HOKA Hopara 2 Assessment | CleverHiker

Backside Line

The HOKA Hopara 2 is the right mix of sneaker and sandal. In contrast to standard water footwear, these waterproof and protecting footwear is designed to handle rocky paths and steep descents simply as successfully as they navigate muddy trails and stream crossings. That includes HOKA’s distinctive chunky midsole, the Hopara 2 meets the wants of hikers in search of higher assist and cushioning in comparison with customary mountain climbing sandals.

The strong midsole and sneaker-inspired higher improve their suitability for rock-hopping whereas stopping most path particles from coming into.In our testing, these carried out exceptionally effectively on most path circumstances, similar to dry grime, gravel, and naked rock.

Nonetheless, that they had problem offering traction on extraordinarily silty surfaces. Additionally, whereas we actually recognize the spacious footbed and toe field, they might not be appropriate for hikers with slim toes. Regardless of these minor drawbacks, the Hopara 2s firmly secured a spot in our record of top-performing mountain climbing sandals after evaluating them throughout numerous path surfaces.

How We Examined

We’ve worn the HOKA Hopara 2s for over 20 miles, traversing forest street walks, single-track trails, and street runs by way of the mountains. Whereas carrying them, we frequently assess their efficiency in six key areas: consolation, stability, traction, sturdiness, weight and packability, and ease of use.

Consolation

Total, these footwear felt extremely comfy and really bouncy, offering a lot of power return, which makes them wonderful for faster-paced path actions similar to fast hikes, jogs, and path runs. The midsole is considerably stiff, positively extra so than a typical path shoe or what could be thought-about an “strategy shoe” (i.e., mild hikers or path runners). Nonetheless, that didn’t trouble us, even when working downhill. 

Throughout our preliminary break-in interval, we observed a little bit of a scorching spot beginning to seem after about two miles with socks on. No blisters shaped after the following 6+ miles on the identical day, even with a number of of these miles being sockless. We had been grateful to find that the ankle collar of the footwear didn’t irritate our pores and skin in any respect; it’s really fairly delicate and versatile. We additionally skilled no points with the open space on the heel inflicting scorching spots or abrasions. 

Carrying comparatively thick socks (Darn Robust mid-cushion mountain climbing socks), our tester, who has pretty impartial toes, discovered the shoe width excellent. The toe field and forefoot felt roomy, but not overly spacious. Our toes had ample room throughout downhill segments, even whereas working. We observed they felt a bit unfastened with out socks, and the adjustment mechanism didn’t present a cosy match. People with narrower toes could not have a great expertise with the Hopara 2s.

Stability

This isn’t a minimalist shoe, that’s for positive. The midsole is thick and has a 5-millimeter heel-to-toe drop. Though the midsole is thick (particularly for a sandal), it isn’t plush. It’s fairly laborious, really, and doesn’t take up a lot shock in any respect. The upside is that this stiff midsole is bouncy and supplies wonderful power return, which might be useful for people who typically really feel just like the terrain is a magnet to their toes. 

Don’t mistake bounciness for instability, although: we discovered these to deal with quite a lot of terrain very effectively. We took them over gravel, scree, giant rocks, grime, and grass, and we didn’t as soon as encounter a scarcity of rigidity or over-plushness. 

Because of the thicker midsole and full higher, the Hopara 2 positively feels extra like a sneaker than a sandal, which generally is a optimistic attribute in sure eventualities. For example, we imagine these are a superb possibility for hotter climate and extra rugged mountain climbing {that a} typical sandal can’t deal with. Moreover, due to their sneaker-like construction, our ankles really feel way more secure in these than in conventional mountain climbing sandals.

Traction

The Hoka Hopara 2 excelled at reasonable angles on dry grime, grassy areas, and naked rock. Nonetheless, throughout our testing, we took them up scree slopes the place they didn’t carry out effectively.

Descending a brief however steep scree face, our tester ended up having to scoot on her butt and use her arms for steadiness. We had been considerably shocked, because the outsole lugs are comparatively deep and the tread sample is strong—much like that of a path working shoe. This left us questioning if the dearth of traction was as a result of outsole materials, which feels extra plasticky than rubbery. 

