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 03/21/2026 15:47:57
Hoka Mens Challenger ATR 7 Wide Stone Blue / Evening Primrose / US 11
Delivery $15
Mens HOKA Challenger ATR 7 (Wide) Stone Blue / Evening Primrose / US 11
Free delivery between 26 Mar – 3 Apr
originally posted on hoka.com
Recovering from knee surgery so haven't really gotten to take them for a run yet, but I like how they feel on foot. Just the right cushion to response feel that I like. Length true to size, width feels narrow to me (I got the wide & it's right on the edge of too narrow, which was not a problem in v.5 or v.6). Since I did get wide there are only select colours available. And while I appreciate more than one option (I'm looking at YOU v.6 until a year in), I'm not a fan of any of them. But I like the shoe enough that I kept the teal/orange version.I typically run road, gravel/urban trail, and back and this shoe seems like it will do well as a hybrid shoe.But HOKA, "Challenger 7" is the moniker for those who died in the space shuttle explosion. Maybe name it ... MoreRecovering from knee surgery so haven't really gotten to take them for a run yet, but I like how they feel on foot. Just the right cushion to response feel that I like. Length true to size, width feels narrow to me (I got the wide & it's right on the edge of too narrow, which was not a problem in v.5 or v.6). Since I did get wide there are only select colours available. And while I appreciate more than one option (I'm looking at YOU v.6 until a year in), I'm not a fan of any of them. But I like the shoe enough that I kept the teal/orange version.I typically run road, gravel/urban trail, and back and this shoe seems like it will do well as a hybrid shoe.But HOKA, "Challenger 7" is the moniker for those who died in the space shuttle explosion. Maybe name it something else.
originally posted on hoka.com
I have been a loyal buyer of the Hoka Challenger for many years. I've had nearly 15 pairs of the Challenger from the ATR 3 through the ATR 6. For reasons I don't understand they decided to redesign the ATR 7 with a soft, slipper-like upper that lacks the robust quality and trail durability of previous models. The same size I have purchased for years no longer fits my foot, and once I did find the right size it's painful when tied as the upper is a thin, low-quality material that has no business being used on trail. I am devastated as the Challenger ATR has been my daily driver running shoe for the better part of a decade, and I can no longer wear it now. HOKA, PLEASE GO BACK TO THE ATR 6 DESIGN. THIS SHOE IS GARBAGE.
originally posted on roadrunnersports.com
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.
| Heel Stack | 37 mm |
| Forefoot Stack | 32 mm |
| Heel-Toe Offset | 5 mm |
Hoka Mens Challenger ATR 7 Wide Stone Blue / Evening Primrose / US 11
Delivery $15
Mens HOKA Challenger ATR 7 (Wide) Stone Blue / Evening Primrose / US 11
Free delivery between 26 Mar – 3 Apr
Recovering from knee surgery so haven't really gotten to take them for a run yet, but I like how they feel on foot. Just the right cushion to response feel that I like. Length true to size, width feels narrow to me (I got the wide & it's right on the edge of too narrow, which was not a problem in v.5 or v.6). Since I did get wide there are only select colours available. And while I appreciate more than one option (I'm looking at YOU v.6 until a year in), I'm not a fan of any of them. But I like the shoe enough that I kept the teal/orange version.I typically run road, gravel/urban trail, and back and this shoe seems like it will do well as a hybrid shoe.But HOKA, "Challenger 7" is the moniker for those who died in the space shuttle explosion. Maybe name it ... MoreRecovering from knee surgery so haven't really gotten to take them for a run yet, but I like how they feel on foot. Just the right cushion to response feel that I like. Length true to size, width feels narrow to me (I got the wide & it's right on the edge of too narrow, which was not a problem in v.5 or v.6). Since I did get wide there are only select colours available. And while I appreciate more than one option (I'm looking at YOU v.6 until a year in), I'm not a fan of any of them. But I like the shoe enough that I kept the teal/orange version.I typically run road, gravel/urban trail, and back and this shoe seems like it will do well as a hybrid shoe.But HOKA, "Challenger 7" is the moniker for those who died in the space shuttle explosion. Maybe name it something else.
I have been a loyal buyer of the Hoka Challenger for many years. I've had nearly 15 pairs of the Challenger from the ATR 3 through the ATR 6. For reasons I don't understand they decided to redesign the ATR 7 with a soft, slipper-like upper that lacks the robust quality and trail durability of previous models. The same size I have purchased for years no longer fits my foot, and once I did find the right size it's painful when tied as the upper is a thin, low-quality material that has no business being used on trail. I am devastated as the Challenger ATR has been my daily driver running shoe for the better part of a decade, and I can no longer wear it now. HOKA, PLEASE GO BACK TO THE ATR 6 DESIGN. THIS SHOE IS GARBAGE.
