Hoka Kaha 3 GTX Review | Most Underrated Hiking Boot Of 2025

In this article, I'm going to share my HONEST Hoka Kaha 3 GTX review for those who are wondering if they are WORTH IT in 2025. With my 15+ years of hiking experience this is my #1 rated best hiking boot I have worn to date. 

The Hoka Kaha 3 GTX was released on January 1st of 2025. They were hoping to capitalize on the success of the Hoka Kaha 2, which had seen enormous sales in 2023 and 2024.  The Kaha 3 sees a new and improved fit with GORE-TEX invisible fit, a new toe cap, and better design. 

For this review, I have put in a hike every single day into testing my own personal pair of the Hoka Kaha 3 GTX since they were released. I'm familiar with how they feel and perform hiking on the trails. I'll go over comfort, traction, overall protection, water resistance, fit, stability & support, and durability.

I'll be sharing my critical opinion with 10 years of experience as a trail guide and experienced hiker.

Should you buy the Hoka Kaha 3 GTX?

Buy if 

• You want the #1 RATED Hiking Boot of 2025

• You prioritize comfort and on-trail performance

• You are an amateur hiker, advanced trekker or even mountaineer

• You want a hiking boot that is very secure and durable

• You want a hiking boot that will perform 365 days a year

• You loved the Kaha 2 and want an upgraded version

DON'T Buy if 

• You want to spend less than $150 on a hiking boot

• You prefer a higher heel to toe drop ratio

• You are a newer hiker and looking for a budget friendly boot

Hoka Kaha 3 Pros and Cons 

 Pros

• Outstanding comfort

• High-riding ankle support

• GORE-TEX invisible fit

• Excellent shock absorption 

Cons 

• Weight

• Price

• Lacing hooks not perfect

Hoka Kaha 3 GTX Price 

At the time of this writing, the Hoka Kaha 3 GTX are priced at $250 retail, but available on Hoka.com below for as low as $240 brand new.

Order the Hoka Kaha 3 for the LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE (Do NOT pay retail): 

Hoka Kaha 3 GTX (Hoka.com)

Disclosure: These links may provide a discount and in return, give us a commission in order to run the website 🙂

Hoka Kaha 3 Comfort: 9.5/10 

My first impression of these hiking boots was complete nostalgia.  I felt like I was slipping on a new and improved Kaha 2, with even more comfort. If there is one way to describe the comfort of the Kaha 3 it’s “cushy” and “cozy”.

The upgraded molded PU sockliner is very sleek and inviting, I compare it closely to the Merrell Moab 3. I no longer have to worry about an uncomfortable sock liner while hitting the trails. 

The Dual-Density sugarcane EVA midsole is as comforting as ever. I felt my feet sink in immediately when trying on the Kaha 3. While hiking, I felt the excellent shock absorption as the 2 inch midsole took away any added weight I may have been carrying while backpacking. 

I felt it took about two hikes to break into the Nubuck leather most of the boots upper is composed of. I would say the leather is thicker on this model but does not compromise its breathability. 

The toe box has more than adequate enough room, I didn’t feel any unnecessary areas of compression or pain. Moving towards the heel, I felt great support without any areas of hot spots or numbness.

Hoka hiking boots always have very comfortable ankle cuffs. The same goes for the Kaha 3, there is more than enough adequate padding around the ankle. The tongue of the boot is nice and sleek, it does not dig into the top of your foot even with a nice secure fit.

Hoka continues to integrate the MetaRocker geometry which helps with foot striking and making a more natural stride. I must say I always feel like my feet are “lighter” and much quicker on trails with Hokas, this is due to the MetaRocker design. 

Overall, the Hoka Kaha 3 is an extremely comfortable hiking boot. Hoka really knocked it out of the park with this one. Before, when I compared the Hoka Kaha 2 vs Anacapa 2 I said the Anacapa 2 was more comfortable. I have to say, now the upgraded Kaha 3 is one of the most comfortable hiking boots out there. 

Weight

I weighed my mens 10.5 at 20.49 oz. These is not the lightest hiking boots by a long shot. With the added comfort and stability they provide the added weight is well worth it.

If you are somebody who prefers the security of full-ankle coverage and great shock absorption these boots are an excellent choice. 

As a frame of reference, the Salomon Quest  4 (A comparable weight model) weighed in at 48 ounces which makes the Kaha 3 still 41% lighter!

Traction: 9.5/10

What makes the Kaha 3 stand out is the excellent on trail performance with traction. They are equipped with a high-end Vibram megagrip outsole. The lugs are arranged in a multi directional manner, I felt they held great grip in wet and dry conditions. 

The Hubble Heel technology adds to the traction and stability of the Kaha. The Hubble Heel is an extended heel that allows more ground contact therefore, adding extra stability and traction while on technical terrain. I must say, I agree the Hubble Heel takes a little getting used to but the enhanced grip is well worth it.

The outsole of the Kaha 3 is able to hold an edge on inclined trails with ease. Moving up a very steep incline is no problem with the Kaha 3’s. I felt the outsole is stiff enough to not conform under pressure and lose traction on uneven surfaces.

I would recommend using these hiking boots on any sort of terrain you want to tackle, the Kaha 3 can handle it all. 

Overall Protection 4.5/5 

The Hoka Kaha 3 uses a variety of Nubuck leather and traditionally stitched material to make up the entire boot. Starting at the toe cap, there is a nice protective rubber cap against any sharp objects or materials. The leather that is attached to this is slightly more firm to aid in protection as well.

