Our assessment of the up to date Hoka Challenger 8 as an excellent highway to path possibility.Throughout our 3 week operating journey to New Zealand I restricted myself to 2 pairs of footwear, a type of was certainly the Hoka Challenger. It’s a shoe that I’ve discovered comfy for quite a lot of miles and that may transition for various wants.
Which is to say I used to be in all probability somewhat biased in direction of liking the shoe previous to ever making an attempt it on…which as we all know generally is a large let down. Nevertheless it wasn’t! Let’s discuss by what’s modified and who’s going to get pleasure from this shoe.
- Vast toes: Normal Hoka which is extra accommodating than many footwear, but in addition obtainable in vast.
- Technical trails:Â Can deal with loads, however not probably the most technical or muddy trails.
- Lengthy runs: Positively a go to for all day path run consolation.
- Entrance of the Pack: Not what we’re reaching for on speedy days highway or path.
Whereas I’d by no means name this the very best path shoe as a result of it’s merely not designed to be that, it’s completely a high highway to path operating shoe that may deal with extra path than many different choices.
Hoka Challenger 8 Overview
One of many largest adjustments to the Challenger 8 is transferring from a well-known characteristic of Hoka the 5mm heel to toe drop to an 8mm. I admit this doesn’t make me tremendous completely happy, but in addition the additional cushion is basically beautiful.
So it’s a commerce off that I think about a win. Particularly after we have a look at a number of the different adjustments that took what was already an excellent shoe and upgraded it with out dropping the aim.
The Challenger is greater than a gravel shoe just like the Salomon Aero Glide Gravel and fewer than a tough core path shoe just like the Saucony Xodus. We’ll discuss comparability to the Speedgoat later. You’ll be able to completely use this shoe simply to deal with native travels of crushed gravel, however it is best to really feel assured taking them out on extra. 
The 4mm outsole lugs are going present extra traction on these intermediate trails with some larger rocks, free grime, and so on. However with out the Vibram grip they received’t be a sticky for moist or really technical Colorado offroading.
What’s key right here is that normally I’d NOT put on my path footwear on the highway due to put on on the lugs. However that’s what these are designed for and the softer rubber means it’s comfy on roads, although true a whole lot of highway and little or no path will put on them down.
Moreover, you’ll discover the midfoot (proper across the arch) is uncovered rubber on the outsole, which goes to assist with it feeling good on the roads. It’ll will let you really feel that cushion and depart the traction for these uphill/downhill wants.
The cushion on this shoe is without doubt one of the causes that I flip to it repeatedly. They’ve added 10mm extra cushion to this model and it makes me mildly nervous as a result of we don’t want the whole lot to be max cushion, however it down differentiates it extra from the Speedgoat.
You’ll discover this can be a gentle cushion. The extra quantity does reduce some floor contact really feel, which isn’t an enormous deal when not on technical trails and may make them extra comfy for lengthy days for operating or mountaineering.
Regardless of the gentle cushion and massive stack, this shoe feels actually secure.
The outsole has been redesigned and a part of that created a bit wider base for the additional cushion. Which means you possibly can roll by the path comfortably and fairly thrilling you’ll see the new toe bumper. In upgrading this shoe for the paths, they took in to account that so many people are inclined to kick issues and we recognize that.
The Challenger is a perfect consolation shoe for highway to reasonable path operating days. You’re toes will really feel comfy, whilst you really feel safe stepping out on the grime.
Hoka Challenger 8 Specs
- Weight: 8.7 oz girls’s, 9.7 oz males’s
- Heel toe drop: 8 mm
- Stack Peak: 42 mm males/ 39mm girls
- Out there in 5 colours and GTX (waterproof)
- Out there from Hoka.com for $155
Fast Take
- Snug cushioning
- Simply transitions highway to path
- Improved grip
- Not the quickest feeling shoe
- Not sufficient grip on extra technical trails
- Elevated heel drop
Hoka Challenger 8 Match
This seems like a extremely regular Hoka shoe match for me. In the event you’re new to Hoka, I put on a measurement 11 in them and in just about all different trainers.
They aren’t a slender match shoe, moderately pretty common. I discovered the amount by the mid-foot to be accommodating to extra foot shapes, however nonetheless very simple to lock down with lacing. The toebox might have improved some in measurement, however don’t anticipate a large toe field.
Truthfully, I believed so little or no concerning the match of this shoe whereas sporting it that I’m having to essentially look it over to offer you particulars. That for me is the signal of an excellent match.
The heel is padded, as are the tongue and collar. All match effectively with no rubbing or extreme motion. Whereas the tongue isn’t gusseted, the lacing appeared to maintain it in place fortunately.
This time round I didn’t have to do heel lock lacing, which might be good as a result of it could be a stretch to get sufficient out of those laces.
The higher is their normal breathable mesh, I don’t really feel like I’ve an entire lot to say right here. It’s fairly normal, it’s actually comfy and hey I just like the look of it as effectively.
Related Sneakers to the Hoka Challenger 8
Hoka Speedgoat vs Challenger
As many people try to determine which shoe is true for us after which a model has some that always look comparable, it’s simple to get overwhelmed. I occur to like each the Speedgoat 6 and the Challenger…however they’ve very totally different makes use of.
If I’m going for a real path day, 100% I’m grabbing the Speedgoat.
- Speedgoat has a firmer feeling underfoot
- Speedgoat has that Vibram outsole for higher traction
- Speedgoat seems like a slimmer shoe with potential to select up the tempo
- Challenger now has the 8mm drop to the Speedgoat 5mm
- Challenger is a better stack, heavier shoe
- Speedgoat is your sooner, extra technical shoe
- Challenger is your consolation possibility, much less best for slick situtations
98%
This can be a unbelievable max cushioned highway to path operating shoe. The updates imply it will possibly deal with extra trails than beforehand and nonetheless provide you with all of the consolation you need for lengthy days in your toes. They did improve the normal Hoka heel drop, however we didn’t discover it noticeable.
What to learn subsequent?
