ALLISON: Where do I even begin on what I didn’t like about the Hoka Challenger 8? The first thing I noticed was how much narrower the shoe felt compared to the previous version. One of the things I always liked about the Challenger was its accommodating fit, and this update felt like a step backwards. On longer runs, the lack of room became noticeable and distracting.
The shoe also feels heavier underfoot, with added stack height that changes the ride entirely. Instead of the smooth, balanced feel that made the Challenger such a reliable road-to-trail option, the extra bulk made it feel less nimble and less enjoyable to run in. For a shoe I trusted to handle just about any terrain, this was surprising in all the wrong ways.
What I can’t quite figure out is why brands make these kinds of changes to models that already work well. Hoka did something similar with the Clifton 10, adding weight, altering the fit, and changing the ride, and the result just left me scratching my head. When a shoe is known and loved for its versatility, why mess with the formula?
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