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.
This is my first HOKA shoes. The fit was perfect and shoes felt great during walk/run. Initially, I had small discomfort in both feet about 1.5 inches from the heel in the inside. It seems like the shoe design and it was OK after 4-5 days. Then I started seeing soft black debris inside shoes after the walks. The inside liner (inside the mesh, below the top holes of the laces) started to peel off. In about a week from purchase, about 3/4 inches inside liner worn off - both side of the shoes and both the shoes. Only outside mesh was remaining, and one could see light on the other side through the mesh. HOKA has excellent return policy and I decided to promptly return shoes for alternate HOKA shoes.
This was my first time trying the Challenger lineup, I decided to purchase these shoes as I have a wide foot and they were offered in a wide size. Also they looked like they would be comfortable due to the high stack of the midsole. Happy to report as far as comfort of the upper and under foot they are very nice. I wore them around for a couple of weeks and had no issues. The problem I ran into was when I decided to wear them on a moderately technical hike. The hike was 8.8 kms, half of which was largely downhill and the second half mostly uphill. I slipped multiple times on dry rocks, not gravel or loose rock, but larger rocks. I almost rolled my ankle on the downhill so I had to be careful of that as well. And worst of all when the hike was done I noticed quite a ... MoreThis was my first time trying the Challenger lineup, I decided to purchase these shoes as I have a wide foot and they were offered in a wide size. Also they looked like they would be comfortable due to the high stack of the midsole. Happy to report as far as comfort of the upper and under foot they are very nice. I wore them around for a couple of weeks and had no issues. The problem I ran into was when I decided to wear them on a moderately technical hike. The hike was 8.8 kms, half of which was largely downhill and the second half mostly uphill. I slipped multiple times on dry rocks, not gravel or loose rock, but larger rocks. I almost rolled my ankle on the downhill so I had to be careful of that as well. And worst of all when the hike was done I noticed quite a bit of chipping on the lugs and a couple of lugs had been completely ripped off! I realize these shoes are marketed as a "road to trail shoe", but I don't think I was hard on the shoes at all. I've worn much cheaper shoes in the past on the same hike and had no such issues. So be aware of this if you are planning to purchase these shoes, they work fine for road and gravel but anything more then that and you will see damage to the outsole very quickly.
I generally know if I'm going to have problems with a shoe during my first try on at home while walking around the house. During that time the HOA Challenger 7 felt great. In fact, it felt great over the entire next week while on runs/hikes.Compared to past versions of the Challenger, the soft cushioning didn't bottom out. It was just enough firmer than past versions that it seemed to have a little bounce to it. This felt like a good thing to me and probably is for a number of people.I am a 76 year old male and have found that after running for years, I do best with soft highly cushioned shoes. Having run and hiked exclusively in these shoes for more than a week, my feet are beat up and sore. The impact while using these shoes was enough to cause Morton's Neuroma, ... MoreI generally know if I'm going to have problems with a shoe during my first try on at home while walking around the house. During that time the HOA Challenger 7 felt great. In fact, it felt great over the entire next week while on runs/hikes.Compared to past versions of the Challenger, the soft cushioning didn't bottom out. It was just enough firmer than past versions that it seemed to have a little bounce to it. This felt like a good thing to me and probably is for a number of people.I am a 76 year old male and have found that after running for years, I do best with soft highly cushioned shoes. Having run and hiked exclusively in these shoes for more than a week, my feet are beat up and sore. The impact while using these shoes was enough to cause Morton's Neuroma, which is a thickening of tissue around the nerve on the bottom of the foot going to the toes.So for this old man with high arches and sensitive feet they are a disaster, but for people with less sensitive feet that are used to firmer shoes they may be great.
I bought these to have something with mild off road capabilities as I walk in the sandy arroyos next to my house with my dogs. They aren't particularly stiff enough for trail use. I think they make the soles a little larger surface for stability vs stiffness. I paid about $160 with tax and all in all they are ok for working out, walking, light running. But compared to the $60 Asics gtr-2000s I bought...they are inferior. I'd say they are inferior to my Nike Zoom structure shoes as well. The cushion is there but when actually exercising I just find them slightly cumbersome and less comfortable. My first and probably last Hoka purchase. Had to size up 1/2 for extra length. Width was fine.
