Hoka One One Challenger ATR 5 – Remarkably Comfortable, Winning Over this Skeptic

My first pair of Hokas, and my first cloud shoe, I was skeptical but now I’m a believer. These shoes are great for logging high mileage and are proving to be long-lasting. 

HOKA One One Challenger ATR 5 use

I wanted to get this review out sooner but due to a knee injury and heart surgery, I had a spell of time where running wasn’t an option and I wanted to log some real miles in these bad boys before tossing out a review. It took a few runs to get used to larger soles and cloud shoes in general but I had hope. These shoes provide excellent traction in dry to moderately wet trails. They grip rock better than I expected and I used them on the approach to a few alpine climbs to truly put them to the test. 

One thing I admire about these shoes do not only do they run well on the trails, but they also run well on pavement. It’s nice having a shoe that can handle both. I prefer to run road to trail to minimize my carbon footprint as I do a lot of traveling.

They have a pretty neutral balance between cushion and responsiveness and will suffice for lots of trail conditions. They breathe exceptionally well and the fit with having flat feet seems to be spot on. I’m going to keep the Hoka Challenger ATR 5s in my arsenal for the majority of my runs. If you’re considering a great all-around trail shoe at a good price point I recommend these! MSRP $130

FEATURES

•Dual-layer mesh balances support, durability and breathability

•Textured TPU toe reinforcement for added durability

•Internal heel counter provides support on all terrains

•Early-stage Meta-Rocker for a smooth ride

•Lightweight and oversized EVA midsole provides signature HOKA ONE ONE® cushioning

•CMEVA foam midsole provides stable footing and absorbs impact points

•4mm lugs provide all-terrain traction

•Podular outsole design provides stability on uneven terrain

•100% Vegan


HOKA ONE ONE Challenger ATR 5 Trail-Running Shoes - Men's | REI Co-op $130.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Will Coleman

Hi, I’m Will, I’m currently living the van life in Colorado and working as a guide.  I enjoy mountaineering, splitboarding, climbing, trail running and type 2 fun! I’m 29 years old and spend as much time outside as possible. I moved to Colorado in 2014 from Mississippi and grew up in the mid-south. I have been snowboarding since 2000 and the mountains have had my heart ever since. You can find me anywhere from riding Colorado’s high peaks to climbing desert towers, to climbing in the PNW!