Customer Reviews Hoka Kaha 2 Low GORE-TEX®

I ordered the black ones. They're really not all black, the black suade material is more green than anything, and they run small on size. I ordered size 13, they felt like a 12. Extremely bulky, especially on bigger shoe sizes and not as comfortable as expected. I heard some mixed reviews, thought maybe because they have a huge cushion as a sole that they'll be comfortable, they're not, I was really disappointed.But the suade material part really ruined the shoe, its ugly, not really black and doesn't match well with the rest of the shoe. Poor choice of material by design team.

Hiking

I have several pairs of running shoes which I love. The cushioned approach is much better suited to running that hiking where you need more support.

I like their shoes and hike in them daily BUT wanted to change styles and the size differs from style to style. Best choice is to try them on at a store.

The shoe is amazing and I would give 5 stars except for the tongue thats is too long and bothers a bit when you walk until you get used to it.

Surprised how stiff these are. I've run about 40 marathons including Ultra's, numerous Boston's, Ironman events, etc. so I've been through a lot of shoes and would be considered pretty much an expert. These are probably among the stiffest shoes I've worn. I tossed the boxed and everything prior to wearing them (can't return) assuming the plush looks would translate to a plush feel. They did not. My hope that is in time they will break -in, but I have little hope of that. Additionally, this model run almost a half size big so if a normal Nike 12 is comfortable, but roomy on you then you'll want to size down .5. There's a lot of shoe here, but it's just so firm and stiff I can't recommend it.

Been wearing these for a few weeks. Definitely need to break them in. My only complaint is the tongue. The design causes parts of the tongue to bunch up that puts pressure on the top of your feet. It's not a pleasant feeling if you are hiking and causes you to constantly adjust unless it eventually sits in a comfortable place. Also not sure if there are differences between left and right shoes or that may gait is different. Wearing these shoes it's very noticeable left and right feet walks differently. Hard to explain but you can "hear" the difference when walking on a hard smooth surface. I like the toe box. A lot of times I have to buy wide as regular on other brands are actually too tight. Wish the tongue situation was better and maybe as it gets worn more it'll get better. Otherwise I like the shoes when the tongue gets in a comfortable position.

These are the best looking pair I have but the feel is not as good as previous purchases.

Need in wide width plus more cushion like Bondi SR

I liked the look of these shoes. They look like they would be great hiking shoes. They are well made and arrived in perfect condition. But I had to return them because my heels did not fit well and they slipped when I walked. I normally wear a men's size 11, medium width. I initially purchased a Bondi SR in11, but they were tight. I sent them back and ordered a size 11 1/2. They fit perfectly and are extremely comfortable. They were such a good fit, I purchased the Kaha 2 low GTX for a hiking shoe. I originally ordered an 11 1/2 based on my experience with the Bondi SR, but they felt too large and my heels slipped when I walked. I sent them back and reordered them in size 11. Those felt fine size wise but my heels still slipped, so I sent them back. I am disappointed because they look like they would be great hiking shoes. The 3 Star rating is because of the heel fit I experienced. I have never had that problem in other shoes.

Loved the look and stability of these but they hurt my feet after a short time. Not cushiony like other shoes. I wasn't expecting as much in a trail shoe, but this one hurt. Had to return.

T tried on The clifton 9 gtx at dicks sporting goods but wanted the new buck leather that the kaha 2 gtx offered the cushioning is much more firm than the clifton 9 not comfortable to be on your feet all day with them. However the cold air and wind stays off your feet because they aren't mesh fabric. Wish they were offered in larger half size like a 13.5

I have always bought Hoka shoes but these were the only ones that were kind of bulky, heavy and not much arch support. It fits well but really doesn't fit my arch support and easy walking. I would go with another shoe if you are looking for arch support and lighter shoes

I've been wearing HOKAs for 3 years now and have settled on Bondi 8. Basically that's all I wear all the time due to a heel spur and HOKA Bondi 8 saved my life. But in very wet conditions for golf they are terrible. No grip and soaked. I was excited for the KAHA 2 low GTX since they said Plush and waterproof. They are very waterproof - played two rounds in very wet weather and my feet were DRY. They have great grip in muddy, sloppy, wet turf. But they are NOT plush (at least like the Bondi 7 or Bondi 8). To me they dont feel that different from regular waterproof golf shoes honestly. And they are a little stiff - at least at first. Lastly, they are bigger than the Bondi 8 fit-wise. Perhaps to accomodate for thicker socks usually worn for hiking or trail running. Sure wish they made a GTX version of the Bondi 8.

