Great review, Steve! I think you make one of the most informative, concise, and balanced running shoe reviews on YT. I particularly find your comparisons to similar shoes helpful. I was going to ask how the grip compares to the Speedgoat, but you already answered it in your review 😀 Keep these reviews coming, please! Btw, the lights look nice 👍
Thank you so much for the positive feedback. It means a lot to me and my team. And we plan on always doing these reviews as long as our fans, such as yourself find use in them. Thank you for watching!
Excellent video! This is probably one of the most real and informative video I have ever watched, ybabk you for talking about the real world scenarios and not just repeating the product description from the manufacturer.
Hello Javier. I really appreciate the feedback. We try our best to give our honest and truthful opinion on these shoes. We're very pleased you found it useful. Thank you for watching and we can't wait to see you next time!
def will be getting a pair of those, loved the 5 & 6, put over 700k into each of them. as you said, great hybrid shoe, grest for winter roads, fantastic for long runs when you don't know what surfaces you will encounter.
Great vid! Do you think it'd be okay to sprint on road/cement in these shoes? I know there's probably other shoes for that specific type of running, but I'm just wondering how far I can push these shoes on road.
I am watching the 20th video in a row. I am in the market for a running shoe for easy to marathon for my father who has flat and wide crowned feet. one thing stuck with me after looking at videos, I m gonig back and forth between bondi, gaviota and brook's Glycerin. I wonder which one would you recommend?
Looking for a new pair of shoes for daily dog walking on trails. Walk from my house a 1/4 mile on pavement, to a gravel trial to dirt trail. Some rocky and elevated sections (Colorado). Thinking about something like these or maybe Lone Peaks. Any recommendations?
Steve the challenger seems like the perfect shoe for what I want. But I’m heavy, don’t run much and pronate. Are there any stability trail shoes like the challenger? I know you seem to un in stability shoes but you also mentioned you have ran in these and the speedgoat. So I’m woendering if I can get away from stability shoes.
I owned the 6 and gave it away. Insufficient grip for trails. Not good for road. Also, hoka shoes are always way too narrow and it messed my nails. Better options out there.
Love your reviews Steve:). Can I ask how the fit is? I really like the Challengers and have the 6 however I did not get the wide version and sometimes feel like they can get a little narrow after some time on the run. Do you think the 7's fit a little less snug? Thanks again.
I find the width on the version 6 vs 7 to be the same. The fit feels better to me as far as feeling secure in the shoe but I do not think they are necessarily any wider. If you were on the cusp on the last model than I would go ahead and plan on a wide here. In fact, an employee at the store wore a wide in version 6 and waited for version 7 to come in to see if he could make a standard work and he could not and went back to the wide.
I love the Hoka Zinal! It has a vibram litebase outsole! Just won a 50 mile trail race in them on a large variety of terrain. I also won 2, 20 mile trail races in this shoe this year as well including taking the Hell Creek 20 mile course record in Kansas!
Nope, and I don't see that changing on this model anytime soon. I think to keep this a true "hybrid" shoe than they are probably right in keeping it a more generic outsole and not one that seems so much more trail like.
@@RunMoore interestingly enough i feel more comfortable on roads in the zinal than I do the challenger atrs. But that is more because the zinals feel lighter and snappier like a road shoe
Good Day Thanks for taking time to make those informative vedio i always take your opinion Please advise me what is the best hoka for heavy weight runner with wide feet does hoka bondi 8 à good choice also suggest me please altra model ? Thanks a lot
We would recommend the Gaviota 4 from Hoka and the Paradigm 6 from Altra. These are both maximum cushion, stable shoes that will help keep you centered on your feet. The Paradigm 6 has a softer midsole and is a little less supportive while the Gaviota has more support with a firmer midsole cushion. The Gaviota 4 comes in a wide and the Paradigm 6 is just naturally wider thanks to the Footshape toebox. The Bondi 8 is also a good option from Hoka if you don’t think you need the extra support. It has a softer cushion than the Gaviota and with a lower stack height.
