Hoka Anacapa Breeze Mid Review | Best Summer Hiking Boot?
In this article, I’m going to share my HONEST Hoka Anacapa Breeze Mid review for those who are wondering whether they are still WORTH IT in 2025. As a Professional Hiking Guide myself, I recommend these hiking boots to those looking for summer hiking boots that are extremely breathable and comfortable. There’s a reason why we named the Anacapa Breeze the best summer hiking boots of 2025… they are actually breathable!
For this review, I have put in over 60 miles into testing my own personal pair of the Anacapa Breeze throughout the summer and fall of 2023 through 2025, so I’m very familiar with how they feel and perform on the trails. I’ll go over comfort, traction, overall protection, breathability, fit, stability & support, and durability.
Our Verdict
The Hoka Anacapa Breeze is a top-tier hiking boot that knocked it out of the park in our objective testing standards. What makes this boot stand out from the rest, is simply the breathability. Hoka was able to introduce a non-waterproof version of the Anacapa with engineered air mesh, giving this boot ultimate air ventilation.
Besides breathability, they are extremely comfortable even more so than the cousin of this boot, the Anacapa 2 GTX. The hubble heel adds another layer of stability giving them a nice wide platform for the uneven terrain you may come across. Overall, this is our award-winning best summer hiking boot of 2025.
Anacapa Breeze Pros and Cons
- Excellent Breathability
- Heavily Cushioned
- Great Ankle Support
- Swallowtail Heel
- Expensive
- Lacks Waterproof Membrane
Should you buy the Hoka Anacapa Breeze?
Buy if
- You want the BEST Summer Hiking boot of 2025
- You want undeniable comfort and stability on trail
- You are looking for a non-waterproof boot that is breathable
- You prefer durability and long-term performance over aesthetics
DON’T Buy if
- You want a waterproof boot
- You prefer “rugged” leather boots with internal support systems
Anacapa Breeze Price
Right now, the Anacapa Breeze Mid retails on Hoka.com for $170, if you are looking for the Breeze low they are offered at $155.
Order the Hoka Anacapa Breeze for the lowest price online! (Do NOT pay retail):
Or Save $15 with the LOW version
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Compare To Similar Products
Our best summer hiking boot of 2025. Unbelievable comfort and breathability. High-end durability
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The Cousin of the Breeze, with an added waterproof membrane. Same level of comfort and performance without the breathability.
Hoka Anacapa Breeze Comfort: 9.5/10
The Anacapa 2 model was rated as our most comfortable hiking boot of 2025, the breeze iteration is no different. They employ a compression molded EVA midsole. The midsole is extremely plush and comfortable, I did have mild rebound pain in the arch of my right foot after putting them on for the first time. The rebound pain went away after my first hike.
The midsole is very bouncy and conforming. I felt my foot sank into the midsole without compromising stability on the trail. There are added areas of cushion right at the front of the boot where your toes lie.
The toe box is extremely wide without any areas of compression, we measured the toe box at 3.36 inches, which is in the top 10 for our widest toe box collection.
One standout area of the Anacapa Breeze is the heel comfort. Most boots skimp out on heel cushioning, while these put your investment right where comfort and cushioning belong. The Nubuck leather is nice and flexible without any areas of stiffness or tightness.
The volume of the Breeze is medium to large, allowing more than enough room for swelling especially on those very warm hikes. The volume is slightly less than the Salomon X Ultra 5, which is a medium-volume boot.
Weight
The weight was surprising, we weighed them at 20 oz. Which is the same exact weight as the Anacapa 2 GTX which is the same model,but has a waterproof membrane.
Traction: 9/10
The Anacapa Breeze is equipped with the Vibram Megagrip outsole, which is a premium outsole that comes at a premium price. We have tested many Vibram outsoles of hiking boots and the one on the Breeze is no different.
The lugs are multidirectional with excellent grip on a variety of surfaces. One cool feature is the lugs extend up through the extended heel tab for that extra bit of bite you need on steep inclines. Overall, the grip and traction is excellent in all different types of terrain.
Overall Protection 4/5
The Anacapa Breeze has very good overall protection with the Nubuck leather interwoven between the air mesh pockets.
There are a few concern points around the boot (immediately behind the toe box) that are lacking protection where sharp rocks or objects could easily pierce through.
Otherwise the Breeze has good overall protection concerning the ankle, the ankle cuff height is at 7.25 inches. Which is in the top 20% when it comes to ankle cuff height of all the boots we have tested.
The toe box has a nice rubber protective feature in front of the boot. We rated the shock absorption as one of the best in its class. No need to worry about sore ankles or joints.
I would recommend the Mid version of the Breeze if you are prone to ankle sprains, or injuries.
Breathability 5/5
We replaced the waterproofing testing here for breathability, because the Anacapa Breeze is a non-waterproof boot made for breathability.
