Hoka - Challenger ATR 5

100% Hoka Challenger wide

Wide versions of both Speedgoat and Challenger are good to me.

I’ve bought wide versions of both the Speedgoat and Challenger. Altra’s have been fine as well.

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.

Not many options unfortunately. Hoka "wide" versions just seem to widen the midfoot, but the toebox is still pretty tiny. I currently have Challengers in a wide and it's almost comical how pointy the toebox gets. If you really need a wide toebox, Altra and Topo are about the only options. They're the only ones I can run in without getting gnarly toe blisters. I find Altra to be more comfortable, but their durability has been hit or miss and seemingly getting worse year to year. My Experience Wilds fell apart at 300mi. I'm not crazy about the Topo Ultraventures I have, but they do seem much more durable than Altra.

Where are your feet wide? If it's in the toebox, I'd avoid Hoka. Their wides widen the midfoot a bit, but they still have a pointy, narrow toebox. I tried Challengers in wide and they ran great, but ultimately didn't work for me because of the narrow toebox. Here's a Challenger Wide next to an Altra shoe: https://imgur.com/a/hoka-vs-altra-vCaqepy

Yes - that's the wide version that didn't work for me and in that picture I linked.

I ran in Fuerteventura with the Challengers on rough trails that petered out to volcanic landscape. They were comfortable enough on sand and rock, but a little ripped up and worse for wear. I'd want something tougher for a repeat adventure.

Agreed. I do the Bambi on ice thing in my Challengers with any wet mud. They are a summer trail shoe.

I’m a widefoot, but Topo Ultraventure is my favorite shoe for exactly this scenario. I originally had Hoka Challengers in wide, but they blistered my feet even if I just used them for walking. Hoka Challenger 7 are the first shoes I ever gave up on.

So I live in the UK, Cornwall to be specific, and at the moment a lot of the coast paths are sodden and the mud is THICK. I’ve been running in my HOKA challenger ATR 5’s as they’re my best option atm. (I’m aware these aren’t remotely barefoot or even BFF) I wear barefoot shoes for daily life and work, during the dry and less muddy days I typically run in vivobarefoot Primus trail. However, they are just not an option as I just look like Bambi on ice running along the coast paths. Does a barefoot shoe exist that can handle mud? Would it even be possible to add deep enough luggs onto a barefoot shoe? I may find a barefoot sub to share this to as well as I understand it may be a bit niche. Any shoe suggestions are always welcome, or any brands that have wider toe-box. Thanks!

I was running in a pair of Salomons (I can’t remember what make sorry) and they were pretty handy in the mud, but the toe box was ridiculously tight for my feet so that’s why I’ve been resorting to my Challengers. I will check out your suggestions though, thank you! I think when it’s awful conditions I am better off sticking with a shoe with a decent lug that’ll keep me upright as opposed to being barefoot. I may do some more research on the vivo hydra’s. Going by the pictures online, they appear to have bigger lugs to what I’ve looked at on other barefoot shoes. I do agree with you about finding a 5mm lug on a barefoot shoe though

Yeah they are for sure slowing me down. I was running in a pair of Salomons, which were great but they’re just too narrow for me so that’s why I’ve resorted to hoka for now

Hoka Challenger in wide sizing.

I’m currently using both pairs. I like the Challengers for multi use trips. They’re my One Bag travel choice, where my time will be mixed between urban and outdoor use. The Speedgoats are my hiking/wet weather choice. That increased grip on the heel section is clutch when hiking down muddy/wet trails.

The Challengers are fine. I mostly travel to southern England and the trails there are easy. For running on the beach they’re great. The Speed Goats stay at home (Norway), where the trails are wet, steep and rugged. Both pairs suffer slightly from Hoka’s big weakness: durability.

Hoka ATR is road to trail and the all black model also looks pretty good for street wear

Agree, 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.