Men’s HOKA Anacapa 2 Low GTX Review

Bottom Line

The HOKA Anacapa 2 Low GTX is a comfortable, waterproof, and durable hiking shoe. It made our Best Hiking Shoes for Men list thanks to its plush cushioning and weatherproofing. This shoe is a favorite of Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer – he’s tested the Anacapa 2 in rough spring and fall conditions across the Colorado high country to see how it would hold up in rain, snow, and mud. It surpassed expectations. With a cushy foam midsole, rockered design, and an average sized toe box, we felt fast and stable on slopes and steep angles. With great traction, robust weather protection, and a handy heel loop for easy on / off, these shoes are a clear winner for us.

However, they are among the pricier options we tested and aren’t the lightest shoes at almost two pounds per pair. We also find the fit can be a bit wide for some feet, and the extended dovetail design at the heel – while excellent for braking on steep descents – can take a bit of getting used to. Additionally, their bulkier aesthetic and unique colorways may not work for everyone’s style. That said, this hiking shoe is a stellar choice for a cushioned ride on wet and challenging adventures.

Comfort

The Anacapa 2 Low GTX is a comfortable choice for long hikes. If you’re seeking a cushy feel, these shoes deliver on all fronts. For fans of the popular HOKA Speedgoat trail running shoes, these shoes have a similar midsole for a pillowy ride on most terrain.

The Anacapa 2 is comfortable right out of the box. Without any break-in time, Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer used his test pair for a 9 mile hike in the Blodgett Peak Open Space in Colorado Springs. He avoided hotspots and rubbing entirely, even though he ascended and descended over 2500’ of vert. 

The real highlight of these shoes is the generous foam cushioning through the midsole that all but eliminates ground feel. Ian’s hike in the Blodgett Open Space is littered with sharp rock, pokey Yucca plants, and rough roots, but he barely noticed any of these obstacles. The foam helped him keep a natural gait on even the roughest trail sections. 

The biggest downside of these shoes? The fit is a little wide through the midfoot and heel, so these may not work as well for folks with narrow feet and high arches. Ian often wears a size 7.5, but the 7 is a better fit for his small, narrow feet. The unique dovetail heel and rockered design also takes a bit of extra time to get used to. That said, we think you’ll find these shoes are springy, comfy, and versatile for most hikes.

Traction

The traction on the HOKA Anacapa 2 Low GTX is average and performs best on established trails. Their chunky rectangular lugs, geometric pattern, and Vibram Megagrip rubber outsoles grip impressively well on dry rocks, sand, dirt, and roots. They performed beautifully on a bluebird dayhike of Colorado 14er Mt Sneffels, a route full of packed dirt, gravel, and moderate scrambling. The traction grips effectively on all of these terrains, so we were able to focus on the next obstacle instead of worrying about stability.

However, the lug depth leaves a bit to be desired. Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer hikes Mount Morrison weekly, a foothill peak local to Denver with lots of rocks and a bit of scrambling. It climbs over 1800’ in 1.8 miles and stays at a steep grade from trailhead to summit. After a significant snowfall or rain, he’s taken the Anacapa 2s up this route several times. He found they were especially slippery on rocks, boulders, and roots, and took a spill that scraped up an arm and a leg.

The other major downside of the Anacapa 2’s is the Vibram outsoles aren’t especially durable. We’ve found the lugs begin to degrade after about 250 miles, reducing their traction compared with shoes using more robust rubber compounds. That’s why we don’t recommend these for off-trail adventures – though they still maintain decent grip through water, and soft soil for spring, summer, and fall hikes on well-maintained trails.

Weight

The HOKA Anacapa 2 Low GTX weighs 1 pound and 14.6 ounces for the pair. That makes them one of the heaviest options in our review lineup. Most of this weight comes from the ultra-durable leather upper, GORE-TEX waterproofing, and burly midsole.

Generally, we gravitate to lower-weight shoes and trail runners when we’re taking on longer trails, but there are plenty of situations where a heftier shoe like the Anacapa 2s work well. Gear Analyst Ian Krammer loves these for backpacking trips in the shoulder seasons, where his loads are a bit heavier, and the wide base of this HOKA model feels stable and reliable on most terrain. The stronger materials also translate to better durability and protection.

The downside? This higher weight can lead to increased fatigue in the feet, legs, and hips during long backpacking trips and hiking days over 15 miles. Ian backpacked one of his favorite loops in Colorado, the Lost Creek Wilderness, in the Anacapa 2. He racked up about 35 miles. Compared to when he did this same route in trail runners in mid-summer, he found his ankles and calves were worn out sooner and really noticed the increased weight on the long, graded ascents up to nearly 12,000 feet.