With almost over 2 inches of elevated midsole, the medial and lateral aspects of the hiking boot are very well guarded. The heel is also well-designed and protected. You won’t have to worry about anything piercing your boots while hiking with these. 

The ankle cuff offers great overall protection; it is flexible enough to allow for range of motion while hiking, but is also restrictive enough to ward against ankle sprains. 

When it comes to overall protection, the Kaha 3 has you covered. 

Water Resistance 5/5 

The Kaha 3 is equipped with a new GORE-TEX invisible fit with recycled face fabric. What the invisible fit does is integrate a bette bond with the waterproof membrane so the Gore-tex liner is undetectable by the user. 

Many people complain about the added GORE-TEX liner for reduced breathability and just comfort overall. I can say I noticed a difference with the invisible fit, the breathability was not hindered from the waterproof membrane on this model.

During our 10 minutes submersion test the Kaha 3 performed extremely well, keeping out any moisture. The flood height is also quite high, 7.6 inches. I was quite impressed when crossing creeks and noticed no water entering my boots. 

The Hoka Kaha 3 are excellent waterproof boots with enhanced breathability compared to previous models. 

Does The Hoka Kaha 3 GTX Fit Well?

When slipping on these boots I felt a nice secure fit. I wear a men’s 10.5 and did not have to size up or down. Some early users complained there was some narrowness to the boot itself but I did not have this experience. 

These hiking boots are not particularly narrow or wide fitting. I would say they are just the right width. 

There are 3 metal rungs to hold a nice tight fit while tying my boots. One issue I had with these rungs is I feel they are at a weird orientation just like the previous model. When tying my laces I felt like they would slip out of the rungs easily. This is a minor defect though, once my laces were tied they were going to stay nice and secure the whole time.

 The tongue of the boot conforms to the top of your foot without discomfort.I would say you're able to get a more secure fit with the Hoka lacing system than most other hiking boots. I did not have to perform any special lacing techniques. 

Hoka Kaha 3 Fit  4.5/5 

Hoka Kaha 3 Stability & Support 5/5

The Kaha 3 scores the highest in stability and support that I have ever given a hiking boot. With over 7.5 inches of ankle protection, I felt my ankle was very supported and stable throughout all my hikes.

The Nubuck leather gives you an extra edge on the trail. The leather is very firm near the toe box but as you get towards the mid foot more it starts to ease up, exactly what you want for on-trail performance. 

The forefoot is very wide giving it a nice base to withstand uneven terrain without having to carry the firmest midsole on market. The Hubble Heel as mentioned before, feels like it carries you along the trail without much effort. 

A 8.0 mm Heel-To-Toe drop is a perfect ratio for heel first hikers, I felt my achilles tendinitis was not flaring as much as usual with these unique Heel-To-Toe drop.  

In terms of support, the cushion of the EVA midsole really helps absorb the repeated pounding on the trail. The Kaha 3 are an excellent choice if you are somebody who deals with joint pain in the knees and hips. 

Durability 10/10

The Hoka Kaha 3 has shown no signs of breakdown during my testing process. I was very impressed with the construction of this boot, Hoka did not skimp out on any sort of materials, they are all high quality and long lasting. 

All of the Kaha 3 is made with traditional stitching, no welded or adhesive materials. This is just another reason why Hoka continues to bring quality products to the market. 

Overall, if you want a hiking boot that will last, the Kaha 3 is it. This justifies the price in itself. 

Is the Hoka Kaha 3 GTX worth it? 

Absolutely the Kaha 3 are worth it, they are rated as our #1 hiking boot of 2025. They have scored the highest of any hiking boot I have tested to date.

For those who want superior ankle support, unmatched traction on any terrain, and excellent comfort on trails, the price justifies itself, getting the Kaha 3 for $240 is a steal in my opinion. 

The strengths of this hiking boot are the comfort, unmatched traction, top rated ankle support, and overall performance

The drawbacks to consider would be weight and price. If you are looking for a more lightweight option check out the Altra Lone Peak ALL-WTHR 2 Mid or Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX. For those looking for a more budget based hiking boot, check out the Merrell Moab 3 or Keen Targhee III. 

Overall, I don’t think you could ever go wrong picking up a pair of the Kaha 3, trusted by expert hikers. 

Value: 5/5 

Scoring Breakdown 

Comfort: 9.5 / 10 

Traction: 9.5 / 10

Overall Protection: 4.5 / 5

Waterproofness: 5 / 5

Stability & Support: 5 / 5

Fit: 4.5 / 5

Durability: 10 / 10

Value: 5 / 5

Total: 53 / 55

 Our Rating: 9.6 / 10 

Order the Hoka Kaha 3 GTX for the LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE (Do NOT pay retail): 

Hoka Kaha 3 GTX (Hoka.com)

Disclosure: These links may provide a discount and in return, give us a commission in order to run the website 🙂

How We Tested and Our Methodology 

I personally tested the Hoka Kaha 3 since the launch on January 1st 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.

Over the past decade, I have logged over 2,000 hiking miles across diverse terrains, from the rugged Appalachian Trail to the challenging Rocky Mountains. This extensive experience allows me to evaluate the Kaha 3's performance accurately in real-world conditions. 

We currently pay for the products we test ourselves; no company or manufacturer pays us to sway our opinions or decisions.

Adventure Awaits,

Tyler