Trail-Running Shoes Buying Guide
Valyermo, California
HOKA Challenger 8 Trail-Running Shoes - Men's
$155.00
Members get an est. $15.50 in rewards
Tackle roads, gravel and trails in these HOKA running shoes. They have smooth cushioning and confidence-inspiring traction. This update has even more foam underfoot and an improved fit.
Key Details
Trail-Running Shoe Type
Light-Trail
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm)
8
Running Shoe Cushioning
Maximum Cushion
Rock Plate
No
- Built at the intersection of road and trail, the Challenger 8 shoes deliver all the smooth cushioning and confidence-inspiring traction you need to tackle a variety of terrain
- These gravel-grinding workhorses are loved for their hypercushy ride
- HOKA has added even more foam underfoot and improved the fit since the last iteration
- HOKA reimagined the orientation of the multidirectional lugs to ensure the best all-terrain ride yet
- Finished with minimal mesh uppers, plush collars and durable rubber toe caps
- 100% rPET engineered mesh
- 3D screen printed toe caps
- Reflective details
- Compression-molded EVA
- Multidirectional 4 mm lugs
- Weight (half pair): 10.12 oz.
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) | 8 |
| Heel Stack Height (mm) | 42 |
| Forefoot Stack Height (mm) | 34 |
| Footwear Height | Ankle |
| Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
| Upper | 88% textile/12% synthetic |
| Lining | 100% polyester |
| Midsole | Compression-molded EVA |
| Outsole | 80% rubber/20% EVA |
| Rock Plate | No |
| Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 4.24 oz. |
| Gender | Men's |
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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Rob T
Greensboro, NC
The shoe chooses the hiker
3 weeks ago
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.
Age:45–54
Weight:200–225 lbs.
Height:6'2"
Average Weekly Mileage:0–10 miles
Typical Shoe Size:Mens 12
Running Experience:Beginner
Yes , I recommend this product
Puddnhead
Durability Problems
2 weeks ago
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.
Age:45–54
Weight:175–200 lbs.
Height:6'2"
Average Weekly Mileage:30+ miles
Typical Shoe Size:Mens 13
No, I do not recommend this product
Pink Shirt Girl
Comfortable but questionable durability
6 days ago
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.
Typical Shoe Size:Mens 9
No, I do not recommend this product
pink shirt girl
CA
comfortable but not durable for more rugged trails
6 days ago
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.
Age:Under 18
Weight:125–150 lbs.
Height:5'6"
Typical Shoe Size:Mens 8.5
No, I do not recommend this product
Jesse
CT
Really nice shoe, would like to see a wider variet
4 days ago
Really nice shoe but had to return to get a different size. I ended up needing a wide , and a size REI doesn’t usually stock (12.5). REI, highly recommend carrying wide versions of Hokas, as they run narrow in my experience. The shoe performs very well for roads & light trail. Seems to be a big improvement over the Challenger 7, which had a very narrow toebox, even in the wide variant.
Age:45–54
Weight:200–225 lbs.
Height:6'1"
Average Weekly Mileage:0–10 miles
Typical Shoe Size:Size Not Listed
Running Experience:Experienced
Yes , I recommend this product
Dwight
NW California
Wide, comfortable shoe
3 weeks ago
These shoes don't cause achilles tendonitis the way some popular trail shoes do. The contact on the rear of the shoe is soft and has no edge to press against the tendon. The entire shoe is more cushioned that most. A lot of people will like that but it does seem to aggravate my Morton's neuroma. I am trying various insoles to fix that problem. I expect that these shoes will be perfect for me after I get them dialed in for my uses.
Age:65–74
Weight:175–200 lbs.
Height:6'3"
Average Weekly Mileage:11–30 miles
Typical Shoe Size:Mens 13
Running Experience:Beginner
Yes , I recommend this product
Geojon
Vermont
Great Cushioning for Walking
1 month ago
I have significant knee and ankle arthritis and bought these shoes to relieve the aches of walking and hiking on roads and trails. During 10 miles of walking over 2 days on paved and dirt roads last weekend, the shoes really cushioned the impact of walking and I was not achy immediately after or the next day.
Age:65–74
Weight:200–225 lbs.
Height:5'8"
Average Weekly Mileage:0–10 miles
Typical Shoe Size:Mens 9
Running Experience:Casual
Yes , I recommend this product
Bob Z
Durham NC
comfort and worth the price
2 weeks ago
I was surprised by the comfort and fit. With an extra wide foot I have previously been unable to find Hoka Shoes that fit until now. Easy to walk in for hikes and walking trails. The comfort is like riding in a 1960 Lincoln Continental Town Car!
Age:75 or over
Weight:175–200 lbs.
Height:5'10"
Average Weekly Mileage:11–30 miles
Typical Shoe Size:Mens 10.5
Running Experience:Casual
Yes , I recommend this product
Anonymous
3 weeks ago
Anonymous
1 month ago
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