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Hoka Challenger 7 Review
As a trail running lover, my run always includes both road and trail, I need a shoe that can excel in both worlds. And Hoka says it is inspired by the grippiest gravel bike tires. So I tested the Hoka Challenger 7 and tried to understand if it excels equally in such terrains. Though I’ve always been a Hoka fan. From their humble beginnings to where they are now, Hoka always impresses me by making the most comfortable trail running shoes on the market.
Hoka Challenger 7 is lighter while maintaining the same propulsion, cushioning, and comfort that the brand is famous for. Those who loved the previous version of Challenger will love this iteration even more. It is an all-terrain shoe that impressed the walker and runner a lot.
The midsole is redesigned with a soft, new CMEVA foam with an increased stack height.
The Challenger 7 provides the ultimate plush experience in all-terrain because of the new proprietary rubber to the outsole. Inspired by gravel bike tires, the outsole uses smaller, tightly spaced lugs in the center while the perimeter has larger, more aggressive lugs for improved traction on uneven terrain.
If you are looking for extremely lightweight and extremely comfortable shoes for long days and want to cruise for miles and miles, The Hoka Challenger 7 is a superb choice.
Hoka Challenger 7 vs SpeedGoat 5
| Features | Hoka Challenger 7 | SpeedGoat 5 |
| Weight (Pair M’s) | 17.8 oz | 20.6 oz |
| Weight (Pair W’s) | 14.6 oz | 17.0 oz |
| Outsole | Durabrasion Rubber | Vibram Megagrip |
| Lug Depth | 4mm | 5mm |
| Tongue | Lightly Cushioned | Thin & Flat |
| Mesh Uppers | Engineered Mesh | Double Layer Jacquard |
| Comparatively | Better Breathabilty | Better Traction |
| Comparatively | Lighter Weight | Better Durabilty |
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Hoka Challenger 7 Review
The Challenger is possibly one of Hoka’s most popular trail shoes and one of my favorites for a few years now. It is meant to be run both on trails and on the road.
When I got the Hoka Challenger 7 in my hand straight out of the box, I knew something was different with these Hokas. It did not take me long to realize that Hoka worked its magic again.
First Impression
If we take the first look at the Challenger 7, we notice some interesting things: namely, the bright colors. This shoe is bright and vibrant. It is cool. People notice it. I think when you are excited about the colors of your shoes, you wanna put them on more.
I have used Hoka Challenger 7 in the past month on a variety of runs that have included sections of snowy trails, bike paths, gravel roads, paved roads, dirt roads, and rocky ridgelines. My first impression was that it still offers the light, smooth sensation of a running shoe with just enough trail traction to run on all terrain.
Key Features and Technologies
One brilliant feature of the Hoka Challenger 7 is Meta-Rocker midsole geometry, which offers an efficient & smooth pace. This design gives a fast heel-to-toe transition, which decreases the impact on joints & improves running efficiency. The Profly cushioning technology gives a responsive & comfortable pace, which is appropriate for both long-distance treks & short sprints.
The most significant new feature is definitely the Abrasion tread, inspired by gravel bike tires. The tread pattern is 4 mm in the centre & increases on the perimeter, optimal grip is always surefire on both asphalt & off-road terrain.
The HOKA Challenger 7 features an engineered mesh construction that delivers exceptional breathability, keeping your feet cool & comfortable during your runs. You can expect effortless on & off with the extended heel pull design, making it a breeze to get your fit right.
The HOKA Challenger 7 is equipped with a Durabrasion rubber outsole that flawlessly adapts to several terrains. 4mm lugs offer ultimate traction, guaranteeing a confident & secure grip on any surface.
Performance in Rough Condition
Runners sometimes need to face rough weather conditions & a running shoe must offer consistent performance regardless of weather and terrain. The Hoka Challenger 7’s outsole design guarantees trustworthy traction even on slippery & wet surfaces.
I need to face leaves, mud, wet grass, puddles, and rocks while running. Not once did I feel uncomfortable, unsteady or out of control. I love the Challenger 7 because it did not disappoint in any of the weather and terrain conditions.
Evidence of True Durability!
The Hoka Challenger 7’s material and build quality are robust and long-lasting. The engineered mesh upper is flexible and breathable which resists tears and abrasion. The outsole’s rubber compound shows impressive wear resistance, it extends the shoe’s lifespan on both trails and roads. With my Hoka Challenger 7, there are no signs of breaking down after more than 50 miles of races on crushed gravel surfaces.
