18 in Trail Running Shoes
Hoka - Challenger 7
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Reddit Reviews:
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Based on 1 year's data from Feb 24, 2026 How it works
Liked most:
25
4
"They’re super grippy and have gotten me up 4k+ft of tough trail"
"Hoka challenger is designed specifically for this. ... they are fantastic for road and any non technical trail"
"I run to the trails in my hoka challengers! ... They’re awesome I do such a mix that they cover everything! ... But when ever I run to the trails it’s the challengers"
11
8
"the tread doesn’t wear too quickly on the tarmac ... I’m about 1200k into this pair and probably looking to replace them soon."
"I got some hoka challenger 7’s with 600 miles on them! ... They’re toast now but have held up so well!"
"I’ve run my last two pairs of Challengers into the ground. Probably a bit too much with my last pair at almost 1,400k!"
19
7
"I find them very comfortable ... I run a couple HM distances and never had an issued nor pain"
"I just did Baldy in the Challengers so I’m sure they’d be comfortable enough for Catalina."
"They’re like wearing slippers compared to my Speedgoats."
4
3
"Hoka Challenger in wide with custom insoles, (I use Archcrafters), is my perfect"
"Always loved the wide Hoka models for my thick toes"
"Always felt a bit too narrow (esp in to box) ... I got the challengers and love them."
5
1
"They’re super grippy and have gotten me up 4k+ft of tough trail"
"Ideal for longer undulating ( dry) British countryside ."
"I have no problem running technical trails on them."
Disliked most:
9
9
"Mine did the same thing after like 50 miles"
"Anyone else find the foam in Hokas goes dead way too quickly? ... I literally got < 300km out of my Challenger 7’s before my knees started hurting"
"Mine developed a tear pretty quickly (100 miles or so) ... the grip started coming away from the sole… ... they were relegated to dog walking shoes after about 150 miles. ... do not last."
2
5
"had some real, uhm, "challenges" with my knee (very swollen) after my last 100 ... feel like I might need a bit more "cushion" for a 100 ... I've had horrible knee swelling after a 100 in Challengers and obviously that could be from a lot of different things BUT I wondered if a bit more cushion might help mitigate the issue."
"Anyone else find the foam in Hokas goes dead way too quickly? ... I literally got < 300km out of my Challenger 7’s before my knees started hurting"
"had some real, uhm, "challenges" with my knee (very swollen) after my last 100 and feel like I might need a bit more "cushion" for a 100. ... I've had horrible knee swelling after a 100 in Challengers and obviously that could be from a lot of different things BUT I wondered if a bit more cushion might help mitigate the issue."
3
4
"Just beware that wide in most traditional shoes, Hoka included, widens the midfoot without really widening the toebox. ... I have wide Challengers I was trying out and they're great shoes, but the pointy little toebox just isn't working for me. ... My two big toes have some pretty awful blisters right now from being pressed in."
"Just beware that wide in most traditional shoes, Hoka included, widens the midfoot without really widening the toebox. ... I have wide Challengers I was trying out and they're great shoes, but the pointy little toebox just isn't working for me. ... My two big toes have some pretty awful blisters right now from being pressed in."
"the outside edge of the toe box curves in too early for my feet putting pressure on the small toe."
0
4
"bad enough at that in wet weather"
"My biggest complaint is that they can be slippery on wet pavement. ... sometimes when running up a steep paved trail in the rain they just don't have much traction."
"when the road is wet, they lose grip and the foot almost slide back when you are putting force to propel yourself forward"
0
3
"I did find that when I was using Hokas that I had an increased tendency to roll my ankle after about ten miles. ... The thing with trail runners is when you are tired, it is easier to roll your ankle. I have only found this to be a concern when I was using Hoka."
"I did find that when I was using Hokas that I had an increased tendency to roll my ankle after about ten miles. ... The thing with trail runners is when you are tired, it is easier to roll your ankle. I have only found this to be a concern when I was using Hoka."
