Customer Reviews Hoka Challenger ATR 3

I have to return these because I have to have a wide shoe. These are just too narrow in the toe area. Recommended by my podiatrist.

This is my 3rd pair Hoka Challenger's. They are wonderful for cushion, which is why I keep buying them, but every pair I've had falls apart extremely quickly. By week 1 or 2, the material is coming apart. I feel conflicted about buying each new pair. They are the most comfortable shoe for me to run in, but I don't want to keep supporting a product that falls apart so quickly.

I love them; bulky to just wear casually, though!!!

In desperate need of 'the right shoe' on a recent long distance hike, I tried these on at a local outdoor store. The cushioning was what I needed, and the toe box was finally the right size. While I had to go up a whole size from my norm, this lead to the feeling that the shoe was too big, however, it turns out that this was exactly what my feet needed. My foot pain subsided with these shoes. Cons? The traction on the bottom could be better. The Speedgoat which I used before these, had better traction, but less cushion.

I walk 11 miles per day for my USPS mail delivery route. I have 4 pairs of Clifton 3, 4 Bondi 5, 2 Challenger. I rotate through the Cliftons and the Bondi 5 each day for work. I let each pair rest at least a week before wearing again. They are extremely comfortable shoes, however, I was disappointed to see how quickly the cushioning flattens out. They still have some cushioning, and are still comfortable, but it was only 3 or 4 wearings of the Cliftons before they had lost quite a bit of cushioning. The Bondi 5s are a bit stiffer and retain their cushioning somewhat longer than the Cliftons. I tried the Clifton 4s when they came out and found them to be an entirely different fit and shape. They are narrower, a bit smaller, and the arch lined up on my foot differently. They also didn't feel like they had much in the way of cushioning. I tried a half size up and they just felt like a totally different shape and fit of shoe from the Clifton 3s. So, the Clifton 4s are a bust for me, at least. The Challengers are great for hiking, but I save them for trails, so they don't get as much use as the street shoes. I would mention that the Challengers are a bit hot. I also wish Hoka had some Bondi models that would be waterproof. I have not tried all the different Hoka models, but at from what I have tried, the Bondi 5 are the most comfortable for an 11 mile walk on concrete.

I really love these shoes...how they feel and how they look! I get lots of comments on them! I am a little bummed about the grip piece on the sole on one edge pulling loose on one shoe.

These are my favorite Hokas yet. They are extremely comfortable and lightweight however they don't wear well at all. I run around 50 miles a week and am on my 4th pair in 6 months. Each pair the mesh has torn on both sides after about a month. The ATR2 was much more durable but these fit me better. I still love them so for now it's worth it to me to replace them often but it would be nice if hoka made them more durable so I didn't have to.

I walk for 30-60 minutes 2-5 times/week. City & trail walking. These are perfect.

I am new to running and your brand was recommended to me by friends who run all the time. These are the most comfortable shoes I have bought in a long time. Thank you!

Loved the feel of these shoes but after running awhile in the Yakima heat I developed hots spots that were very uncomfortable. Maybe more ventilation would help. Other than that I loved the cushioning and feel of the shoe. Will save for Fall when in cools off a bit.

None

I run about 20 trail miles a week, including short stretches of road and fields to access the trail. I noticed immediately these shoes felt more narrow than the original Challenger ATRs and ATR2s, but it is still ok for me (this is my 4th pair). The cushion is great! I noticed immediately, when I was running across a dew covered field, my toes were instantly wet from the top of the shoe. This has me concerned for when the trails are wet or muddy - they are not water resistant as I believe the predecessors were. I'll keep them, but I don't like wet feet and hope this isn't an issue!

Pros: So glad I finally bought trail-specific shoes. Traction is really good and my feel are well-protected from rocks. I was concerned about the thick Hoka sole on the trail. I was afraid that I wouldn't have a good "feel" of the trail and that it might be easier to roll an ankle. Neither were a problem. This is a great trail shoe. Cons: Like the Clifton, I've found the forefoot narrow and experienced heel-slipping (which I've never experienced in running shoes). I've experimented with alternate lacing, but the laces are too short to easily use a heel-lock. I may need to purchase longer laces. I would really like a wider forefoot.

No comments.

These are some great shoes... guess I'm kinda basis to the older version of this style,

I wear Cliftons for the road and love them! I was hoping this shoe was going to have similar geometry to the Clifton. Yes, it's similar but I need a wider toebox on my ATRs. I have a bad bunion and the shoe aggravates it. No problems with the Clifton though. So... yes I like them but would love a little wider toebox.

