Hoka Anacapa 2 Mid GTX Hiking Boot Review
lightweight hiking boot that is durable, cushioned, and sturdy
OUR VERDICT
The Anacapa 2 Mid GTX is an excellent lightweight, waterproof hiker for those who don’t want to choose between comfort and weight. These boots are durable, cushioned, and sturdy enough to handle backpacking in addition to being light enough to throw on for a short day hike.
The Anacapa’s design and use of materials craft a lightweight yet cushioned hiking boot that has earned it The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance.
Since this style runs a little narrow, we suggest sizing up, but if your feet are wide, you may want to choose a wider model boot like the Kaha.
The Hoka Anacapa GTX Mid hiking boots are winners in our Best Lightweight Hiking Boots guide and the Hoka Anacapa 2 GTX low is winner for Best for All Day Support in our Best Hiking Shoes guide.
HIKING BOOTS
MEN'S
WOMEN'S
HIKING SHOES
MEN'S
WOMEN'S
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SPECS
Available sizes: 8-13 (men's), 6-11 (women's)
Width: B-width (women's), D-width (men's)
Outsole: Vibram Megagrip rubber
Midsole: EVA (30% sugarcane)
Upper material: Waterproof nubuck leather
Waterproofing: GORE-TEX Invisible Fit
Weight (pair of the Mid height): 2 lbs. 4 oz. (men's), 1 lb. 13.4 oz. (women's)
Weight (pair of the Low height): 1 lb. 14.7 oz (men's), 1 lb. 8.8 oz (women's)
COMPARISON TABLEs OF SIMILAR MODELS
Men's
| HIKING BOOT | MSRP | MEN'S WEIGHT (PAIR) | OUTSOLE | UPPER | WATERPROOFING | HEIGHT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hoka Anacapa 2 GTX Mid | $195 | 2 lbs. 4 oz. | Vibram Megagrip rubber | Waterproof nubuck leather | GORE-TEX Invisible Fit | Mid |
| Hoka Anacapa 2 GTX Low | $180 | 1 lb. 14.7 oz | Vibram Megagrip rubber | Waterproof nubuck leather | GORE-TEX Invisible Fit | Low |
| Hoka Kaha 2 Mid GTX | $240 | 2 lbs. 5.6 oz. | Vibram Megagrip rubber | Nubuck leather | GORE-TEX | Mid, |
| Hoka Kaha 2 GTX Hiking Shoe | $220 | 2 lbs. 1.6 oz. | Vibram Megagrip rubber | Nubuck leather | GORE-TEX | Mid |
| Hoka Challenger 7 GTX Hiking Shoe | $160 | 1 lb, 3.4 oz | Durabrasion rubber | Engineered mesh | GORE-TEX Invisible Fit | Low |
WOMEN’S
| HIKING BOOT | MSRP | WOMEN'S WEIGHT (PAIR) | OUTSOLE | UPPER | WATERPROOFING | HEIGHT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hoka Anacapa 2 GTX Mid | $195 | 1 lb. 13.4 oz. | Vibram Megagrip rubber | Waterproof nubuck leather | GORE-TEX | Mid |
| Hoka Anacapa 2 GTX Hiking Shoe | $180 | 1 lb. 8.8 oz | Vibram Megagrip rubber | Waterproof nubuck leather | GORE-TEX Invisible Fit | Low |
| Hoka Kaha 2 Mid GTX | $240 | 1 lb. 15.2 oz. | Vibram Megagrip rubber | Nubuck leather | GORE-TEX | Mid |
| Hoka Kaha 2 GTX Hiking Shoe | $220 | 1 lb. 11.6 oz. | Vibram Megagrip rubber | Nubuck leather | GORE-TEX | Low |
| Hoka Challenger 7 GTX Hiking Shoe | $160 | 16 oz | Durabrasion rubber | Engineered mesh | GORE-TEX Invisible Fit | Low |
The author on the summit of San Jacinto (10,834 feet) wearing the Hoka Anacapa 2 hiking boots.
WHAT WE LIKED
Lightweight and waterproof
Durable Materials
Excellent traction Vibram sole
WHAT COULD BE BETTER
Wider toe box
Wide boot option overall
If you need a wider boot, HOKA specifically offers wide options in some of their trail runner shoes such as the Speedgoat and Challenger 7
The Hoka Anacapa 2 is a lightweight hiking boot well-suited for backpacking trips or longer or more rugged hikes.
