As an outdoor industry pro, I've personally owned, tested, reviewed, and sold every HOKA hiking shoe. The brand is known best for its max cushion running shoes. But HOKA makes 4 true hiking shoes and at least one trail running shoe that can be solid for hiking. This HOKA hiking shoe guide recommends who should buy the low-cut HOKA Speedgoat 7 Hike, Anacapa 2 Low GTX, Kaha 3 Low GTX, Transport 2 GTX, and Speedgoat 7.
If you prefer a midcut to a lowcut, see my guide to HOKA hiking boots.
Testing the HOKA Speedgoat at Acadia National Park
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Best Hoka Shoes for Hikers
The best HOKA hiking shoe for YOU boils down to your hiking style. I've personally owned 8 different HOKAs and have more than 1000 miles of hiking experience in the brand. The best HOKAS for hikers are the Speedgoat 7 Hike GTX (best lightweight hiking shoe), Anacapa 2 (best dayhiking shoe), Kaha 3 (for comfort-oriented hikers), and Transport 2 (for casual hikers). The original HOKA Speedgoat is a trail running shoe (not hiking shoe) that's also popular with hikers, thru-hikers, and ultralight backpackers.
HOKA SPEEDGOAT 7 HIKE GTX (NEW!)
Best Lightweight HOKA Hiking Shoe
Main Benefits:
Meet the most exciting new hiking shoe of 2026. As its name suggests, the HOKA Speedgoat 7 Hike GTX transforms the world's best-selling trail running shoe into a hiking shoe. Like the original, the Speedgoat 7 Hike is lightweight, cushy, and grippy underfoot. However, the Hike version adds more durable uppers, more waterproof protection, and more volume to keep your hiking feet happy. If you prefer a lightweight hiking shoe, the Speedgoat 7 Hike is the lightest one I've tested and reviewed.
Best Fit
standard feet
Best Match
day hikes
Men's HOKA Speedgoat 7 Hike GTX
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Women's HOKA Speedgoat 7 Hike GTX
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HOKA ANACAPA 2 LOW GTX
Best HOKA Hiking Shoe for Day Hikes
Main Benefits:
The Anacapa Low is the first HOKA hiking shoe. I've hiked hundreds of miles in the light and cushy Anacapa, with adds some leather uppers and more durable foam for better hiking performance than HOKA trail running shoes. The Vibram outsoles handle mixed mountain terrain well, too. The Anacapa 2 isn't as soft or comfortable as the Kaha 3 below, but it's lighter and more athletic, which makes it the best HOKA hiking shoe for day hikes.
Best Fit
standard feet (no wide sizes)
Best Match
day hikes
Men's HOKA Anacapa Low
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Women's HOKA Anacapa Low
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HOKA KAHA 3 LOW GTX
Cushiest HOKA Hiking Shoe
Main Benefits:
If you're looking for the cushiest HOKA hiking shoe, check out the Kaha 3 Low GTX. The low-cut version of HOKA's backpacking boot has thicker cushioning and softer cushioning than the other shoes on this list. It's also a serious hiking shoe with leather uppers, waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX, and Vibram Megagrip rubber. I've backpacked more than 100 miles in the mid-cut Kaha. If you're a sucker for cushion—or will be on your feet all day—the plush HOKA Kaha 3 Low GTX is probably the best HOKA hiking shoe for you.
Best Fit
standard fit
size up (runs small)
Best Match
comfort-oriented hikers, all-day or multi-day hikes
Men's HOKA Kaha 3 Low GTX
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Women's HOKA Kaha 3 Low GTX
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HOKA SPEEDGOAT 7
Best HOKA Trail Running Shoe for Hikers
Main Benefits:
- Available in standard wide sizes
I've personally hiked in four different versions of the HOKA Speedgoat—a max cushion trail running shoe that's popular with hikers. The Speedgoat 7 is a Hiking Feet Favorite because it's lightweight yet supportive, thanks to the thick foam which cushions every step on the trail. I've also found this shoe's Vibram Megagrip soles to provide solid traction on most types of trails, including mountain hikes. HOKA also offers the Speedgoat in wide sizes (good for me) and in GORE-TEX waterproofing (GTX version). I've enjoyed hiking in this trail running shoe, but HOKA recently released the hike-specific HOKA Speedgoat 7 Hike GTX (top of this list), which offers better durability and weather protection.
Best Fit
standard feet,
available in wide
Best Match
fast hikers, thru-hikers, day hikers, max cushion fans
Men's HOKA Speedgoat 7
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Women's HOKA Speedgoat 7
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HOKA TRANSPORT 2
Casual HOKA Shoe for Easy Hikes
Main Benefits:
HOKA designed the Transport 2 for more casual uses—walking the dog, strolling a city trail, working on your feet. In other words, this isn't a hardcore hiking shoe. But it's still a HOKA with max cushion, low heel-to-toe drop, and Vibram outsoles for durable tread. If you're a walker or casual hiker who mostly sticks to urban trails, the HOKA Transport 2 may be your best hiking shoe. It's also a great casual shoe for those who work on their feet all day.
Best Fit
standard
Best Match
easy trails, cities, casual wear
Men's HOKA Transport 2
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Women's HOKA Transport 2
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Should you buy HOKA Hiking Shoes?
If you prefer hiking shoes with heaps of cushioning, you should probably start with HOKA hiking shoes. The shoes above feature max cushion midsoles for comfort. Plus, HOKA sources premium waterproofing (GORE-TEX) and traction (Vibram outsoles) for its hiking shoes and trail running shoes. It's not a traditional brand for hiking shoes. But HOKA is a solid brand for max cushion hiking shoes—and cushy hiking boots.
If you are feeling any of these HOKA hiking shoes, please consider purchasing them through the affiliate links above. This helps me keep hikingfeet.com alive—and may earn me small (but much needed) commissions from the sellers (at no added cost to you).
