The all-terrain HOKA Challenger 7 gives you road performance with trail traction, so you can run wherever life takes you. HOKA improved the Challenger by re-engineering the 4 mm lug pattern to provide a smoother road running experience while still giving you great grip for trail runs. The durabrasion rubber outsole extends the longevity of the shoe no matter what surface you run on. Designers also added more cushioning in the midsole to increase the stack height and allow you to run comfortably for longer. A brand-new upper provides plenty of breathability as you put in the miles. New engineered mesh fits better around your feet and is made with recycled material. Testers noticed that this shoe was not as narrow as the previous version in our HOKA Challenger 7 review. Plus, there is an extended heel pull for easy entry if you are changing shoes during an ultra marathon, or trying to quickly put your shoes on as you dash out the door for your run. Whether you are hitting the roads, trails or both, do it in comfort with the HOKA Challenger 7.
The all-terrain HOKA Challenger 7 gives you road performance with trail traction, so you can run wherever life takes you. HOKA improved the Challenger by re-engineering the 4 mm lug pattern to provide a smoother road running experience while still giving you great grip for trail runs. The durabrasion rubber outsole extends the longevity of the shoe no matter what surface you run on. Designers also added more cushioning in the midsole to increase the stack height and allow you to run comfortably for longer. A brand-new upper provides plenty of breathability as you put in the miles. New engineered mesh fits better around your feet and is made with recycled material. Testers noticed that this shoe was not as narrow as the previous version in our HOKA Challenger 7 review. Plus, there is an extended heel pull for easy entry if you are changing shoes during an ultra marathon, or trying to quickly put your shoes on as you dash out the door for your run. Whether you are hitting the roads, trails or both, do it in comfort with the HOKA Challenger 7.
The all-terrain HOKA Challenger 7 gives you road performance with trail traction, so you can run wherever life takes you. HOKA improved the Challenger by re-engineering the 4 mm lug pattern to provide a smoother road running experience while still giving you great grip for trail runs. The durabrasion rubber outsole extends the longevity of the shoe no matter what surface you run on. Designers also added more cushioning in the midsole to increase the stack height and allow you to run comfortably for longer. A brand-new upper provides plenty of breathability as you put in the miles. New engineered mesh fits better around your feet and is made with recycled material. Testers noticed that this shoe was not as narrow as the previous version in our HOKA Challenger 7 review. Plus, there is an extended heel pull for easy entry if you are changing shoes during an ultra marathon, or trying to quickly put your shoes on as you dash out the door for your run. Whether you are hitting the roads, trails or both, do it in comfort with the HOKA Challenger 7.
The all-terrain HOKA Challenger 7 gives you road performance with trail traction, so you can run wherever life takes you. HOKA improved the Challenger by re-engineering the 4 mm lug pattern to provide a smoother road running experience while still giving you great grip for trail runs. The durabrasion rubber outsole extends the longevity of the shoe no matter what surface you run on. Designers also added more cushioning in the midsole to increase the stack height and allow you to run comfortably for longer. A brand-new upper provides plenty of breathability as you put in the miles. New engineered mesh fits better around your feet and is made with recycled material. Testers noticed that this shoe was not as narrow as the previous version in our HOKA Challenger 7 review. Plus, there is an extended heel pull for easy entry if you are changing shoes during an ultra marathon, or trying to quickly put your shoes on as you dash out the door for your run. Whether you are hitting the roads, trails or both, do it in comfort with the HOKA Challenger 7.