Overall, the integrated air mesh pockets really make this boot nice and breathable for summer hiking. Paired with a nice pair of merino wool hiking socks really helps offset any overheating of your foot in the hot summer hiking months.
The Ariaprene mesh around the ankle collar is made from recycled polyester, providing more breathability without sacrificing ankle support.
Unfortunately they do not possess a waterproof membrane so creek and water crossings are not a smart idea.
Does The Hoka Anacapa Breeze Fit Well?
At first, I felt a really good amount of room when slipping them on. I tested a men’s 10.5 without the need to size up or down.
No areas of compression, just a nice tight fit that was comfortable and conforming. The toe box is definitely more pliable when compared to the Hoka Kaha 2 and 3, which helps with toe box room. See our comparison of the Kaha 2 vs the Anacapa.
The lacing system features 3 eyelets at the top for tight lacing. The eyelets are skinny and the matched laces do not fit into them well at all. This is a minor hindrance but can get annoying at times.
Hoka Anacapa Breeze Fit 4.5/5
Anacapa Breeze Stability & Support 4/5
The Anacapa Breeze has a very robust support system, with a very wide base. This allows better contact with the ground while keeping a firm grip on trail. The swallowtail heel extension gives you extra stability in the hindfoot allowing more ground contact for excellent stability.
The ankle stability and support is one of the best in its class. They provide a nice secure lacing system with robust ankle support. I didn’t experience any ankle sprains or strains while on the trail.
I was able to test the Breeze with a 30 lb day pack, with the added weight I didn’t feel any insecure movements in my stride.
The Breeze does come in a low-cut version however I would not recommend using them for daypack hiking or with any extra added weight as the mid does give a lot of extra support compared to the low cut version.
Durability 9/10
So far I’ve had zero issues with durability regarding the Anacapa Breeze. They’re made with a mix of synthetic materials and robust leather. However, there are less stitching zones compared to most hiking boots on the market.
Therefore I intend them to last longer than something such as the Lowa Renegade which has various stitching zones throughout the boot.
Hoka always puts in premium materials to their footwear, the majority of the materials in this boot are sustainable as well. You’ll never have to stress about Hoka cutting corners on cheap materials, you get exactly what you pay for.
The Vibram outsole has held up great over the past year of putting it through some rough terrain as well as the added weight with backpacking.
The Anacapa Breeze is made with premium quality materials, that’ll last longer than the industry average.
Is the Hoka Anacapa Breeze worth it?
If you’re looking for the top summer hiking boot with quality materials, and unbeatable breathability then the Anacapa Breeze is definitely worth it.
Don’t forget that the Anacapa is also our top rated hiking boot for comfort in 2025. Combining the top-notch breathability with comfort is a very rare find especially for the price under $200.
Overall, the Anacapa Breeze is a top 5 hiking boot out of our entire collection, the performance speaks for itself.
For hikers looking for a similar level of performance, but at a lower budget check out the Merrell Moab 3. If you are looking for a more robust boot with higher ankle protection look at the Salomon Quest 4, or even the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid.
Value: 5/5
Scoring Breakdown
Comfort: 9.5 / 10
Traction: 9 / 10
Overall Protection: 4 / 5
Breathability : 5 / 5
Stability & Support: 4 / 5
Fit: 4.5 / 5
Durability: 9 / 10
Value: 5 / 5
Total: 50 / 55
Our Rating: 9.1 / 10
Right now, the Anacapa Breeze Mid retails on Hoka.com for $170.
Order the Hoka Anacapa Breeze for the lowest price online! (Do NOT pay retail):
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Hoka Anacapa Breeze Mid Waterproof?
The Hoka Anacapa Breeze is not waterproof. This is the version of the Anacapa that is meant to be more breathable, hence the lack of waterproof membrane.
Does The Hoka Anacapa Have A Wide Toe Box?
Yes! The Hoka Anacapa toe box is measured at 3.36 . Which is top 10 for widest toe boxes of our collection.
Which Hoka Hiking Boot Has The Most Cushion?
The Hoka Anacapa is the most cushioned Hoka Hiking Boot. They offer an excellent cushioned EVA midsole.
How Do Hoka Footwear Fit Compare To Nikes?
Hoka Footwear is wider and more malleable compared to Nike. The two different brands are also vastly different in the materials used for construction.
What Is The Best Summer Hiking Boot?
The Hoka Anacapa Breeze is easily the best summer hiking boot. They offer unbeatable breathability paired with top of the line comfort and cushioning.
How We Tested and Our Methodology
I personally tested the Hoka Anacapa Breeze over two years of summer hiking with the sole intent of giving you the most unbiased review possible. Mountaineer Journey is a 100% independent publisher with years of testing and reviewing outdoor equipment.
We currently pay for the products we test ourselves; no company or manufacturer pays us to sway our opinions or decisions.