KEY FEATURES
MATERIALS
The Anacapa’s design and use of materials craft a lightweight yet cushioned hiking boot that has earned it The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance.
The Anacapa 2 Mid GTX is made of sustainable materials including recycled yarn meshes, a 30% sugarcane EVA midsole and Vibram® Megagrip outsole.
The outer is composed of Leather Working Group Gold-Rated waterproof nubuck leather, with a GORE-TEX bootie construction with 71% recycled polyester face fabric. Additionally, they have a 50% Soybean-based sockliner, 88% Recycled polyester external collar and tongue mesh, and 100% Recycled polyester laces (excluding aglet/tip of the lace).
I took my pair of Anacapa 2s right out of the box on a 2 day/1 night backpacking trip to San Jacinto Peak and they handled dirt, rocks, snow (lots of late season snow this year), and several water crossings without a problem.
The Hoka Anacapa 2 outside of the author’s tent at a campsite.
MIDSOLE TECHNOLOGY
The Anacapa 2 boasts a Lightweight sugarcane EVA midsole. EVA stands for ethylene-vinyl acetate, and it’s a type of foam that is commonly used in shoes. “The main benefit of an EVA midsole is that it provides cushioning and support for your foot. It is also extremely lightweight and tends to be durable.” HOKA’s website describes the midsole cushion of this boot as “balanced” which is in the middle compared to their “responsive” (less cushion) and “plush” (maximum cushion) shoe options.
A plush cushion, like the Kaha, has a higher bed of cushion to support longer hikes and offer a softer impact with each step.
A responsive cushion, like the Zinal, has a minimal bed of support with a firmer texter. This allows more tactile sensations with the terrain since the foot is closer to the ground.
OUTSOLE FEATURES
Some notable features are a Vibram® Megagrip outsole with deep lugs, metal top hooks for lacing, and a SwallowTail™ heel.
WEIGHT
These boots are light, coming in at 14.7oz for each shoe, compared to the Kaha, but still a bit heavier than other boots in the HOKA line up such as the Trail Code or the Speedgoat Mid GTX. My feet felt cushioned and secure hiking and backpacking on a variety of terrains in the San Bernardino National Forest. They also have a slightly slimmer profile as compared to the HOKA Kaha 2. The Anacapa 2s have a slightly higher heel-to-toe drop of 7mm compared to other Mid boots by HOKA ie: the Kaha has 6mm, Trail Code has 6mm, and Speedgoat has 4mm. I don’t notice a significant difference with the heel-to-toe drop measurement when hiking but I know some people do require a lower heel-to-toe drop measurement for comfort when choosing footwear, which is why it’s important to mention.
FIT
The Anacapa 2 Mid GTX runs about ½ size smaller than other HOKA boots and shoes. It’s considered best practices to size up ½-1 shoe size in hiking boots to give your foot space to swell when hiking and to prevent your toes smashing into the front of the boot on descents.
Most HOKA boots come standard with that extra ½ size space to account for those details so you can order your standard shoe size. With the Anacapa 2, both the Mid and the Low top versions, I’ve noticed that they run a bit small and narrow comparatively. I normally wear size Women’s 11 in all HOKA products, but the Anacapa 2 Mid GTX ended up being a little too small and narrow in the toe box and I had some discomfort on my big toe and little toe after my 20 mile backpacking trip.
The fit was comfortable everywhere else including the heel, the bottoms of my feet, the tongue against my ankle, and the lacing across the top of my foot. I’m confident that by sizing up in this model, this discomfort would have been eliminated.
CUSHIONING
The Hoka Anacapa 2 on a wildflower hike.
HOKA classifies the Anacapa 2 as “Balanced” which is described as “providing protective cushion while maintaining a responsive toe-off for when you want to go faster.” I found them to be cushioned and comfortable and it didn’t feel like I was sacrificing any cushion for performance. As soon as I put them on it felt as if they were already molded to my feet and provided great protection and a soft landing for each step as I was hiking.
COMFORT
I love how comfortable these boots were right out of the box! I was so confident in their comfort that I first wore them for an overnight backpacking trip without hesitation. I didn’t feel any rocks or other parts of the trail poking into my feet nor did I have any foot fatigue when I reached my campsite on the first day after 8 miles of climbing over 4000 ft of elevation gain. The only issue I had with comfort was that the boot fit was slightly smaller than other HOKA styles such as the Kaha or Trail Code. I didn’t realize this until well into my first day of hiking. With a larger size, they would have been perfect.
