After testing the Kaha 3 Low GTX hiking shoes, I think Hoka should stick to making running shoes

The Hoka Kaha 3 Low GTX hiking shoes try their best to make it into the big leagues of the best hiking boots, but unfortunately, don’t quite make it. They tick all the right boxes on paper, but with confusing sizing, a narrow toe box, and minimal arch support, it’s hard to feel comfortable. The lack of breakability and flexibility also makes them tricky to recommend.

What they do offer is sturdy construction and effective waterproofing, which could be ideal for harsher elements. The 4mm lugs offer good traction, and maintenance is easy too.

To find out more about my thoughts on the shoes, you can keep reading this full Hoka Kaha 3 Low GTX review.

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Hoka Kaha 3 Low GTX review: Specs

Hoka Kaha 3 Low GTX review: Price & availability

The Hoka Kaha 3 Low GTX hiking shoes are available for purchase in the U.S. from Hoka’s online store or REI for $220, and in the U.K. directly from the Hoka online store for £175. I tested the women’s version of the shoe, which comes in seven colorways, but it's also available in a men’s style with six colorways.

These shoes run particularly small, as I’ll talk more about later, but luckily, they come in half sizes to make the sizing-up process easier. I’d recommend sizing up 1.5 sizes based on my experience. The shoes are available in Women’s U.S size 5 - 11 and U.K. sizes 4 - 8.5. The Men’s style is available in U.S. size 7 - 15 and U.K. size 7 - 13.5.

Other low-cut hiking shoes include the Merrell Moab 3 for $160, which are all-terrain shoes with a little more flex in the upper than the Hokas, and the same supportive Vibram sole. Alternatively, if you want something that feels like a sneaker but gives effective support on any terrain, the Salomon XT-6 ($185) are my go-to when I need my feet to withstand hours of walking on uneven tracks.

If waterproofing is your biggest concern and high-cut boots like the Keen Targhee IV ($169) or the Keen Targhee Apex Mid ($190) just aren’t your style, then the Icebug Rover RB9X GTX ($199) are a great choice. They’re Gore-Tex wonders with an easy lace-up system and deep lugs to take on any terrain, and not to mention, they’re a lot more comfortable than the Kaha 3 Low GTX.

Hoka Kaha 3 Low GTX review: Design & construction

The Hoka Kaha 3 Low GTX hiking shoes look good. I tested the Droplet colorway, but if I were to repurchase, I would get a more neutral color to blend in more on the trail and better match my own style.

Hoka is best known for spongy running shoes, and it has managed to take that streamlined design and put it into a hiking shoe — just with a lot more traction and a lot less cushioning. When looking at the Kaha 3, you can see how sturdy they are. They also have the curved sole shape Hoka is known for, which makes rocking back and forth effortless — but that’s not always what you want in a hiking shoe.

Construction

The Hoka Kaha 3 Low GTX is a well-built shoe. The upper is constructed from nubuck leather, which has a brushed finish. This is clad in Gore-Tex to shield your feet from whatever the elements throw at you, and meant I could trapse through puddles without taking on water.

The rubber toe cap at the front of the shoe is a feature I’m familiar with since testing the Keen Targhee Apex Mid hiking boots, so I appreciate having it on the Kaha 3s. This reinforcement on the toes makes moving downhill a whole lot easier, and also protects the fabric at the front of the shoes from damage.

Inside, the walls of the shoe are padded, so I didn’t experience any rubbing against the firm leather outer. The midsole is made from dual-density sugarcane, which is supportive to combat foot fatigue, although the arch support is minimal.

I was mostly impressed with the Vibram MegaGrip outsole of the shoe, which has 4mm lugs (the grooves that act like tire treads for your feet) for traction, but since the sole is rounded, it can feel unstable on terrain such as sand.

Hoka Kaha 3 Low GTX review: Break-in & comfort

I’m usually a size five, but I had to send the Hoka Kaha 3 Low GTX shoes back to get a bigger size. They run incredibly small. I sized up a whole size to a six, but honestly, I could have used a 6.5 when wearing thick hiking boot socks.

