HOKA CHALLENGER 7 AFTER 100 MILES

[@ozenfant_ozn]

love mine. i had version 5 and 6, took both over 700k, really wrung em out, but they never let me down. neither on damp austrian forrest roads, nor on dusty greek island trails, they just work.

[@its_Matt_B_]

I love this! Yes, they really do just work, and thanks for the durability stats! 700k is impressive (but I’m not surprised to hear it).

[@muddpickle2476]

Great shoe, and I agree that color choices for these and most shoes nowadays is far too “hey look at me”. I hate walking into a shoe store and seeing a wall of extreme color.

[@its_Matt_B_]

I like seeing all the shoe colors on the wall in a shoe store, but when it comes down to what I like on my own feet, simple and understated wins out every time!

[@Mr.3600TX]

I just ordered my first pair yesterday. I got mine in all black. I’m ready to put the rubber to the road/trail

[@Cinefilasthenos]

Loved their cushioning, grip, everything. Surprisingly, after less than a couple of months of trail running and power hiking mostly in quite steep technical terrains, outsole became almost unusable. A big wide hole on one shoe, a couple of smaller on the other, 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 SG5 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. Long story short, the challenger 7 may work for mild trails and dirt roads but definitely not for steeper technical terrains, which for me are the "real trails".

[@its_Matt_B_]

Sorry to hear about your experience with the Challenger7s, but it also sounds like you were using them as a hardcore trail shoe when, as you say, it would probably work for mild trails. I haven't taken mine on anything other than soft trails so that probably explains why mine are holding up quite well! The Speedgoat is another story, and has a huge following so I think they'll work much better for you! Good luck!

[@Cinefilasthenos]

@@its_Matt_B_ To my knowledge, there is no official mention, at least from HOKA, that this shoe would probably work for mild trails only. It's my conclusion only, otherwise I wouldn't have bought them. On the other hand, what I call steep terrain is some sort of quite rough uphills and downhills but definitely something very far from like Chamonix! Just a normal low mountain in Athens, Greece, and never been more than 750m altitude, which is almost the higher spot. One shoe failure could be excused, but a second one? Anyway, hoping for the best with Speedgoat and maybe Mafate soon! Thanks for your answer and congrats on your helpful videos, which are very much appreciated.

[@its_Matt_B_]

@@Cinefilasthenos Ahh, I see! I was thinking exactly of Chamonix-type trails! You're right about Hoka not identifying they're for mild trails only, but I think it may be implied as they are advertised as being good for road AND trail. Who knows? It's still a shame they didn't work as expected!

[@petraalma29]

@@Cinefilasthenosthis video might help you decide which HOKA trail shoe might be best for you. Challenger ATR7 is absolutely not aimed at technical trails. Road and easy trails is what it’s ideal for. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqO6mKqJl8eSjbcsi=ce5QDMVCCyGGWg_Y

[@cesardeceserodecesero3646]

Please, can I use also in street this tênis even being a trail soft tênis? Thanks

[@its_Matt_B_]

Yes, you can. This running shoe is made for all surfaces. 👊🏽

[@francoisgdt8087]

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 !

[@its_Matt_B_]

Yes, the sizing is very similar. I wear the same size in the Challenger 7, Mach 6, and Clifton 9.

[@WyattGalinski]

Got me excited about getting some miles in mine! I returned two pairs of challengers within the past week due to bad sizing. Finally ended up 1/2 size down and with a wide fit, the wide fit seems to only be a hoka thing for me. I’ve enjoyed the nike pegasus trail 4’s so far this year for road to trail but the outsole durability is questionable. I’m a 50/50 road and trail runner so these should be fun!

[@its_Matt_B_]

Enjoy them! I’m happy to hear you got the fit dialed in! 👊🏽