Last updated at 04/17/2026 01:40:31
CHALLENGER ATR 7 BKLT / 42 2/3
Delivery $78.96
originally posted on cabelas.com
I walk quite a bit so I’ve put a few miles on these even though I’ve only had them for about a month.The shoes are really light, which is helpful if you plan on walking long distances. They’re a little stiffer that a lot of shoes I’ve bought, but they do get worked in pretty quickly. I don’t have any blisters from wearing these. I’m a little concerned because sometimes when I walk on a very hard surface, I can hear that suctioning sound like you’ll sometimes hear just before a sole or an insole separates from the shoe, so we will have to see how long it takes for those things to happen. I’m also not overly impressed by the fact that the entire shoes glued together there’s absolutely no stitching. Finally, the stew is very stiff which is not a bad thing since it’s ... MoreI walk quite a bit so I’ve put a few miles on these even though I’ve only had them for about a month.The shoes are really light, which is helpful if you plan on walking long distances. They’re a little stiffer that a lot of shoes I’ve bought, but they do get worked in pretty quickly. I don’t have any blisters from wearing these. I’m a little concerned because sometimes when I walk on a very hard surface, I can hear that suctioning sound like you’ll sometimes hear just before a sole or an insole separates from the shoe, so we will have to see how long it takes for those things to happen. I’m also not overly impressed by the fact that the entire shoes glued together there’s absolutely no stitching. Finally, the stew is very stiff which is not a bad thing since it’s a shoe but it’s something you should be aware of in case you’re looking for a soft walking, comfortable shoe.
originally posted on altitude-sports.com
Bought this for “Winter Running” around the Winnipeg area. Marathon training over winter. Writing review 30km in to shoe. Several easy runs and one long easy run in. I am used to running in Altra, so obviously feels a little narrow. For this reason it took me a couple runs to “break in” - with some foot pain that I actually considered returning shoe. It now feels great. The -EVA is not very responsive in anything lower than -15C weather - but it’s unlikely any material really is at this temperature. I rotate this shoe with Altra lone peak 7 for my winter running. This shoe significantly more cushioned. Overall a good shoe for mixed road/snow running.
originally posted on hoka.com
I bought these to replace my Challenger 6s before going to a long military training. I used them often for morning workouts and group runs. There were a lot of trails around the area I would run when off-duty. The Challenger 7s held up through the course and still have plenty of life left in them after several hundred miles. The only signs of wear are in the lugs where my foot strikes. The midsole foam is very cushy. It's less responsive than the previous model but that makes it a better road shoe IMHO. It's also a bit lighter than the 6. I've used it on every kind of run from long slow deer trails to track repeats and it's been good for everything. The bottom line: if you want one shoe that can do most of your training miles, and if you run a mix of terrain, this ... MoreI bought these to replace my Challenger 6s before going to a long military training. I used them often for morning workouts and group runs. There were a lot of trails around the area I would run when off-duty. The Challenger 7s held up through the course and still have plenty of life left in them after several hundred miles. The only signs of wear are in the lugs where my foot strikes. The midsole foam is very cushy. It's less responsive than the previous model but that makes it a better road shoe IMHO. It's also a bit lighter than the 6. I've used it on every kind of run from long slow deer trails to track repeats and it's been good for everything. The bottom line: if you want one shoe that can do most of your training miles, and if you run a mix of terrain, this one is a good choice. The only downside for me is that the upper isn't super-breathable for hot weather. Still, this one is easy to recommend.
| For | Men |
CHALLENGER ATR 7 BKLT / 42 2/3
Delivery $78.96
I walk quite a bit so I’ve put a few miles on these even though I’ve only had them for about a month.The shoes are really light, which is helpful if you plan on walking long distances. They’re a little stiffer that a lot of shoes I’ve bought, but they do get worked in pretty quickly. I don’t have any blisters from wearing these. I’m a little concerned because sometimes when I walk on a very hard surface, I can hear that suctioning sound like you’ll sometimes hear just before a sole or an insole separates from the shoe, so we will have to see how long it takes for those things to happen. I’m also not overly impressed by the fact that the entire shoes glued together there’s absolutely no stitching. Finally, the stew is very stiff which is not a bad thing since it’s ... MoreI walk quite a bit so I’ve put a few miles on these even though I’ve only had them for about a month.The shoes are really light, which is helpful if you plan on walking long distances. They’re a little stiffer that a lot of shoes I’ve bought, but they do get worked in pretty quickly. I don’t have any blisters from wearing these. I’m a little concerned because sometimes when I walk on a very hard surface, I can hear that suctioning sound like you’ll sometimes hear just before a sole or an insole separates from the shoe, so we will have to see how long it takes for those things to happen. I’m also not overly impressed by the fact that the entire shoes glued together there’s absolutely no stitching. Finally, the stew is very stiff which is not a bad thing since it’s a shoe but it’s something you should be aware of in case you’re looking for a soft walking, comfortable shoe.