After hundreds of miles of testing, this weight isn’t a major issue if you don’t mind the trade-off for increased durability. The foam midsole makes these shoes feel so cushy and spry that their bulk and heft was negligible. If you’re looking for a lighter option, the Anacapa Breeze Low weighs 6 ounces less.

Durability

The HOKA Anacapa 2 offers average durability. The meticulously crafted leather and mesh uppers and reinforced TPU to cap withstand abrasion from rocks, brambles, and roots for better-than-average longevity. Attention to components like double-stitched leather paneling, metal eyelets that don’t bend or warp over time, and strong polyester shoelaces add longevity to these shoes. 

That said, their foam midsole and shallower lugs won’t last as long as shoes with heavier rubber outsoles. We find the Vibram outsoles wear down faster than the uppers – and faster than other shoes we’ve tested – with significant damage to the traction at the 300 mile mark. Ian’s noticed the rubber is shredding at the midsole, and the lugs have worn down and rounded out. Still, Ian’s gotten around 15 trips out of these shoes over the last year with hikes averaging around 20 miles, and we expect to get at least that many more without any major issues. That said, you’ll get more time with these shoes if you’re sticking to mostly groomed and established trails, but they may not work as well in the second half of their life.

Weather Resistance

If you’re looking for a shoe to hike in soaking wet conditions, the HOKA Anacapa 2 Low is our top recommendation. Thanks to a combination of leather and a GORE-TEX membrane, these things will keep your feet dry and comfortable through hours of rain, mud, and puddles. Gear analyst, Ian Krammer, spent a cumulative eight days trudging through spring rain, deep puddles, and lingering snow in the low Colorado foothills between 9,000’ and 12,000’, where these shoes consistently performed. The only time his feet were thoroughly soaked was after submerging them in a freezing creek during a crossing, when it took almost 24 hours for them to dry completely.

Like most waterproof shoes, the downside of a waterproof membrane is it tends to retain heat and moisture buildup, which can lead to hotspots, rubbing, and pain. Ian hiked the 7-mile Devil’s Garden Trail in Arches National Park two times in one day while wearing these boots. It was around 80°F during the middle of the day, and the heat contributed to several hotspots and blisters by the end of the day due to sweaty feet. The polyester mesh is impressively effective at dumping sweat and heat, although we don’t recommend these on days when the temperatures will be consistently above 75°F. 

Finally, rigorous testing shows the liners only last so long – if you’re hiking day after day in extremely wet conditions, the liner will eventually soak through and fail, so you may want to choose a hiking shoe with all-leather uppers for forecasts with 100% chance of precipitation. When backpacking with these boots in nonstop rain in Colorado’s Indian Peaks Wilderness, the shoes became damp on the inside of the foot on day 3, just as the trip was ending. However, these are small gripes. They perform best in shoulder seasons and intermittent wet conditions when moisture is inevitable and you want to keep your feet dry and happy.

Should You Buy the HOKA Anacapa 2 Low GTX?

The HOKA Anacapa 2 Low GTX is best for hikers who want a blend of comfort, durability, and waterproofing for day hikes and medium-length backpacking trips. That said, if you’re on a budget, they are on the expensive end – and you’ll need to consider their higher weight. And keep in mind the dovetail heel, wider design, and unique style of these shoes may not work for all hikers. Still, the Anacapa 2 delivers top-tier comfort and weather protection, making it an excellent choice for hikers needing reliable waterproof footwear for three-season hiking adventures.

What Other Hiking Shoes Should You Consider?

If you want something besides the HOKA Anacapa 2 Low GTX, you might also want to check out our lists of the Best Hiking Shoes for Men and Best Trail Running Shoes for Men. 

HOKA Speedgoat 6 Review: These HOKAs are trail runners with a plush, comfy ride similar to the Anacapa. These are one of our top picks for long miles on established trails during warm, mild weather.

Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX Review: Similar to the HOKA Anacapa 2, the Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX features a waterproof design and durable construction, but it stands out with a more lightweight build and precise fit.

KEEN Targhee IV WP Review: Like the HOKA Anacapa 2, the KEEN Targhee is equipped with excellent waterproofing and robust durability for rough trails. However, it has a wider toe box that accommodates wide feet without sacrificing performance.

La Sportiva Spire GTX Review: The La Sportiva Spire GTX combines stellar traction with top-of-the-line durability, featuring a Vibram outsole and long-lasting uppers. It’s especially effective on off-trail adventures – unlike the Anacapa 2 – and offers an agile and supportive feel for hikers in challenging alpine environments.