half inch difference, both verified 9.5 US)
These boots are 5 star for comfort! They went down to 3 stars because I had to return the first pair after wearing them on one short trip after the plastic design on the side started peeling up. I have read other reviews about glue issues as well. I got another pair hoping it was just a bad lot, but we’ll see.
I love these boots! I have multiple pairs (because I wanted different colors). I've worn them backpacking and on day hikes. They are super comfortable and true to size. They are durable and have the traction on the soles is great. I've never had issues with the glue, like a previous reviewer mentioned, and I've been hard on them and worn them for miles. I love the ankle support, too. These, and the HOKA Anacapa Mids, are my go to hiking boots, for the last few years. They're worth the price!
I never write reviews but after one time wearing these boots, I felt I had to come and say they are the most comfortable hiking boots out-of-the-box I have ever owned. Usually I try to slowly test new boots by working up to long hikes, but I went all-in on a 10-mile, 1,400-foot-gain PNW hike to test these, and my feet have never been so happy. (And my feet were already tore up with a blister and some exposed skin from other shoes I wore the week prior, so I was worried these boots would make my feet worse, but I didn’t feel anything rubbing on my sore spots, my blister didn’t grow, and I had no hot spots either.) I’ve worn several other boot brands and been happy with them, but never to this level, as these are so much more comfortable. They’re cushy, held up well on rocks and stream crossings, and I like that there are options for lacing them, so my foot stayed put. I did size up to a 9 from my usual 8.5 after trying them on and simulating downhill hiking on the store test track to avoid my toe grazing the front. I was worried they would feel too big even with cushy hiking socks on, but they felt perfect. Normally I’m dying to get out of my boots after a long hike, but I didn’t feel like that with these. Highly recommend! Hoping they hold up for the long haul.
This is my fifth hiking boots. My last two were Lowa which gave me lots of pain on my feet especially the last few miles in a long hike. I finally fed up with Lowa and took a risk on Hoka Kaha 3 GTX and I’m so glad I switched. It’s my 6th hike with this boots. It is so comfortable, no break-in requires, amazing cushion, thick padding and great ankle support. Best of all, it’s so easy to clean, simply wipe the dirts with wet cloth. Go Hoka!
I wore them for the first time this week. Fit and comfort were excellent. The problem was the glue!! One of the plastic heel parts is already separated from the shoe! This is not a cheap product, and as it was my first pair of Hokas I had higher hopes at this price point. Very disappointed.