14 in Trail Running Shoes
Hoka - Challenger ATR 3
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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
"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."
17
2
"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 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"
14
3
"I just did Baldy in the Challengers so I’m sure they’d be comfortable enough for Catalina."
"Always loved the wide Hoka models for my thick toes"
"Always felt a bit too narrow (esp in to box) ... I got the challengers and love them."
4
2
"Hoka Challenger in wide with custom insoles, (I use Archcrafters), is my perfect"
"Always loved the wide Hoka models for my thick toes"
"Always felt a bit too narrow (esp in to box) ... I got the challengers and love them."
4
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"
"Hoka ATR's are pretty great for this."
Disliked most:
3
2
"mine didn’t last as long as I’d hoped"
"Both pairs suffer slightly from Hoka’s big weakness: durability."
1
4
"For more technical and trail only runs I switch to Speedgoats."
"Not much grip"
"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."
3
3
"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."
"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."
"the outside edge of the toe box curves in too early for my feet putting pressure on the small toe."
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
"The Speed Goats stay at home (Norway), where the trails are wet, steep and rugged."
"Not much grip"
mrericvillalobos 1.0I’m glad to see this post. I want to get on the trails again and was thinking SG but being slightly out of shape, a tennis player, and older, ankle rolls cannot happen at this stage in my life. While cushioning is up on the list, all the talk about high stack height is scary. My previous trail shoes were Hoka Challenger 3 and now they’re 7 so it’s been a bit. Still looking at Hoka but low(er) stack height strengthen the ankles to avoid ankle rolls, Got it. Thanks lol
Blightlight 0.2Hoka Challenger ATR. Hoka runs narrow as hell so keep that in mind.
emilyg28 0.2Hoka has soo many models it's quite a generalization to say that new models aren't vegan. I wear the ATR Challenger and Tecton X and these are vegan.
endeesr3alm 0.2Agree, it really depends on how fast, how far, the ratio of road to trail etc. my Saucony Tempus are pretty good on park run trails and “fire track” style roads. Puma shoes with their Puma Grip are great in the rain or on slightly uneven terrain. Then you have what some call Commuter shoes - road to trail shoes with lower lug depth and softer midsole. Hoka’s Challenger ATR isn’t bad, and the Tecton X and X2 had proper gravel lugs that worked well, along with shows like the Saucony Xodus Ultra, Nike Terra Kiger or Pegasus Trail. Personally I’ve just run in road shoes if it’s dry, and I trust my trail shoes (currently Salomon Genesis and Hoka Mafate 5) in the wet or more technical terrain.
Hello - I would say that the Prodigio Pro will feel a bit too squishy for general walking around. I walk the dogs in a pair of Salomon GTX Thundercross. They’re stable enough, comfy, and waterproof. The Ultraglide are also a good option. I’ve also had numerous Inov8 Roclite, Trailfly which are also good for hiking if you like zero drop. Hoka are also comfy if you stay clear of the racing shoes - Challenger ATR or Speedgoat. I also like the ASICS Fujilite for walking. I’d suggest avoiding the S/Lab Genesis, Tecton X3, Mafate 5, Prodigio Pro, Nike Trail Ultra, or anything with a PEBA Foam or really pronounced rocker. They will be too squishy, unstable and wobbly underfoot.
Lessimon 0.2Hoka Speedgoat for trail + Hoka Challenger ATR for light trails and asphalt. Both are available in Goretex version.
michaelhoney 0.2Hoka ATR Challengers work pretty well for this. Suitable for running on different terrain types, and feel fine for walking the streets. I will happily do a trip with just them.
this is my answer too. They are also a good “just what I’m wearing” shoe for short trips, if your style constraints allow it
pak_sajat 0.2I use the HOKA Challenger ATRs for my combo runs, and I go up 1/2 size for the extra room.
Surging 0.2The sole on that shoe is quite narrow in the middle. I tend to overpronate too and am much happier on hoka challenger atr. You can get them in wide even if the regulars are too narrow for your feet. But even the regulars version is designed better for people who overpronate due to better support.
Virtual_Opinion_8630 0.2Yes they work. Socks and shoes will get muddy but theres no avoiding that. try something like a hoka challenger atr road to trail shoe. you don't big lugs and you don't need a fancy outsole for towpaths. you just need something in the middle
Pristine_Bug_8248 0.1Hoka ATR's are pretty great for this.