When I heard that Hoka’s first-ever footwear collaboration is with female-led, Olympic-founded model Halfdays, I was, after all, intrigued, however equally cautious. I belief each manufacturers for various causes—Halfdays for dependable ski suits and Hoka for snug running sneakers which have carried me throughout numerous cities. I was skeptical—in any case, I’ve seen loads of collaborations fall brief earlier than: typically efficiency is softened for design or type compromised for operate. Hoka x Halfday’s new slip-on snow shoe launched in November 2025. With its low profile, sitting simply above the ankle, and its complete insulation, I questioned if this light-weight slip-on may truly change my clunky winter boot. The solely technique to discover out was to check it by actual winter situations.
How purposeful are they?
Over the previous month, I wore the Hoka x Halfdays Kaha 2 Frost Moc GTX shoe throughout metropolis situations that expose weaknesses shortly: a New York blizzard, with sidewalks half-cleared and slush refreezing in a single day, and Northeast ski trips the place sub-freezing mornings, icy parking tons, and lengthy stretches of packed snow are unavoidable. I wore them the way in which I put on something I find yourself trusting: to work, on espresso runs, and for longer walks when trains slowed or stopped. And earlier than I knew it, they grew to become my new go-to winter shoe.
The very first thing I observed is how light-weight these slip-ons are. Traditional snow boots depend on bulk and stiffness to sign sturdiness, which shortly turns into cumbersome in case you’re shifting by the town or throughout any uneven terrain. Instead, these unhealthy boys really feel extra like a technical travel or running shoe tailored for winter—nimble with out sacrificing safety. Even higher, the squishy, versatile prime of the shoe means I can truly pack them in my suitcase for winter trips.
How heat are they?
Warm gear is non-negotiable in sub-freezing climate. Built with complete Primaloft insulation and a fleece-lined collar, in addition to a Gore-Tex membrane for waterproof protection, these slip-ons ship spectacular heat in temperatures as little as -25°F. Not solely did my toes keep heat, however not a lick of snow seeped previous my ankles.
How do they match?
Thanks to the sensible bungee lace, you may tighten the enclosure of the shoe to forestall tall socks from sliding down, guaranteeing a snug, safe match. And regardless of the shoe’s decrease profile, the match remained cosy throughout slushy streets, packed snow, and uneven sidewalks (with no slipping, stress factors, or blisters). I didn’t alter my stride or hesitate on NYC’s icy corners, which is vital in winter situations the place surfaces change block to dam. On its web site, Hoka recommends sizing up—however I purchased my true measurement and have had no points sliding proper into the footwear, even with two pairs of thick socks.
Underfoot, the cushioning and assist are acquainted to anybody who runs in Hokas: steady, forgiving, and protecting. The outsole grips snow, slush, and moist pavement with sensible traction. One element I didn’t anticipate is how simply the footwear slid off indoors (no monitoring slush inside crucial).
What about aesthetics?
Visually, the shoe occupies a refined center floor. It has a low-key, nearly moon-boot aesthetic however presents much more structured assist and practicality. It’s out there in two colorways—Halfdays’ iconic glazed cherry pink and an oat milk beige and brown. I have the pink pair, which surprisingly pairs properly with black, grey, navy, and camel layers. The beige and brown choice is a extra versatile alternative—impartial sufficient for a number of climates and outfit modifications.
Final verdict:
It’s true—the Hoka x Halfdays slip-on doesn’t appear like a typical winter boot, nevertheless it doesn’t really feel underbuilt. I wore them with jeans, layered metropolis outfits, and informal travel clothes, shifting seamlessly between work, errands, and lengthy walks. (And in the midst of NYC’s unimaginable January snowstorm.)