Thanks à lot for your reply. I think gaviota will be better option . Bondi 8 has very unsatisfactory upper material ! Did you notice it it looks good and has wide shape but i think durability will not exceed 4/5 Month. I am waiting for your review on 2023 models very honest reviews as usual . Thanks a lot
My first Hokas were the Stinson Lite and Bondi 3. B3--meh. LOVED the Stinson Lites, but they discontinued them. Later, I saw the Stinson ATR, but never bought 'em. Are these Challengers a lighter Stinson, or is it merely a Clifton w/ lugs? ty.
Hi Steve, how does the Challenger go in terms of stability? I generally run in stability shoes but can get away with a good stable neutral shoe - would the Challenger fit in that category? I've heard a lot of people say all trail shoes are stability shoes, what's your take on that?
I run in stability shoes on the road but when I run in anything more technical than mild trail, I find that stability is not particularly noticeable. I’m more concerned about traction, braking, and general comfort.
The Challenger for sure fits in the category of "a good stable neutral shoe." This shoe has a pretty good arch to it and the way you sit in the shoe it provides some basic stability. There are certainly trail shoes that are not at all stable, this one however will provide some structure if you need it.
I think the Rincon fits a tad bigger and wider than the Challenger. I have always found the fit on the Rincon kind of weird and puffy. You should be fine ordering whatever size you have been wearing in a Rincon in the Challenger. Do not size up for this one.
Great review, Steve! I think you make one of the most informative, concise, and balanced running shoe reviews on YT. I particularly find your comparisons to similar shoes helpful. I was going to ask how the grip compares to the Speedgoat, but you already answered it in your review 😀 Keep these reviews coming, please! Btw, the lights look nice 👍
Thank you so much for the positive feedback. It means a lot to me and my team. And we plan on always doing these reviews as long as our fans, such as yourself find use in them. Thank you for watching!
Like for Steve from Spain. Thanks for this information about Hoka. A nice day for everyone.
Thank you Manuel. We always love to hear from our international friends. A nice day to you as well.
Challenger series is my favorite. Love it in all dry trail conditions. Can’t wait to get this version the improvements look great
Thank you so much for watching and contributing to our growing community. We hope this new version is everything you wish it to be.
Excellent video! This is probably one of the most real and informative video I have ever watched, ybabk you for talking about the real world scenarios and not just repeating the product description from the manufacturer.
Hello Javier. I really appreciate the feedback. We try our best to give our honest and truthful opinion on these shoes. We're very pleased you found it useful. Thank you for watching and we can't wait to see you next time!
def will be getting a pair of those, loved the 5 & 6, put over 700k into each of them. as you said, great hybrid shoe, grest for winter roads, fantastic for long runs when you don't know what surfaces you will encounter.
Right on. We appreciate your feedback and for supporting our channel. Happy running out there!
Cliftons with grip - that’s a YES from me.
The Challenger is definitely one of our favorite trail options from Hoka. We hope you like how they fit as much as we do!
Great review 👍👍 and go Steelers I’ll see your ravens on Sunday
Haha. Thank you for the kind words (about the review) Steelers / Ravens is always a good game.
Looks great ‼️ 👍 💪 💪 💪
Love your reviews, thanks 🙂
Thank you so much for the feedback! We truly appreciate it and thanks for watching.
Great info and review
Thank you very much for the feedback. We appreciate you watching.
great stuff..I just picked up so more trail v2’s.., but this might be something to consider when I go back west, and run some buffed out trails
Thanks for watching and let us know if you end up getting a pair and how they work for you.
Grandiosa recensione, vieni voglia di acquistarle😊
Bro, trails in spain are absolutely insane
Maybe I need to fly over and run some?
@@RunMoore definitely.
Great vid! Do you think it'd be okay to sprint on road/cement in these shoes? I know there's probably other shoes for that specific type of running, but I'm just wondering how far I can push these shoes on road.
I am watching the 20th video in a row. I am in the market for a running shoe for easy to marathon for my father who has flat and wide crowned feet. one thing stuck with me after looking at videos, I m gonig back and forth between bondi, gaviota and brook's Glycerin. I wonder which one would you recommend?
Looking for a new pair of shoes for daily dog walking on trails. Walk from my house a 1/4 mile on pavement, to a gravel trial to dirt trail. Some rocky and elevated sections (Colorado). Thinking about something like these or maybe Lone Peaks. Any recommendations?
