Trail-Running Shoes Buying Guide
Valyermo, California
HOKAÂ Challenger 7 Trail-Running Shoes - Women's
$116.93Compared to $145.00* Save 19%
Road performance meets versatile trail traction in the HOKA Challenger 7 women's trail-running shoes. Sporting updated materials from the ground up, they're lighter than the previous iteration.
Key Details
Trail-Running Shoe Type
Light-Trail
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm)
4
Running Shoe Cushioning
Maximum Cushion
Rock Plate
No
- Increased stack height for a plusher feel; new materials across the uppers, midsoles and outsoles
- Combines simplified mesh uppers with new, soft foam midsoles
- Added proprietary rubber on the bottoms with a reimagined outsole design delivers an all-terrain ride
- Inspired by gravel tires, the 4 mm lugs are tightly spaced in the center and then larger and more aggressive at the perimeter to improve traction on uneven terrain
- Extended heel pulls make entry easy
- Recycled polyester laces
Imported.
View the HOKA Challenger Product LineView all HOKA Women's Trail-Running Shoes| Best Use | Trail Running |
|---|---|
| Trail-Running Shoe Type | Light-Trail |
| Running Shoe Cushioning | Maximum Cushion |
| Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm) | 4 |
| Heel Stack Height (mm) | 29 |
| Forefoot Stack Height (mm) | 24 |
| Footwear Height | Ankle |
| Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
| Upper | Engineered mesh |
| Lining | Recycled polyester |
| Midsole | CMEVA |
| Outsole | Durabrasion rubber |
| Rock Plate | No |
| Weight (Pair) | 14.6 ounces |
| Gender | Women's |
| Sustainability | Contains recycled materials |
HOKA Footwear - Women's
| 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Women's | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 |
| UK | 3.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 |
| EU | 36 | 36.6 | 37.3 | 38 | 38.6 | 39.3 | 40 | 40.6 | 41.3 | 42 | 42.6 | 43.3 | 44 | 44.6 | 45.3 |
| Foot Length (in.) | 8.7 | 8.8 | 9 | 9.2 | 9.3 | 9.5 | 9.6 | 9.8 | 10 | 10.2 | 10.3 | 10.5 | 10.7 | 10.8 | 11 |
Sizing Notes
Measurements are stated in inches.
Buying Advice
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Most Helpful Favorable Review
Great Shoes-Just One Problem
Tammy G9 months ago
I have very finicky feet that only like certain types of shoes and my Hoka Challenger 7’s make my feet happy! I use them for trail running and hiking. The only complaint I have is that the lining inside the heel has developed a hole in both shoes! I would think this has something to do with the way I walk/run, however, the same thing happened to my daughter’s Challenger 7’s. The outside of our shoes look great but the inside is falling apart!
Tammy G
Texas & Georgia
19 people found this review helpful
Most Helpful Critical Review
Lots of changes to Challenger 7
PNW trail walker11 months ago
This is my eighth pair of Hoka Challengers. They usually provide the most cushion, support and traction for trails and everyday use. I have been able to adjust to the changes Hoka makes with each iteration of shoe and this one has the most changes over previous ones. Mainly that they run LONG. I usually wear a size 8 but had to downsize to a 7.5. There is heel slippage I haven't experienced before. The loop to help pull on the shoe is now a cushy solid pad. Not as easy to pinch than to put finger in loop and pull on. The small rubber covering around the toe is gone. My feet now get wet from walking on wet grass. The sole is new and it provides decent traction but for some reason it catches more on the ground or around the house. I'll keep these for trails and not around town. I plan on looking into new shoe options as HOKA makes too many changes to each new version.
PNW trail walker
19 people found this review helpful
Customer Images
SlowRunner
Northern Arizona, Central Oregon
Discomfort & poor quality
1 year ago
I am always one to read reviews, but rarely one to write a review unless something is really notable. When I tried these shoes on for the first time in store, I thought they felt great & I was stoked to try my first Hokas. The overall comfort diminished rather fast after only a couple of wears. For reference, they had moderate use from August to November (running 2-4 miles x 2-4 times a week), minimal use from Nov. through February (occasional walks, seldom runs d/t weather), and moderate use March to April (more walks than runs). The shoe lets in an exceptional and annoying amount of dirt. I do not have wide feet, but the shape and/or material rubs the medial side of my great toe to the point of discomfort and a new callus. The soles have just gradually fallen apart. The quality is a disappointment for the reputation that Hoka carries.
Age:25–34
Weight:125–150 lbs.
Height:5'8"
Average Weekly Mileage:0–10 miles
Typical Shoe Size:Womens 9.5
Running Experience:Experienced
No, I do not recommend this product
HikingInSanDiego
San Diego, CA
bad pair and poor customer service in REI San Die
11 months ago
My 3rd pair. My boyfriend bought them for me on May 4 2024 for my birthday. Didn’t last even 100 miles on local trails and I hardly hiked in July because it was way too hot. We took them into our local REI where we both have been members for over 20 years, but they refuse to refund our money for a bad product which was very disappointing since we rarely return anything. The Manager (hiss name is Romeo ) wasn’t helpful at all. We were told that there nothing they can do about a bad product and I just want others to know about that in case if they are headed REI for a new pair of Hoka. It’s a risk. You can try Nordstrom Rack for less … Will be less damaging for the wallet.
Age:55–64
Weight:100–125 lbs.
