HOKA Kaha 3 Low GTX review

The Kaha 3 Low GTX may not appeal to every hiker, but it's an excellent match for those looking for the following:

• a platformy shoe with a hiking boot DNA for multi-day backpacking 
• a comfort-loaded shoe for long-haul adventures on moderate terrain
• a durable hiking shoe made of premium materials

This HOKA shoe's massive build will most likely feel too heavy and cumbersome for day hikes and faster thru-hikes. If you want high shock absorption without the bulk, try the HOKA Anacapa 2 Low GTX or the Danner Trail 2650 GTX.

And if you intend to tackle some rock-heavy and technical routes, the La Sportiva Spire GTX would be a better companion.

HOKA claims the Kaha 3 Low GTX to be 'cushier than ever before,' and our shock absorption test proved it!

At 116 SA in the heel, it offers a tangible step-up in impact protection compared to its predecessor (102 SA) and even exceeds the category average! It is a perfect option for longer distances, offering longer-lasting comfort and reduced joint stress.

The brand also promises 'a bit more bounce' in the newer Kaha version, but our energy return test showed only a minor improvement.

Going from 41.8% in v2 to 46.3% in v3, this HOKA shoe still feels quite dull and static compared to most other hiking shoes, and especially to trail running shoes, where the average energy return hovers around 56.3%.

The HOKA Kaha 3 Low GTX is one of the most massive hiking shoes we've tested, and a chunky Hubble Heel contributes to its monstrous appearance.

With a caliper measurement of 40.5 mm, its heel stack grew by 1.5 mm over the Kaha 2 and exceeded the average by quite a margin. 'A higher bed of soft cushion' is an on-point description of this HOKA shoe.

The shoe's forefoot stack also competes with the most max-cushioned hiking shoes in our roster. At 28.4 mm, it is significantly taller than average and feels quite isolated from the trail.

The difference between the shoe's stack heights is therefore 12.1 mm, slightly higher than the stated 8 mm.

This offset feels at home on long-distance hikes over moderate terrain. It reduces stress on the Achilles tendon and calves, especially during descents or when carrying a heavier load.

HOKA categorizes the Kaha 3 Low GTX as plush, which is partially true based on our durometer measurements.

The shoe relies on a dual-density cushioning setup, with the top foam layer thicker and softer for comfort, and the bottom layer firmer for stability.

Pressing our durometer against the top foam returned a balanced reading of 37.7 AC. This is significantly softer than average but still falls into the moderately soft range of hiking shoes.

The bottom layer, on the other hand, is made of very firm foam, as reflected in a high reading of 62.1 AC. This is a necessary component that helps stabilize the Kaha 3 Low's massive platform.

Because the Kaha 3 Low GTX is available in medium width only, we wanted to make sure that it fits on par with the average.

Using a special liquid, we created a gel cast of its interior and measured its dimensions with a digital caliper. The widest part in the ball of foot area showed a perfectly standard width of 93.9 mm.

Its toebox, on the other hand, tapers slightly towards the front, measuring 70.8 mm at the big toe area. It still falls into the medium range, but closer to the narrow side.

Gladly, the shoe's vertical space brings no surprises with a normal toebox height of 28.3 mm.

There is enough wiggle room to prevent the upper from pressing on the toes and toenails.

Measuring the shoe's lug depth at 3.7 mm, we found it almost true to the stated 4 mm. Made with Vibram Megagrip rubber, its lugs bite onto a wide variety of terrain, including light dirt, gravel, grass, roots, moss, sand, and boulders.

However, these lugs are neither deep nor wide-set enough to handle any muddy or boggy stretches.

The new Kaha's traction pattern remained similar to the previous version, with a mix of:

• chevron lugs for multi-directional grip
• blocky perimeter treads for smoother terrain
• an aggressive braking zone in the heel

Additionally, most of the shoe's large treads are covered with tiny Megagrip treads to enhance bite on smoother surfaces, as well as on ascents and descents.

The shoe also retains HOKA's signature V-shaped SwallowTail rearfoot design, which ensures more stable footing on uneven terrain.

Built on such a thick platform, the HOKA Kaha 3 Low GTX allows practically no foot bending.

It is, in fact, one of the stiffest hiking shoes in our lab, requiring a whopping 34.0N to bend by 30 degrees! However, its curved MetaRocker sole geometry helps the foot transition smoothly from heel to toe without relying on forefoot bending.

The shoe's stiffness also ensures a more even pressure distribution and better power transfer for hiking with a backpack, which in turn helps reduce foot fatigue on long hauls.

