I've been wearing trail running shoes for the last 5 years. Started off with a pair of Hoka Challenger 6s they lasted for about 3 years. I then went for the Challenger 7s I got them in a lighter colour and they look a little tatty but still solid. I've also got some New Balance Hiero 9s which are now my favourite.
I’m a Wisconsin runner. I run in Challenger GTXs (older pair) and use Kahtoola nanospikes after it snows or is icy. They don’t have as much grip as my Speedgoats but feel better on my usual city routes.
I wear HOKA Challenger GTXs and pack a pair of Keen whisper sandals. I just wear black hiking pants and I don't do anything that would require being "stylish."
I’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.
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.
I have Speedgoats and like them but depending on how technical/difficult a more hybrid shoe like the Hoka Challenger might be a better one.
If you can, definitely get to a shop and try some out as you never know what will be right for you.
Top Trail Running Shoes on Reddit
1
Mount to Coast
H1
85% positive of 177 users
Versatile road-to-trail, but struggles on wet, technical downhills.
Moist_gooch90