Bought this for “Winter Running” around the Winnipeg area. Marathon training over winter. Writing review 30km in to shoe. Several easy runs and one long easy run in. I am used to running in Altra, so obviously feels a little narrow. For this reason it took me a couple runs to “break in” - with some foot pain that I actually considered returning shoe. It now feels great. The -EVA is not very responsive in anything lower than -15C weather - but it’s unlikely any material really is at this temperature. I rotate this shoe with Altra lone peak 7 for my winter running. This shoe significantly more cushioned. Overall a good shoe for mixed road/snow running.
I bought these to replace my Challenger 6s before going to a long military training. I used them often for morning workouts and group runs. There were a lot of trails around the area I would run when off-duty. The Challenger 7s held up through the course and still have plenty of life left in them after several hundred miles. The only signs of wear are in the lugs where my foot strikes. The midsole foam is very cushy. It's less responsive than the previous model but that makes it a better road shoe IMHO. It's also a bit lighter than the 6. I've used it on every kind of run from long slow deer trails to track repeats and it's been good for everything. The bottom line: if you want one shoe that can do most of your training miles, and if you run a mix of terrain, this ... MoreI bought these to replace my Challenger 6s before going to a long military training. I used them often for morning workouts and group runs. There were a lot of trails around the area I would run when off-duty. The Challenger 7s held up through the course and still have plenty of life left in them after several hundred miles. The only signs of wear are in the lugs where my foot strikes. The midsole foam is very cushy. It's less responsive than the previous model but that makes it a better road shoe IMHO. It's also a bit lighter than the 6. I've used it on every kind of run from long slow deer trails to track repeats and it's been good for everything. The bottom line: if you want one shoe that can do most of your training miles, and if you run a mix of terrain, this one is a good choice. The only downside for me is that the upper isn't super-breathable for hot weather. Still, this one is easy to recommend.
The lightweight Hoka Zinal is my go-to trail shoe, I generally run 3-6 miles so I wouldn't say I'm a real long distance runner that does half marathons or anything in that range. I bought the Challenger 7 because I could go for a trail shoe that has a BIT more cushion than the Zinal on some days, but I also didn't want something as heavy or max cushioned as the Hoka Speedgoat.The road-to-trail aspect of it is an added bonus for me because there are trails in North New Jersey that also have paved areas. I really love this shoe a lot! My only gripe is that a few of the lugs on the outsoles are already chipped after logging less than 30 miles. One lug came off completely. It's fine for now but I will be monitoring this. Even my Zinals that I've had since the summer ... MoreThe lightweight Hoka Zinal is my go-to trail shoe, I generally run 3-6 miles so I wouldn't say I'm a real long distance runner that does half marathons or anything in that range. I bought the Challenger 7 because I could go for a trail shoe that has a BIT more cushion than the Zinal on some days, but I also didn't want something as heavy or max cushioned as the Hoka Speedgoat.The road-to-trail aspect of it is an added bonus for me because there are trails in North New Jersey that also have paved areas. I really love this shoe a lot! My only gripe is that a few of the lugs on the outsoles are already chipped after logging less than 30 miles. One lug came off completely. It's fine for now but I will be monitoring this. Even my Zinals that I've had since the summer of 2022 are still holding up really well and I've only barely begun to see some wear on the lugs. The profiles of the trails I run are similar regardless of which shoe I wear. So yes, even taking into consideration that some of the trails I go to are technical and rocky, I'd expect the Challenger lugs to hold up. I'm guessing that the Vibram of the Hoka Zinals hold up much better over time.My ideal trail shoe moving forward would probably be a version of the Hoka Zinal but with the Profly+ of the Hoka Mach 5 road shoe: nimble, speedy, comfortable yet lightweight midsole.All in all, I like the Hoka Challenger 7 a lot, hope they use stronger material for the lugs in the future.
