HOKA  Challenger 8 Trail-Running Shoes - Men's

This product was given to me in return for a fair review. I’m very impressed by the way these shoes absorb trail debris and protect the bottom of my feet with their great cushioning. I specifically used them on a gravelly trail above my house that has a mix of rocks and dirt. I could barely notice decent sized rocks. I also like that they don’t show dirt or dust due to the color of the sole and upper. The width was a men’s D but they felt a little wider than expected around the the ball of my feet. The sole’s width still provided me with stability on the trail. Pros: lightweight, great cushioning, nice lacing feature that keeps the tongue from moving around, and tan soles that hide the dirt. Cons: the color is polarizing with my daughter disliking them and my son liking them. The only reason I rated them as a 4 instead of a 5 is due to the color. They look like they will not show dirt from the trail but they make me a little self conscious and I probably won’t wear them much when I’m off the trail, which kind of defeats the purpose.

I bought these for a 300 mile section hike of the Colorado Trail. I usually hike in Altras, but wanted the extra support for some plantar fasciitis that I was dealing with. These shoes are very comfortable and also have a much wider toe box than most Hokas. However, the tread started to become unglued on both shoes after about 75 miles. I managed to eke out another 25 miles on them to get to a town and had my wife mail me a different pair of shoes. The strip of tread down the center of the shoe was the first to come undone. The pieces around the perimeter of the sole did not become completely detatched, but were beginning peel off by the time I replaced the shoes at around 100 miles.

I purchased my Challenger 8s directly from HOKA. I'm posting this here because prospective Challenger 8 buyers should be aware of the durability problem I experienced. I've owned about 5 pairs of HOKAs, and my family has purchased more than 10 pairs over the years, so I've historically been a big HOKA fan. Unfortunately, my Challenger 8s started coming apart after only five days of hiking: three pieces of tread completely separated from one shoe and additional pieces started peeling off. This apparently isn't an isolated experience. Search the REI Challenger 8 reviews, Reddit for "Challenger 8 falling apart," or Instagram for "HokaGate" and you'll find multiple owners reporting the same type of tread/outsole separation after surprisingly little use. REI's Challenger 8 page currently has 71 reviews and includes repeated reports of tread peeling or falling off after as little as a few hikes or roughly 75–100 miles. Even more disappointing, I opened a warranty claim with HOKA on July 7, sent the requested photos immediately, sent them again when HOKA requested them a second time, and more than 7 weeks later I still don't have a resolution despite repeated follow-ups. If you do buy Hoka's make sure you purchase through REI so you are covered by the REI warranty and not thru the HOKA website as I did. After years of buying and recommending HOKA, this experience has changed my opinion of the brand. I cannot recommend the Challenger 8, and given HOKA's handling of an apparent premature outsole failure, I'm having a hard time recommending HOKA at all.

I made a terrible mistake. I booked a multi day hiking trip. I decided I’d leave my trusted Oboz Bridgers in favor of something lighter. I Bought a pair of trail runners off ad on instagram. Flew across country and by the time I arrived in the city we’d leave from my feet were already hurting. Frantic, I searched for solutions. Luckily I found an REI location and was able to get some alternatives, it was 8:30 pm on a Monday, the staff at the San Francisco location helped me to find something in my size, in stock that would work. They had a couple of choices… as soon as I slipped on the Challenger it felt like “butter”. The shoe chooses the hiker, Harry… great immediate fit… and the cushion, I usually snarl at was perfect. They’re ugly..but I’m not going to Milan in them. Thanks SF Rei for bailing me out of a week of pain and blisters.

My son bought these for his backpacking trip. The sole started coming off on day 6, but the terrain was dirt, sand and rocks. They are very comfortable and would fare well on a dirt path. He was on only one day of more rocky path and they did not survive. Parts of the sole came off. REI wouldn’t let us return them even after 7 days of use due to “wear and tear”, which is good to know about their exception to their 1 year satisfaction guarantee rule. They did not explain this at the store when we bought these so bummed these $155 shoes lasted 7 days.

While this Challenger 8 Hoka is very comfortable on the foot and walking surface, the bottom sole peels apart. I rotate with various shoes so these haven't seen much wear and aren't even dirty but the blue lug portions peel loose and flap or break off-- I expect much more life than this in a $150 shoe since November 2025 to June 2026. I'll have to return them.

Only used these for 6 months on trails and casual wear. Tread is already falling apart.

These should are prob only good for dirt semi-paved paths. My son wore these on a 7 day backpacking trip. They were so comfortable. However, they lasted 6 days and then on the 7th some of the sole started coming off. My son was walking on mostly dirt but had one day of a rockier path. I was surprised that REI would not take them back even with their 1 year guarantee. The cashier said since it's "wear and tear", they will not accept the return. Good to know. Hoka's are so comfy, but I question the durability. A friend of mine also had a pair and it lasted him about 3 months.

I wore these for three hikes and moderate walking in a months time. The tread at the rear of the shoes started coming off (almost half of all treads). I tried to return them and had a very difficult time b/c REI only takes back "lightly used" items. The issue is, it was lightly used, its not my fault that the tread is so poorly designed that it just falls off. I have seen other reviews saying the same thing. Too bad I read them after mine came apart. REI wanted me to contact Hoka and deal with a return through them. REI: please stop selling these shoes.

As others have noted, the blue tread will wear off before you hit 100 miles. Hoka must have changed glue or something from the Challenger 7 to 8 as I have worn multiple pairs of the 7's for 300-400 miles no problem. The shoe is super comfortable which is why I gave it two stars. When Hoka fixes the tread issue I'll definitely buy another pair as everything else about them is great. Also props to REI for returning them gracefully despite having ran 100 miles in them!