14 in Trail Running Shoes
Hoka - Challenger 8
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Reddit Reviews:
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Based on 1 year's data from Mar 17, 2026 How it works
Liked most:
4
2
"Hoka Challenger in wide with custom insoles, (I use Archcrafters), is my perfect"
"Always felt a bit too narrow (esp in to box) ... I got the challengers and love them."
"Always loved the wide Hoka models for my thick toes"
4
1
"They last pretty well too ... my most recent ones going for 1,200k before I retired them"
"The Challengers have held up as well as any runner has (about 800 mile life for me)."
"Wearing challengers now and I feel like they're doing just fine though."
3
1
"They’re super grippy and have gotten me up 4k+ft of tough trail"
"Hoka challenger is designed specifically for this. ... they are fantastic for road and any non technical trail"
"I think the Challenger is like the Clifton with better grip."
18
2
"Hoka challenger is designed specifically for this. ... they are fantastic for road and any non technical trail"
"Hoka challengers is exactly what I wear in this situation. ... They are literally made for road to trail. ... I run to the trails on rainy days, smash around than run home. ... Best shoe."
"I run to the trails in my hoka challengers! ... They’re awesome I do such a mix that they cover everything! ... But when ever I run to the trails it’s the challengers"
12
3
"I just did Baldy in the Challengers so I’m sure they’d be comfortable enough for Catalina."
"i am a big guy (6’0 270lb) and i prefer my challengers over my speedgoats. ... the challengers are just more comfortable as a beginner."
"I even ran my first marathon in them on the road XD"
Disliked most:
3
1
"mine didn’t last as long as I’d hoped"
2
2
"Just beware that wide in most traditional shoes, Hoka included, widens the midfoot without really widening the toebox. ... I have wide Challengers I was trying out and they're great shoes, but the pointy little toebox just isn't working for me. ... My two big toes have some pretty awful blisters right now from being pressed in."
"pointy little toebox ... I got them in a wide and still got massive blisters on the insides of my big toes ... if you need a wide toebox, you may have similar issues"
"Just beware that wide in most traditional shoes, Hoka included, widens the midfoot without really widening the toebox. ... I have wide Challengers I was trying out and they're great shoes, but the pointy little toebox just isn't working for me. ... My two big toes have some pretty awful blisters right now from being pressed in."
1
2
"I found the foam to be unstable"
"Challengers can be a bit stiff/firm in my opinion."
"Challengers can be a bit stiff/firm in my opinion."
0
2
"I did find that when I was using Hokas that I had an increased tendency to roll my ankle after about ten miles. ... The thing with trail runners is when you are tired, it is easier to roll your ankle. I have only found this to be a concern when I was using Hoka."
"I did find that when I was using Hokas that I had an increased tendency to roll my ankle after about ten miles. ... The thing with trail runners is when you are tired, it is easier to roll your ankle. I have only found this to be a concern when I was using Hoka."
"I found the foam to be unstable"
0
1
"Not much grip"
ArohaHonoruru 1.0Hoka challenger 8. It's miles above any other gravel shoe out there on the market. Don't buy the speedgoat. Its a trailshoe and the recent ititeration has a very stiff mid. The aggressive lugs will make pavement running uncomfortable as well.
They are finding out that most people run on manicured single track. I find these gravel shoes excellent for technical trails on my long runs. I haven't found trailshoes that are comfortable for more than 3-4 hours. I recommend the Challenger 8 by Hoka. They are the best gravel shoe on the market. I run 50-150 miles a week.
heyyyjoo 1.0Generally Hoka Challenger 8 is regarded to be lighter, bouncier, better for mixing in road miles and all-day comfort, less technical, wide-friendly. Brooks Caldera 8 is more of a ultra/trail tank - plush but firmer, ultra-stable, slightly better for more technical stuff. So if your trail is not gonna so technical you might find the challenger better. FWIW, I recently did an analysis on Reddit data for trail runners. Basically ranked them by aggregated sentiment. Maybe you'll find it helpful [https://redditrecs.com/trail-running-shoes/](https://redditrecs.com/trail-running-shoes/) You can get a breakdown of what ppl have said about the most often recommended ones (disclaimer some links are affiliate they help fund the analyses)
HokaCoka 1.0I have the cascadia 17 (now retired from my rotation) and the Gel 13 (bought to replace the cascadia’s). I can’t really comment on fit other than to say I went half a size up in both, but I should have gone for my usual size in the Gel13’s as they’re slightly too big. The cascadia is a better shoe. the Gel13 has really terrible grip in the mud. I only use it for dry / non-muddy runs. It’s a fairly average shoe. doesn’t really sparkle. not plush. not sure where it excels, if at all. I prefer my HOKA’s overall (Mafate 5, Mafate X and Challenger 8) but none grip in the wet/mud like the cascadia’s did. The Mafate’s are SUPREMELY comfortable though. its a shame as the Gel 13’s look really really good.
I have the Mafate X (long distance trail racing), Mafate 5 (long distance trail training, muddy trails) and the Challender 8 (dry / light trail / road-to-trail). The first two are SUPREMELY comfortable. The non-plated Mafate 5 would possibly work well for you. it’s high end plush.
jjflight 1.0I use trail runners for most hikes, and once a pair has either worn down most of its tread or I get a new model that doesn’t fit quite as well but too late to return them I swap those pairs in as daily shoes. Topo Ultraventure 4 and Hoka Challenger 8s are my favorite two pairs. The Topos have a very dark grey that doesn’t look too goofy for daily wear too.
Kelsier25 1.0Word of warning on the challengers. Great shoes, but pointy little toebox. I got them in a wide and still got massive blisters on the insides of my big toes. Definitely not an issue for everyone, but if you need a wide toebox, you may have similar issues.
Just beware that wide in most traditional shoes, Hoka included, widens the midfoot without really widening the toebox. I have wide Challengers I was trying out and they're great shoes, but the pointy little toebox just isn't working for me. My two big toes have some pretty awful blisters right now from being pressed in.
klicknack 1.0I ran 150km in a pair of Hoka Challenger 8 and I found them incredibly comfortable. If your feet like Hokas, you can't go wrong with those.
KobiLou 1.0Unfortunately the 8s now have a different heel:toe drop. :(
Higher. I think it's 8 now if I remember right. Same with Cliftons. How you can change something so significant, yet call it the same model is beyond me.
Matej1889 1.0Nike Pegasus Trail 5. I have been using Pegasus Trail 4 extensively and it was one of the best if not the best hybrid shoe out there. Had two pairs, ran over 1400 km with them. Now got the new version Trail 5. It seems great too. I tried Challenger 7 and 8 on but I didnt like their heaviness and they didnt seem so much hybrid, they were more robust and bulkier into more technical hybrid terrain.
mmfrazier1 1.0I have 130miles on my challenger 8s with no issues- they are very comfortable cruisers for easy trails-
Mormolin 1.0I did opt for the new Hoka Challenger 8. Hope it will fells right!