Why even try lightweight boots? Hoka KAHA 2 didn't last past four trips

I bought the Hoka Kaha 2 GTX in late July for an upcoming hiking trip after returning the Salomon Quest boots last year because of their poor quality. Well, the Hoka boots were even worse…

I mostly hike in Scandinavia, which includes rocky trails, alpine tundra, glacial sediments, and scree. No climbing, just off-trail walking. It seems these boots aren’t meant for anything beyond maintained trails. What’s the point of lightweight boots if they barely last half a season? Who is this stuff made for? And I’m not even talking about the bad decorative seams around the toe box. They were decent for the first two weeks, but they became slippery halfway through the trip.

If you’re doing longer, more intense hikes, I’d recommend the Asolos. I’ve used the Fugitive GTX for more serious, extended hikes, and they were worth every penny. I now use Merrell Moabs for shorter hikes, and they haven’t let me down yet.

@Sam
Asolo is great. I use the TPS 520 GV Evo, and they’ve never failed me. I also use the Fugitive GTX occasionally, and they’ve been reliable, but I prefer the all-leather build of the 520.

Other good leather boots include Scarpa Kinesis Pro GTX, Zamberlan Vioz GTX, Kenetrek Mountain Extreme, and Meindl. It’s not hard to find good boots, but finding the right fit can be tricky since everyone’s feet are different.

Lightweight boots and durability just don’t go together. I’ve never seen ultralight boots that last. Meanwhile, you can beat up a good leather boot for decades if you get them resoled.

@Hadi
I wish someone would make a durable, resolable boot with a wide toe box like Altras.

Grier said:
@Hadi
I wish someone would make a durable, resolable boot with a wide toe box like Altras.

Try the Meindl Comfort Fit line. They have a wide, anatomically correct toe box. I have a pair from their Hiker line, and they’re solid boots.

@Hadi
Thanks! I didn’t know about that. The closest thing I’ve found is the Guffert GTX, which has full leather, Gore-Tex, and great protection, but the toe box is much narrower than the Altras. For lighter hikes, I love my Altra Lone Peak Hiker and my Olympus 6 GTX, but for higher altitudes and rougher terrain, there’s nothing with a truly wide toe box. I’m thinking of getting custom shoes made.

@Grier
You could also check out Hanwag’s wide last models. They’re not as wide as Altras but better than most. What size and width are your feet? I might be able to suggest something.

@Hadi
This, and Salewa boots as well.

@Sam
I’ve got proper Meindl boots already. I tried out some ultralight advice, but I’m not convinced it’s worth it at all.

Kameron said:
@Sam
I’ve got proper Meindl boots already. I tried out some ultralight advice, but I’m not convinced it’s worth it at all.

I feel the same. I tried Hokas too, but they’re just not great. Anything with an exposed midsole is a no-go for me.

I’ve been using a pair of Merrell Moab Mid 2 boots since 2019, and they’ve gone with me to Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua, and Nepal. I also wore them for work for six months and took them on several trips to the Norwegian mountains, and they’re still holding up. Maybe the way you walk causes the soles to wear out faster?

@Teo
Both boots seem to have worn evenly. The front part is more worn down, probably from walking up and down loose soil. But maybe it’s my walking style.

Kameron said:
@Teo
Both boots seem to have worn evenly. The front part is more worn down, probably from walking up and down loose soil. But maybe it’s my walking style.

Or it could just be the bad quality of the Hokas.

@Teo
That’s what I’ve been seeing with a lot of expensive brands lately. I’ve had Arc’teryx gear for years, but even they’re starting to have quality issues.

Kameron said:
@Teo
That’s what I’ve been seeing with a lot of expensive brands lately. I’ve had Arc’teryx gear for years, but even they’re starting to have quality issues.

Arc’teryx has never been about durability. They’ve always been an ultralight premium brand. But yeah, lately, their prices have gone up while quality has gone down.

@Anik
Arc’teryx isn’t just ultralight gear though. If you look at their AR and SV series, they’ve got durable jackets for harsh conditions. They’re not as tough as leather, but far from ultralight. And quality issues aren’t just about durability.

Kameron said:
@Teo
Both boots seem to have worn evenly. The front part is more worn down, probably from walking up and down loose soil. But maybe it’s my walking style.

I’m surprised the Vibram sole wore down that quickly. I’ve seen them last a lot longer on work boots. Maybe a cobbler could resole them for you.

@Cass
I asked about that, but the cobbler said there are many types of Vibram soles with different durability levels. These aren’t worth resoling, even if it’s possible.

Kameron said:
@Cass
I asked about that, but the cobbler said there are many types of Vibram soles with different durability levels. These aren’t worth resoling, even if it’s possible.

That makes sense. I thought you just got a bad batch of rubber. Like how tires have different compounds depending on their purpose, I guess shoes are the same.

Kameron said:
@Teo
Both boots seem to have worn evenly. The front part is more worn down, probably from walking up and down loose soil. But maybe it’s my walking style.

I started with a pair of Merrells too, still got them with some miles on them. Picked up a pair of La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II at an REI sale. Took them straight to Rainier for a snowy hike, should’ve brought snowshoes, but they held up incredibly well. Not worried about their performance for my next trip to Zion.