These shoes fit closer to true size. I've had a few pairs of Hokas and the running shoes seem to run small to size. This particular shoe feels pretty good, but after being in them for a couple of hours I noticed the outside of my feet hurting. There seems to be a lump, for lack of a better word, on the insole. I will continue to where these shoes as needed but will be paying close attention to that particular part of the shoe.

I decided to purchase these shoes for hiking after wearing another brand for the last 5 years. I wear a 12 but all the reviews said they run large so I ordered a 11.5. I wore them walking a few times to break them in and they felt fine. I recently returned home from backpacking 5 days in Wyoming and 3 days of summiting 14er's in Colorado. The shoes were great as I put them through all types of terrain and weather. The hubble heel with the swallowtail provided great stability on the ankles for a lowcut shoe. The cushioning helped absorb all the impact walking, climbing, and especially descending on rocks. My knees thank you. The gtx waterproofing worked as it should in the light rain we encountered and in the 2-3 inches of unexpected snow that dumped on us. My socks were completely dry (with rain pants) after 12 miles in fresh and melted snow. I was the only one with dry feet! The flaw. I usually get a blister on a heel or sometimes both while backpacking for days but this time I got it in a new spot. I was relieved that I didn't get it in the same spot on the heel/achilles area because it becomes somewhat painful to hike with over time. After 10 miles on day 1 a blister started up on the inside of both feet between my heels and arches. Ive never had a blister in this spot before. I inspected the inside of the shoes and found that there is a hard piece of material under the mesh lining that wraps around the back of the shoe where the bird and Hoka logo are printed. Inside the shoe, the lip of the hard material protrudes and rubs right where my blisters formed even through my stance socks. I threw some KT tape over them to help diminish the rubbing for the remainder of the trip. I now have one very large fluid filled blister, because the other popped, that I am currently attending too. Besides this flaw, which can be fixable, the shoe held up great as i put just over 70 miles on them. If I didnt get blisters in this odd spot, I would give a 5 star

They look could and feel like they could be comfortable but are just too small. I ordered the same size I wear in almost all my shoes. I'm returning these, and will try a half size and a full size larger.

Just received these shoes, so no miles in them to fully evaluate, but the cushioning of the Kaha 2 Low GTX is much less plush than, say, the Bondi or Skyward models. Maybe that level of plushness is not desirable for a trail / hiking shoe, but nevertheless one would hope that product labeling/marketing on the Hoka website would be consistent from shoe to shoe to help customers make an informed purchase decision. I will update this review once I've had more time to test the shoes. Also disappointed that this shoe is not available in wide sizes. Might be a dealbreaker for me.

I bought these shoes because I do a lot if walking for my job. They were horrible on any wet floor, it felt like I was on ice. The low profile heal I didn't care for, I had to keep the shoelace tight, or the foot would slip. There was lot grip on the bottom of the shoe. I wore the grip off the toe was shoe within 7 months. For the price of the shoe, I was not impressed at all.

I ordered online size 11-1/2 and received size 11. The 11 fit, just not as comfortable as I like. Returning is a pain, so if I bought again it would have to be from a brick and mortar store. Then you give up selection.

I've only worn the shoes a few times, and they are comfortable, but I have found 2 issues. First, and this is a common issue, is that the laces won't stay tied. I will have to replace them. Second, and more serious is a defect at a point where the rubberized toe cap meets the soft upper material above the big toe. That seam has started to separate and a small hole has appeared at the seam separates. At this price, and after only a few light uses, this is definitely a defect.

Had hoped to find a shoe with Gore Tex but less rugged looking than my pair of Anacapas and more suitable for everyday wear. It would be nice to be able to get something like the basic Bondi but with Gore Tex.

Love the look of the shoe, but sizing is far too small. I could barely even get my foot inside it without undoing the laces completely. Felt very cramped.