Light, nimble hiking/running shoe.
Hoka’s light day hiker, the Anacapa 2 Mid GTX, is a slimmer, lighter shoe than other Hoka styles I’ve tested, such as the Kaha 2 GTX. With its more flexible midsole and recycled mesh upper (as opposed to the Kaha’s nubuck upper), I wondered how it would perform in wet, muddy, snowy, icy, and rocky terrain. So, I put it through several weeks of hiking, snowshoeing, and driving through chain controls in the northern Nevada’s Sierra mountains.
I’m happy to report that the Anacapa 2 Mid GTX’s overall fit and function worked well for me. The shoe is extremely well-suited to sloppy weather and moderate hiking terrain.
Feature Rich
Available in men’s and women’s sizes, the Anacapa 2 Mid GTX is rich in performance-enhancing features, including a Gore-Tex waterproof membrane, a sugar cane based biodegradable EVA midsole, a Vibram Megagrip rubber sole with 5mm traction lugs, and waterproof nubuck leather that’s gold-rated by the Leather Working Group.
Trail Notes
The Hoka’s Anacapa 2 Mid GTX hikers Gore-Tex liner and waterproof Nubuck leather and polyester mesh upper were effective at keeping my feet feeling dry in light rain and snow. However, the polyester mesh in the upper wetted out during a two-hour snowshoe outing in wet snow, allowing some moisture to come through.
I liked the polyester mesh’s flexibility and lightness (compared to the heavier, stiffer full nubuck upper on the Kaha 2 hikers), but the trade-off was less protection against stones and rocks.
On the trail, the extra flexibility in the midsole and upper felt comfortable and efficient on smoother, less rocky trails but not protective or supportive while sidestepping steep slopes, scrambling over steep, sharp piles of granite, or carrying a 35-pound pack through uneven, rocky terrain. The Vibram Megagrip soles provided fantastic traction on wet, slippery ice and packed snow.
While still well-cushioned, the Anacapa’s extra flexibility in the mid-sole wasn’t as protective as the stiffer Kaha 2 GTX hiker’s thicker mid-sole that I’m used to wearing for rugged outings. I had to be more careful with placing my feet in uneven terrain since the mid-sole would twist and bend depending on the angled shape of the rocks underfoot. For those with sturdier ankles and feet, this extra flexibility could be a benefit due to added trail feel and a mid-sole that flexes easily at the ball of the foot, but for me that added flexibility and lighter weight made the Anacapa 2 Mid GTX better suited to smoother, less rocky trails and shorter distances.
Flexibility and Traction
After weeks of hiking and some snowshoe trips in the Toiyabe overlooking Lake Tahoe some wear is showing in the soft EVA mid-sole between the Vibram forefoot and heel, and there are some cuts and scrapes along the sides of the midsole. The polyester mesh over the toe and mid-foot vamp also has some light wear from my snowshoe bindings. I think the best use match for the Anacapa’s light weight, light polyester mesh uppers, and cushioned midsole would seem to be slightly less rugged terrain than I cover when I wear Hoka’s Kaha 2 GTX hikers.
As the Lake Tahoe region settles into the holiday ski season, I’ve found my favorite use for the Anacapa 2 Mid GTX to be the sometimes uncomfortably slippery, steep, wet, snowy and icy long hikes carrying gear from upper parking lot #7 down to the mountain operation’s lockers at Mt Rose Ski Tahoe. The Vibram Megagrip soles are much more sure-footed than heavy insulated pack boots, and the Gore-Tex liner does its job well in snow and slush.
Fit
The Anacapa 2 Mid GTX hikers fit securely around my heel and felt well-padded around the ankle collar and Achilles tendon. The toe box height and width felt a touch narrower than the Kaha 2 GTX hiker. The shoe fit my feet best while wearing a mid-weight hiking sock without the added bulk of a liner sock. The Hoka’s Anacapa 2 Mid GTX hikers have metal hooks for quick lacing, and I found that the laces snugged easily with plenty of length to lock and tie up. [Hoka offers a generous 30-day no-fault fit return/exchange guarantee (60-day for Hoka club members) and a one-year manufacturer’s limited warranty.)]
Details
The men’s Anacapa 2 Mid GTX comes in men’s sizes US 7-15, Regular or Wide. Colors include: Dune/Oxford Tan, Black/Black, Rye/Bark, Honey/Celadon Mint, Varsity Navy/Oat Milk. $195
The women’s Anacapa 2 Mid GTX comes in women’s sizes US 5-11, Regular or Wide. Colors include: Deep Umber/Stardust, Dune/Ice Flow, Rye/Bark, Black/Black, Astral/Illusion. $195
Hoka rates this shoe as neutral for stability and balanced for cushioning.
$195 at Hoka website
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