Ordered a few pair I needed to return. Hoka works very well for my left arthritic foot and the supination my foot has when walking. The wide base rubber platform at the ball of the foot helps give my lateral side of my left foot a lot of support. The olthet shoes or style of Hoka was sent back. The Breeze had wrinkles in the nylon that wasn't pretty. The transport was too narrow. I can't remember the other one but it didn't fit right at all. These Challenger 7s are as great as my Clifton 8 are but it will do. I'm heading to Egypt and wanted to break them in. I since put in a foot support to help my high arch. I think I'm good to go . I leave tomorrow 🤣. I'll know more as this is the ONLY shoe except plantar fasciitis sandals. The Hoka recovery slip on that I have ... MoreOrdered a few pair I needed to return. Hoka works very well for my left arthritic foot and the supination my foot has when walking. The wide base rubber platform at the ball of the foot helps give my lateral side of my left foot a lot of support. The olthet shoes or style of Hoka was sent back. The Breeze had wrinkles in the nylon that wasn't pretty. The transport was too narrow. I can't remember the other one but it didn't fit right at all. These Challenger 7s are as great as my Clifton 8 are but it will do. I'm heading to Egypt and wanted to break them in. I since put in a foot support to help my high arch. I think I'm good to go . I leave tomorrow 🤣. I'll know more as this is the ONLY shoe except plantar fasciitis sandals. The Hoka recovery slip on that I have are too large to pack in a carry on.
Im a field guy and as such I find myself walking through and working a lot in the rain. The Winter of '22/23 had historical rain and snow fall for much of California. These shoes were the best purchase I could have made. The water resistant Gortex is a game changer versus wearing regular sneakers during rain events. It's not 100% water proof but it provides enough protection to keep my feet and socks dry walking through puddles and standing out in the rain for a bit. The best part about these shoes, which I haven't seen others mention, is that the Tongue (top part of shoe flush against the laces), is stationary, so I can slide into and out of the shoes without having to bend over and hold the tongue each time! Im constantly taking my shoes off and on and being able ... MoreIm a field guy and as such I find myself walking through and working a lot in the rain. The Winter of '22/23 had historical rain and snow fall for much of California. These shoes were the best purchase I could have made. The water resistant Gortex is a game changer versus wearing regular sneakers during rain events. It's not 100% water proof but it provides enough protection to keep my feet and socks dry walking through puddles and standing out in the rain for a bit. The best part about these shoes, which I haven't seen others mention, is that the Tongue (top part of shoe flush against the laces), is stationary, so I can slide into and out of the shoes without having to bend over and hold the tongue each time! Im constantly taking my shoes off and on and being able to just slide my feet in and still maintain a tight seal is such a huge flex. I've taken them to Mammoth and these shoes have good grip on snow, ice not so much, but again which sneaker does. The waterproofing though is clutch for using them around Ski Towns. The Heel Drop took me a few days to get used to as I've mostly worn flat shoes. The shoe, at least for me, runs slightly narrow, but nothing I couldn't get used to. A wide version would be nice. Here's to Hoka not discontinuing this line because they found themselves a lifetime customer!
This is my first time trying a crossover shoe that combines both trail and road shoe features. I was a little skeptical but made the purchase thinking they could help me for a race on a hard packed and not so technical trail. They performed great! After 67 miles I only changed socks once and even though I brought my Speedgoats, I never felt the need to make the switch. I actually got my first race win with these shoes. Now I find myself wearing the Challenger 7's for most of my training runs. They're great for running the short road distance from my house to the trail head and perform nearly as well on trails as the Speedgoat.Pros:1. Light feel with great cushioning. They feel less bulky than the Speedgoats.2. Tougher and longer lasting than typical roadshoes ... MoreThis is my first time trying a crossover shoe that combines both trail and road shoe features. I was a little skeptical but made the purchase thinking they could help me for a race on a hard packed and not so technical trail. They performed great! After 67 miles I only changed socks once and even though I brought my Speedgoats, I never felt the need to make the switch. I actually got my first race win with these shoes. Now I find myself wearing the Challenger 7's for most of my training runs. They're great for running the short road distance from my house to the trail head and perform nearly as well on trails as the Speedgoat.Pros:1. Light feel with great cushioning. They feel less bulky than the Speedgoats.2. Tougher and longer lasting than typical roadshoes like my go-to Hoka Clifton. After 131 miles the tread is still great (even for a heel-striker like me). Only have one small chip in the tread (not from wear, more likely a sharp rock).3. Good for pavement runs, great for trail runs.Cons:1. I will occasionally kick a hard rock and feel it in my toes, don't normally have this problem with the Speedgoat.2. Not much of an issue but the "Stone Blue/Evening Primrose" color starts to look dirty fast due to being a light color. If I could go back I would have gone with one of their darker options.Overall I love this shoe and would recommend it for all trail running on easy to moderate trails. For trails with a considerable amount of thick mud or steep gravel I would buy the Speedgoats.
| Heel Stack | 37 mm |
| Forefoot Stack | 32 mm |
| Heel-Toe Offset | 5 mm |
