Challenger ATR 5

100% Hoka Challenger wide

Wide versions of both Speedgoat and Challenger are good to me.

I’ve bought wide versions of both the Speedgoat and Challenger. Altra’s have been fine as well.

I have an older model, Challenger ATR 5 i think it was, and it is uncomfortably hard underfoot on paved roads. Are the newer versions any softer? I have to run a couple of kms to get to my usual gravel / light trail routes and those first kms are annoyingly uncomfortable. On non paved surfaces they are OK so I´m a bit unsure whether to replace them or just soldier thru those first kms.

Not many options unfortunately. Hoka "wide" versions just seem to widen the midfoot, but the toebox is still pretty tiny. I currently have Challengers in a wide and it's almost comical how pointy the toebox gets. If you really need a wide toebox, Altra and Topo are about the only options. They're the only ones I can run in without getting gnarly toe blisters. I find Altra to be more comfortable, but their durability has been hit or miss and seemingly getting worse year to year. My Experience Wilds fell apart at 300mi. I'm not crazy about the Topo Ultraventures I have, but they do seem much more durable than Altra.

For flat feet, stay away from Topo - they have super high arch support that caused me major issues even with just low arches. I've been having good luck with Inov8 lately and have also heard really good things about Norda. Altra Experience Wilds were also nice. Hokas in a wide didn't work for me because they only widen the midfoot, but still have a pointy little toebox. Xodus Ultras were also a bit too narrow in the toebox for me for anything over 50k.

Where are your feet wide? If it's in the toebox, I'd avoid Hoka. Their wides widen the midfoot a bit, but they still have a pointy, narrow toebox. I tried Challengers in wide and they ran great, but ultimately didn't work for me because of the narrow toebox. Here's a Challenger Wide next to an Altra shoe: https://imgur.com/a/hoka-vs-altra-vCaqepy

Yes - that's the wide version that didn't work for me and in that picture I linked.

As someone with a wide forefoot, I'm pretty limited to shoes that are what I guess Altra has coined "foot shaped". With traditional shoes that taper to the center, I get awful blistering on my big toes unless I tape extensively before each run. So far I've found 3 brands that are doing this shape now: Altra, Topo, and Inov8. Inov8 is new to me, so I thought I'd post a side-by-side of the 3 brands. These three are Topo Specters, Inov8 Roadfly Max, and Altra FWD Via. The insole stack is Topo at the bottom, Altra, then Inov8, but I don't think it's really representative of the fit (ie Topo insole goes further up onto the upper). They're not necessarily direct competitors, especially the Specters, but I thought the side by side for sizing and shape might interest some on here that also need a wide toebox. The Topos probably run the best - they feel fast, lightweight, and breathable. Unfortunately, Topo's high arch support didn't work for me and I ended up with plantar fasciitis for the first time in my life running in these and Ultraventures. The Altras fit the best for me with their almost comically wide toebox, but were the lowest build quality. This model is also the least breathable, so I wouldn't want to wear them in the middle of summer. Inov8 has been a good balance so far. They seem extremely well made, have a comfortable run, and are breathable. Only downside is they run a bit short, so I'm going to go a half size up next time. I'm training for a summer 500k right now, so looking for comfortable, durable, and breathable as my top priorities. Are there any other foot shaped brands that I missed? Edit: a lot of Hoka suggestions. Unfortunately, they haven't worked for me. I have Challengers in wide and while the midfoot is roomy, the toebox tapers to a point in the direct center of the shoe. It pushes in on my pinky toe and big toe and gives me some pretty gnarly blisters. Here's a pic of a Hoka Challenger next to an Altra FWD Via: https://imgur.com/a/vCaqepy

I'll take a look. Unfortunately shape makes a huge difference. The Hoka Challengers I have are a good example. Technically when you measure the forefoot at the widest point, they're plenty wide. Unfortunately, they taper down to a pointy tip in the dead center of the shoe, so they squeeze your big toe and pinky toe in. That taper to the center just kills my feet.

Surprised you can do the Speed Goats. I've heard they're some of the narrowest out there. I just tried Challengers in wide and the midfoot got wider, but it still had a pointy little toebox. Those ran great and I loved the hybrid road trail idea, but those things tore my feet up.

Unfortunately Hokas don't work for me. I have Challengers in wide and the midfoot is wider, but the toebox tapers down to a point directly in the center of the shoe. Wish I could add photos to the OP to show the difference between the two.

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.

I’m a fan of the Hoka Challengers in wide; but I also switch out the insoles for custom Archcrafters

The Hoka Challenger wide also gave me blisters, even after I demoted them to a walking shoe. Brooks Cascadia wide work best for me.

Hoka Challenger in wide sizing.