Hoka Anacapa 2 Mid GTX review

The Hoka Anacapa 2 Mid GTX is a match made in shoe heaven if you are looking for the following:

• a comfort-loaded and generously cushioned day hiking boot
• a boot for maintained and moderately challenging trails
• a waterproof three-season boot

If you want a boot that can accompany you on an epic off-trail adventure, the Anacapa 2 Mid GTX is the wrong option. You will need a less cushy, more supportive, and more durable boot like the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX or the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX.

The aforementioned boots also do better on technical terrain as they don't feel as cumbersome when the trail calls for precise foot placement. There are no extended SwallowTail heels which tend to get caught in between the rocks.

The Anacapa 2 Mid GTX gave us that thick-foamed goodness we've come to expect from Hoka.

With a heel stack of 34.4 mm, we found the boot to be on par with the category average resulting in excellent impact protection on the trail. The foam muted out the small rocks and roots and left our feet fatigue-free even after several hours of hiking.

The balls of our feet felt equally well-protected with a generous forefoot stack of 25.4 mm which actualy exceeds the average of hiking boots!

Covering long stretches of hard-packed terrain felt smooth and effortless thanks to all the foam provided by the Anacapa. The boot felt a lot like a mid-cut Hoka running shoe with a trail-adapted outsole.

The boot's heel-to-toe drop felt moderate and unintrusive. Even though our measurements showed 9 mm instead of the claimed 7 mm, we hardly felt any difference.

It is an optimal offset for both beginner and seasoned hikers with light-to-moderate backpack loads.

Hoka introduces a more environmentally-friendly sugarcane EVA foam in the Anacapa 2.

We couldn't help but notice that the new foam was notably firmer than the compound used in the original boot and our durometer measurements confirmed it!

The HA reading of 30.0 raised our eyebrows as the new EVA proved to be 33% firmer than the old blend! It should be noted, however, that the Anacapa 2 still offers a well-cushioned ride but it seems to have traded plushness for bounciness.

Even though Hoka marks the Anacapa 2 Mid GTX's cushioning as "balanced," it sits closer to the firm boots by our standards.

We also found that the Anacapa 2 Mid GTX gains some firmness in low temperatures.

After 20 mins of sitting in the freezer, the boot's midsole foam showed a 20% increase in firmness. So please keep in mind that this Hoka boot won't have the same level of underfoot compression first thing in the morning (if you take it on a multi-day trip) or after several hours of hiking in temperatures below 30°F (0°C).

Measuring the boot's insole thickness with a calliper, we found no deviations from the average. At 5.9 mm in the heel, it has the same thickness as most other hiking boot insoles which makes it much easier to swap for another one.

The Anacapa's midsole comfort is amplified by the brand's proprietary SwallowTail design. Acting as a heel bevel, it made our gait feel smooth and effortless by quiklcy turning cushioned landings into toe-offs.

The extended heel worked wonders on hard-packed terrain but it felt too exsessive on rock-heavy trails and descents. It repeatedly kept getting caught in between the rocks!

We experienced a decent level of lateral stability in the Anacapa 2 Mid GTX. But it was more thanks its wide and cradle-like midsole design and not so much because of the tall collar. So if you don't wannt to pay more for the added collar height (and extended wtaerproofing), you might as well get the low-cut Anacapa 2 version.

Sure, the boot's collar is very well-padded and feels cosy around the heel and ankle but it's not the same level of support as you would find in sturdier boots like the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX or Hoka's very own Kaha 2 GTX.

But we can't really complain as the Anacapa 2 has plenty of stability for light-to-moderate terrain and a mid-weight backpack (te type of hikes it was designed for in the first place).

Hoka categorises the Anacapa 2 Mid GTX as a neutral hiking boot which implies no added stability components to support a hiker with overpronation.

And yet, this Hoka boot has a good deal of inherent stability thanks to its wide and not-so-plush midsole, raised sidewalls, and thick leather overlays. Assessing it's torsional rigidity on a 1-5 scale (where 5 is the stiffest), we didn't hesistate to give it a high score of 4.