WATERPROOFING
The Hoka Anacapa 2 hiking boots in the author’s campsite.
The Anacapa 2 Mid GTX is waterproof with GORE-TEX. While testing these out, I had to cross several streams and navigate across sections near the summit with several inches of snow. These boots stayed dry through all of it and I never had to worry about trying to avoid water across the trail. I walked straight through each time and came out with dry socks. It really adds to your confidence when you’re hiking and you know the boots you have on will handle just about anything in the terrain so you can focus on enjoying your hike and not rock hopping or drying out your socks.
BREATHABILITY
I noticed slightly less sweaty feet in these than I have in other HOKA boots, so I would say that there is good breathability. I had these boots in a wide range of temps on my backpacking trip. I started around 9am when the temperature was in the 60’s and as I hiked the temps rose to the 70’s before dropping again once I hit 8500 ft and was crossing snow patches. I woke up early to summit on the 2nd day and the temps were in the low 40’s. As I descended, it warmed up considerably and I ended the hike when it was around 80 degrees. My feet never felt too cold or too warm as I was on the trails.
WARMTH
I was fortunate to be able to test these boots out in so many varied types of terrains over the course of 1 backpacking trip, which included snow! I always wear wool socks when hiking (even in the Summer) and combined with these boots, my feet were warm throughout the hike. When in the snowy sections, I could feel the cold through the boots when directly on snow, but once I was on dirt again, my feet quickly acquired their normal temperature and the cold didn’t linger.
TRACTION
Close-up of the traction on the Hoka Anacapa (original) boot. The Vibram Megagrip sole on the Hoka Anacapa 2 is the same.
I’m always impressed with the traction of HOKA boots and the Anacapas are no exception. They have a Vibram outsole with deep lugs for excellent traction on all types of terrain. I had very few, if any, slips while hiking in these boots and I was rock scrambling over mud, snow, dirt, and several sections with trail debris over the course of the trip. My pack was about 32 lbs including water and I was always sure footed both on the ascent and descent. Honestly, I feel like a bighorn sheep in these boots because I’m always able to find secure footing and don’t have to worry about where I’m going to put my feet!
If you are going to be hiking on ice and snow, I would suggest wearing microspikes. The snow patches I crossed were not longer than a few dozen feet at a time for most of the hike. The summit had considerably more snow and was almost too dangerous to climb without spikes, but I found a safe path up. You can order your standard size of microspikes based on your shoe size and they should stretch to fit this boot without a problem.
DURABILITY
One of my must-have features on hiking boots are rubber toe caps. I’m a bit of a clumsy hiker and I’m always scratching my boot toes on rocks when climbing up and/or bumping against rocks while ascending. The Anacapas come with an abrasion resistant rubber toe cap which withstood all the bumps, scrapes, rubs, scratches and more along the San Jacinto trail. I even went off trail accidentally and was scraping through brush and trying to find my footing to get back to the trail. I thought for sure I had ripped up the side of the boots since my arms were getting scratched up, but when I got back to the trail and checked, they were dusty but still in pristine condition. No damage to the materials at all!
LACES
I love that HOKA updated the Anacapa 2 lacing system. They now have metal speed hooks that are easier to tighten, loosen or adjust as needed while hiking. Also, the tongue and upper are made of stiffer material (nubuck leather and recycled polyester) than the older model, so when lacing up, the pressure of the laces doesn’t fold the top of the material into your foot.
STYLE AND DESIGN
The Anacapa 2 Mid GTX comes in a variety of colors which means you can match your boots to your personal style! I tested out the green moss / agave colorway and loved how they ended up matching some of the wildflowers I encountered on the trails. Who knew purple and green could look so good together on a boot?
The color accents and highlights add a stylish touch to these boots and they look great on. Gone are the days when the only option for hiking boots are brown, black, or tan with all of them looking essentially the same. The Anacapa 2 are boots that look great on the trails and can also make a statement on the streets with casual wear. In fact, I saw a woman wearing the orange Anacapa 2 boots with a cute orange outfit while out at lunch the other day!
