Fashionable, Mostly Functional, Cold-Weather Hikers: HOKA X Halfdays Kaha 2 Frost Moc GTX Review
When I first saw the HOKA x Halfdays Kaha 2 Frost Moc GTX, I had questions. This collaboration between two undeniably popular brands looked pretty wild. Was it a hiking shoe? A slipper? Was it made for snow and ice? Were you supposed to wear it in the city, on the slopes, or on the trail?
Upon further research, the two brands claim that the Kaha 2 Frost Moc GTX is designed to thrive in all of the above environments. I put that claim to the test, wearing the Kaha 2 Frosts in the rainy Pacific Northwest, the foothill trails of Colorado, and on the slick streets of Seattle. They ran a gauntlet of mud, snow, slush, and slick concrete.
Despite their unconventional aesthetic, these puffy hiking shoes genuinely caught me off guard. They might not replace your regular trail hikers, but for specific uses, they excelled.
In short: The HOKA x Halfdays Kaha 2 Frost Moc GTX ($210) is a waterproof, slip-on hiking shoe insulated with PrimaLoft. Olympian-founded outdoor brand Halfdays brought its fashion-forward aesthetic to HOKA’s cushioned, performance footwear. The result is a winter hiking shoe that’s versatile and designed to support women’s adventures on and off the mountain. What it lacks in performance capabilities, it makes up for in style.
Check out our guide to the Best Hiking Shoes and Best Camp Shoes.
HOKA x Halfdays Kaha 2 Frost Moc GTX
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Insulation:
PrimaLoft -
Waterproofing:
Waterproof GORE-TEX membrane -
Outsole:
Vibram Megagrip -
Cold rating:
-32°C/-25°F -
Lugs:
5mm
Pros
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100% waterproof
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HUBBLE heel with SwallowTail
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Dual-density compression-molded EVA midsole
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Quick-toggle closure with recycled bungee lace
Cons
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High price point
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Not available in wide sizes
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Run a half size small
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Thick and bulky, especially for travel
HOKA x Halfdays Kaha 2 Frost Moc GTX Review
Warm shoes are always key for me in colder months. However, it can be hard to find a functional shoe that works for all my needs. It’s got to have good traction, it needs to be warm, supportive, and fit well. If it looks good, too, that’s a bonus.
I tested the Kaha 2 Frost Moc GTX in the amethyst/glazed cherry color. It’s also available in “spiked cocoa/oat milk.” I wanted to see how they differed from the average winter boot or hiking shoe (besides looks, obviously) and where they crossed over.
I wore these shoes traipsing around the city of Bellevue, Wash., during nonstop rainfall. It was that quintessential Pacific Northwest mist, which seems “not too bad” to walk through unprepared. Then, suddenly, you’re drenched. The waterproof GORE-TEX membrane kept my feet dry in this extremely wet environment, beading water off easily as it accumulated.
Importantly, the Kaha 2 Frost also kept my feet warm amid the bone-chilling cold. The PrimaLoft insulated upper trapped heat and fended off the cold temperatures.
Traction
The Kaha 2 Frost uses a Vibram megagrip outsole with Traction Lug. The 5mm lugs and tread pattern aren’t anything ground-breaking. However, they were still more than enough to grip the trail and helped me keep my footing. These shoes kept me so steady on a wet sidewalk that I didn’t realize the pavement had turned into a sheet of ice until I saw someone else slip and almost lose their balance.
This Vibram rubber gave me confidence. It made me feel steady on both wet and dry ground. I also encountered an unenviable amount of mud on Colorado’s winter trails. I felt good traipsing through that slick terrain.
Fully Waterproof
The GORE-TEX membrane in the Kaha 2 Frost was key to helping me feel confident when hiking in wet terrain and conditions. I found it just as useful on the trail as I did on the street.
