Customer Reviews Hoka Challenger 7 GORE-TEX®

The shoes were so wide that i couldn't get them tied tight enough. I have no idea how anyone wears these shoes.

First of all, these were the most uncomfortable shoes I've ever put on my feet. There was zero comfort and support, and I was shocked at how unpleasant they are to wear. Secondly, upon opening the box I was heavily disappointed - the material looks cheap which I didn't expect for this price point, and the fabric part of the shoes had wrinkles that would not dissipate after unboxing. I considered an exchange in hopes another model would be less unpleasant, then changed my mind and went for a return because I highly doubt the quality will vary much from one shoe to another in the same brand line. I opted for a pair of Brooks, and am happy with that purchase. The good news is, customer service was fantastic and very helpful.

Inconsistent sizing as this was not the normal 6.5 that I've purchased. It was too small.

I now own seven pairs of HOKA shoes, so, clearly I'm invested in this brand. I use my Stinson 6's and Bondi 6's for running. They changed my life. Before finding them I was unable to do any running at all due to severe knee pain but the level of cushioning and ergonomics of these 2 brands allowed me to start running again without the discomfort of all the knee pain during my recovery time. When I saw the newly released Challenger 7 GTX I just had to have them. The vibrant orange just jumped out off the screen and I was in love. The fact that theses shoes also tout plush cushioning was just the cherry on the top. I couldn't wait for them to arrive. I nearly fell on top of the FED EX guy when I saw him coming up the driveway with package. I ripped open the box, put them on and sat with my feet up and marveled at their beauty. Alas, the love affair was short lived and the honeymoon ended abruptly. My first activity in them was a short walk around my neighborhood with my 11year old. By the time I got home I was having slight knee pain. Alarm bells went off. My knees haven't hurt in years and although the pain was mild it gave me pause. Like I said, it was just a short walk around my neighborhood.2 days later I went for my usual run. By the time I was done I could barely walk due to intense knee pain. The pain was in both knees, inner/medial aspect, a place where I haven't had pain before and it was excruciating. I cannot say if the cause is the cushioning of the shoe or the ergonomics or both. I desperately hope that this is not a sign of things to come from HOKA. There is a distinct comfort level disparity between the Challenger GTX and the Bondi and Stinson brands. All shoes that have maximum cushioning.