REASONS TO BUY
Light
Heavily cushioned
Cool colorways
Comfortable upper
REASONS TO AVOID
Clunky in technical terrain
Lacks sensitivity
HOKA Challenger 7 Review
This trail runner provides ample cushioning while being very light, and more minimal traction makes it best for a combination of road and trail use
Credit: HOKA
RELATED: Best Trail Running Shoes of 2023
Our Verdict
While Hoka continues to branch into new territories in the running space, the Challenger 7 retains the look and feel of their classic designs. The large stack height and stable cushioning make this a great model for those that want a blend of road and trail performance. The 5mm drop keeps the legs engaged while relieving some stress from the Achilles and lower leg. Surprisingly this shoe only weighs 19.0 ounces for the pair (size 10) and ranks high out of all all the models we tested. While light, this is still a rather large shoe, and the platform feels vague at times, not something we'd pick up first for technical trails.
Editor's Note: The Challenger 7 is the newest in the line and was added to our review on March 31, 2023. This iteration is lighter than the previous version and includes new materials.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
HOKA Challenger 7 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  | |  | |
| Price | $144.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $180 List | $154.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $129.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $100 List $79.00 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Light, heavily cushioned, cool colorways, comfortable upper | Unbeatable fit, fantastic underfoot protection, doesn’t absorb much water, very stable | Excellent descender, very comfortable, dense cushioning | Protective upper and midsole, great energy return, lightweight | Affordable, stabile, ample foot protection |
| Cons | Clunky in technical terrain, lacks sensitivity | Expensive, hard to get on foot, must wear above the ankle height socks, hard to stuff laces into garage | Higher stack, lacks sensitivity | Stiff on advanced technical terrain, lacks sensitivity | Stiff and rigid in technical terrain, lacks sensitivity |
| Bottom Line | This trail runner provides ample cushioning while being very light, and more minimal traction makes it best for a combination of road and trail use | The finest shoe for technical terrain that gives a feeling of confidence at speed | For epic days in the mountains with lots of vertical gain and descending, there is no better shoe on the market for ripping down moderate hills | If you are looking for Hoka that has a more instantaneous response, this is our favorite for long runs on moderate to buffed terrain | Built for beginners, this model is great for those looking for an entry point into trail shoes without spending top-dollar |
| Rating Categories | HOKA Challenger 7 | Salomon S/Lab Ultra 3 | HOKA Speedgoat 5 | HOKA Torrent 3 | Brooks Divide 3 |
| Foot Protection (25%) | |||||
| Traction (20%) | |||||
| Sensitivity (15%) | |||||
| Stability (15%) | |||||
| Comfort (15%) | |||||
| Weight (10%) | |||||
| Specs | HOKA Challenger 7 | Salomon S/Lab Ultra 3 | HOKA Speedgoat 5 | HOKA Torrent 3 | Brooks Divide 3 |
| Measured Weight (per pair) | 19.0 oz (size 10) | 20.5 oz (size 9.5) | 20.4 oz (size 10) | 19.3 oz (size 10) | 20.8 oz (size 10) |
| Stack Height (Heel, Forefoot) | 31 mm, 26 mm | 26 mm, 18 mm | 33 mm, 29 mm | 23 mm, 18 mm | 20 mm, 12 mm |
| Heel-to-Toe Drop | 5 mm | 8 mm | 4 mm | 5 mm | 8 mm |
| Lug Depth | 4 mm | 4 mm | 5 mm | 4 mm | Not Available |
| Upper | Engineered mesh | Anti-Debris mesh with sockliner | Recycled engineered mesh | Mesh | Synthetic mesh |
| Midsole | CMEVA | Energy Save PU foam with Profeel Film rock protection | CMEVA | EVA | EVA |
| Outsole | Durabrasion rubber | Salomon Contagrip MA | Vibram Megagrip rubber with Traction Lug | Rubber | TrailTrack Rubber |
| Rock Plate? | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Lacing Style | Traditional | Quicklace with garage | Traditional | Traditional | Traditional |
| Wide Version Available? | No | No | No | No | No |
| Sizes Available | 7 - 15 US | 4 - 13 US | 7 - 15 US | 7 - 15 US | 7 - 15 US |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
The Challenger 7 is supportive, and this can be felt immediately when put on. The midsole feels ever so slightly uneven, providing areas of support on the outer edges which reduce the tendency to pronate. In contrast, the heel feels less supported, largely due to Hoka's rocker design which aims to help with heel striking and roll you into a more progressive push-off. Hoka claims this model is neutral in terms of cushioning, offering little assistance. But we would argue the Challenger 7 is made for those wanting a stable cushioned platform that is great for all-around running and recovery days.
