OUR Style Team has established that sandals are still cool but, while I have my designated Birkenstocks as house shoes, you won’t convince me to bare my toes in New York City. The amount of uneven surfaces, construction sites, questionable puddles, and the fear of a rat traversing my feet keep my dogs in a cage: I’m talking closed toe and closed heel. Still, I appreciate some airiness, especially in the summer months. Flip flops were a no-go but that doesn’t outright exclude all sandals.
Surprisingly, I found hiking sandals to be the answer. Not the open-toed Chacos or Tevas that probably come to mind, but instead the beefed up, closed toed versions from brands like Merrell, Keen, and Hoka. I’ve been a huge fan of Hoka’s running shoes for years now and looked to its Hopara 2; From Keen, I chose the Hyperport 2. There was one clear winner for me.
The Hiking Head-to-Head
Rooted in Running
Hoka
Hopara 2 Sandals
Hiker-friendly Fisherman
Keen
Hyperport H2 Sandals,
At first glance the two sandals are quite similar: both have a closed toe, paracord drawstring laces, and a chunky rubber outsole. They also both strike that fisherman’s sandal silhouette I’m convinced is the Platonic Ideal of summer footwear. But upon deeper inspection and wearing both, Hoka’s Hopara 2 is by far my favorite pair of sandals for summer. Here’s why.
Look like Shoes, Breathe like Sandals
The Hopara 2’s have only two straps on the upper but are overlayed with a Cordura mesh panel, which lets my feet breathe as if I were wearing open sandals. Cordura is a ballistic nylon meaning it’s more durable than someone like me probably needs. However, it also means this mesh isn’t going to be tearing or ripping as I’d expect from a less material. The mesh is perfect for keeping gravel and rocks out of my shoes in the great outdoors (and rivers, lakes, and beaches).
Call me old fashioned but I’m not into feet—mine or yours. I don’t want to display mine when I’m walking around the city popping into shops and restaurants, nor do I want to see yours dangling from the bar stool. The Hoparas read more like a pair of shoes and only when you’re up close and personal can you see there’s a foot behind that mesh.
Grippy Soles and Great Stability
While both options offer good grip, the Hoparas have the edge. The 4-millimeter lugged sole grips smooth rock faces, slick city streets, and gravelly trails. They also shed mud and dirt with just a quick shake or stomp. Keen’s Hyperports have a flatter tread pattern and smaller lugs which aren’t as grippy. I also noticed the soles would get small rocks stuck in the tread pattern after walking the gravel path in Central Park.
Part of the surefooted feel is thanks to the wide heel on the Hoparas. It provides a platform that doesn’t feel wobbly under your foot as you walk on uneven terrain. Even though a lot of my walking is in the city, it’s still very much appreciated. The Hoparas also have a Velcro heel strap for a more customized fit whereas the Hyperports only rely on a Spandex back.
Overall Comfort and Looks
The more subjective points I still must give to the Hoka Hopara 2. Maybe it’s because I’m more accustomed to the Hoka shape from running in the brand’s myriad shoes, or because the sock liner hugs my instep ever so gently but firmly. Either way, the Hopara 2s are the most comfortable even after long beach days, block parties, and gallery hopping (I wouldn’t wear them to a museum as I maintain some decorum).
From a top-down view, I like the way the Hoparas look more on my feet. They still maintain a sneaker look. In the Hyperports, my feet look like potatoes that were dropped at Trader Joe’s during the Sunday rush.
Final Thoughts
According to some coworkers, these shoes are downright ugly. I don’t disagree, that’s the fun of them—I think feet are uglier. These closed-toed hiking sandals may be an acquired taste when it comes to looks, but the comfort and practicality is pretty immediate.
My idyllic view of summer is July in Northern Michigan, it’s adjacent to an East Coast feel but with lakes instead of the ocean. It’s biking interwoven trails and hopping into any water you come across; It’s stopping off at a mom-and-pop spot for lunch in town and buying a cheesy souvenir tee; It’s gathering tinder for a fire but not the actual firewood because we buy that from the store and summer means no labor. All of this I will be doing in my Hoka Hopara 2s this summer.
More of Our Favorite Summer Styles
Birkenstock Arizona Sandal Review | Best Sandals | Best Summer Shoes | Best Flip-Flops with Arch Support | Best Slides for Men | Best Slip-Ons | Best Cloud Slides | Best Swim Trunks | Best Shorts for Men | Best Tank Tops for Men | Best Board Shorts | Best Swim Trunks on Amazon | How to Dress Your Age
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Danny Perez is a Reviews Editor for Popular Mechanics with a focus on men’s style, gear, and home goods. Recently, he was coordinator of partnership content at another product journalism outlet. Prior to that, he was a buyer for an independent men’s shop in Houston, Texas, where he learned all about what makes great products great. He enjoys thrifting for 90s Broadway tees and vintage pajama sets. His spare time is occupied by watching movies and running to impress strangers on Strava.
Christian is the Style and Reviews Director at Men’s Health and Women’s Health, where he oversees shopping and style content for both brands. He started his magazine career as an accessories assistant at Vogue, and has since held editorial roles at Tatler Asia and The Manual. When he’s not online shopping, you can find him on long walks with his two corgis.