Height:5'4"
Average Weekly Mileage:11–30 miles
Typical Shoe Size:Womens 8.5
Running Experience:Casual
No, I do not recommend this product
Camino Gal
Maryland
This was a great shoe for the Camino Frances
6 months ago
Very good to excellent. I had a great experience with these on the Camino Frances last fall. These were very comfortable and held up well for over 300 miles. The outsoles were fine. The top mesh showed signs of wear at the crease by my little toe. The inside heel areas definitely had wear but did not cause me any issues. I had expected problems based on the mileage I would walk and had a backup pair of Hoka Biondis with me but didn't need them. I sized up from a 9 to a 10 and wore green Superfeet inserts for additional arch support. I will buy this shoe again for my next Camino.
Age:65–74
Weight:125–150 lbs.
Height:5'8"
Average Weekly Mileage:30+ miles
Typical Shoe Size:Womens 9
Running Experience:Experienced
Yes , I recommend this product
Tammy G
Texas & Georgia
Great Shoes-Just One Problem
9 months ago
I have very finicky feet that only like certain types of shoes and my Hoka Challenger 7’s make my feet happy! I use them for trail running and hiking. The only complaint I have is that the lining inside the heel has developed a hole in both shoes! I would think this has something to do with the way I walk/run, however, the same thing happened to my daughter’s Challenger 7’s. The outside of our shoes look great but the inside is falling apart!
Age:55–64
Weight:125–150 lbs.
Height:5'9"
Average Weekly Mileage:0–10 miles
Typical Shoe Size:Womens 9.5
Running Experience:Experienced
Yes , I recommend this product
tfelts
Galveston
1 Star Away From 5 Stars
1 year ago
I have 3 pair of Challenger 7 in size 9. They are the most comfortable shoes I can imagine. I will give them 4 stars. I want so badly to give that 5th star but the toe box is narrow and my pinky toes inevitably push through. I have 3 pair of shoes that did not last as long as they should have, especially at the price point. I'm on the fence about buying more, knowing they won't last long.
Age:35–44
Weight:125–150 lbs.
Height:5'2"
Average Weekly Mileage:11–30 miles
Typical Shoe Size:Womens 9
Yes , I recommend this product
Mountainstoo
Lugs coming off after 4 months
7 months ago
The pros for these Hoka Challengers are roomier toe box because of reinforced mesh on sides as opposed to many of the other Hokas where the toe box has plastic sides. Challenger not as cushy as the Bondi, however they last longer then the Bondi because of the lug soles. Great for slippery trails, ice and generally better for holding on to anything slippery. Not great for wet days (damp gets easily into mesh of shoe) no longevity for continued pavement walking or running, in that case I would go for the Bondi. 4 months of pavement walking and the red lugs on sold are coming off in strips. (have not washed, not stored in hot car etc). I like Hokas, not happy with the longevity.
KimW
Concord, NH
Got me back to running with no foot pain
6 months ago
Background: I'm a regular hiker/trail runner who developed plantar fasciitis about a year ago as a result, likely, of running in old shoes and the joint/tendon/ligament laxity many women develop in perimenopause. I did all the things over time: new running shoes (initially the wrong ones), rest, added inserts, compression wrapping around my foot and ankle when I exercised. I finally found these shoes in early December and, along with some Superfeet insoles, was able to get back to running with little (now no!) foot pain almost immediately for the first time in 10 months. The combination of the right amount of heel-toe drop, cushioning and stability did the trick. I ran 5 miles on snow covered trail yesterday w/ no problem.
Age:45–54
Weight:125–150 lbs.
Height:5'8"
Average Weekly Mileage:11–30 miles
Typical Shoe Size:Womens 9.5
Running Experience:Experienced
PNW trail walker
Lots of changes to Challenger 7
11 months ago
This is my eighth pair of Hoka Challengers. They usually provide the most cushion, support and traction for trails and everyday use. I have been able to adjust to the changes Hoka makes with each iteration of shoe and this one has the most changes over previous ones. Mainly that they run LONG. I usually wear a size 8 but had to downsize to a 7.5. There is heel slippage I haven't experienced before. The loop to help pull on the shoe is now a cushy solid pad. Not as easy to pinch than to put finger in loop and pull on. The small rubber covering around the toe is gone. My feet now get wet from walking on wet grass. The sole is new and it provides decent traction but for some reason it catches more on the ground or around the house. I'll keep these for trails and not around town. I plan on looking into new shoe options as HOKA makes too many changes to each new version.
No, I do not recommend this product
jbreezy1
Denver, CO
new fav trail running shoe
2 years ago
I bought this pair recently and have put about 60 miles on them and love them! I have been having Achilles issues and picked these over other models and brands for the swan-like heel counter to alleviate Achilles pressure. The heel counter has been great and my runs have felt better in these as compared to my other shoes. I picked these over the speedgoats because they seemed a little less rigid while still having plenty of cushion. I wear a women’s 10 in altra and topo and women’s 10 fits me well in these. With the 60 miles through slush and mud season, I have not noticed any issues with wear/quality.
Age:25–34
Weight:125–150 lbs.
Height:5'7"
Average Weekly Mileage:30+ miles
Typical Shoe Size:Womens 10
Running Experience:Competitive
Yes , I recommend this product
Angie
Heel material fell apart quickly
1 year ago
The back of this shoe fell apart really quickly. I had them for ~4 months and the heel material area is basically destroyed. It's odd because this hasn't happened on past Hoka shoes. I've worn them for a few years and really liked them - had multiple pair - and none have fallen apart this quickly.
Age:35–44
Height:5'6"
Average Weekly Mileage:0–10 miles
Typical Shoe Size:Womens 8.5
Running Experience:Casual
No, I do not recommend this product
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