Males’s HOKA Anacapa 2 Mid GTX Evaluation

Backside Line

In case you’re on the lookout for mountain climbing boots with the consolation, weight, and agility of a path runner – however need ankle protection, further safety, and a bit extra construction like a mountain climbing boot – the HOKA Anacapa 2 Mid GTX is for you. These mountain climbing boots stand out on our Finest Climbing Boots For Males information, because of light-weight mesh and nubuck leather-based uppers, a soft foam midsole, and dependable, sticky traction. 

Senior gear analyst Ian Krammer examined these for 14 days and 200+ miles on packed grime trails and rocky routes within the Colorado excessive nation from Might till November. Their rockered sole, hefty toe cap, and cushty match saved his ft fatigue-free mile after mile. At only one pound per boot, they’re straightforward to stroll in day after day. 

The GORE-TEX membrane gives first rate climate and moisture resistance and a bit of additional heat, making the Anacapa 2 Mids a dependable selection for reasonably damp and muddy situations. Versatile and simple to put on proper out of the field, this pair is nice for day hikes or quick backpacking journeys the place low weight and luxury are key.

Nonetheless, the Anacapas have some limitations in terms of sturdiness, climate resistance, and match. The uppers make the most of a considerable amount of mesh, and the soles have quite a lot of foam, which is great for consolation – however reduces their longevity in tough terrain in comparison with burlier and heavier boots. The GORE-TEX liner performs admirably in delicate to reasonable water publicity however will ultimately fail in extended rain, snow, and really muddy routes. And a few design components may not work for everybody: a big heel flare takes a little bit of time getting used to, they’re a bit slim by means of the midfoot but vast within the toe field, and the ankle peak is low, making them much less protecting in comparison with different boots. 

However if you need top-tier consolation and agility in a light-weight boot, the Anacapa 2 Mids is perhaps precisely what you’re on the lookout for.

Consolation

HOKA has earned fairly the repute for snug footwear through the years, and the Anacapa 2 Mid GTX builds on this legacy. These boots provide the agility of path runners however with the spine of a boot. In case you beloved the favored HOKA Speedgoat 3, 4, or 5 path runners, the Anacapa 2 Mids provide a virtually similar construct, because of supportive however soft foam midsoles and extremely versatile uppers. Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer used these on a 3-day, 40-mile fall journey within the Colorado Rockies on packed trails, rocky slopes, and boulder scrambles the place his ft felt contemporary and comfy for 12+ hours at a time. His favourite factor? The tremendous thick foam midsoles that soak up impression and gobble up rocks, roots, and obstacles with little or no floor really feel. 

The thick foam, mixed with a rockered sole and a big heel flare, promotes a springy ahead movement that makes lengthy miles straightforward. The vast outsole and burly tread sample mix stability with sticky traction on packed and reasonably difficult trails. Their nubuck leather-based and mesh uppers enable for a versatile and broken-in really feel proper out of the field, so you possibly can hit the trailhead immediately with no concern of blisters or discomfort. The mid-height ankles present simply sufficient help and safety. Lighter than many different mid-height boots, they’re much less taxing in your legs throughout lengthy hikes, and an enormous heel loop makes placing on and taking them off a breeze.

However the Anacapa 2 Mid’s cushioned really feel gained’t work for everybody or all terrain. The largest draw back of such a soft design is that they aren’t as sturdy as boots constructed with all-leather uppers, denser rubber blends, and burlier parts. We discover the froth outsoles and mesh uppers start to point out important put on and tear on the 250 mile mark. Moreover, the froth building is cumbersome and lacks floor really feel, which suggests they’re greatest for nontechnical trails and maintained trails the place exact foot placement isn’t essential. In the case of match, the protruding heel flare might really feel awkward when you’re not aware of HOKA’s model.

And people with vast or flat ft would possibly discover the slim midfoot a bit restrictive regardless of its plentiful toe house. Lastly, the highest lacing hooks use a geometrical design with a slight lip, which prevents the laces from slipping out – however we discover they’re awkward for adjusting laces and re-tying the boots. If tied too tightly, they will create stress factors on the ankle. None of those points are dealbreakers, although – in terms of consolation, the Ancapa 2 Mids lead the pack.

Ankle Assist

These are mid-height boots with minimal ankle help. We love this design for 3-season day hikes and lighter backpacking journeys the place path runners don’t provide sufficient safety from moisture and brambles, however conventional leather-based mountain climbing boots are overkill. The Anacapa 2 Mids’ ankle peak is exclusive: it extends excessive on the highest of the foot however dips low behind the heel. This design, mixed with mesh uppers and leather-based overlays, makes the Anacapa 2 Mids extraordinarily versatile – that nimble, shoe-like really feel applies to the ankles too, so they really transfer with you, not in opposition to you.