The fit of the shoes is also very narrow, so if you have wide feet, I would recommend grabbing a pair of boots from Keen instead, like the Targhee IV, which have plenty of room in the toe box and won’t restrict your movement.

With that said, once I had the right size, the shoes were mostly comfortable, but the small toe box caused me problems. I had no issues with blistering at all. Straight out of the box, I wore them on a 7.5km hike, and the only thing I noticed was some hot spots on the soles of my feet, but these didn’t blister.

Comfort

Although Hoka is known for bouncy soles on their running shoes, don’t expect any fluffy clouds here. In fact, the Kaha 3s are very stiff. And while generally comfortable, I missed being able to flex my foot in the shoe. Because of how thick the rubber soles are, on hard terrain, each step was becoming more and more fatiguing. However, they’re great on softer surfaces like mud or clay.

As mentioned, the toe box is also very small. I don’t have particularly wide feet, but my toes were aching after hiking for a couple of hours each time I wore them.

Breathability

Don’t expect ventilation. My feet got warm. This was disappointing since, as we move into summer, I want a shoe that keeps my feet dry but also allows them to breathe. The Kaha 3s weren’t overly uncomfortable, but they certainly made me miss my Salomon XT-6 sneakers, which can cope with temperatures soaring up to 86ºF.

I’d recommend the Kaha 3s for the autumn season, or the entry into spring — they’re far too hot for the peak summer months.

Hoka Kaha 3 Low GTX review: Performance

The Hoka Kaha 3 Low GTX hiking shoes tick all the right boxes on paper. They have ample grip, decent support, enough flexibility up top, and effective waterproofing. But do I think all of these elements are executed well? Not even close.

Grip

The grip of the Kaha 3s is probably the best part. I felt stable with every step across most terrain, and didn’t slip once on any boggy, muddy areas. The 4mm lugs worked great here.

However, because of the rounded edges on the soles of the shoes, I had a hard time walking along loose terrain like sand, as my stance didn’t feel entirely stable. They took a lot more concentration when walking on mixed-terrain trails.

Support

The shoes are decently supportive, but as someone with high arches, I wasn’t getting enough support and felt my feet turning in at times. The back of the shoe comes up to cover the Achilles and is cushioned, so when I was moving downhill, I felt confident in every step. I appreciated this added stability.

Flex

There’s hardly any flex in the Hoka Kaha 3 Low GTX hiking shoes. This is good at times, as a stiff pair of shoes can offer stability on rocky terrain, but in the Hokas, it just left me feeling flat-footed. The hard, stiff soles combined with the tight fit of the shoe made me feel restricted, and it was a blessing to get back to the car and rip them off my feet.

Waterproofing

Although we’re moving into warmer weather, the waterproof Gore-Tex on the Kaha 3s still came in handy. When moving through puddles, my feet stayed completely dry. Since the outer of the shoe is a brushed leather, this gets wet and takes a while to dry off completely, but this is purely cosmetic and doesn't affect the shoe at all.

Hoka Kaha 3 Low GTX review: Maintenance

The Hoka Kaha 3 Low GTX hiking shoes are very easy to maintain as long as you commit to cleaning them up after every hike. To keep the Gore-Tex working as it should, it’s important to let the shoe dry completely before brushing off any dirt that may be sitting on the leather.

Then, before you put the shoes away between hikes, double-check they’re completely dry, as not doing so could lead to the shoes becoming a little smelly, which nobody wants.

Hoka Kaha 3 Low GTX review: Verdict

The Hoka Kaha 3 Low GTX hiking shoes aren’t for me. The sizing was the first hurdle, but the lack of breathability and flex from the shoe made me question if these were a good choice for the trail. The answer I landed on was a quick ‘no’. The minimal arch support and narrow toe box also meant that after my walk, my feet were feeling pretty sore for a short while.

But the Kaha 3s come with some perks. They’re very well-made shoes, and the waterproofing is effective if you find yourself taking on puddles or very shallow running streams. They also have good traction from the 4mm lugs on most terrain, and the maintenance of the shoe is easy.

But when these shoes cost $220 and a much more comfortable shoe like the Salomon XT-6 is only $185, I can’t help but wonder what I’m paying for.