Hoka x Cotopaxi Anacapa Breeze Low: The Hiking Shoe for San Miguel de Allende
HOKA ANACAPA BREEZE LOW
When planning my trip to San Miguel De Allende, I was looking for a comfortable, lightweight Hoka shoe that could provide cushioning and support against foot pain and plantar fasciitis. I was still recovering from a facia tear in my left heel and knew that I was in for some discomfort walking the dusty 500-year-old cobblestone roads of San Miguel.
The Hoka Bondi 8 has been crucial in my healing process but did not seem optimal for day hiking and were frankly, not fashionable enough to work with several outfits, something crucial when choosing travel shoes. But so far, Hoka had been good for my daily pain and I decided to give the newly released Hoka Anacapa Breeze Low Shoes a try. I opted for the Baked Clay color, a really nice looking umber hue that was aesthetically right at home in San Miguel de Allende.
The Anacapa Breeze proved to be well-suited, providing comfort during long days of sightseeing, and while not providing quite as much cushion as the Bondi 8, they do have great grip due to the new Vibram soles.
The first thing I did was replace the insoles, this is crucial, not because the folks at Hoka don’t provide a decent insole, they are fine, but basic and nothing compared to the double dose I use of a Dr. Scholls Heavy Duty insole coupled with a pair of my trusty HydroFeets. I also brought along a pair of cushions specifically for my heel injury, just in case my fascia injury flared up…
Design, Comfort & Breathability
Hoka explains the tech used in the Anacapa as such: The Anacapa Breeze features EVA Foam Cushioning for Comfort and Support B. Lightweight Mesh Upper Material for Breathability C. “Meta-Rocker” Technology for Smooth Transitions D. Rubber Outsole for Traction and Stability.
So what does all that mean?
Well, the upper portion of the shoe is made from lightweight mesh material which provides comfort and breathability to keep your feet cool, very nice for our long hot days of sightseeing in the Mexican sun.
The midsole features “EVA” foam that offers excellent cushioning while walking over cobbled streets or hikes up hillsides around town. Additionally, it contains “Meta-Rocker” technology that creates a rocking motion from heel to toe, allowing for a smooth transition when walking.
This all might sound like ad-copy fluff and it is, but I can attest that the rocking feature was great for my plantar fasciitis and on my heel injury, adding a gentle motion to my steps that reduced friction on the ground.
Finally, the Vibram branded rubber outsole provides traction and stability, making it a great shoe for light hikes and exploration..
The Anacapa Low GTX is the previous model in the Anacapa Line. Hoka has improved breathabilty and lessened some of the stiffness and lowered the price with the Anacapa Breeze.
The Hoka Anacapa Breeze Low is designed with cushioning in mind. The midsole foam is both light and supportive, giving you a lot of bounce without compromising grip.
Some Highlights Wearing These Shoes around San Miguel De Allende
Excellent Cushioning Against Foot Pain
The area has cobblestone streets and walking can be difficult on your feet and ankles. Fortunately, I found the cushioning of my Hoka shoes to be excellent at absorbing shock and providing superior comfort while walking around the city. Not only did this help keep me pain-free longer but it also allowed me to explore farther than I would have otherwise been able to do! However, when I returned home and put on the Bondi’s for the first time, the comfort level was noticeably greater. This could easily be due to the design of the Anacapa’s being crossover focused, resulting in more support and grip where as the Bondi is a light use, lifestyle sneaker.
Great Breathability to Keep Feet Cool in Hot Weather
Being in a hot climate like San Miguel De Allende, I was concerned about my feet overheating in my shoes. Thankfully, the Anacapa Breeze model is designed with breathable mesh to keep your feet cool and comfortable even in hot weather conditions. The lightweight material allowed air to circulate around my feet while I walked and made it easier for me to explore on even the hottest days.
Stable Fit and Supportive Structure
One of the most important features of a good shoe is its stability. Wearing a pair that are too loose can cause your foot to move inside of them as you walk which can be uncomfortable and unsafe. With the Anacapa Breeze, however, I found that they stayed securely snug against my foot without feeling tight or constricting. The supportive structure of the shoe also provided excellent arch support and prevented any discomfort from occurring in my feet during a long day of walking.
Overall, we were very impressed with the new Hoka Anacapas and would recommend them to anyone looking for an excellent pair of shoes for foot pain and stability during high activity travel. They also are stylish enough to dress up and down with, something Hoka deserves credit for improving upon.
