HOKA road running shoes

Our wear-test group positively adored this footwear. Why? it is all things you desire in an off-road running shoe with sufficient trail-specific functions to help keep your feet protected. The Challenger ATR is incredibly light, quite nimble and incredibly stable for these types of a well-cushioned path footwear. It offers a rather similar makeup products to Hoka’s award-winning Clifton roadway athletic shoes and our wear-testers raved in regards to the Challenger’s featherweight, well-cushioned trip and the same game-changing vibe since the Clifton. But our test staff also appreciated your midsole foam believed somewhat harder and seemed significantly more durable than its road-shoe cousin. Wear-testers who have been comfortable with maximally padded shoes and had the ability to dial in a great fit raved about any of it footwear as a smooth-riding, high-mileage trainer, also a long-distance racer.

Fit: The minimally created, no-sew upper and lacing system offer a locked-down easily fit into the heel and mid-foot, but the majority wear-testers remarked at the roominess associated with forefoot fit. Nearly all testers favored wearing a half-size smaller compared to their particular normal size.

Feel: Like all Hoka footwear, the Challenger has actually a “rockered” profile that can help produce a little bit of a rolling sensation regardless of how or where the shoe strikes the floor. That design, combined with thick two-layer midsole and a slight heel-toe fall, causes a semi-soft and very enjoyable experience on smooth and semi-technical surface.

Ride: The low-profile outsole tread offers moderate traction, nonetheless it tends to make this footwear well suited for lengthy works on moderate to moderate tracks and less well suited for operating on steep, gnarly terrain with technical functions and loose debris or careless mud.

Wear-Tester Feedback

“This is a receptive shoe. Though slightly large in feel because of the design it's fairly nimble on technical surface. I Came Across that it is way more responsive than We expected.” — Jim Conaghan

“I like the awesome lightweight aspect, as well as the appropriate help they feature. Personally I think stimulated when I’m running over harsh terrain. I Do Believe they have been really nimble with the quantity of cushioning they provide; a good balance.” — Amy Allison

“This shoe continues the Hoka tradition—it is luxuriously absorbent however does not drop touch with landscapes. It seems much better anchored into floor than earlier Hokas.” — Jorge Latre

“Amazingly light for such a robust-looking footwear. The feel beneath your own feet is a blend of both soft and fast.” — Todd Phillips

“It’s a pretty smooth footwear. Though it’s a trail shoe, it’s really best on smooth trails and gravel/dirt roadways.” — Jennifer Fawcett

This is actually the footwear available if … You want a lightweight, maximally cushioned, high-mileage instructor for smooth to moderate tracks.

Cost: $130
Weights: 8.6 oz. (men’s), 7.4 oz. (women’s)