The closely padded ankle cuff provides a little bit of help however with out the standard bulk. HOKA’s lacing system, that includes geometric lace hooks on the prime, permits a comfortable match with minimal changes wanted and secures the ankle to forestall undesirable rolling or instability. A rockered sole aids in sustaining stability and subtly helps the ankle’s pure vary of movement. If you would like flexibility, breathability, and a little bit of added safety within the ankles, these are the boots for you.

However if you need basic mountain climbing boots with a taller ankle cuff, inflexible stability, and burly safety, the Anacapa 2 Mids fall quick. Their mid-height collar with mesh and leather-based feels agile and comfy, but it surely lacks the steadiness, sturdiness, and safety that increased boots provide for tackling steep, technical routes. These light-weight supplies merely don’t guard your ankles and ft from moist climate, thick underbrush, and sharp obstacles the way in which heavier, all-leather boots do.

The lace hooks are very efficient for locking laces in place, however they will really feel cumbersome and awkward when making changes, and infrequently trigger minor stress factors across the ankle. For off-trail routes or demanding backcountry hikes, the Anacapa’s mid-height and supplies don’t provide sufficient ankle safety, however they thrive on reasonable trails.

Weight

The Anacapa 2 Mids are among the lightest boots we’ve examined within the mountain climbing boot class – they’re solely 2 kilos for the pair. In case you’re on the lookout for a flexible boot that gained’t weigh you down, this mannequin is a stellar selection for decreasing fatigue on lengthy treks.

The place basic mountain climbing boots use dense rubber blends on the only, HOKA’s EVA foam soles dramatically scale back their weight and provide a way more responsive and soft really feel. The mesh and nubuck leather-based uppers additional reduce down on their bulk and heft, particularly in comparison with rivals comprised of thick artificial or leather-based textiles. The slim midsole and rockered sole makes for a balanced weight distribution with dependable stability. These boots maximize consolation with out compromising help, making them a superb selection for day hikes and multi-night adventures.

The trade-off for such a light-weight design is a major dip in sturdiness. The froth outsoles aren’t practically as long-lasting as mountain climbing boots that use burly rubber composites. The mesh and leather-based uppers fall into the identical lure: they’re impressively light-weight, however don’t maintain a candle to the sturdiness of trainers with all-leather or thicker artificial supplies. For individuals who need a pair of trainers that can final a number of seasons, need higher safety, or plan to sort out difficult, off-trail routes, a heavier boot with a sturdier construct shall be a greater match.

Traction

The Anacapa 2 Mids provide responsive, grippy traction in most summer time situations, from slick mud to dusty and rocky trails. HOKA makes use of Vibram Megagrip for the tread of those boots. This mix is far more malleable, responsive, and comfortable than the heavier, stiffer blends used on aggressive mountain climbing boots.

Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer loves their sturdy tread sample, that includes angled lugs throughout the only with particularly deep, vast knobs on the heel for dependable braking on steep descents. This design was important when descending over 3,000’ from the ridge of a 13,000’ peak within the southern Colorado Rockies, the place good grip was important on dozens of steep switchbacks. The distinctive mixture of a responsive midsole, giant heel flare, and rockered sole makes the Anacapa 2 Mids a powerful, steady, grippy boot.

The largest draw back of the light-weight foam and softer tread? Once more, you’ll sacrifice sturdiness in comparison with heavier boots with dense rubber composites. The Anacapa 2 Mids have nice traction, however solely as much as 250 miles. The outsoles present significant injury from common use past that time, with lugs flattened and the froth starting to interrupt down.

This mannequin is definitely usable as much as 400 miles, but it surely’s not fairly. Additionally, the cumbersome foam soles scale back sensitivity on path, making it more durable to really feel the bottom. Our final gripe is that the lug depth is common – in order that they don’t carry out properly on moist or slippery surfaces, together with slick rocks, muddy areas, and free gravel. They shed particles simply and excel on flat and reasonable inclines, however the much less aggressive tread sample falls quick in tough terrain. In case you want stiff, lengthy lasting outsoles for steep, technical routes the place each step requires pinpoint accuracy, these aren’t the boots for you.

Climate Resistance

It’s all within the identify: the HOKA Anacapa 2 Mid GTX has an built-in GORE-TEX membrane. This GTX liner is a superb design for mountain climbing in occasional rain, moist underbrush, and water crossings. This liner provides a bit of heat, too, so these boots are a sensible choice for cool, fair-weather days beneath 70°F. Nubuck leather-based panels throughout the uppers assist repel water, however while you do get moist, the light-weight polyester parts – together with the laces, liner, and mesh – enable for quick drying, often in lower than an hour. Total, this mannequin works properly for 3-season weather-resistant footwear.