Comfort and Fit-The Plush Experience
The dynamic Profly cushioning setup guarantees a comfortable running experience for both high-intensity workouts & leisurely jogs. The forefoot area provides a plush feeling. It offers huge cushioning to absorb impact during landing and the firm heel segment offers a responsive push-off.
The engineered mesh material of the upper embraces fit & creates a cosy yet flexible fit. Runners will feel the absence of any pressure point which decreases the risk of hotspots and blisters during a long run.
Speed & Responsive
If you need responsiveness & speed, the Hoka Challenger 7 is the best option. The shoes are very responsive & energetic on any terrain.
The much lighter shoes will add to your speed without sacrificing durability, comfort, or even cushioning. The Challenger 7 offers the best speed & the security of a lug system. It will help to get you through any minor obstacles.
Weight-Runners Always Prefer Lightweight Shoes
We are always impressed with Hoka’s ability to deliver substantial cushioning without dropping the weight. Weighing only 9.47 ounces, this is one of the lightest shoes I tested. It is less perfect on more technical terrain because of the reduced outsole rubber. Anytime you can decrease weight but maintain performance is a win in our book. While the Hoka Challenger 7 suffers on more technical terrain, it does great on a mixture of roads & trails.
Sensitivity
There are times when sensitivity is important, and there are times when it can increase fatigue, especially when runs get long. The Challenger 7 did not provide us with much sensitivity, it is comfortable. This makes it great for more repetitive running, like straight roads in controlled settings.
The more flexible you are when running, the more this can impact the experience. Once again, the main use of this shoe will be for roads & mixed tracks. There is too much foam to feel confident on technical terrain. This ambiguity is one of the main flaws of this model, leading us to look elsewhere when we want to get more creative.
There is a Dual-layer Upper for Extra Protection on Trails:
If I put my hand in the toe box of the shoe, you will notice that you cannot see my hand through there; I cannot see my socks. That means that it has a couple of different layers on there. The layer extends toward the rest of the upper. Thus, it gives you a little bit more of that protection and adds a little bit of warmth.
And that same feeling goes throughout the tongue. This tongue is really plush and cushioned; it is got a little bit of breathability, but it is still pretty thick. It is not one of those single layers, really thin tongues that some of the HOKA road shoes have. So, this shoe, on the upper, is truly going in the direction of more of their trail line, which is exciting.
A Stable Challenger Owing To Its Massive Landing Platform
The Challenger 7 is a stable shoe overall. These shoes feel balanced. They give satisfactory arch support, and the footbeds prevent your feet from sliding. This shoe rapidly became a favourite for us when we had an easy day running on a creek path or on gravel
On uneven terrain, I never feel like I will roll an ankle in these shoes. Though they have a higher-than-average stack height, they make me feel well-planted on rocky terrain and uneven dirt.
The Challenger has a similar amount of cushion from the inside to the outside of the foot, which delivers a neutral platform. This means these shoes will not correct if your foot rolls inward. They deliver average arch support but nothing more than average, which is the finest for most people.
Improvement Area
Running shoes should be completely waterproof. Though the upper part is water resistant, the Challenger 7 is not completely waterproof. This part could be improved in the next series. The cost is a bit higher compared to other running shoes.
The 4mm lugs are not ideal if you are looking for the most traction possible on a muddy trail and are not really necessary if you are only running on the road. However, if you are consistently switching between road and off-road, it is hard to do better than the HOKA Challenger 7.
Although improved, the Challenger still is not the best on long stretches of technical terrain — but it is not supposed to be.
The outsole is improved, but it is made from a super-grippy rubber compound and the lugs are not configured to handle gnarly terrain or large smooth or angled rock faces.
The upper does not provide optimal midfoot hold on technical terrain, specifically when a footstep results in an inward, medial rolling motion.
The Challenger fits a bit narrow toe box & a bit roomy under the arch. There is not any trail-specific protection made into the Challenger 7. The lack of a reinforced toe bumper is another improvement area.
Summary
You can improve your running experience with Hoka Challenger 7 whether you are a runner who wants to explore new gravel paths or a professional trail enthusiast. It is a blend of support, comfort & durability. Its adaptability to all-terrain impresses me, who is an athlete seeking a versatile & high-performing running friend.
Personally, I love running in the new Challenger (specifically because it is more durable) and look forward to running a lot of miles in it this spring and summer.