I also felt that, when combined with the PrimaLoft insulated upper, the GORE-TEX elements helped me keep going longer in wet weather. The combination of technologies ensured that my feet stayed dry and warm, thus extending my stamina. For this reason, I’d recommend this shoe for busy days or multihour hikes. You can trust it will keep you warm even if you’re exposed to dampness for long periods of time.
Solid Insulation
The plush, puffy insulation in the Kaha 2 Frost is what makes these shoes stand out from the average winter or cold-focused hiking shoe. Plenty of winter boots and shoes use PrimaLoft insulation, but I’ve never seen a hiking shoe with a puffy-jacket style upper before.
It trapped heat well during my testing and has the added bonus of retaining its insulative properties even if it’s wet. Meaning, if water were to permeate the GORE-TEX membrane, these shoes would still keep your feet warm.
I also appreciate that the ripstop polyester upper is made of 91% recycled material. It doesn’t make a difference in performance, but it feels good when my apparel boasts at least some attempts at conscious production.
Toggle Closure & Stretch Collar
One important thing to note about the Kaha 2 Frost: These shoes don’t lace up like a normal hiking or running shoe. Instead, there’s a toggle closure that cinches up with a bungee cord-style material. It adjusts the stretchy fleece collar (made with 35% recycled polyester) that hugs the ankle.
Marketing a laceless slip-on shoe as a hiker is a somewhat bold move on HOKA’s part. Laces aren’t just for looks. They also allow the wearer to adjust the fit, thus providing stability when you’re walking or hiking. Without them, it’s not really possible to tighten or loosen the Kaha 2 Frost like a normal shoe. This could make it easier to roll an ankle.
This design hinders performance. However, it does save time and makes the shoe easier to slip on and off. That makes these perfect for après, walking the dog on chilly mornings, taking a quick snowy stroll down to the store, or wearing around a cold campsite.
Room for Improvement
These shoes fit a little snug lengthwise, and when I checked the site, I realized why. I hadn’t noticed that it’s recommended to order a half size up. That might have made all the difference in how they fit for me, which was on the small side. However, I also felt that going a half size up might have made the shoes slightly too wide. Getting the right fit with laceless shoes is a bit of a challenge.
Which brings us to my main criticism: the lacing style. While the cinch closure is convenient and comfortable, I couldn’t help but feel like my foot wasn’t fully secure. I tested cinching it up to the level where it was tightest, yet still comfortable, to see if that helped me feel more stable. It worked for about 20 minutes.
Eventually, though, I realized the extra tightness was causing the back of the shoe to rub against my heel, threatening a major blister.
When I loosened the cinch, the rubbing on my heel disappeared. However, with the cinch loosened like that, I felt like I was wearing clogs, rather than hiking shoes. This problem mostly disappeared when I wore a thicker sock with them. It did, however, still keep me warm no matter how I cinched the shoe.
I’d be curious to see how the next iteration of this shoe could reimagine how it laces up and secures.
HOKA x Halfdays Kaha 2 Frost Moc GTX: Who They’re For
I love the waterproof features, the sleek and versatile design, and the warm insulated elements of the Kaha 2 Frost Moc GTX hiking shoe. It kept me warm and cozy (and will continue to do so, all winter). Without laces, they can’t compete with dedicated winter shoes like the Adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2.0 COLD.RDY or the La Sportiva Aequilibrium Top GTX. But as far as comfort and warmth go, these shoes hit the mark.
What I love even more than the product itself is the intent behind it — the idea of blending performance and style specifically for active women who need a functional (and cute!) pair of shoes.
Women-founded Halfdays is on a mission to make outdoor gear work better for non-male outdoorspeople and athletes. Teaming up with HOKA is a huge step toward bringing more broadly appealing women-focused gear to the masses.
Although there were some issues with sizing and overall fit for me personally, this shoe belongs to an entirely new category of footwear that instills confidence when facing snow, slush, rain, and cold temps. If you’re looking for a highly technical, performance-driven shoe, this isn’t it. But for après ski, winter errands, cold camping, hut tripping, short snowy strolls, and even just kicking around town, these are great (and stylish) shoes.
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