That mentioned, these aren’t rugged, absolutely waterproof, 4-season mountain climbing boots, and we don’t suggest them for wet forecasts or harsher situations. Don’t get us improper – the GORE-TEX liner is efficient in gentle to reasonable publicity to the weather and can maintain you dry when splashing by means of puddles or crossing low streams – however that’s the restrict. On separate events, Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer had moist ft after mountain climbing by means of a 4 hour rainstorm and crossing a number of vast streams and he actually felt the coolness on a snowy day hike. That mentioned, these aren’t main points – for folk mountain climbing in delicate spring, summer time and fall situations, these boots work properly.

Sturdiness

The Anacapa 2 Mids provide reasonable sturdiness, making them a sensible choice for reasonable mountain climbing situations. Our testing exhibits these boots maintain up properly with common use to the 250 mile mark – although with a bit of additional care, they will last as long as 400 miles. The nubuck leather-based panels enhance resistance to put on and tear on the uppers whereas additionally being water-repellent, and the GORE-TEX waterproof membrane acts as an additional layer of safety to assist maintain your ft dry. Vibram tread provides longevity to the EVA foam midsoles. We additionally admire burly parts like metallic prime hooks and eyelets, robust polyester shoelaces, and a stiff toe cap that protects your ft from sharp rocks and sticks. 

However there’s no method round it: the Anacapa Mid GTX isn’t as sturdy as different mountain climbing boots constructed with stronger supplies. At 250 miles of common use on maintained trails, Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer discovered the waterproof liner was not efficient at holding out moisture, and the EVA foam soles started to compress, crack, and deteriorate. Though the nubuck leather-based panels are a sturdy selection, the higher mesh – which is susceptible to snagging on sharp underbrush – counteracts the leather-based’s sturdiness and exhibits important injury as properly. These boots aren’t superb for off-trail mountain climbing, harsh situations, or rugged trails, which may speed up put on. Nonetheless, when you worth an agile, comfortable match over sturdiness, these boots will ship miles of smiles on path.

Ought to You Purchase the HOKA Anacapa Mid GTX?

The HOKA Anacapa 2 Mid GTX is a good selection for three-season hikers and backpackers who need excellent consolation and dependable traction in a light-weight design for multi-night adventures. The boots’ distinctive mixture of mesh, leather-based panels, and a versatile however supportive midsole means they’re able to put on proper out of the field – no break-in time wanted. The rockered form, beneficiant cushioning, and outsized heel flare prevents foot fatigue and retains your pure gait. The roomy toebox permits for pure toe splay on path. With stable grip and extremely adjustable laces, these boots excel on groomed trails, making them a terrific selection for fair-weather hikers on most terrain from spring till fall.

Nonetheless, these boots aren’t for everybody. They’re not essentially the most sturdy or climate resistant, so the Anacapa 2 Mids might not swimsuit four-season hikers or these tackling technical terrain. Their outsoles are responsive and soft, however the great amount of froth, mixed with largely mesh uppers, are susceptible to put on in rugged situations and limits efficiency in harsh environments. The match can really feel awkward, too: they don’t provide a lot ankle help, the highest lacing hooks are a bit clunky, and the prolonged heel would possibly take time to get used to. In case you spend quite a lot of time off-trail or want extra sturdy footwear, these boots is perhaps a bit missing. That mentioned, when you choose a boot that feels extra like a operating shoe and wish top-tier consolation, these boots are price contemplating.

What Different mountain climbing boots Ought to You Contemplate?

For extra choices, take a look at our full information to males’s mountain climbing boots.

Merrell Moab 3 WP Evaluation: If consolation is your prime precedence, the Merrell Moab 3s are a stellar different to the Anacapa 2 Mids. They’re among the most snug and soft boots on the market – they usually value much less, too. The vast toe field, forgiving midsoles, and stable traction makes them a terrific selection for day mountain climbing or backpacking. The draw back? They weigh extra and aren’t far more sturdy.

Salomon Quest 4 Mid GTX Evaluation: These are a few of our favourite boots and outshine the Anacapa 2 Mids in terms of consolation, ankle help, and sturdiness. Their consideration to high quality and conventional leather-based building makes them a terrific selection for year-round mountain climbing. Though, their traction leaves a bit to be desired, they’re dearer, they usually weigh practically a pound extra per pair.

Lowa Renegade GTX Evaluation: One other one in every of our go-to pairs, the LOWA Renegades are among the comfiest boots we’ve ever examined. They match the Anacapa 2 Mids for the extent of traction. Nonetheless, they’re superior for ankle help, climate resistance, and sturdiness – and also you’ll pay a reasonably penny for them since they’re among the many dearer pairs available on the market.