18 in Trail Running Shoes
Hoka - Challenger ATR 3
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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:
5
4
"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’ve just passed 120k on this pair and no problems apart from some slight wear on the tread of the heel (the first thing that always goes for me). ... My previous pair lasted about the same amount of time too so I’ve never had issues."
"They last pretty well too ... my most recent ones going for 1,200k before I retired them"
21
3
"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"
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."
17
5
"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."
"Always loved the wide Hoka models for my thick toes"
5
2
"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"
"Hoka Challengers are my go to shoe for mixed terrain with light trails."
Disliked most:
4
4
"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."
"Yeah same I loved my Challengers for about 100k. Won't get them again in a hurry ... 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."
"mine didn’t last as long as I’d hoped"
2
6
"if the race is even somewhat technical I wouldn’t race in them"
"For more technical and trail only runs I switch to Speedgoats."
"Not much grip"
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."
1
4
"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."
"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."
"My feet get sore in the challengers a lot faster than the zegama."
0
3
"bad enough at that in wet weather"
"The Speed Goats stay at home (Norway), where the trails are wet, steep and rugged."
"Not much grip"
casie_r 1.0I stopped wearing the speedboats after the 4s bc I kept turning my ankle in the 5s so I can't comment on that but I do love the Hoka challenger (I ran R3 in those and they were just fine). Altra recently released a 4mm drop trail shoe too that I'm really liking: the experience wild. Good luck on your 50k!
mrericvillalobos 1.0I’m glad to see this post. I want to get on the trails again and was thinking SG but being slightly out of shape, a tennis player, and older, ankle rolls cannot happen at this stage in my life. While cushioning is up on the list, all the talk about high stack height is scary. My previous trail shoes were Hoka Challenger 3 and now they’re 7 so it’s been a bit. Still looking at Hoka but low(er) stack height strengthen the ankles to avoid ankle rolls, Got it. Thanks lol
Ashamed-Attention-78 0.3I’m currently using both pairs. I like the Challengers for multi use trips. They’re my One Bag travel choice, where my time will be mixed between urban and outdoor use. The Speedgoats are my hiking/wet weather choice. That increased grip on the heel section is clutch when hiking down muddy/wet trails.
The Challengers are fine. I mostly travel to southern England and the trails there are easy. For running on the beach they’re great. The Speed Goats stay at home (Norway), where the trails are wet, steep and rugged. Both pairs suffer slightly from Hoka’s big weakness: durability.
Blightlight 0.2Hoka Challenger ATR. Hoka runs narrow as hell so keep that in mind.
emilyg28 0.2Hoka has soo many models it's quite a generalization to say that new models aren't vegan. I wear the ATR Challenger and Tecton X and these are vegan.
endeesr3alm 0.2Agree, it really depends on how fast, how far, the ratio of road to trail etc. my Saucony Tempus are pretty good on park run trails and “fire track” style roads. Puma shoes with their Puma Grip are great in the rain or on slightly uneven terrain. Then you have what some call Commuter shoes - road to trail shoes with lower lug depth and softer midsole. Hoka’s Challenger ATR isn’t bad, and the Tecton X and X2 had proper gravel lugs that worked well, along with shows like the Saucony Xodus Ultra, Nike Terra Kiger or Pegasus Trail. Personally I’ve just run in road shoes if it’s dry, and I trust my trail shoes (currently Salomon Genesis and Hoka Mafate 5) in the wet or more technical terrain.
Hello - I would say that the Prodigio Pro will feel a bit too squishy for general walking around. I walk the dogs in a pair of Salomon GTX Thundercross. They’re stable enough, comfy, and waterproof. The Ultraglide are also a good option. I’ve also had numerous Inov8 Roclite, Trailfly which are also good for hiking if you like zero drop. Hoka are also comfy if you stay clear of the racing shoes - Challenger ATR or Speedgoat. I also like the ASICS Fujilite for walking. I’d suggest avoiding the S/Lab Genesis, Tecton X3, Mafate 5, Prodigio Pro, Nike Trail Ultra, or anything with a PEBA Foam or really pronounced rocker. They will be too squishy, unstable and wobbly underfoot.
Lessimon 0.2Hoka Speedgoat for trail + Hoka Challenger ATR for light trails and asphalt. Both are available in Goretex version.
michaelhoney 0.2Hoka ATR Challengers work pretty well for this. Suitable for running on different terrain types, and feel fine for walking the streets. I will happily do a trip with just them.
this is my answer too. They are also a good “just what I’m wearing” shoe for short trips, if your style constraints allow it
Surging 0.2The sole on that shoe is quite narrow in the middle. I tend to overpronate too and am much happier on hoka challenger atr. You can get them in wide even if the regulars are too narrow for your feet. But even the regulars version is designed better for people who overpronate due to better support.
pak_sajat 0.1I use the HOKA Challenger ATRs for my combo runs, and I go up 1/2 size for the extra room.
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