Trail-Running Shoes Buying Guide

This product is not available.
From logging roads to technical singletrack, the men's HOKA Challenger ATR 5 trail-running shoes excel on any terrain. New midsoles and podular outsoles provide cushion and traction for miles.
Shop similar productsImported.
View the HOKA Challenger Product LineView all HOKA Men's Trail-Running ShoesBest Use | Trail Running |
---|---|
Trail-Running Shoe Type | Light-Trail |
Running Shoe Cushioning | Moderate Cushion |
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm) | 5 |
Footwear Height | Ankle |
Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
Upper | Textile |
Lining | Recycled PET |
Midsole | EVA |
Outsole | Rubber |
Rock Plate | No |
Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 2.8 oz. |
Gender | Men's |
5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 13.5 | 14 | 14 Wide | 15 | 15 Wide | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
U.S. Men's | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.6 | 13 | 13.5 | 14 | 14 Wide | 15 | 15 Wide |
UK | 4.5 | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 13.5 | 13.5 | 14.5 | 14.5 |
EU | 37.3 | 38 | 38.6 | 39.3 | 40 | 40.6 | 41.3 | 42 | 42.6 | 43.3 | 44 | 44.6 | 45.3 | 46 | 46.6 | 47.3 | 48 | 48.6 | 49.3 | 49.3 | 50.6 | 50.6 |
Foot Length (in.) | 9.06 | 9.2 | 9.4 | 9.56 | 9.7 | 9.875 | 10.1 | 10.2 | 10.4 | 10.5 | 10.7 | 10.9 | 11.1 | 11.2 | 11.375 | 11.6 | 11.7 | 11.9 | 12 | 12 | 12.4 | 12.4 |
Measurements are stated in inches.
Adding a review will require a valid email for verification
These are probably the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn. They are very light weight and give my flat feet plenty of support and cushion, and I have no problems with my plantar fasciitis. They held out great during my training time, and most of my recent hike of the Maryland section of the Appalachian Trail. While they are still very comfortable, unfortunately some of the tread pulled loose on the rocks along the way making them “flop” near the end of my hike. That being said, I have no regrets with my purchase.
These shoes don’t have a full outsole. Meaning parts of the cushy foam midsole actually contact the surface. I wore these for 4 months and at about 2-3 months the bottoms began to wear a LOT. Eventually the outside rear edge of each shoe began to disintegrate, and the shoes pitched outward while wearing. Hoka needs to extend the outsole and fix this defect.
I had the same experience as a similar reviewer below. Really wanted to like these, and they felt great out of the box and through the first ~150-200 miles. Then the upper just blows out. I thought it might have been a rugged trail descent at first, so I bought another pair and same exact issue occurred. Pretty bummed since I was hoping to get at least 450 miles in these, and everything else about the shoe feels great and is holding up fine. Even though it's a small tear in the upper, it's still a major problem for overall fit/function.
Previously I ran the Speedgoat 2’s, but wanted something a little lighter with better trail feel and a wider toe box. I run exclusively on trail, mostly smooth trail with some rocky sections. I loved these until the upper started to tear around mile 200. I’m at mile 250 now and the tear has grown to about 4”. Pretty disappointed with the durability of a trail specific shoe.
Loved everything about this shoe. Cushioned yet responive, spacious but still locks the foot down and then...side mesh blew out at inner side on BOTH shoes after 150 miles. Will be heading back to REI shortly to return.
I've used this shoe exclusively for 5 years in ultra races, mountain runs, and long distance hikes in the Cascades, the Alps, and most recently the Continental Divide Trail. They are ultra light and ultra comfortable. Combine this shoe with an Injinji midweight trail crew underneath a midweight Thorlo crew, and I have a nearly blister-proof sock-shoe system (alright, not entirely blister proof: I started to get some blisters after 250 miles on the CDT). But now they make the shoe in a wide version, which I have yet to try but might be more suitable for long-distance hikes. Nicely done, Hoka, nicely done.
I've used this shoe for 400 miles on trails over the last year, and it has been an excellent shoe with nominal wear. The sole is toned down from the previous model, coming in a bit more sleek, but still having plenty of cushion. I like a shoe that promotes the health of my joints for the long haul, and care little for sensitivity (though these are suprisingly sensitive, and I have done some 3rd and 4th class scrambling in them), so this shoe is right for me. They breath well too. Not the best grip on smooth stone, but what shoe is? Just bought another pair, and likely will continue to buy the Challenger in the future.
I'm simply updating a review I did 5 months ago - The midsole is great - traction and tread no issues - but the upper mesh doesn't hold up very well. For me, after about a month and half, the micro mesh began to tear, then the lycra like material underneath started to blow out exposing pinky toes. I had the green/black units - not sure if this is happening with the other colors. The upper should hold for a much, much longer time.
I got this for trail running, as it is an improvement from using road racing shoes when running on trails and through wilderness. However, I went to Big Bend National Park for some hiking, and I wore these instead of Vasque boots. They were easy to wear, had good gripping on rocks, and worked excellently for something I had not planned on. A great addition to my collection!
Nice and cushy trail shoe as advertised, but poorly constructed. The seams where the upper material of the shoes meets rubber sole completely blew out on both shoes near the inside of the balls of my feet. Piece of junk. And I just wanted an compfy outdoor shoe...I don't even run! Ha.