We believe that there is enough support for someone with mild overpronation.

What's more,​​ the Anacapa carries a Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) which aknowledges its design as beneficial to foot health.

Designing the rearfoot of the Anacapa 2 boot, Hoka clearly put comfort first. Its ankle collar is loaded with padding (aka Achilles heel comfort build) and the heel counter has a lot of give to it.

Pushing and squeezing the latter in our manual test, we couldn't rate the heel counter stiffness any higher than 3 out of 5. But even though its not as stiff as the average, it's not too forgiving to be floppy either.

Again, the stiffness is just enough to feel supportive on non-technical, mainly even terrain.

It wouldn't be a Hoka boot if it wasn't wide and chunky!

Measuring the widest part of the Anacapa's midsole in the forefoot, our calliper showed an above-average reading of 115.9 mm. It is a few milimeters wider than the previous version and is also some of the widest in our hiking boot roster.

If you haven't tried any Hoka shoes before, expect to feel like you are sitting on a bigger platform in the Anacapa 2 Mid GTX.

Quite expectedly, the heel of the Anacapa also proved to be wider than the average at 93.4 in the widest part. With so much platform to land on, we felt immensely stable and surefooted on the hilly stretches.

Considering the bulk and cushioning of this Hoka boot, we were surprised at how much flex we got out of it!

It took less force to bend the Anacapa 2 Mid GTX to a 90-degree angle than it normally takes a hiking boot. Our force gauge showed 35.4N which is in fact closer to the average of hiking shoes than boots.

The boot's flexibility was especially pronounced on steeper ascents when we had to tip-toe our way up.

But do expect a drop in flexibility once the temperatures fall to 30°F (0°C) and below.

When we repeated the force gauge measurement after our 20-minute freezer test, the boot required 30% more force to bend than it did at room temperature.

We expected the new edition of the Anacapa to be just as light as its predecessor but, to our surprise, the boy has put on some weight! Even the brand's official specs state 16 oz for the first iteration and 18 oz for the second one.

Our own scale confirmed this showing 17.4 oz (494g) for the Anacapa 2 Mid GTX which is exactly 2 oz heavier than the v1. And the trick is, we don't see any additional components that could contribute to the weight. Could it be the heavier nature of the new sustainable materials?

On a lighter note, the extra 2 oz only made the boot weigh more like an average hiking boot. We didn't really feel more fatigued or dragged down by the weight of the new iteration. 

Quite expectedly, the Hoka Anacapa 2 Mid GTX proved to be 100% airtight in our breathability tests. As a waterproof hiking boot with the most renowned Gore-Tex membrane, its toebox didn't let out even a tiny streak of vapour in our smoke-pumping machine test.

But please note that the synthetic fabric covering the upper of the Anacapa 2 is significantly less tightly woven than the textile on the v1. The difference is obvious to the naked eye but you can see it more clearly in our microscope shots below.

That's why you can see the light shining through the pores in our transparency test too. But don't worry, the water doesn't seep through these apertures because on the inside, the boot is still lined with the GTX membrane.

Despite the pores, the Anacapa 2 Mid GTX makes for a pretty toasty boot for temperatures above 70°F (20°C). In our opinion, this Hoka boot is most suitable for spring and fall weather.

For summertime, you can consider the Hoka Anacapa Breeze Mid - a non-waterproof version of the boot.

Having tested the Anacapa 2 Mid GTX in puddles and forest streams, we are happy to confirm its excellent waterproofing. Gore-Tex never disappoints in that regard.

But here is the caveat - the membrane doesn't go all the way up the boot's collar so it's better to avoid hiking through water or snow that's deeper than your ankle. Because if the moisture spills over the collar, it's going to keep the interiors wet the entire hike. Especially given that the collar is cut very low at the back.

The green material on the inside is the GTX waterproofing.