This boot also comes with some proprietary design features including the swallowtail heel, achilles heel comfort build and the Vibram outsole.
BREAK-IN PERIOD
The Hoka Anacapa 2 on a backpacking trip.
Like all HOKA boots I’ve worn, these have no break in period and are comfortable right out of the box. Just be sure to size up ½ size to account for the narrowness of this boot.
PERFORMANCE ON DIFFERENT TERRAINS
The Hoka Anacapa 2 has excellent traction that is grippy on gravel and loose dirt as seen in this photo.
As mentioned earlier, I wore my Anacapa 2s on a trail where I encountered several different terrains and they performed wonderfully. I followed up that hike on a smaller trail (3 miles) in the Eastern Sierras where I was on a narrow trail with a lot of overgrowth and a random snowpatch, and they handled that without an issue as well.
Changes from the Hoka Anacapa GTX
The author in the first iteration of the Anacapa boots.
I had the first iteration of Anacapa boots from a couple of years ago and the new Anacapa 2 Mid GTX made several improvements including outer materials, tongue fit, eyelets/lacing hooks, the addition of more recycled fabrics, and sustainability of its materials.
OTHER MODELS
ANACAPA 2 GTX LOW
This model is literally a low top version of the Anacapa 2 Mid GTX and comes in at a lighter weight of 12.4 oz. If you prefer shoes to high top boots, these tick all the boxes you’d need for a durable and comfortable trail shoe in a lighter weight. It comes with all the features, cushion, and stability of a boot, but in the flexibility of a shoe. The Anacapa 2 GTX Low is the winner for Best All Day Comfort in our Best Hiking Shoes guide.
MEN'S
WOMEN'S
ANACAPA BREEZE LOW
I have the Anacapa Breeze low from the HOKA/Cotopaxi collab and think they are a great hiking shoe that is durable, lightweight and flexible. I wore these on a 6 mile round trip to Sandstone Peak that included a few water crossings (they aren’t waterproof, but my feet still didn’t get wet), as well as dirt, rocks, mud and some steep sections with rock scrambling. I think wearing these with gaiters would be helpful to avoid getting rocks and dirt into your shoes. Even though these are low tops shoes and I have weak ankles, I didn’t feel unstable nor did I roll my ankle during this hike.
The Anacapa Breeze Low does seem to fit true to size and didn't feel as narrow in the toe box like other Anacapa models. These are also much lighter, coming in at 12.4 oz. If you prefer a low hiking top shoe that is sturdier than a trail runner vs a high top boot, the Anacapa Breeze Low is a great option.
MEN'S
WOMEN'S
The author hiking in Utah in the Hoka Anacapa original hiking boot.
SHOULD I BUY HOKA ANACAPA 2 HIKING BOOTS?
If you’re looking for a lightweight, all-around, cushioned hiking boot for day hikes and occasional short backpacking trips, then the Anacapa 2 Mid GTX would be a great boot for you. These are best for those with narrow feet, although sizing up ½ size is still advised due to the narrower shape of the toe box compared to other HOKA boots.
WHERE TO BUY
You can find these boots at the HOKA website as well as other outdoor and sports retailers such as REI, Foot Locker, and Dick’s Sporting Goods.
We recommend purchasing from a place with easy or free returns like REI or Zappos as trying on shoes is an important way to get the sizing right.
If you purchase from HOKA you have a Fly for 30 Guarantee so you can try a pair of shoes & even wear them, and you’re not satisfied, you can return them within 30 days for a full refund. The article mentions REI and Zappos for easy returns, and it’s important to also mention that HOKA has easy returns as well.
SIMILAR MODELS
HOKA KAHA HIKING BOOTS
These are the cadillac of hiking boots that pairs incredible comfort and cushion with stability and durability that keeps you comfortable no matter the terrain or length of hike. These are my go-to hiking boots because it feels like I’m walking on clouds. I’ve taken these boots on trails around the US and would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a solid hiking boot. Check out our in-depth review of the Hoka Kaha 2 to learn more.
MEN'S
WOMEN'S
HOKA CHALLENGER 7
Waterproofing: GORE-TEX Invisible Fit
Upper: Engineered mesh
Midsole:
Outsole: Durabrasion rubber
Weight: 1 lb, 3.4 oz (men’s), 16 oz (women’s)
The Hoka Kaha 2 GTX is available as a mid and as a hiking shoe. The Hoka Challenger 7 is only available as a hiking shoe. Really, it's more of a running shoe, but it is very popular with hikers, which is why we include it here.
