Trail-Running Shoes Buying Guide
Valyermo, California
HOKAÂ Challenger 7 GTX Trail-Running Shoes - Men's
$128.93Compared to $160.00*Save 19%
Built at the intersection of road and trail, the completely reimagined men's HOKA Challenger 7 GTX trail-running shoes offer a plusher feel, better traction and enhanced protection in bad weather.
Key Details
Trail-Running Shoe Type
Light-Trail
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm)
4
Running Shoe Cushioning
Maximum Cushion
Rock Plate
No
- Combines simplified mesh uppers with new, soft foam midsoles
- GORE-TEX Invisible Fit waterproof/breathable membranes protect your feet from inclement weather
- Stack height is increased for a plusher feel
- 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
Imported.
View the HOKA Challenger Product LineView all HOKA Men'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) | 31 |
| Forefoot Stack Height (mm) | 26 |
| Footwear Height | Ankle |
| Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
| Waterproof | Yes |
| Upper | Engineered mesh |
| Midsole | CMEVA |
| Outsole | Durabrasion rubber |
| Rock Plate | No |
| Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 3.4 oz. |
| Gender | Men's |
| Type of Waterproofing | GORE-TEX Invisible Fit waterproof/breathable membrane |
HOKA Footwear - 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 |
Sizing Notes
Measurements are stated in inches.
Buying Advice
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Most Helpful Favorable Review
HOKA Men's Challenger 7 GTX
B Hatfield2 years ago
I'm on my feet a lot. I put on 5 to 10 miles a day and I'm always looking for a good shoe. It has to be comfortable, waterproof and look good. I can honestly say that I have been a fan of many brands, but have noticed a downtrend in quality over the years. So I tried Hoka as a recommendation from a REI employee. Granted it has only been three weeks, but I'm impressed. They fit right out of the box, passed the rain test and look good in the work environment. The only thing that I noticed was a little slipping on a wet decline. It was one time and they were new, so we will see.
B Hatfield
6 people found this review helpful
Most Helpful Critical Review
Huge Disappointment
Jon1 year ago
I have been a loyal Hoka Challenger user having owned over 8 pairs. I was looking for a water resistant option for a trip and bought these, This has turned out to be the worst Hokas I have owned. As a 62YO male who walks 8-10 miles per week. the lining inside has worn so bad it looks like I've run 2 marathons in them. I was hesitant about the rear "tongue" around heel letting sand, etc. in to the shoe and my fears were realized. Compared to the normal cut-out that for years was on the Challenger ATR's, this new design is terrible. You can see by the pics how bad these have worn in less than 4 mos.. Perhaps more time should have been spent by product management looking for improved materials. Big miss on this model.
Jon
MT
11 people found this review helpful
Customer Images
Mick
Poor durability
1 week ago
These shoes have a tendency to tear along the areas that crease when you walk. I've had these for a little over a year as of the images. I previously returned another pair of challengers which had the same issue, thinking it was a manufacturing defect, but it seems to be an issue with the model.
Age:25–34
Weight:125–150 lbs.
Height:5'10"
Average Weekly Mileage:11–30 miles
Typical Shoe Size:Mens 8
Running Experience:Casual
No, I do not recommend this product
Jon
Montana
Huge Disappointment
1 year ago
I have been a loyal Hoka Challenger user having owned over 8 pairs. I was looking for a water resistant option for a trip and bought these, This has turned out to be the worst Hokas I have owned. As a 62YO male who walks 8-10 miles per week. the lining inside has worn so bad it looks like I've run 2 marathons in them. I was hesitant about the rear "tongue" around heel letting sand, etc. in to the shoe and my fears were realized. Compared to the normal cut-out that for years was on the Challenger ATR's, this new design is terrible. You can see by the pics how bad these have worn in less than 4 mos.. Perhaps more time should have been spent by product management looking for improved materials. Big miss on this model.
Age:55–64
Average Weekly Mileage:0–10 miles
Typical Shoe Size:Mens 11.5
No, I do not recommend this product
Tom
Terrible durability of inside material
1 week ago
This shoe is great, however the durability of the inside material absolutely sucks! This is my 2nd pair of Challenger GTX. I love Hoka shoes, love that these are waterproof, but for whatever reason, neither of my GTX Hokas have lasted long at all. My other Hokas are doing great, but the material around the heal and ankle of the GTX shoes on the inside rubs away, then the padding pulls out as well. I do not understand how these amazing shoes that are so expensive are made with such faulty material on the inside. Will NOT buy again!
Age:45–54
No, I do not recommend this product
B Hatfield
HOKA Men's Challenger 7 GTX
2 years ago
I'm on my feet a lot. I put on 5 to 10 miles a day and I'm always looking for a good shoe. It has to be comfortable, waterproof and look good. I can honestly say that I have been a fan of many brands, but have noticed a downtrend in quality over the years. So I tried Hoka as a recommendation from a REI employee. Granted it has only been three weeks, but I'm impressed. They fit right out of the box, passed the rain test and look good in the work environment. The only thing that I noticed was a little slipping on a wet decline. It was one time and they were new, so we will see.
