If you watched any of this year's marathons, whether it was Boston, London or Tokyo, you likely saw a stream of Hokas running past you. We all know Hoka makes some of the bounciest, cloud-like footwear you can get your hands on when it comes to running, and the shoes have earned that status.
So it's no surprise that on paper, The Hoka Kaha 3 Low GTX looks like another powerhouse. They have a dual-density sugarcane EVA midsole, Vibram soles for traction and Gore-Tex waterproofing. However, after clocking up the miles, I found myself underwhelmed... and a little uncomfortable.
Firstly, sizing on the shoes runs small, and even when going up a full shoe size, they still felt a little snug. They lack breathability and don't feel very breathable, even after months of wear. There's also minimal arch support, and the narrow toe box left me daydreaming of my usual Keen hiking boots.
So, in short, these shoes aren't for me, but I've compiled a list of low-cut shoes that I consider to be some of the best hiking shoes, and I would wear out on the trails time and time again.
Salomon XT-6
The Salomon XT-6 is what I consider to be a God-tier shoe. Quite literally faultless.
The secure quickLACE system is easy to use and doesn't come loose even after miles and miles of walking. The shoes also have unbeatable support, making them comfortable to wear for racking up 25,000 steps every day (I did the testing so you don't have to).
The XT-6s are comfortable straight out of the box, and look incredibly sleek too. They come in 23 different color styles, so there's something for everyone.
Keen Leiki
The Keen Leiki are the shoes I grab when it's hot, but I'm going to come across water on my trail and need a little extra support for my posture.
These stiff walking shoes are great for staying steady on the trail. They have a lot of traction on the soles, with 4mm lugs to dig into the ground, but the firm soles make them feel more like a sturdy hiking boot than a sneaker.
What impresses me most about these hoses is the waterproofing. I can wade through streams (up to my ankles) and stay completely dry. I didn't even have an issue with water rushing in around the tongue. Absolute win.
Merrell Moab 3
The Merrell Moab 3 hiking shoes are another comfort wonder. The Vibram soles are responsive and supportive for even the longest treks, and the 5mm lugs ensure stability even on tricky terrain.
The shoes are very breathable, making them great for summer, but also retain heat in colder months, making them a great shoe for seasonal transitions. They've also got the looks for trail, since these are very pretty shoes.
I wanted to love the Hokas, but the Salomon XT-6s, Keen Leikis and Merrell Moab 3s are solid choices for most summer hikes.
More from Tom's Guide
- I wore the Salomon XT-6 sneakers on a 5-day city break and clocked over 93,000 steps — here's how they held up
- I'm obsessed with open-ear buds for hiking — here's what I think after testing this sub-$200 pair out in the wild
- How to use a VPN to get better signal on crowded networks – stadiums, airports, World Cup fan zones
