Can this Hoka walking trainer replace my trusty pair of hiking boots?

As a new member of the Hoka fan club, I was excited to try the Anacapa 2 Low GORE-TEX hiking shoe. My knowledge of this brand was limited until my running (well, shuffling) greatly improved with Hoka trainers, so logic tells me the same would apply to my hiking comfort. The Anacapa 2 Low GORE-TEX shoe looks more like the trainer and is super light, with all the added features of a modern hiking shoe and a bucket load of sustainability credentials.  But ultimately, would I end up wanting a more traditional hiking boot?

As someone over 50, I was also delighted to see such a choice of fun colours available - my days of brown and sensible are still very much ahead of me. I chose Ocean Mist, with a flash of purple on the sole and light mint-coloured trim, which promises to stand up to dirt, stains and uneven terrain. But would this snazzy colour-way dull over time with constant mud and dirt on it? Here's everything you need to know about the Hoka Anacapa Low. The low-down, if you will.

Upper

The upper on this hiking shoe looks like it would get grubby quickly, but the waterproof material replies all muck and dust and is completely gone with a quick wipe. The recycled yarn mesh fabric on the top of the shoe feels thin, which, of course, helps with the weight, and this fabric easily flexes, much like a trainer by the toes. There is a sturdier construction around the heel, and the sides are made of Gold-Rated waterproof nubuck leather, which gives this a more ‘expensive hiking’ look while maintaining its eco credentials. A softer, more foamy support features at the opening of the shoe and the tongue, with 50% Soybean-based sock liner, which is very comfortable to wear.  The toe cap is much more robust and feels very protective, sturdy and wipeable.

Midsole

The 30% sugarcane EVA midsole is wider and deeper than I have experienced before, but it feels like there is firm cushioning underfoot. This feature of the shoe helps with connectivity on the ground, maintaining a responsive toe-off for when you want to go faster. I found this midsole to be hard underfoot, which, although it helps with stability over uneven ground, I think my ankles would have preferred a little more softness. I tried various sock thicknesses to help with cushioning, but as these are narrow fitting, I had to ditch cushioned running socks for thin ankle sports socks. Perhaps with one size up, thicker socks would have been an option or perhaps the Kaha 2 Low Gore-Tex model.

Outsole

The grip on these shoes is fantastic, and at no point did I feel slipping was an option. Even over Cornish loose slate cliff paths, I felt extremely secure in this shoe. As a hiking boot lover, I am used to more support around the ankle, but this wide base gives you the security of not turning your ankle over, and although, from a design view, I don’t enjoy the look of the very wide and extended rear sole, this really does provide next-level sturdiness.

The wide sections on the Vibram Megagrip sole make it easy to clean out mud and dirt, and stones do not get stuck in the sole, or if they did, you certainly can’t feel them.

Features

The laces on this shoe are not long enough when using the last hole! Again, this might have been easier if I had gone a size up, but I couldn’t create a runner's knot like I could with my running shoes. The laces came undone unless double bowed, and they felt way too dainty for such a robust shoe. Maybe style over substance where laces are concerned. Because of the narrow fitting, I found it hard to get a good tension proportion across the lace area, leaving them very loose at the toe end and very tight at the ankle end.

Sustainability

Apparently, this shoe has been “Scrutinized through the lens of sustainability.” According to the Hoka website, they have reimagined the Anacapa range, focusing on earth-friendly materials. Updated with recycled yarn meshes, we’ve enlisted GORE-TEX Invisible Fit technology, a 30% sugarcane EVA midsole, and a Vibram® Megagrip outsole. This has not been on my radar when purchasing walking shoes before, but having researched this product, I see that this is the only way shoes should be created, with limited landfill repercussions.

How we tested

The Cornish summer never disappoints with a good mix of weather conditions. From wet and windy mornings on the southwest coast path to hot summer afternoons in the muddy woods with my four-legged friends, followed by a dip in the sea after a trek across the wet sand. I tested these hiking shoes every day over three weeks, and my longest walk was about five hours.

Verdict

This is a definite upgrade from my current walking shoes and boots, which, honestly, have seen better days! They are stylish, lightweight, and easy to wear, with no need to break them in. Walking in warmer temperatures, it was so nice not to be wearing heavy boots with thick socks. I love the range of colours available and that they are more like a trainer style rather than a ridged leather old-fashioned shoe. They are slightly shallower and narrower than I would like for my foot depth, so I’d be interested in trying the whole size bigger to see if that made a difference.

About the author

The reviewer for these shoes was Jo Downie. Jo is a recent addition to LFTO's freelance gear testing contingent. She lives in right on the coast in Cornwall and is usually found frolicking with some furry friends on a cliff-path.