Steve the challenger seems like the perfect shoe for what I want. But I’m heavy, don’t run much and pronate. Are there any stability trail shoes like the challenger? I know you seem to un in stability shoes but you also mentioned you have ran in these and the speedgoat. So I’m woendering if I can get away from stability shoes.
I don't understand the allure of the speedgoats. Those things are like freaking bricks. I guess I like a more nimble, light feel.
I owned the 6 and gave it away. Insufficient grip for trails. Not good for road. Also, hoka shoes are always way too narrow and it messed my nails. Better options out there.
Different strokes for different folks Dorin. Thanks for watching.
I love my ATR 6 on road or long trail runs
Just buy the correct size and maybe wide-version then?
@@martinsauer5311 no wide version I think.
Love your reviews Steve:). Can I ask how the fit is? I really like the Challengers and have the 6 however I did not get the wide version and sometimes feel like they can get a little narrow after some time on the run. Do you think the 7's fit a little less snug? Thanks again.
I find the width on the version 6 vs 7 to be the same. The fit feels better to me as far as feeling secure in the shoe but I do not think they are necessarily any wider. If you were on the cusp on the last model than I would go ahead and plan on a wide here. In fact, an employee at the store wore a wide in version 6 and waited for version 7 to come in to see if he could make a standard work and he could not and went back to the wide.
Still no vibram?
I love the Hoka Zinal! It has a vibram litebase outsole! Just won a 50 mile trail race in them on a large variety of terrain. I also won 2, 20 mile trail races in this shoe this year as well including taking the Hell Creek 20 mile course record in Kansas!
Nope, and I don't see that changing on this model anytime soon. I think to keep this a true "hybrid" shoe than they are probably right in keeping it a more generic outsole and not one that seems so much more trail like.
@@RunMoore interestingly enough i feel more comfortable on roads in the zinal than I do the challenger atrs. But that is more because the zinals feel lighter and snappier like a road shoe
Good Day Thanks for taking time to make those informative vedio i always take your opinion
Please advise me what is the best hoka for heavy weight runner with wide feet does hoka bondi 8 à good choice also suggest me please altra model ?
Thanks a lot
We would recommend the Gaviota 4 from Hoka and the Paradigm 6 from Altra. These are both maximum cushion, stable shoes that will help keep you centered on your feet. The Paradigm 6 has a softer midsole and is a little less supportive while the Gaviota has more support with a firmer midsole cushion. The Gaviota 4 comes in a wide and the Paradigm 6 is just naturally wider thanks to the Footshape toebox. The Bondi 8 is also a good option from Hoka if you don’t think you need the extra support. It has a softer cushion than the Gaviota and with a lower stack height.
Thanks à lot for your reply.
I think gaviota will be better option . Bondi 8 has very unsatisfactory upper material ! Did you notice it it looks good and has wide shape but i think durability will not exceed 4/5 Month. I am waiting for your review on 2023 models very honest reviews as usual . Thanks a lot
My first Hokas were the Stinson Lite and Bondi 3. B3--meh. LOVED the Stinson Lites, but they discontinued them. Later, I saw the Stinson ATR, but never bought 'em. Are these Challengers a lighter Stinson, or is it merely a Clifton w/ lugs? ty.
It is closer to a Clifton with lugs. Thanks for watching.
Hi Steve, how does the Challenger go in terms of stability? I generally run in stability shoes but can get away with a good stable neutral shoe - would the Challenger fit in that category? I've heard a lot of people say all trail shoes are stability shoes, what's your take on that?
I run in stability shoes on the road but when I run in anything more technical than mild trail, I find that stability is not particularly noticeable. I’m more concerned about traction, braking, and general comfort.
The Challenger for sure fits in the category of "a good stable neutral shoe." This shoe has a pretty good arch to it and the way you sit in the shoe it provides some basic stability. There are certainly trail shoes that are not at all stable, this one however will provide some structure if you need it.
Sizing compared to Rincon2
I think the Rincon fits a tad bigger and wider than the Challenger. I have always found the fit on the Rincon kind of weird and puffy. You should be fine ordering whatever size you have been wearing in a Rincon in the Challenger. Do not size up for this one.