Unfortunately, this HOKA shoe's massive build comes with a weight penalty. It didn't get much lighter than the previous Kaha, tipping the scales at 16.4 oz (465g), making it by far one of the heaviest hiking shoes in our lab!

The Kaha 3 Low GTX is a shoe for slow and steady paces, not speedy thru-hikes!

Just like its mid-top counterpart, the Kaha 3 Low GTX offers minimal breathability, making it better suited for milder and colder seasons.

Its thick nubuck upper, generously padded interior, and Gore-Tex membrane create a tightly sealed upper, preventing even a whiff of smoke from passing in our breathability test.

Taking a closer look at the shoe's upper through our microscope revealed no perforations either, lowering this HOKA shoe's breathability score to the minimum.

The HOKA Kaha 3 Low GTX is basically a backpacking boot with a low-cut collar. Built on the exact same platform as the Kaha 3 GTX boot, it offers tremendous support and side-to-side stability for a hiking shoe!

Requiring a ridiculously high torque to twist (29.6 Nm), its torsional rigidity is just as high as in the boot variant (30.0 Nm)!

That makes it one of the most reliable hiking shoes for carrying a heavy backpack, as it brilliantly reduces the likelihood of ankle rolls or awkward foot placements.

The shoe's structured heel counter also proved unyielding in our manual test, earning a high stiffness score of 4 out of 5. Offering a secure rearfoot lockdown, it minimizes undesirable foot shifting inside the shoe.

The Kaha 3 also introduces a taller and more enclosed collar, with a sock-like top that sits closer to the ankle and Achilles tendon. Its form-fitting design prevents water, debris, and pebbles from sneaking inside the shoe.

If you thought the Kaha 2 Low GTX was a chunky boy, brace for the new version of the shoe! Measuring the widest part of its midsole in the forefoot, our caliper recorded as much as 117.4 mm, which is 4.6 mm wider than the previous version.

This is a ton of surface area to rely on and feel stable even with a heavy load. However, it is way too clunky for any scrambling or technical hiking.

The Kaha 3 Low GTX also features an exceptionally wide heel, measuring 104.6 mm at its widest point. And its extended Hubble Heel design further contributes to the shoe's platformy construction.

This heel design certainly inspires confidence on uneven terrain and steep descents, but is way too burly for rocky terrain like scree because it constantly gets caught and stuck.

Even though we had zero complaints about the previous Kaha's durability, the brand describes the Kaha 3 Low GTX as 'even more durable.'

The new version inherited the high-quality nubuck leather and performed equally well in our Dremel test. But because of the same cosmetic damage, it didn't score higher than the v2 and received the same toebox durability score of 4 out of 5.

The textured lining inside the shoe's new collar also showed impressive wear resistance. With no signs of wear, it earned the maximum possible heel padding durability score of 5!

The shoe's Vibram outsole didn't disappoint either, proving its hard-wearing nature in our Dremel test. A shallow dent of 0.6 mm was just a scratch on the surface!

The brand reduced the Kaha 3 Low GTX's rubber thickness by about 1 mm, bringing it to 1.6 mm (excluding lug depth). But given the compound's durability, this shouldn't be much of a concern.

HOKA fulfills its promise of a 'cushy sockliner [that] combats foot fatigue' to the max with an above-average insole thickness of 6.8 mm in the heel. It offers an exceptionally comfortable step-in feel.

But if you want to opt for a custom orthotic with more targeted support or a thinner insole in exchange for more in-shoe space, the insole is easily removable.

Its warm, waterproof design makes the HOKA Kaha 3 Low GTX a suitable option for the colder season. But how does its cushioning foam behave in such conditions?

After keeping the shoe in the freezer for 20 minutes, we measured its midsole softness with a durometer once again and found that the primary (top) foam went from moderately soft (37.7 AC) to firm (43.9 AC). This means the shoe will likely feel harsher when used at lower temperatures.

We located no reflective elements on the Kaha 3 Low GTX in our dark room test.

HOKA is almost synonymous with comfort, not only for its plush, chunky soles but also for its abundant interior padding.

Measuring its tongue thickness, for example, our caliper recorded an above-average reading of 12.6 mm. No matter how tightly you cinch its thick laces, it will keep lace bites at bay.

To complete its enclosed upper design, this HOKA shoe features a fully gusseted tongue that shields the interior from water, sand, debris, and chilly air.

A large fabric finger loop feels handier with the shoe's narrower collar.

The HOKA Kaha 3 Low GTX didn't see a price increase over its predecessor, which is good news because it's already one of the most expensive hiking shoes in our lab. And yet the shoe lives up to its premium claim, showing excellent results in various departments.