Very stiff, took several wears/runs to break these shoes in and get some flexibility. Missing the great cushioning I've experienced in other Hoka products I've run in, including Stinson. I have problems with blisters on the arch of my foot, no blisters so far with this product.

I've had several pairs of Hokas and love them. I am disappointed with this pair. After less than 6 months of regular every day wear (no lengthy walking) the tread is wearing and some of the fabric is coming apart in several places on the top areas - :-( I'd prefer a bit more weight to get a tougher, more durable toe box.

I sent my first pair back, didn't wear well. Was sent a new pair...will see how they ware. I will not recommend to a friend unless these ware well.

Love Hokas, but darn it - they just don't last. If you look at the images, it looks like I'm a marathon trail runner. I'm a mom, 2 kids, with a dog - I do a light walk/run on the trails, no more than 2 miles a day 3-4x a week. My toe started sticking out early in the wearing of the shoes through the top (which happens sometimes) but caused a hole + a long strip that basically tore the front of the shoe. I realize that's a unique problem, but, as I sit here wearing another brand, I also realize that many other companies have addressed . this. I'm going to try the Speedgoat 2s and hop for better lasting shoes. Next I tried the MAFATE SPEED 2 - VIRTUAL PINK / NEON FUCHSIA-- unfortunately, there was a rip in the ankle after ONE WEEK. Sadly, if the shoes aren't made more sturdy, I'll have to move on. I really love the comfort so I am torn, no pun intended!

This is very difficult to rate because the cushioning and traction are excellent so I want to give it 5 stars, but the toe box is narrow which knocks it down a star, and the shoe is definitely not very durable. The rubber lugs have separated on the bottom of the shoe from the softer cushioning material, also the upper has ripped in the toe box of both shoes, likely because the toe box is too narrow. Some of the overlays have separated from the mesh and started peeling off and seaming at the toe has also separated. All of this started within about 100 miles of use, I have been able to squeak 300 miles out of them as they still ride okay, but of course all of the issues have just gotten worse. I have had 2 pairs of the Challenger 1, one pair of Clifton 1 and 3, Two pairs of Claytons, 1 Pair of Mafate, Two Stinson trail and one road Stinson and this shoe (Challenger 3) has definitely had the worst wear/durability of any of them. It fell apart way too fast Hoka!

I purchased from my local running store. I am doing Run the Year challenge so I need a minimum 5.5 miles a day but often go 10-13 miles a day. I returned these after 14 days. we developed two blisters on the inside of both heels, Very painful.Blisters on the underside of both small toes. Tape, bandaids, moleskin did not help. The plus side is the cushioned soles helped my painful bottoms of my feet especially the ball and heel. I had gone up 1/2 size to allow swellng and I wear really good running socks. I purchased the Bondi 5 with hope, but less than a few days developed two blisters below my bunion . I don't normally where wide shoes so I would hope Hoka makes more wide versions in trail shoes. I am really very sad as I thought I found the shoe to solve my feet pain. I have a high instep so right across the widest point too tight. I love certain aspects of the shoes so will try a different model because it need the shock,absorption they offer Nader th ball,of my foot. I just wish they were wider from bunion to little toe.and across top.

I was anti-HOKA for a while because many of the models look absolutely ridiculous. After struggling to find a comfortable and durable lightweight trailrunner (mostly for hiking and backpacking), I caved and decided to try on this shoe- the most low key HOKA I could find. They were SO comfortable in the store and proved to be a great shoe for short trail runs and 10-15 mile day hikes. However, I wore them on a recent high-mileage overnight trip in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (39 miles, 2 days) and by the end of our trip, I felt like I was walking on pins and needles. I also developed large blisters on both feet on the inside of my heel. This possibly could have been a fit issue, or maybe they weren't tied tight enough the first day. However, a friend recently bought this model to wear on her thru-hike of the PCT and has also experienced hotspots in the same location. I really wanted to like these, but I am sad to say I'm still searching for the perfect shoe.

I'll start by saying I LOVE the Challenger ATR 2...they have kept me pain and injury free over the last year completing 20 trail races with 6 being Ultras. They are soft without being too squishy and have just enough underfoot that you can't feel every pebble on the trail. I was super excited to try the new Challenger ATR 3. The fit is a bit snug overall but not tight. They are great on smooth trails but not for me on rocky, or even slightly rocky trails (it feels like there is a bit less underfoot protection on the 3's than the 2's). Ran 23 miles in them right out of the box on mostly smooth trails, they felt great at first but the bottom of my feet started to ache toward the end, something I never experienced with the 2's. The following week I ran 16 miles on more rocky trails and the bottom of my feet hurt so bad I couldn't wait to get the shoes off! Bummer...I really wanted to like these shoes. In my opinion, theses are good for light trail and road mix.