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 21:53:31
Mens Hoka Challenger ATR 7 (D-Width) 9.5 / Black/Black
Free delivery
HOKA - CHALLENGER ATR 7 BBLC / EUR 43 1/3 - US 9.5
Delivery $78.96
Mens HOKA Challenger ATR 7 Black / US 9.5
Free delivery between 26 Mar – 3 Apr
originally posted on REI
I've wore them walking twice so far (10 miles total)- dirt trail (Duthie Park- Len's Trail) and city concrete side walks and asphalt roads. I'm finding them very comfortable, especially the level of cushion in the heal section. There is ample room in the toe area- no cramped toe feeling. I purchased them primarily for light trail and city walking, but plan to use them for light trail running. I purchased inserts (at REI) to help with improved arch support (based on my experience with my hiking boots).
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.
originally posted on REI
I struggled on rating this product. The shoes are very comfortable and I love the color combination, but they are not suitable for off-road use. In the span of three weeks, the bottoms of the shoes started falling apart. I understand wear and tear, but I’ve never seen such drastic deterioration in such a short span of time.If you plan on using these for paved walking or recreational use, they’re great, but I don’t recommend them for off-road running or hiking.
Mens Hoka Challenger ATR 7 (D-Width) 9.5 / Black/Black
Free delivery
HOKA - CHALLENGER ATR 7 BBLC / EUR 43 1/3 - US 9.5
Delivery $78.96
Mens HOKA Challenger ATR 7 Black / US 9.5
Free delivery between 26 Mar – 3 Apr
I've wore them walking twice so far (10 miles total)- dirt trail (Duthie Park- Len's Trail) and city concrete side walks and asphalt roads. I'm finding them very comfortable, especially the level of cushion in the heal section. There is ample room in the toe area- no cramped toe feeling. I purchased them primarily for light trail and city walking, but plan to use them for light trail running. I purchased inserts (at REI) to help with improved arch support (based on my experience with my hiking boots).
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.
I struggled on rating this product. The shoes are very comfortable and I love the color combination, but they are not suitable for off-road use. In the span of three weeks, the bottoms of the shoes started falling apart. I understand wear and tear, but I’ve never seen such drastic deterioration in such a short span of time.If you plan on using these for paved walking or recreational use, they’re great, but I don’t recommend them for off-road running or hiking.
I recently purchased these to use while hiking in the local state and regional park in my area. Wow. What comfort, fit, support and traction. They felt so good I decided to use them on my two day backpack trip in the Grand Canyon instead of my hiking boots. My only concern was not having adequate ankle support that my boots provided since I was carrying a pack, but I took my time and those HOKAS made all the difference from my 2019 trip into the canyon. I'm going back into the canyon next year on my 75th birthday, and I'll be wearing HOKAS. It's a good feeling when you find a product that exceeds your expectations.
Overall I'm happy with the shoe. The midsole is very plush and feels nice as soon as I put it on. And it runs nicely on both road and trail. Also plenty of width (vs the speedgoat which I find to be way too narrow).My gripes: 1) the upper pinched my big toe where it creases for the first 30-40 miles. It's better now, but a bit painful for a while. 2) I wish Hoka would get rid of the achilles flare. It funnels rocks into the shoe, and I find it rubs my achilles. Isn't the point to avoid that? 3) Not a fan of the colors (I liked the prev version's colors a lot more).But on the whole I still find it to be a good multi-purpose shoe. I like it as a travel shoe that can go anywhere.
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.
Best shoes I’ve ever owned by miles. These are my fifth generation of Hokas and these are my favorite. I walk about 18000 steps a day for work and these make it a little easier. It took a couple days to break in but most hokas do. I wish I didn’t have to wear socks because the material is so comfortable. I’ve also done a few runs and MTB downhills in them and they are magical for both.Pros…Wide toe boxComfortable through entire footGreat forward momentum feelOnly tied them the first time and stayed tied sinceCompliments on the look/style every dayCons…None
Works for most situations but with a lot of compromise as well. Rubber under foot will wear very quickly on pavement due to being incredibly soft, which makes for decent road running, but means a likely short lifespan. Just enough grip and nug height to do gravel roads and light singletrack. Heel height feels quite extreme on these for whatever reason, far more pronounced than the Speedgoats which I run on for singletrack and climbs, so much so it is a bit uncomfortable if you don't heel strike. Front lateral rubber is already worn down after 130 miles. Definitely not my favorite shoe, wish it was more durable and wasn't so heel strike focused. Will use em just past 200 miles at which point the uneven wear is likely to be unsafe. Probably a good shoe for some people ... MoreWorks for most situations but with a lot of compromise as well. Rubber under foot will wear very quickly on pavement due to being incredibly soft, which makes for decent road running, but means a likely short lifespan. Just enough grip and nug height to do gravel roads and light singletrack. Heel height feels quite extreme on these for whatever reason, far more pronounced than the Speedgoats which I run on for singletrack and climbs, so much so it is a bit uncomfortable if you don't heel strike. Front lateral rubber is already worn down after 130 miles. Definitely not my favorite shoe, wish it was more durable and wasn't so heel strike focused. Will use em just past 200 miles at which point the uneven wear is likely to be unsafe. Probably a good shoe for some people (upper mesh is actually really really good, and super well cushioned is nice for sore feet) but far too many compromises in the sole design to recommend.
Picked up this model for training on lowland trail/gravel running long days to save the "expensive" trail shoes for events and bigger mountain days. These felt like, well, carboard box scraps layered together. They felt lifeless, a bit harsh and not the cushy or forgiving feel I've experienced with other models from this brand. Feet just felt tired and sore after doing two slowish 10-15 mile runs in these. Sold them to friend.
I got these shoes because I have loved 2 of the last 4 pairs of Hokas I got in past. still have and love my challenger ATR 6s. still have & love my challenger ATY 5s. these are different. there is another review on here that says feels like something loose under right toe box, YUP. me too. these shoes have maybe too much cushion and feel clumsy and clunky compared to the last 2 models. I'll be taking these back and trying something else. figures though- nothing good lasts forever, just a matter of time till they mess it up. narrow toe box also.
