Walking Boots

Hoka Anacapa 2 Low GTX | Review

A versatile, cushioned hiking shoe built for trail comfort, daily wear and multi-day adventures – tested across Greece, Malta and the Brecon Beacons.

I’ve tested the Hoka Anacapa 2 Low GTX out extensively now and I’ve been mightily impressed by it. It’s a walking shoe that ticks a lot of boxes, offering cushioning, comfort and protection and it’s got a nice versatility to it too. From my point of view, it’s the kind of shoe you can wear on the trail and in the city – and it manages to look right at home in both scenarios.

The Top Line

This gets our recommendation if you’re looking for a low cut hiking shoe for trail hiking, country walking and even multi-day backpacking. Overall, we were impressed by the design quality and out-of-the-box comfort.

Buy The Hoka Anacapa 2 Low GTX: £140 at Ellis-brigham.com

Pros: Very wide and stable platform, lots of cushioning, comfortable fit, waterproof but still OK for warmer weather, good sustainability efforts.

Cons: Saturate quite quickly, some concerns over the longer term durability.

The Anacapa 2 Low GTX during Will’s tests on the slopes of Mount Olympus.

How I Tested the Hoka Anacapa 2 Low GTX

I took the Hoka Anacapa 2 Low GTX with me on a month-long backpacking trip through Greece, where I climbed to 2,060 meters on Mount Olympus, traversed the rocky terrain in and around the Vikos Gorge, and endured everything from scorching sun to hard-packed snow. I didn’t just hike in them either – they also served me well for runs and bike rides.

I also took them on an active weekend getaway to Malta where I wore them for e-biking, hiking and climbing approaches.

I chose the Hoka Anacapa Low GTX for these trips for a few key reasons: I wanted something with good cushioning for the long stretches of carrying a heavy backpack, that could be used for different activities and different terrains, and that wouldn’t look too technical or out of place when going out to dinner in the evenings. They delivered on all of those fronts.

During Will’s trip to Malta. Photos: Dave Macfarlane.

Aside from those trips, I’ve been wearing these day-to-day on dog walks and out and about. They also served very well for a hike in the Brecon Beacons where the weather was hot and humid but I also needed something to keep my feet dry from the slightly wet conditions underfoot.

Cushioning

Hoka is known for its super chunky soles and plush cushioning and its kind of business as usual here for the brand. I wouldn’t say the sole is as ‘maxi’ as some other shoes in their line though – it’s a bit more understated – but it still delivers in terms of comfort and shock absorption. The cushioning was noticeable during the long descent down Mount Olympus and I was glad for it.

Comfort was good right out of the box for me. I had no issues after taking them straight out of their packaging and onto my trip to Malta.

Protection

The sole unit has plenty of flexibility and this makes the Anacapa comfortable to walk long distances in. It’s still protective though. I found that the shank within the midsole was able to block out rocks and roots really nicely. For toe protection, there’s a bit of a bumper but it’s not super hardy.

Then there’s the waterproofing. Hoka have used a Gore-tex waterproof membrane here, which does what it’s supposed to do. I actually found this to be quite impressive in its breathability, particularly when wearing the Anacapa through hot temperatures in Greece and Malta.

I did find that the Anacapa’s outer material saturates pretty quickly in wet conditions. This hinders the overall breathability, makes the shoes heavier and it also causes the uppers to loose their shape a little bit. Fortunately, the material does dry up quickly once conditions improve.

Grip

These feature a Vibram Megagrip outsole. Here at Outdoors Magic, we find the rubber compound used for Megagrip is very versatile across a range of surfaces and conditions. It really felt outstandingly grippy on dry rock during my tests. On wet rock, there’s some grip but it does have its limitations, as most outsoles will.

The lugs are 5mm deep – fairly moderate. I found that the Anacapas gripped well on all but the steepest and slipperiest of muddy inclines and they helped me out on Mount Olympus when we had to traverse some unexpected frozen snow patches.

Fit and Feel

I’m a UK 10 and the pair I used were a UK 10. The fit was spot on and caused no problems or niggles for me. I’d describe the fit at the toe as being quite relaxed, with a bit of room to let your toes splay out a bit – but not so much that any instability is brought on.

Will on a coastal hike in Malta. Photo: Dave Macfarlane

Walking in the Anacapa Low, I did feel that the shoe supported my natural stride. It does feel very stable to walk in too, and that’ll be down to the Anacapa’s somewhat wide platform. This, I found, really helps when you’re hiking with a heavy backpack. The downside is that it’s not particularly precise or agile and I found that it can feel a bit bulky when you’re placing your feet on small footholds or navigating tight, rocky sections.

Sustainability

The Anacapa 2 Low GTC incorporates a range of eco-friendly materials. It features nubuck leather certified by the Leather Working Group, ensuring responsible sourcing and manufacturing practices. The midsole contains sugarcane-based EVA, while the sockliner uses 50% soybean-based content, reducing reliance on petroleum. The Gore-Tex Invisible Fit waterproof membrane includes around 70% recycled polyester, and the shoe’s mesh components, linings, and laces are made from 100% recycled polyester. These updates align with Hoka’s broader goal to reduce per-shoe carbon emissions by approximately 25% by 2030.

Verdict

Ultimately, the Hoka Anacapa 2 is a mid weight shoe that offers good breathable protection, that feels great underfoot and that has the right kind of outsole for rocky and muddy trails.

Overall, it feels a good quality shoe. I’ve been wearing my pair for over 6 months now on a regular basis, and I’ve not noticed any degradation or flaws appearing. It still feels springy and cushioned underfoot too. I can see the quality holding up for at least another six months of regular use. Like most lightweight Gore-tex waterproof walking shoes, I’d be surprised if the membrane manages to last more than a year and a half of regular use. I’ll come back to update this review to confirm that. If you do want a shoe that’s built to last longer, look at something that has a more durable upper – something like the Salewa Alp Trainer or the Aku Link perhaps.

Price: £140
Weight: 435g (per shoe)
Our rating: 8/10

Buy The Hoka Anacapa 2 Low GTX: £140 at Ellis-brigham.com