Hoka Challenger 7 / The best road to trail shoe!

The Hoka Challenger 7 is probably the best road to trail shoe there is in my opinion. The Challenger ATR 7 is such an underrated shoe, and one of my favorite trail shoes of 2023. A good winter running shoe, or dry trail shoe, to ultramarathon powerhouse. It does it all!

VIDEO CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
00:24 Hoka Challenger 7 Stats
01:18 Hoka Challenger 7 Upper
03:54 Hoka Challenger 7 Midsole
05:10 Hoka Challenger 7 Outsole
06:27 Hoka Challenger 7 Price

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[twmUX]

Just went for a quick street run before the storm yesterday (in between meetings) and so far so good. I like the firmness as well of the midsole, SG5’s are mushier and are sluggy on the flats. Excited to try them in the snow untracked to tracked up to see how they do. Feel way more stable and agree on the tongue. If this upper combined with outsole of SG, man…that would be an awesome shoe!

[BobTrieste]

Great review! Just discovered your channel and now follow. I have this exact shoe and I can say I love it. I was indeed looking for the "Clifton 8" in a trail shoes as this shoe is often referred to. I had bought a pair of the Speedgoat 5's first and wore those in Steamboat Colorado in September 2023. The SG5 did great but with a mix of trail and road started to hurt my big toe as I could feel the more pronounced lugs of the Vibram on the bottom. Returning back to East Coast after that trip I bought the Challenger 7 and I can say I could easily spend all day in the Challenger and feel much more comfortable. I actually have even started to like running on roads in the Challenger more than my Clifton's. I am signed up for a 50 mile east coast trail race in Spring 2024 and will run it in the Challenger no matter the conditions. Thanks for your thoughtful review.

[GoodkatNW]

I've been waiting a long time for something that helps me get my shoe into my foot ;)

Bought these last weekend in the same color combo, comfy out of the box

[umfilmmaker]

I’m in Colorado too, and I love the Challenger 7 over the Speedgoat 5. Hokas were recommended to me by a podiatrist, and I now have a few different pair for different occasions. They saved my feet!

[Cinefilasthenos]

Loved their cushioning, grip, everything. Surprisingly, after less than a couple of months of trail running and power hiking mostly in stiff technical terrains, outsole became almost unusable. A big wide hole, some serious cracks, heel lugs almost gone etc.
I decided to give them another chance, returned them and got another pair. Guess what, same issue, even worse and in a few weeks only. Shoes, mostly in outsole were destroyed.
Still can't believe it, especially from Hoka.
Anyway, returned them too yesterday, since retailer admitted it should be manufacturing fault, or at least far from expected durability, and ordered Speedgoat 5 - I'd love mafate but they still are too expensive. Problem is I read a few reviews about their wear and quite short durability... but I wouldn't like to be totally disappointed from Hoka. Their cushion is what I mostly need and appreciate for the time being...

[Gabrielerf]

Great review, I just got mine, and they are great . Thanks.

[gogolaklazlo]

its in the name - an all terrain, and so long that you avoid really technical trials and deep, wet mud the ATR is fun

[wouterrombouts]

Just bought a pair today. I tried the speedgoat wide and found it to narrow. The challenger wide fitted me much better.
The outsoles are rather soft so i hope they will last some time. Looking forward to use my new shoes.

[robking]

I have the speedgoats but need some more cushion/comfort. My go to road shoe is the Clifton so I think I’ll give these a shot

[richardantrobus]

The 6 gave me 500 miles of issue free running, will look forward to seeing the 7 on discount as have other shoes to use in the meantime. Thanks for the review

[ozenfant_ozn]

had the challey 5 and 6, loved them and put 700-800k into each of them. definitly gonna get a pair of these (when i'm finally done with my adductor tendinopathy).

[seekingUltraNick]

Dude, I’ve been absolutely loving the 6’s this past month -now I gotta check out the 7! Love the colorway you’ve got there, too. Great review, Steven! 👍👏

[trailrunningphil]

Looks a great shoe. I did have the ATR 5 and was very happy with it. I’ve since moved over to Altra. Great review though my man. 😊

[TrailSage]

Glad the shoe got lighter from the past generation, especially with all that cushion. Fantastic honest review Steven. I love the colorway and good lock down but I'm not a fan of that heel tab (but you knew that). For the price it seems like a perfect long run shoe. Thanks for rep'n the shirt brotha.

[MKIVRoller]

I'm waiting for the Gore Tex version, to be release in FEB 2023

[CelineFerocious]

Those look like platforms! I do like the colors 😊 I see the inspiration from the tire treads, that was pretty cool.

[francoisgdt]

Hi !

I'm considering to try the Hoka challenger 7... I've recently purchased the Mach 6 which I love, but they size a bit small (my left feet is at the edge). Not such a big deal for me as I have narrow feet so I'm not that concerned by the fact that these are quite narrow.

Is the fit similar to the Mach 6 in terms of length/width ? I have also recently tried the clifton 9 which seemed a bit small, is it similar ?

Thanks for the help !

[SeeChadRun]

Great review and feedback! I would imagine that the ATR 7 would do great on most Colorado trails.

[robertdelraso]

What's your thought about the Hoka Speedgoat 5 for trail running in the snow?

[myersa]

The one thing I like about the Speedgoat 5s is their rocker even if it’s not drastic. It has felt better over the long haul for me when compared to the Challenger 6 and Saucony Xodus Ultra. What’re your thoughts on this between the Speedgoat 5 and Challenger 7?