Challenger 8

I enjoyed mine for soft trail work, but found them useless if it gets muddy. Now I can't find a slot in the rotation because I'm happy using a road shoe on light trail with better rebound and better ankle support. Don't think I'd buy another pair.

Yeah, I got a Challenger 8 and it fell apart after two months of use. And not even heavy trail running, literally just daily use. I heard so much about them, and I was so disappointed. Now I have $150 of site credit through warranty, and I don’t know if I want them, or what to get

Hi all, Background: long time new balance cross trainer user, but switched to hoka recently as I did not like the new designs. (Old new balance designs were DURABLE and lasted years apiece) Bought the hoka challenger 8 in August, which was actually quite comfortable… …but only used it like 2-3 months and ultimately had to file warranty claim, due to cloth separation from the rubber sole area… which they approved I now have credit for new shoes, and was wondering if y’all had any recommendations for: \- cross trainer \- not zero drop \- more durable \- black colored Would appreciate what models I should look into. Some have suggested speed goat

Hi, thank you for reaching out. I appreciate your expertise. Previously for the new balance, I used to use I think something like an 860 series, which I understand is more geared towards comfort, but stability. I’ve always liked using shoes with decent tread pattern, even for a daily basis. I am aware that they will wear down, but I feel like I get a lot more grip and support than with the standard walking shoes, which I hate with a passion Because of the whole issue with my Challenger8, I ended up buying an altra experience wild. I’m loving the shoes so far. With that data in mind, what would you recommend accordingly?

Hoka challenger 8. It's miles above any other gravel shoe out there on the market. Don't buy the speedgoat. Its a trailshoe and the recent ititeration has a very stiff mid. The aggressive lugs will make pavement running uncomfortable as well. 

Seriously. They are amazing.

They are finding out that most people run on manicured single track. I find these gravel shoes excellent for technical trails on my long runs. I haven't found trailshoes that are comfortable for more than 3-4 hours. I recommend the Challenger 8 by Hoka. They are the best gravel shoe on the market. I run 50-150 miles a week.

Hi everyone! i've seen a lot of posts about the Challenger 8 outsoles peeling off early, so I just wanted to share my experience. ​I’ve just hit 350km and, while they aren’t perfect, they’re definitely not as bad as some others I’ve seen on here. The outsole shows some normal wear, but the glue is holding up and I haven't had any issues with delamination or lugs falling off. ​For context, I’ve done about 60% of these kilometers on soft or light terrain, 30% on technical trails, and 10% on asphalt. The rest of the shoe is still in great shape, so I’m going to keep using them as my main trail shoes for a while longer. I’m not saying the durability issues don't exist, but for my pair and my trails, they’re doing just fine.

I’m setting off in about a month, and that’s what I went for! Challengers feel so much better for me than Speedgoats, and I wear Hokas regularly already.

I love the weight and running experience of my new Adizero EVO SL shoes. (My Nike Vomero 18 are pretty comfortable but my new fave is the EVO SL) I have been hiking and backpacking in Altra Lone Peak for years but I’m starting to RUN long runs (10-20 miles) on flatter hard-pack desert trails and I’d like to find something with cushioning yet is super light. I would like enough grip for small gravel rocks. Any suggestions? (I need a wide toe box.) UPDATE: I ended up buying Mount to Coast H1, Salomon Aero Glide 3 GRVL,, Hoka Challenger 8 and Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed. I ended up keeping only the Hoka Challenger 8. Here are my thoughts: Adidas Terrex were interesting but too flat and didn't fit my foot at all. They are a unique shoe. I think they would be good on rocky, somewhat technical trails. Women's 8. $60 (Deal! too bad they didn't workout for me.) Mount to Coast H1 is sturdy, the rocker is not overly pronounced, I liked the shoe BUT the upper material is really thick and made my foot hot just walking around the house for an hour. Actually, the lugs were the least pronounced of all the shoes. Women's 8.5. $153 with slight discount. Salomon Aero Glide 3 GRVL is the lightest but felt sluggish running around the house but comfortable. A negative for me would be the deep cutouts in the sole, which could get gravel stuck. Women's 8.5. $150. Hoka Challenger 8 feels more like a road shoe but the lugs are the largest. It seems the most flexible of all the shoes as far as comfort is concerned. Women's 8. $105 because they are white. (My shoes look like crap after a few runs anyway. The Challenger doesn't seem to be as durable as either Mount to Coast nor Salomon but they felt the lightest and most comfortable overall.

I really love my speedgoats, and they are on an okay discount at the moment, but with the mixed terrain and particularly the hard granite, I'd be suggesting the Challenger 8 instead. They're also on a pretty good special at the moment as well.