HOKA  Challenger 8 Trail-Running Shoes - Men's

I bought these for a 300 mile section hike of the Colorado Trail. I usually hike in Altras, but wanted the extra support for some plantar fasciitis that I was dealing with. These shoes are very comfortable and also have a much wider toe box than most Hokas. However, the tread started to become unglued on both shoes after about 75 miles. I managed to eke out another 25 miles on them to get to a town and had my wife mail me a different pair of shoes. The strip of tread down the center of the shoe was the first to come undone. The pieces around the perimeter of the sole did not become completely detatched, but were beginning peel off by the time I replaced the shoes at around 100 miles.

I made a terrible mistake. I booked a multi day hiking trip. I decided I’d leave my trusted Oboz Bridgers in favor of something lighter. I Bought a pair of trail runners off ad on instagram. Flew across country and by the time I arrived in the city we’d leave from my feet were already hurting. Frantic, I searched for solutions. Luckily I found an REI location and was able to get some alternatives, it was 8:30 pm on a Monday, the staff at the San Francisco location helped me to find something in my size, in stock that would work. They had a couple of choices… as soon as I slipped on the Challenger it felt like “butter”. The shoe chooses the hiker, Harry… great immediate fit… and the cushion, I usually snarl at was perfect. They’re ugly..but I’m not going to Milan in them. Thanks SF Rei for bailing me out of a week of pain and blisters.

My son bought these for his backpacking trip. The sole started coming off on day 6, but the terrain was dirt, sand and rocks. They are very comfortable and would fare well on a dirt path. He was on only one day of more rocky path and they did not survive. Parts of the sole came off. REI wouldn’t let us return them even after 7 days of use due to “wear and tear”, which is good to know about their exception to their 1 year satisfaction guarantee rule. They did not explain this at the store when we bought these so bummed these $155 shoes lasted 7 days.

Only used these for 6 months on trails and casual wear. Tread is already falling apart.

These should are prob only good for dirt semi-paved paths. My son wore these on a 7 day backpacking trip. They were so comfortable. However, they lasted 6 days and then on the 7th some of the sole started coming off. My son was walking on mostly dirt but had one day of a rockier path. I was surprised that REI would not take them back even with their 1 year guarantee. The cashier said since it's "wear and tear", they will not accept the return. Good to know. Hoka's are so comfy, but I question the durability. A friend of mine also had a pair and it lasted him about 3 months.

I wore these for three hikes and moderate walking in a months time. The tread at the rear of the shoes started coming off (almost half of all treads). I tried to return them and had a very difficult time b/c REI only takes back "lightly used" items. The issue is, it was lightly used, its not my fault that the tread is so poorly designed that it just falls off. I have seen other reviews saying the same thing. Too bad I read them after mine came apart. REI wanted me to contact Hoka and deal with a return through them. REI: please stop selling these shoes.

as soon as they arrived I went on a mile walk. amazing comfort. noticed the sole trying to grip the sidewalk. went up a small grass slope with ease and confidence. I usually wear a W. agree with previous reviews that these run wider.

As other people have said the durability has gone down you get very little mileage out of these things these days. I’ve been running in these for over 10 years. I run six days a week. The mileage varies. I live and run in the mountains on trails.

As others have noted, the blue tread will wear off before you hit 100 miles. Hoka must have changed glue or something from the Challenger 7 to 8 as I have worn multiple pairs of the 7's for 300-400 miles no problem. The shoe is super comfortable which is why I gave it two stars. When Hoka fixes the tread issue I'll definitely buy another pair as everything else about them is great. Also props to REI for returning them gracefully despite having ran 100 miles in them!

Very comfortable on the trail and on the road. Only getting 3 stars because the outer soles delaminated after 6 weeks.