Being an ultra runner and on average between 50 & 300 miles per event can take a persons feet and shoe to their limits and back. Hoka’s Challenger 7 for me was an upgrade in many ways over the ever popular Speedgoat 4 & 5. The similarities between the shoes are many but my first observation was the slightly broader sole and base of the Challenger. It instantly made for more stable footing. If the trail isn’t heavily rutted or overly rooted the slightly beefier shoe shouldn’t cause any issues where a more nimble shoe would prevent you from getting a foot caught between rocks or roots etc… and by beefier I’m not saying overly bulky or heavier. It’s just slightly bolder. It’s as if the Speedgoat got a big brother the Challenger 7 would be exactly that.Because I’m ... MoreBeing an ultra runner and on average between 50 & 300 miles per event can take a persons feet and shoe to their limits and back. Hoka’s Challenger 7 for me was an upgrade in many ways over the ever popular Speedgoat 4 & 5. The similarities between the shoes are many but my first observation was the slightly broader sole and base of the Challenger. It instantly made for more stable footing. If the trail isn’t heavily rutted or overly rooted the slightly beefier shoe shouldn’t cause any issues where a more nimble shoe would prevent you from getting a foot caught between rocks or roots etc… and by beefier I’m not saying overly bulky or heavier. It’s just slightly bolder. It’s as if the Speedgoat got a big brother the Challenger 7 would be exactly that.Because I’m putting such aggressive high miles in at each outing and many times for multi-day events “foot swelling” can make or brake your ability to comfortably continue to wear a pair of shoes any longer. The wide model offered in the Challenger 7 was a welcomed one. Since feet primarily swell width-wise often buying a larger size isn’t the full fix. Having that extra width in the toe box area along with sizing up is the most complete fix to the problem. I was glad to see them offer that!Lastly for me the material used over the top of the toe box is fully breathable yet much more durable than the more elastic/spandex material on Speedgoat models. Still flexible enough for miles of comfort.Overall an amazing, stable, light weight, long distance runner that allows for comfort over many miles or even multi-day events. It’s been a favorite addition to my race day kit and my feet and ankles are equally happy for the added comfort and soft ride without sacrificing any stability or balance.
These shoes began to disintegrate after 80 miles of trail and the perfectly fine tread began to peal away in chunks. I’ve never seen anything like it. I was tripping over everything along the trail because the tread was hanging off and catching rocks, tree roots, dirt. I purchased these the day before I hit the trail and they didn’t last a week. I met a gentleman at camp along the JMT having the exact same experience. REI almost didn’t accept my return. The gentleman helping me said it looked as if they had about a thousand miles of use on them. I’ve been wearing Hoka for years and generally get about 500 miles of hiking and marathon training out of each pair. Extremely disappointing. I’ll never buy another pair.
Hoka makes some awesome trail shoes and I didn't expect anything less from the Challenger 7. I appreciate the fast shipping as the shoes arrived in just a couple of days. Shoes fit true to size and first impressions were good. They felt great. I immediately took them for a 5 mile run, no hot spots or pains of any kind. I enjoyed the Hoka pillow soft ride. Currently at 50 miles and the shoes are still awesome. They perform as advertised being great on the road and transition to smooth trails nicely. My only complaint would be at 50 miles there's some marginal wear on the soles, but nothing terrible. I expect 300 miles or so should be achievable.
