When you think of Hoka One One you probably think of super marshmallowy, thick midsole, goofy looking running shoes. You would be absolutely correct in thinking that, and Hoka's new line of hiking specific boots are just that, but with added durability and guts. I had the opportunity to test out the Sky Kaha boots courtesy of Gearhead Outfitters and have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. Let's get into the details below! The Sky Kaha is an over the ankle boot, which is typically not my style for hiking/backpacking footwear, however these proved to be quite comfortable over the rocks and roots the Ozarks kindly provide. The Kaha is made of full grain leather, some synthetic sections, metal eyelets, and multi-density EVA foam. That's a lot of stuff for one boot, but dang... Hoka knows what they are doing! These are lined with an e-Vent waterproof bootie and they stood up to my highly technical standing-in-a-creek water test. I actually was surprised that I didn't feel any leakage after 15 minutes. These should provide sufficient for most creek crossings and rain storms in *most* areas. I found there to be ample toe room in these and decent support. They are more akin to a neutral running shoe and don't offer a major arch "post" which is what I prefer. The step-in comfort was shockingly awesome. I expected a lot of break in time but the dual density EVA proves to offer supreme on foot comfort. The layer of foam closest to the sole is more stiff which provides the support necessary to carry a pack or in my case a child with ease. My knees thanked me at the end of each hike! All in all, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the fit and feel of these boots. I've been wearing Altra shoes for some time now and typically don't enjoy more narrow toeboxes. These didn't prove to be any issue at all. No blisters or pinching due to the highly customizable lacing system! Hooray! I did find, as with most waterproof footwear, that they do tend to run a little on the warm side in the summer months. These bad boys come equipped with Vibram Megagrip, and 5mm lugs which have proved more than ample to handle just about any terrain. A bonus is that they don't sound or even feel weird when walking on pavement. I wouldn't suggest doing that often because it will prematurely wear down the rubber but for testing purposes I was more than happy. The above photo was after wearing these for a couple of weeks and as you can see, there appears to be virtually no wear on the soles so I would imagine that these will last a good long time before the soles wear out. Even the exposed EVA seems to be holding up better than I imagined. Overall, I have been more than pleased with the Sky Kaha boots from Hoka. The $220 price tag may seem steep but you are getting a full on leather, waterproof backpacking boot that should last you multiple seasons and if comfort and durability is top priority , these are definitely worth looking at! Check them out on Hoka's website, your local Gearhead Outfitters, or any other outdoor store! *These boots were provided free of charge. All opinions expressed in reviews is that of Bob's Adventure Blog and not influenced by any company.*
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