While both shoes offer neutral stability, the Hoka Challenger weighs much less for quicker turnover and is intended for more road-to-trail runs, whereas the Kaha 2 GTX is ready for more rugged trails at a slower pace than running. The increased cushion, waterproofness, and the mid-rise option for increased ankle support of the Kaha 2 also sets it apart as a shoe more equipped for more technical and wet terrain. At $75-$95 less expensive than the Kaha 2, the Challenger 7 is a preferred option for folks who spend the majority of their time on the trails running rather than hiking.
Read our in-depth review of the low-top version of Hoka Challenger 7.
MEN'S
WOMEN'S
SALOMON QUEST 4
The Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX shoe weighs a little less than the Hoka Kaha 2, and has more heel-to-toe drop (11mm to Kaha’s 6mm). The Salomons offer stronger reinforcements and increased stability along the sides of the shoe, while its lighter weight allows for more agile movements. Salomon also tailors their women’s fit for a softer fit along the heel and collars, whereas the Hoka Kaha 2 is considered an all-gender shoe. The X Ultra is also about $50 cheaper than the Hoka Anacapa 2 GTX. The Salomon Quest is a winner in our Best Hiking Boots guide.
MEN'S
WOMEN'S
MERRELL MOAB 3 MID
The men’s Merrell Moab 3 Mid weighs about the same as the Hoka Kaha 2 GTX, while the women’s weighs a little less. The Moab also has a greater heal-to-toe drop of 11.5 mm to Kaha’s 6mm, and costs about $70-$90 less than the Hoka Kaha 2.
Read our in-depth review of the Merrell Moab 3 Mid and our news article on the Merrell-Unlikely Hikers Collaboration.
MEN'S
WOMEN'S
ABOUT THE AUTHOR / WHY YOU SHOULD TRUST US
The author hiking in Utah in the original Hoka Anacapa hiking boots.
I’m Nicole Snell—a hiker, backpacker, international speaker, and the owner of Girls Fight Back, a world-renowned, empowerment-based, self-defense company for people of all genders. I travel the world speaking and training groups from all demographics and industries including college, corporate, military, outdoor groups, conferences and more on a variety of personal safety, boundary setting and empowerment topics. I’m also the creator of Outdoor Defense, my YouTube series that offers practical strategies for building confidence and staying safe while enjoying the outdoors solo.
I’m an outspoken advocate for hiking, diversifying the outdoors, and protecting our natural lands. I am a hike leader for Black Girls Trekkin, an LA based non-profit that focuses on Diversity, Inclusion, Conservation, and Education. I’ve worked with a variety of outdoor based brands, companies and groups to educate their communities on personal safety and boundaries for the outdoors and beyond. I’ve had the pleasure of working with HOKA, Runner’s World, Strava, Kula Cloth, SheJumps, Explorer Chicks, Outwild, AdventurUS Women, She Dreams of Alpine, and dozens more! I have been a guest on over 40 podcasts including REI’s podcast Wild Ideas Worth Living, the Nike Trained Podcast, and the Just Trek Podcast.
I was a guest speaker at the Wilderness Risk Management Conference (WRMC) Conference in 2021 and the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) Conference in September 2022. I have also been interviewed for my work in outdoor safety and empowerment by the Women’s Health Magazine, Backpacker Magazine, Outside Magazine, Melanin Basecamp, NRPA Magazine, and Spectrum 1 News. In 2020, I won a Webby Award for People’s Voice for Tastemade Travel’s Self Defense for Female Travelers.
From a young age, exploring and hiking have been my passion. I grew up outside Joshua Tree National Park and spent my childhood exploring the nearby desert and connecting with nature.
As an adult, I have continued that passion. I have hiked all over the world, including Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Scotland, Wales, Andorra, and the infamous 4 Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru. In 2022 I summited Mt. Whitney in a 6 day, 5 night section hike along the south end of the Nuumu Poyo.
Over the years of exploring trails and mountains as a solo camper, hiker and backpacker, I have learned many ways to continue improving on my techniques and upgrading my gear when needed. Because of my experiences solo camping and as a professional, I can appreciate and evaluate what works.
You can learn more about Nicole Snell on her author page.