I love Hoka's just this year I have purchased two pairs of Bond's, Ora recovery shoe, and Ora recovery slide. I purchased the Challenger 7's because I needed a wide "trail" shoe to do the occasional hike. The shoe like all my other Hoka's feel great and are comfortable. The issue is the lack of traction on anything other than hardpack. Any mixed surfaces I encountered and the shoe would break loose and not in a predictable manner especially on inclines and declines. The issue seems to be the lug depth and large flat area in the midsole that just skates across the surface, On flat roads or hardpack this is not a big deal and the shoe performs well. However ,on mixed terrain it is a problem which will come apparent quickly. Hoka likens the lug spacing to gravel tires ... MoreI love Hoka's just this year I have purchased two pairs of Bond's, Ora recovery shoe, and Ora recovery slide. I purchased the Challenger 7's because I needed a wide "trail" shoe to do the occasional hike. The shoe like all my other Hoka's feel great and are comfortable. The issue is the lack of traction on anything other than hardpack. Any mixed surfaces I encountered and the shoe would break loose and not in a predictable manner especially on inclines and declines. The issue seems to be the lug depth and large flat area in the midsole that just skates across the surface, On flat roads or hardpack this is not a big deal and the shoe performs well. However ,on mixed terrain it is a problem which will come apparent quickly. Hoka likens the lug spacing to gravel tires and with that sport people put a lot of thought into the expected terrain and trade off between rolling resistance and traction to meet the demands of the terrain. If you choose incorrectly you might have lower rolling resistance at the expense of staying upright. Im not sure why they chose not to go with a Vibram sole and reduce the flat mid foot area with no lugs but the design choices limit the range of the terrain you will be safely able to traverse in this shoe. Now that they offer wide in the Speedgoat I will be switching to those for anything other than maintained hardpack flat trails.
Let me start off with the facts: I didn't buy these from this site. They were suggested by an authorized dealer, as I suffer from intermittent plantar fasciitis. I am overweight. Most shoes I buy around $40-50, because I go thru them quickly. However, my roommate/best buy decided to spoil me for my birthday. Sep. 21. I was stoked to finally see what it was like to wear a pair of shoes to play disc golf in that weren't as previously mentioned. Cheap and tear up easy. Only problem, after 3 weeks of light wear, they were ruined. The sole partially tore off and the shoe fabric split where the toe bends. I contacted the store I bought them from who directed me to Hoka. They are replacing them. Gave me a credit towards a replacement. I decided to upgrade a bit (I hope)and ... MoreLet me start off with the facts: I didn't buy these from this site. They were suggested by an authorized dealer, as I suffer from intermittent plantar fasciitis. I am overweight. Most shoes I buy around $40-50, because I go thru them quickly. However, my roommate/best buy decided to spoil me for my birthday. Sep. 21. I was stoked to finally see what it was like to wear a pair of shoes to play disc golf in that weren't as previously mentioned. Cheap and tear up easy. Only problem, after 3 weeks of light wear, they were ruined. The sole partially tore off and the shoe fabric split where the toe bends. I contacted the store I bought them from who directed me to Hoka. They are replacing them. Gave me a credit towards a replacement. I decided to upgrade a bit (I hope)and ordered the Speedgoat 5 GTX. Now, the main thing that bothered me was the time it took to get this sorted out. I had to contact the company after they surpassed the 5-10 business days. This is after I paid FedEx to send them to them and they were rec'd. After I contacted them, the exchange was expedited. Went thru on the 12th day. So now, we we're looking at over a month from 1st contact to when I could finally replace my shoes. Just to find out that it would take an additional 2 weeks to get my replacement. They really are comfy shoes and I will say, they stood behind their product. However, when someone is investing in something this expensive, do more than trust some kid who obvious gets some sort of commission.
Since college Iv owned and ran through 7 pairs of road Hokas. All have been absolutely amazing with no issues. When I needed a new pair of hiking/trail shoes I figured that I would buy from one of my preferred brands, and now I wish I hadn’t. The interior of the shoe and soles were my biggest issues. The toe box was underwhelming small and left zero comfort 2.5 miles into there maiden 8 mile hike. The whole heel cup pinched the bottom of my heel whenever my foot was under force. The soles, while rugged looking with deep lugs provided zero grip in dry conditions. Tall grass, short grass, lose gravel, rock scrambles, didn’t matter as there was no grip.
| For | Men |