It was very smart of Hoka to enlarge the protective toebox overlay in the Anacapa 2. Covering a bigger area, it keeps the textile safe from sharp bushes and rocky ridges.

But even though the v2 saw an improvement in wear resistsnce, it still falls behind most hiking boots. Thus, we bumped up its toebox durability score to only 2 out of 5.

Luckily, it shouldn't be a problem if you stick to the more maintained trails (what the Anacapa is meant for in the first place).

The boot's inner lining also received a step-up in quality which, in turn, showed better durability in our Dremel test.

In the first iteration of the Anacapa, our sandpaper left a masive hole in the heel padding in less than 4 seconds! Meanwhile, the v2 stood up to the challenge and showed only moderate damage.

Thus, the heel padding durability score jumped from 2 to 3 in the new Anacapa. It means that frequent on-and-offs won't destroy the boot's inner lining as quickly.

Not much has changed in the outsole of the Hoka Anacapa 2 Mid GTX. The boot still employs Vibram rubber and it works.

Our durometer recorded no difference in hardness over the previous iteration. The HC measurement is still at 85.5 HC which is a tiny bit softer than average.

Putting the boot's rubber through our most abrasive Dremel test (drilling at 10K RPM speed for 18 seconds), we took note of the compound's decent wear resistance.

Our tread gauge recorded 1.0 mm of damage which is just a little deeper than average. But that's not enough to call the Anacapa out for having a frail outsole.

To complete the picture, we also measured the boot's rubber thickness with a calliper (lugs excluded). At 2.8 mm, the base rubber layer turned out to be no thinner than the average which is a bonus point for durability.

Overall, we would describe the Anacapa 2 Mid GTX's outsole durability as good enough. It is not the most heavy-duty outdoor boot but it has solid longevity for less demanding hikes on manicured trails.

Measuring the Anacapa 2's lug depth, Our calliper returned an above-average reading of 5.0. It is a pretty aggressive treading that offers some serious breaking and gripping power.

We also found the boot's Vibram Megagrip pattern to be confidence-inspiring on slippery descents, mossy ascents, and and wet rocks under the mountain stream!

But despite the lug depth, we wouldn't recommend this Hoka boot for extra muddy and boggy conditions because its max-cushioned midsole detracts from the ground feel and stability.

Even with a 5% price hike, the Hoka Anacapa 2 Mid GTX is still priced slightly below the average of hiking boots. But for its own kind, the boot might be a little too pricey because there are cheaper but equally well-cushioned day hiking boots for light-to-moderate terrain. Think Merrell Moab 3 Mid GTX for example.

None of the Anacapa 2 Mid GTX's components are reflective.

The boot's shoestrings are rather stiff and thin but we never experienced lace bites thanks to the generously padded tongue. It packs as much as 11.3 mm of foam!

The Anacapa features a fully-gusseted tongue which closes the side gaps preventing water and snow from seeping in. But in addition to waterproofing, these gussets also create a pretty secure lockdown.

A very large finger loop is connected to the lip on the boot's collar making the on-and-off action pretty quick and effortless.

The boot's insole is removable and can be replaced with an aftermarket insole or orthotic of your choice.

Hoka earns karma points for moving away from the petroleum-based materials and introducing more sustainable components in its newer releases.

The first Anacapa Mid GTX already featured recycled polyester in its upper textile and soybean oil in its sockliner (50%). The second iteration, however, takes sustainability even further by using ethically-sourced materials in even more of its components:

• EVA midsole: 30% sugarcane
• Sockliner: 50% soybean-based
• GTX bootie: 71% recycled polyester face fabric
• Vamp and quarter mesh: 100% recycled polyester
• Collar and tongue lining mesh: 100% recycled polyester
• External collar and tongue mesh: 88% recycled polyester
• Laces: 100% recycled polyester

What's more, the boot's upper overlays are made of Gold-Rated nubuck leather which is the Leather Working Group's top designation.