I reviewed the Hoka Kaha 3 hiking shoes and was underwhelmed, so here are three alternatives I recommend for summer

Hoka Kaha 3 Low GTX (left), Keen Leiki (right) — (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

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.

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.

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Ashley is a staff writer on the the Reviews team at Tom’s Guide. She has a master’s degree in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University and a BA in Journalism, Media and Sociology. She has written for titles including Women’s Health UK, writing health and wellness stories, and Virgin Radio UK, specializing in entertainment news and celebrity interviews. She has reported on a variety of topics including music, literature, motorsport, entertainment and health. She has previously reviewed live music events, books, and wellness products but discovering the top audio equipment on the market is what she does best. When she is not testing out the latest tech, you can find her either curled up with a cup of tea and a good novel or out hiking.