"I found the foam to be unstable"
5lipn5lide 1.0I’ve run my last two pairs of Challengers into the ground. Probably a bit too much with my last pair at almost 1,400k! I have had bad “luck” with my previous Speedgoats where the inside of the back of one felt really odd and rubbed against my Achilles loads. No issues with a newer pair. My latest Challengers feel a bit less tight on my feet but maybe I need to change my lacing. That happening twice to you doesn’t just feel like bad luck though.
Love my Challengers. I use them for over 80% of my runs and the tread doesn’t wear too quickly on the tarmac; I’m about 1200k into this pair and probably looking to replace them soon. They’re like wearing slippers compared to my Speedgoats.
I’m on my third pair of Hoka Challengers as they’re great for the majority of what I do, with a pair of Speedgoats for harder terrain. They last pretty well too with my most recent ones going for 1,200k before I retired them and I still use them for walking. (I’m not a Hoka fanboy but whenever I’ve been into a shop to try new shoes, I’ve still always preferred these ones).
I have a love/hate relationship with Hoka. I've had two amazing pairs of Challengers and a pair of Speedgoats but I've also had a pair of each I've had to ditch because of severe rubbing on my Achilles. Same size and fit as what I've had before so can't find any reason for it. But I've yet to find shoes I like better than those models.
I’ve had three pairs of Challengers; first two were great but the third really rubbed on my Achilles. Maybe just unlucky as I will probably get another pair at some point as the other pairs were so good.
aoifee_ 1.0I had to return my ATR Challenger 7s the other day after 2 months (250ish km) because the glue holding the grippy bits on was failing. I got another pair to see if I was just unlucky, but we’ll see… they’re so comfy but I’m not sold on the longevity/quality.
brad-corp 1.0I'd suggest looking at the Hoka Challenger ATR 7s. Good crossover shoe, leaning a little more to trail, but still good on pavement. Looks like the 7s are at the end of their life - I'm seeing them for good discounts at the moment, so expect the 8s soon. A friend just got a pair for 40% off here in Aus.
Est__1982 1.0I started (M/43/UK) running properly when I was 36. I had attempted it for a year or so, thinking 1-3km was a run and I’d be totally done. Started on tarmac and thought it was all about speed. Since moving to fell and trail I absolutely love it. I’ve had many different shoes over the last few years, but my best advice would be to go to a local store like Runners Need/Cotswold Outdoor or similar and try on some shoes. If you find a pair you like, pop online to see what the best price available is on sites like Sportsshoes.com. Or, if money isn’t an issue, and you want to support local independent running store then go for it. I’m using Asics Gel-Trabuco 13 GTX, which I love, but previously I had the Salomon Sense Ride 5’s which covered me for almost 1100km on trails/fells before I retired them. Other shoes have been Hoka Challenger 7 ATR (more trail/road mix) since moving to trail and they were ok. Fells can get pretty wet, with loose ground, so I’m tempted to look at some Nnormal Kjerag 2.0 or Inov8 shoes as my next pair. Something with real grip. Enjoy the trails!
Homelessjay5 1.0Hoka Challenger ATR 7, only pair I’ve ran my ultras in. Two 50k races and one 50 miler and my feet have fared better than the rest of my body lol. Got quite a bit of rain in the back half of the 50 miler and had no blisters.
Icy_Eggplant_8461 1.0My old challenger 6 ATR lasted 600 miles! I miss them! I have a 7 now but haven’t used much. Hope they hold well 🤞
Interesting_Shoe_177 1.0i was using the hoka challenger ATR 7s previously. i would say the traction is fairly similar.
Speedyboi186 1.0easily hoka challenger 7 ATR's. I jog on gravel trails and grass every once and a while, and go through patches of pavement, and theyre great.
This_Song_984 1.0Mine did the same thing after like 50 miles same for my road runners, I don't buy hoka anymore
beady38 0.6I went back to hoka, using the challenger 7 atm. To be honest all my issues went away when I really pulled the laces apart and wore them super loose
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