Customer Reviews Hoka Challenger 7 GORE-TEX®

My first pair of Hokas were great. Still have them, still wear them. With the second pair, the right toe area hurts. I had so much hope for the most recent 3rd pair but they fit weird! They're baggy across the top area (the toes) no matter how tightly I pull the laces--then they look wonky. They're too expensive in today's financial climate to keep buying them if I can't wear them.

I'm so disappointed about this shoes. They are very very comfortable, but the main reason I bought them is to run in the snow since they are waterproof. At the end of my first run in the snow, both my socks were soaking wet on the toes. Very very disappointing!

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Box and label in shoe are labeled Challenger 7 GTX, but the toe box is bigger. I read this was a design change on the Challenger 8 GTX. I *think* I got these on sale or clearance, now I'm wondering if they had a bunch from the factory mislabelled inside the shoe. I'm confused. I really wanted the Challenger 7.ATR with the more narrow toebox - they didn't have, so bought the Challenger 8 GTX and different toe box. I wanted a back up pair of running shoes. I run 10-15 miles a week and absolutely love the Challenge 7's I bought in Feb. I'm sending these back and hope a member of hoka can reach out to me. Please help!

The back of this shoe has a VERY large thing that sticks out and makes this shoe look too big for you! It just looks like you're wearing a size bigger than you should. Kind of clownish! Get rid of those weird heel pulls and put a pull tab like on the Bondi 7. These look just awful. Also, the area of the tongue on both shoes is very tight and irritating.

I bought this pair the challenger 7 months ago and tried them for couple weeks and were horrible. They look appealing and fun colors but the stability of the shoe it's uncomfortable. I tried sending the pair back to get a refund and never received an email about the shoes instead they were returned to me saying the shoes were bought over a year when I provided a copy of purchased. I even spoke with someone over the phone asking for a refund and the person said the decision was made and he was unable to do anything for me. To be honest not the first pair of shoes I buy from HOKA and I hate writing bad reviews but this pair of shoes really hurt my feet and for sure I will never buy not this style NEVER again and sad to say I will have to throw them away since I can't wear them. Also their costumer service is horrible they provided me with a fake email because I really wanted to speak with someone but in reality they provided me with a fake email. Sad to say my favorite brand has fail me.

Brought these for an Asia trip for possible rain. Terrible...Wore for 10 minuets in heavy rain just walking down the street and my feet were completely saturated within 5 mins to the point of having puddles inside the shoes. NOT water resistant or waterproof as advertised for sure! Not that comfortable either. Love my work Hokas, but was SO disappointed in these, as only had one other pair of Teva sandals to wear which I lived in because now I had to carry around bulky wet tennis shoes that I could not wear!!!!

they already have a hole on right shoe where toe is on the mesh............

In a week part of the soles took off, I asked for the change, but if it happens again I swear I ask for my money back even if they are comfortable, but they are not cheap at all.

I generally love Hoka shoes, have bought them for work and for running. This pair was awful. I've worn them twice, and the soles feel like hard, slippery plastic on the trails instead of the softer, grippy feel I've come to expect. Very disappointed!!

The gortex shoe it's so stiff. And when you go to bend your foot, the material is so harsh, it pinches the side of your foot. To the point that you stop what you're doing. This shoe is not functional

Responding again to my first post as I have been unable to get in contact with a supervisor at HOKA. This is my second set of Challengers. The first one the toe box ripped and HOKA allowed me to return. Then with 4 months the second pair the same thing happened and in addition the tread came off creating a serious tripping hazard. HOKA said to return them but then denied the return. I asked to speak to a supervisor and would appreciate a call back. Regardless I will call in yet again as I feel it's important other consumers at least know how unsafe these are.

I purchased this shoe in the fall and after each trail run in wet conditions my feet were soaked. Per Hoka customer service advice I finally sent them back as a warranty return. After 3 weeks my claim was denied and the shoe is being returned to me. Their excuse? If the shoe is not waterproof, it's not their problem, but rather a GoreTex issue and I should contact that company. This is just wrong! I purchased a waterproof shoe from Hoka and the company needs to stand by their product and not have the customer deal with component manufacturers. Now I am out the cost for the return shipping and stuck with a faulty shoe. Hoka, you just lost a loyal customer.

This is the second set of these GTX challengers I have had to return in almost less then six months. The first pair the toe box had a hole within months. The second pair (after being credited by Hoka) has steadily lost pieces of the sole creating a large tripping hazard. I am not a runner and just use these to walk at work during the day. The craftsmanship to have them last more then a couple of months is not there.

These shoes are not good for walking are standing for hours, I'm a manager @ a restaurant and these shoes are not it. Would like a refund

Ugh! I accidentally bought the ATX vs. just the Challengers and these shoes are hands down awful. Heavy, don't fit correctly, no cushion. Hard NO. I am returning them.

Comfortable shoe with good running performance on and off trail. However, this shoe is not waterproof. It is water resistant at best. I expect more from a GoreTex shoe. Water seems to be seeping in between the sole and the upper and also via the tongue. Very disappointing.

The shoes were initially less comfortable than my other HOKAs but decided to keep them because they were considered "waterproof" although they were discovered to be not entirely waterproof but were more water resistant than my others. In less than a year the toe box lifted up and the creases became holes in the big and small toe areas. By the time I found the invoice for these on HOKA's site-with the purchase date- the 1year warranty period had expired. Other sport shoe companies provide longer warranties and stand behind their products better. Customer service reps that I spoke with through chats were kind and helpful but were not able to assist due to the over-arching company policy of no consideration for defects outside of the warranty period. Word to the wise, inspect your shoes carefully before the end of the one year period. Very disappointed with these shoes.