Performance Comparison
Great for a variety of surfaces but most at home on an easy gravel road day.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Foot Protection
The Challenger 7 blends road and trail performance in a lightweight package, surprising us with its foot protection. A large stack height prevents the shoe from ever bottoming out or allowing trail debris from penetrating the insole layer. The upper also has a well-designed toe cap that protects your digits without the inside feeling rough or stiff. This spring-like nature of the midsole prevents very much ground feel in return for providing solid protection. This protection is appreciated on trails, but the subsequent lack of sensitivity makes the shoe less ideal for more technical terrain. It's best suited for gravel roads or light trails with a road following close behind.
With a large stack height, there is no need to worry that any road or trail debris will cause you fatigue.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Traction
With 4mm lugs, the Challenger 7 has ample traction if you stick to areas it's well-suited for. If you find yourself on more technical terrain, you will wish there were more multi-directional lugs. The increased stack height also does not help when running in trickier places, as your foot is further from the ground. However, on moderate terrain like roads or buffed tracks, this shoe has all the traction you need. Turnover feels fluid, and we felt solid when putting out power and running fast. The Challenger 7 has a narrow range of use cases and provides the best traction on dry smooth ground. This is definitely not something we'd pick for wet and/or technical terrain.
While the lugs are more subdued than others, the Challenger 7 is still capable on road to moderate trail.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Sensitivity
There are times when sensitivity is important, and then there are times when it can increase fatigue, especially when runs get long. While the Challenger 7 didn't provide us with much sensitivity, it is comfortable. This makes it great for more monotonous running, like straight roads in controlled settings. The more agile you are when running, the more this could impact the experience. Once again, the primary use of this shoe will be for roads and mixed track — there is simply too much foam to feel confident on technical terrain. This vagueness is one of the main negatives of this model, leading us to look elsewhere when we want to get more creative.
This shoe is not the most sensitive given the amount of foam it has, but it's cushioned nature does allow some ground feel.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Stability
The signature wider platform found in this style of Hoka contributes to the overall stability, but the softer foam prevents it from feeling overly rigid. We found this stability to feel firm when running in one direction but lacking in stiffness when hopping, cutting, or quickly switching directions. We felt more collapsing at the edges than we'd like, exacerbated by the higher stack, which puts more torque on the outer edge of the foot.
We found the stability of the Challenger 7 to be more than adequate for running on flatter terrain, and this shoe quickly became a favorite for us when we had an easy day running on gravel or a creek path. The lightness and easygoing nature led to pleasant recovery days, but it isn't our first pick for hard-charging.
With a wider foot shape stability is better than you'd expect for a shoe of this size. This allows the user to relax on recovery days letting the shoe do the work.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Comfort
Scoring highest for its comfort, the Challenger 7 is a go-to for easy days. Generally, after a hard day of running, the legs tense up, and stretching them out the following day is crucial. This can often be uncomfortable or even painful, but we found trotting along in this shoe to be comfortable and refreshing — they can almost run for you. The upper is well-designed and similar to the other Hoka's we've tested, and we experienced no blisters or chaffing.
This shoe felt more structured than some of the other Hoka models. The insole and upper midsole are more supportive, which contributes to its overall comfort. The substantial heel rocker helps reduce heel striking to provide a more comfortable roll into takeoff. These features are great for when your feet and legs are tired, as once you fatigue, your form starts to deteriorate quickly.
A breathable durable mesh upper provides great comfort without sacrificing durability.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Weight
We are always impressed with Hoka's ability to provide substantial cushioning without tipping the scales. Weighing only 19.0 ounces for a US size 10, this is one of the lightest shoes we tested. This is great for turnover on roads and two-track, but less ideal on more technical terrain due to the reduced outsole rubber. With a similar upper to the Speedgoat 5, the Challenger 7 weighs 1.5 ounces less, which we figure is due to the less aggressive tread pattern. Anytime you can reduce weight but maintain performance is a win in our book, and while the Challenger suffers on more technical terrain, it does great on a blend of road and trails.
Surprisingly lightweight given the size and stature of this model. Turnover is effortless and great for long runs.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Should You Buy the HOKA Challenger 7?
This model is a favorite of ours on recovery days and is great for a blend of road running and gravel paths. Our team generally prefers a more aggressive trail shoe, but there is a place for the Challenger if you don't plan on taking it into more technical terrain.
If you need a recovery day creek path shoe this could be a great option to assist with some active recovery.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
What Other Trail Running Shoes Should You Consider?
If you are looking for high cushioning suitable for more technical terrain, we'd recommend stepping up to the Hoka Speedgoat 5, which has better traction and more foot protection. If Hoka's fit your feet well, but you desire stiffer performance, then we'd recommend the Hoka Torrent 3.
—
Matthew Richardson
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