Keith
Seattle, WA
Not durable, stay away
1 year ago
The shoes are comfortable but after about a month of heavy use they have multiple holes, exactly like what others have mentioned. The worse ones are at the crease lines around the toe-box where the gore-tex touches the mesh, at each corner of the crease there are growing holes. Then on the inside at the inner heal the material has a huge hole. I wouldn't buy these again but I hope they improve these designs because they do seem to be comfortable.
Age:25–34
Weight:175–200 lbs.
Height:6'4"
Average Weekly Mileage:11–30 miles
Typical Shoe Size:Size Not Listed
No, I do not recommend this product
lsg
Kingman, AZ
Not for the desert
1 year ago
I have a earlier version of the challenger. The sole is composed of two different materials with different densities. Yellow, hard and blue, a softer less dense material. I do three miles a day on dirt roads in Arizona. Lots of rocks. The soles, the blue parts, will last less than one year. The real problem is the Arizona fauna. I felt a sharp pain in my foot and discovered sharp spines had penetrated the soles of the shoe. This has occurred too many times. Some are easy to remove with a needle nose pliers, those in the toe, not so much. If you planning on using Hokas in the desert, check the density of the soles. Too bad. they were comfortable and had the traction needed for dirt roads in the desert foothills.
Age:65–74
Weight:150–175 lbs.
Height:5'9"
Average Weekly Mileage:11–30 miles
Typical Shoe Size:Mens 10.5
Running Experience:Experienced
No, I do not recommend this product
DanD
Pacific Northwest
HOKA'd my last HOKA
1 year ago
Challenger was the first HOKA model I had about 5-6 pairs back wearing them exclusively for work, so I went with them this go. I pay another $60 every pair of shoes for superfeet insoles instead of using HOKA's so-so stock insole. Pushing over $220 + tax for my work kicks - I'm extremely careful with the shoes, fully unlacing them and keeping them dry/clean. First wore these to work June 1st and noticed mid-September the lining was starting to come apart/wearing through at the back interior of the shoe. About 2-3 weeks more and the side of the shoes started showing odd failure splits at a similar spot. Sure, I'm on my feet or walking my entire 25-30 hour a week work shift, but every HOKA model before this stayed solid for at least 6 months before I could tell support/sole-wise - time to replace. Also used to get another few months casual use from the old ones before they became work/lawn mowing shoes. Now they won't even make it as long 6 months? No thanks HOKA. Returned them to REI and switched to Keen Targhee III, which are a way more solid feeling shoe. I've been wearing these a week + now at work, up and down stairs, over all kinds of terrain, though water with dry feet and more comfortable than HOKA. They're put together so well - should at least get to 6 months out of them. I also get tired of the HOKA models always being redesigned. I just want the ones that worked well for me last time. I've HOKA'd my last HOKA.
Age:55–64
Weight:125–150 lbs.
Height:5'6"
Average Weekly Mileage:11–30 miles
Typical Shoe Size:Mens 9.5
Running Experience:Experienced
No, I do not recommend this product
Jojoho
Hoka needs to go back to last year's sizing.
2 years ago
Great shoes but this year's models are too narrow. I bought the same models off ebay, new, 2022 ones fit perfect. Have bought hoka for years but if they don't fix their sizing I will not buy again. I have regular width feet so yes, the wide is way too wide
Jason Goad
California
Not for trail running, not for pavement either
2 years ago
I bought these in February as a replacement for Arcteryx Norvan LD3. I was initially hyped on the Gore Tex and the running profile. I travel a bit for work and figured I could run in them or hike in them, and walk the dog in the rain in them. While they’re definitely waterproof, the soles don’t hold up to pavement and are not great for hiking either. I’ve worn the soles out in 3 months of mostly just walking 2-3 miles per day. I’ve attempted to run in them twice on rainy days and they invariably leave me with sore feet. Additionally, they’re the least stable of all all hiking shoes I’ve owned, and very similar to hiking in tennis shoes. The real killer though is the material inside. The material where your Achilles tendon interfaces with the shoe was blown out in literal weeks after purchasing. To be fair, I slip all my shoes on and off like a child, but I haven’t had this happen with a nice pair of technical shoes ever. Just really poor design putting a high friction material there. It doesn’t happen with any of my other hokas. I never write reviews, and if it wasn’t for the fact that I’d have to haggle with the REI employee over it I would return these to REI. They’re truly disappointing. That being said, I’m going to try to get my hands on a pair of their vibram soled trail runners, keeping an eye on the issues I’ve seen with these. Hokas are usually great, but these ones shouldn’t even be sold.
Age:25–34
Weight:175–200 lbs.
Height:6'0"
Average Weekly Mileage:0–10 miles
Typical Shoe Size:Mens 11.5
Running Experience:Beginner
No, I do not recommend this product
Wild Man Dad
Bucks PA
Love Hokas
2 years ago
Comfortable shoe but with the vortex the shoe doesn’t breath. For running this mean sweaty feet. Not a good combination if you’re a sweaty runner.
Age:55–64
Weight:200–225 lbs.
Height:6'0"
Average Weekly Mileage:11–30 miles
Typical Shoe Size:Mens 13
Running Experience:Experienced
No, I do not recommend this product
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