If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times: keeping your feet happy is crucial, no matter what you’re doing. As runners, we all know the importance of having comfortable shoes when we’re putting in miles. But I firmly believe that this mindset should extend to other activities as well, like hiking or simply being out and about.
Why spend so much on ensuring our feet are comfortable and supported during runs, only to neglect them in other situations? I’m always on the lookout for casual options that not only fit my wardrobe but also keep my feet happy.
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Enter the HokaTransport Chukka. We previously reviewed the original Transport, but this taller version easily crosses over between casual wear and light hiking. I find it more suitable as an everyday shoe, but it’s great to have the versatility. It pairs just as well with shorts on the trail as it does with jeans at work—and you still feel supported.
Looks:
I used to wear this style of shoe back in the day, but I don’t have many tall shoes in my arsenal anymore. Wearing a chukka casually has always been something I associated with pain and discomfort. Honestly, this style was all the rage when I was in high school, and while I felt hip wearing them, my feet were screaming at me to take them off.
So, when I tried these on, I literally commented out loud to my wife, “Dang, these are actually comfortable.” I shouldn’t have been surprised since it’s a Hoka shoe, but it was still a pleasant surprise.
There are five different colors to choose from, all relatively muted in tone and style, which is clearly by design. This fits the shoe’s role as a casual option to get you to and from non-running activities safely and comfortably. Bold colors might not match as easily, but a color palette of white, grays, black, and beige is likely the best way to go.
The shoes look solid straight out of the box, but honestly, they look even better when worn. The style is undeniably nice.
Construction:
Upper:
The upper of this shoe is a GTX version, which stands for GORE-TEX, meaning it’s waterproof (perfect for the PNW) and breathable. The Invisible Fit membrane is made with 70% recycled polyester face fabric and offers 360-degree reflectivity.
The lacing system is another highlight, making these shoes super easy to get on and off. I’m slowly warming up to the toggle lace system—maybe I’m just reaching that stage in life where slip-on shoes are the best option!
Midsole:
This shoe also incorporates a lot of sustainability features. In addition to the Vibram EcoStep EVO rubber outsole with 30% regrind recycled rubber, it includes a 30% sugarcane EVA midsole and a 50% soy-based sockliner.
When it comes to casual shoes, I don’t usually focus much on midsole construction—as long as it’s comfortable, I’m happy. There’s some Meta-Rocker construction in these, but since I’m just walking around, it’s not something I particularly need. That said, it does feel really nice, so maybe I should care more. Ha!
For more detailed tech specs, check out the site, but know this: it’s a comfy shoe with an easy-to-use lacing system that lets you get the ideal fit, whether you’re on the trails or just out and about.
Outsole:
The outsole isn’t the most rugged for technical trails, but that’s by design. No one wants to be walking around town in heavy, lugged hiking boots, so a medium-level construction is ideal. The Vibram EcoStep EVO outsole, made with 30% regrind recycled rubber, strikes the right balance and should handle a variety of miles with ease.
Final Thoughts:
Overall, I wasn’t expecting to be this obsessed with these shoes, but here I am!
Hoka Transport Chukka $200
Details
- Weight: 14.3 oz (Size M9)
- Stack Height: 36/28mm (men); 37/32mm (women)
- Drop: 8mm (men); 5mm (women)
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Thank you to HOKA for providing us with test shoes. Please read our transparency page for info on how we do our reviews.
