Hoka One One Challenger ATR - Sizing & Product Review

I know this model is pretty much 2015 and Challenger ATR 2 is already out, but I read somewhere the versions are pretty much the same between the two so I'm hoping to contribute my quick insights & a bit of guidance re sizing & fitting :)

I took a chance with the fitting as I couldn't find this model anywhere in the local stores.. and as it turned out, it does fit well with my wide-ish forefoot! Hoorah!

So if you have feet like mine - see HERE - then this fits well - choose size US 10.

I think if you're researching to buy this shoe, you pretty much know all the pros of this shoe & Hoka shoes in general.. personally for me, I like the fact that it is giving me maximal cushioning protection (my joints are getting old!) with minimal clunkiness & weight. And of coz the fact that it fits!

And on the point of old joints - that is the only reason why I have chosen Hokas over Salomon.. it's the long-term I need to think about as well, so one should really start protecting one's joints before it is already damaged.. having said that I have swapped the Hoka standard insoles with Salomon's Ortholite insoles as it was more comfy. The Hoka ones were way too thin for my liking..

This shoe fits really differently to my previous Hoka Rapa Nuis.. where the toe box was just much tighter.. see here how the shape is different:

Additionally I've circled the area where it has made a great difference for my type of wide-ish fat feet.. the upper material is softer & more flexible allowing a better fit in that particular area. You can imagine with the big toe & bunion bone having more room - the overall feet has more toe space to splay.. here's a closer pic.. showing how I can tuck my finger underneath the bunion & how the upper allows that stretch:

The traditional laces are also a welcome design.. easier to lace & adjust like.. any other shoe? :)

I like the thin upper & tongue.. how it has been kept to a simple design & very breathable. Here's some 'inside' shots showing how airy they are:

The toe guard isn't much of a toe guard which is fine - having said that it is hardier material & pretty flexible as well.. so your toes won't be jamming into something overly stiff. Your toes are sitting couple of centimetres above ground most of the time anyway..

Perhaps one particular area lacking in sewing finesse is just this part of the shoe.. not sure what you call this part of the shoe, nonetheless pretty sure it could've been a bit more professionally finished up..

I should mention I have had symptoms of sesamoiditis (big toe joint pain) during some runs which I thought were caused by this shoe.. but as it turned out it was due to placing too much pressure on my big toes (usually happens during steep climbs).. so in fact the cause was running technique, not shoes.. (you can read more here about this symptom & how to fix it: http://www.drnicksrunningblog.com/running-with-sesamoiditis-how-i-resolved-a-10-year-injury-by-ditching-my-traditional-running-shoes/ )

Welp.. hope you found this quick review helpful, I certainly think this will be my go-to shoes from now onwards (I know I've been saying that for most of my shoes, but this time it's for real!)

Take care & happy running.

Some other reviews can be found here:

http://running.competitor.com/2015/02/shoes-and-gear/2015-trail-shoe-year-hoka-one-one-challenger-atr_123344

http://www.irunfar.com/2015/07/hoka-one-one-challenger-atr-review.html

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21 Jan 2018

RIP my good friend ... with my limited running it has taken me nearly 1.5 years to take this shoe to close to 500 miles / 800km.. whilst there is seemingly plenty of outsole left (it is HOKA afterall), the bounce is no longer there, I took it out for a final 10k lap of honour last night - I could feel the weariness of the shoe after so much pavement pounding..

the upper is finally disintegrating too, I have adamantly hung on to them to a technical trail run few weeks back I rolled my ankle as the upper support was no longer there... but it is REMARKABLE the upper has lasted this long (compared to what I read about later models..)

why you ask..

coz they were THAT awesome, that's why..

RIP my good friend - you have served me well.. my only regret is I've never taken you on an ultra journey that you truly deserve.. I hate to say goodbye ~ but wow, what good times eh? :)