Hoka One One Tor Ultra Hi WP Hiking Boot - Men's

Sleek styling, irrefutable ankle support and a signature rockered sole took this one to extremes, conditions-wise.  Testing across varied terrain included a spontaneous morning run up a slick rock canyon.  Carry heavy, push hard as you pack for days or scramble for a few hours in desert environments and beyond.  

Field Notes: When backpacking, this model showed strongly. One tester was encouraged by the sleek styling, ankle support and signature Hoka One One rockered outsole – and went for a run one morning before trekking up a slickrock canyon with the rest of the crew. From jogging to scrambling, this “running boot” did extremely well.  It showed best when testers were free of heavy packs to move quickly through desert terrain.

Pros: First off, it has one of the best gripping soles tested (a Vibram MegaGrip outsole with 5mm lugs) to scale near vertical walls of slickrock with ease. The light, 17oz boot is surprisingly supportive. Ankle support mimics that of an athletic brace as the wearer cinches the laces and seals the side walls against the minimally padded tongue. The eVent fabric is waterproof, and the meta-rocker geometry (the unusual curvature of the outsole) allowed hikers with bad knees to make the most of technical trails. The thick midsole (EVA and RMAT) made for one of the most comfortable boots tested as well. 

Cons: While the Vibram MegaGrip outsole had impeccable traction, testers found the wear and tear evident after only a few days unsettling. Even as the sole wears down, the high lugs and grippy rubber appear to maintain solid traction. Also, despite using waterproof eVent fabric, the sides of the tongue allowed water to seep in.

Favorite Feature: The rockered outsole -- inspired by their running shoes -- makes the miles whiz by. It’s comfortable on the knees and encourages hikers to keep on trucking. 

Tester Quote: “I only run in Hokas these days—they’re just the best thing for my knees. I was hyped to get into a pair of these, and I was so pleased by the feel that I actually took them for a run one morning when we were out backpacking.”

Bottom line: A lightweight, futuristic pair of boots certain to start a conversation on the trail.  That is, if anyone can keep up. 

Best For: Runners, thru-hikers and fastpackers.