Customer Reviews Hoka Challenger Low GORE-TEX®

I am an avid hiker - hiking 8-10 miles every week on rougher terrain in the northeast. I am VERY particular about hiking shoes from the size, width, feel and tread from start to finish. I have had Merrill, Keen, Oboz, Salomon, Vasque .... you name it, I think I've tried most. While those brands are decent, my Oboz have the best tread but still cause me more fatigue on longer hikes than I would want. I also need a pair that can sustain a rocky carriage or wood road. If you hike, you'll know that flat trail walking can be rough on the feet and legs at times, worse than up and down trails. With that said, I have been needing a shoe that doesn't put pressure on my feet through all of this. I also would not normally break in a shoe on a long, tiresome hike but this first pair of Hoka's I decided to try them out right away. AND- to my surprise they were absolutely perfect! The tread did very well for me, my feet did not feel any additional fatigue I was so happy about this! They were true to size with enough extra room that I did not need to go a half size higher (which if often recommended) but not for me this time. I used them for the first time on rocky terrain, up and down steep slopes, and some flatter terrain also. What a great test for these shoes and they passed with FLYING COLORS! They are lightweight and I will be anxious to see if they hold up through this year's 500 miles we plan to hike. They should!!!

I bought this shoe for a trip to Africa. It was the rainy season, so I wanted a shoe that would keep my feet dry. This shoe is amazing! At first I felt it wasn't quite wide enough, but after I wore it a bit it felt great: snug but not tight, so my foot felt well supported. I did use my own orthotics in the shoe since I'm recovering (thanks to Hoya One One Clifton 6 and orthotics) from plantar fasciitis. Second day of the trip we went to Victoria Falls which was really running. It's like standing in a shower - you get absolutely soaked. But my feet were perfectly dry thanks to these shoes. We walked, we scrambled up rocky hills and climbed up rocks....I felt like a Mountain Goat! My feet never slipped. My feet stayed *perfectly dry* the whole trip, and I was as nimble as could be. These shoes are just fabulous, and I would recommend them to anyone who is going to be out in less than ideal conditions as they are excellent performers in so many ways!

I walk daily and the sole of this shoe does not hold up on gravel roads. The shoe is comfortable but definitely not made for rough terrain.

Im loving It! Very comfortable since the first time I used! Highly recommended!

Love these vortex hiking shoes. The tread on bottom is much better than my last shoes and also comfortable.

I love how comfortable these are yet protect me better from the elements than regular sneakers.

This is my 3rd pair of Hokas and I am pleased with every purchase. This pair is wider around the toes. My feet look bigger but not too bad. I wear an 8 1/2. They are very comfortable like my other pairs.

So I've used many different brands of shoes and have not had one this comfortable until I tried Hoka. I hike an average of 400-500 miles per year - faithfully hike on rough terrain, rock face and all types of conditions. I've been extremely happy with how my feet feel at the end of every hike. My only disappointment is the longevity and wear of this shoe - I've only had these for 6 months and they are wearing out sooner than I think they should. I go by mileage to compare and think a good hiking shoe should last at least 500 miles and I'm only half way there for these. I definitely recommend these for someone who has sensitive feet and hikes on various terrain from hills to flat trails. Not a rigid shoe, just the opposite. This shoe is flexible, has good traction and the side are very supportive through more rocky terrain.

This is the best waterproof, wide, hiking shoe I've ever had and I've been hiking for 55 years! I bought one pair, loved them, then bought 2 more pairs, wore those out, and now they are sold out! I guess I'll need to stock up again once they are available. They are that good! These hikers are super stable, super comfortable, lightweight and waterproof, and the tan/green color is fabulous. The styling is also great as they don't look like athletic shoes, but work as casual shoes. Please bring them back!

Keeps my feet warm, dry, cushioned & comfortable while outside on cold winter mornings! This is my 2nd pair of the Challenger Low Goretex Hoka sneakers - fabulous!!! Love that this model also comes in the Wide width option!

Nice and roomy in toe box and also waterproof. Love them!

These are the best shoes I've ever owned! So comfortable even on days that I'm on my feet for 12 hours.