Customer Reviews Hoka Challenger ATR 3

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.

I really wanted to like this shoe. I liked the Challenger ATR 1 (skipped the 2 because it did not improve much on the 1) and was excited to try out the ATR 3 because the shoe looked redesigned. It sits a little lower to the ground and offers a smoother ride than the ATR 1. However, the mesh does not breathe and my foot gets hopelessly hot after about 6 miles. I tried changing out the insoles, but the insoles are not the problem. It is the new mesh. This same mesh is used in the Speed Instinct and renders an otherwise awesome shoe to useless for runs beyond 6 miles. That is a deal breaker for me because I typically only race distances 13.1 and higher. I am so sad Hoka can't get this right. This shoe would otherwise be a great alternative to the Clifton which has become nothing like the original. The Challenger actually rides much like the original Clifton so many of us grew to love and miss so sorely. As my stockpile wanes, I find myself more and more desperate to find a replacement. This came the closest, but fails sorely in the tempurature regulatory department.

First time I took a chance on a shoe without trying it on. I tried a few runs before making a review, hoping they would get better. They didn't. I now have a strain in my right foot. They are heavy, and they force all of the pressure on the front of your foot. Leaves no room for movement. They have great tread and they look like they would last forever, but that's always means they are heavy and not built for long distance running.

This is the first time I've have a pair of Hoka running shoes that have not worked out well for me. They are uncomfortable and I can only last about 5 miles in them .

Yikes! I just bought these shoes and the teal toe cap/roll is already peeling off! It's my second pair of Hoka One One shoes and I'm disappointed in this purchase. I wasn't expecting for them to be wearing out so quickly

I was excited to receive my shoes, but then I noticed, one was a size 9.5 and the other was a 10. :( Made me pretty bummed out, so i will be returning them.

To wide at toe, I have a very narrow foot

Rubbing on my insole just like the Cliftons did.

In the last year You have decided to go main stream and make your shoes like everyone else...Toe box was great the way you first started. Now is to small and tight on the sides...Yes..you offer wides, but limited styles and wides usual mean wide all the way back to the heel...Which means to wide for most people.

Have always loved the ATR Challenger. This 3rd version was an improvement with added room in the toe box. However, after running in the shoe for 5 miles, my foot was so hot, I felt hot spots at the bottom of my feet which I had not experience with the first version of the ATR Challenger, and the soles of my feet ache.

I have shipped them back for a refund. They were too narrow in the toe. Possibly if I ordered up half a size or if you had a WIDE option but I returned them to you.

After 110 trail miles the two different materials on the bottom started to separate from each other and the blue and orange treads are peeling off. I'm usually not hard on shoes do this was surprising to me. Other than that they are light and comfortable to run in on the trails however the tread might not be aggressive enough for what I want. I don't love running on roads with them, they feel funny and grippy.

My first pair of HOKAS challengers 2 changed my running life I loved them! For my birthday I asked for the challengers 3. Went out for 8 Mile run and yikes!!! My toes were hurting and my feet were on fire! They actually felt like they were asleep in spots! I ordered same exact size as first pair. I tried another run to see if maybe they just needed breaking in and nope. Same thing in adittion to my toes being very sore during and after run and feet on fire my ankles are sore. Total bummer....