Sturdiness

After greater than 15 miles of use, we imagine the Hoka Hopara 2 will probably be among the many most sturdy mountain climbing sandals we’ve tried. The mesh higher is sort of versatile whereas being tightly woven—virtually plasticky, much like the midsole. 

The midsole and outsole are robust, making it tough to flex and lengthen the shoe along with your arms absolutely. Whereas this might not be thought-about a optimistic trait in each context, it contributes to the shoe’s sturdiness. 

Whereas we haven’t observed any points but, we might see the delicate, stretchy knit part of the higher (ankle collar space) fraying or dropping its elasticity over time. It’s manufactured from a softer woven materials and is simply barely elastic, which raises issues once we contemplate stretching the ankle collar to slide the footwear on every time.

Weight & Packability

At 20.8 ounces for the pair, the Hopara 2 is among the many heaviest mountain climbing sandals we’ve ever worn—don’t even trouble packing these as a second pair of footwear. That stated, we’re not completely positive we will label this as a transparent damaging, on condition that the Hopara 2 is a hybrid sneaker-sandal. It’s cheap to anticipate that they’re heavier than conventional mountain climbing sandals. 

In a manner, we will view this as a optimistic facet, because it suggests that you just don’t have to pack a pair of sandals. What we imply is, these are well-suited for rugged mountain climbing and water crossings, permitting you to put on only one pair and forgo the necessity for extra sandals, doubtlessly saving weight ultimately.

Ease of Use

For essentially the most half, the Hopara is straightforward to get on and off. Our tester struggled a bit with the quick-lace mechanism: the toggle acquired caught a few instances. It’s good to press the edges of the toggle in a particular manner for the mechanism to function easily. The Velcro strap on the heel is straightforward to make use of and in addition facilitates sliding the footwear on and off simply.

One vital factor to notice: We don’t advocate these for very silty terrain. Our tester took these up a brief scramble that consisted principally of a sandy floor with unfastened, small rocks. Many grime particles and a number of other small pebbles ended up within the footwear, and since they’re not like conventional sandals, she couldn’t simply shake her foot round to dislodge the pebbles. She needed to take the footwear off to dump them out. With socks, this isn’t a difficulty, but it surely turns into quite annoying when carrying the Hopara 2s with out socks.`

Ought to You Purchase the HOKA Hopara 2?

The HOKA Hopara 2 is a strong alternative for hikers in search of an all-in-one shoe appropriate for wet-weather hikes or water crossings. The hybrid design of those footwear eliminates the necessity to carry a pair of mountain climbing sandals and change out of mountain climbing footwear for moist sections.

The Hopara 2s additionally provide a superb path working expertise in heat circumstances. Even with socks, they permit the toes to breathe greater than typical path trainers whereas offering the identical degree of safety for the toes and soles. Though they’re not cheap, they will successfully exchange two pairs of footwear (sandals and tennis footwear), making them an excellent worth. 

What Different Girls’s Mountain climbing Sandals Ought to You Think about?

The Hopara 2 could also be a distinct segment mountain climbing sandal, however for those who’re into it, there are some related choices price contemplating. 

Eager Newport H2 Assessment: Just like the Hopara 2s, which supply full toe safety and a sneaker-like really feel, the Eager Newport H2s could higher swimsuit narrower toes as a consequence of their slender footbed and tapered toe field.

Eager Rose Assessment: One other related choose from Eager, the Rose sandals are barely decrease profile and have a extra sandal-like—versus sneaker-like—midsole. They nonetheless present a safe match and complete toe safety.

Ecco Yucatan Assessment: The Yucatan Eccos present an identical midsole really feel to the Hopara 2s, as they’re inflexible and durable, and provide a safe sensation, due to the sandal’s higher that cradles the skin of the foot. Nonetheless, they’re open-toe, so that you lose that safety (however achieve freedom on your piggies.)