Hoka One One
was the first company to release an oversized foam midsole running shoe in 2010
and the trend has been gaining popularity ever since. Now most companies have some variation of a
highly cushioned shoe. The founders of Hoka One One
wanted to create a larger sweet spot, much like on oversized tennis racquets or
skies. There have been statements both
for and against these highly cushioned shoes.
While they might not be for everyone, there some benefits
that the shoe companies are claiming.
They claim that the extra cushion provides a softer ride, which you
cannot disagree with. They also claim that
the extra cushion lessens the impact on your joints and can reduce the amount
of recovery time needed after long or higher intensity runs. Another claim is that the extra cushion
provides an increased energy return, meaning that the shoes will provide more
of a spring than lesser cushioned shoes.
I have reviewed several shoes from Hoka One One
in the past. Click the links below to
read my reviews.
Hoka One One
has been winning awards for many of their shoes. The original Clifton won multiple awards while
the Clifton
2 won the Summer 2015 “Editor’s Choice for Best Ride” from
Competitor.com. The Clayton
won the September 2016 “Editor’s Choice” award from Runner’s World and the Clifton
3 won the 2016 “Best Update” award from Competitor.com. The Challenger
ATR3 is one of my favorite trail shoes. I have done each of my three ultra-marathons in
2017 in that shoe and the cushion and comfort is amazing.
Often thought of as a trail version of the Clifton, the
Challenger ATR series works well on road and trail thanks to the oversized EVA
midsole that provides a well cushioned ride.
The 4mm lugs to help with traction on the trails while the Early Stage Meta-Rocker
allows a smooth transition from heel/midfoot to toe-off.
One of my favorite features of the Challenger
ATR3 was that they drain extremely fast, so those creek crossing are not a
problem. No more running in a shoe full
of water because your shoes don’t drain well.
Other shoe brands tend to have larger holes in the mesh upper to allow
water to drain out but I have found that dirt made it through those holes too
easily and I would have to take my shoes off to get the debris out. Not with the Challenger
ATR3 though. I ran the last 38 miles
of my 12-hour race in July in the Challenger
ATR3 and could have gone for another 20 miles at least. They were that comfortable.
I took my Challenger
ATR4’s out for a few trail runs over different types of trail terrain. I ran through puddles, over rock outcroppings,
and down steep single-track hills. The
traction, comfort, and drainability have more than lived up to my expectations.
The Challenger
ATR4 is similar to the Challenger
ATR3 in many ways. It has the same
oversized EVA midsole and Meta-Rocker design.
They both have the same stack height as well as heel-to-toe (heel drop)
offset of 5mm. The lugs on both shoes
are 4mm and they are both light weight shoes.
The Challenger
ATR4 is 0.5 ounces lighter than the previous version but I feel that the
cushioning is a little stiffer in the Challenger
ATR4 than the Challenger
ATR3.
|
|
||
|
Weight
|
9.5
ounces
|
9.0
ounces
|
|
Heel
Height
|
29
mm
|
29
mm
|
|
Forefoot
Height
|
24
mm
|
24
mm
|
|
Heel
Drop
|
5
mm
|
5
mm
|
|
Cushion
|
Balanced
(Middle of Plush and Responsive)
|
Balanced
(Middle of Plush and Responsive)
|
|
Cost
|
$104.99
on sale
|
$130
|
Hoka One One made updates to the Challenger
ATR4’s upper, which has a simpler look.
They incorporated a dual-layer mesh that provides structured support
while increasing the durability of the upper, which has been an issue with
previous models for some people.
The toe cap has increased in size to provide better protection
of your toes and an internal heel counter provides a supportive grip. There is even a new heel loop that makes putting
the shoes on even easier.
The lacing system has changed a little as well. There are loops that almost look like Nike’s
Flywire lacing system that allow you to get a better fit and lock your foot down. This will help save your toes on steep descents,
especially from getting the dreaded “black toenail.” The toe box as a decent width so you don’t get
foot pain, but the shape has changes slightly from the Challenger
ATR3.
The Challenger
ATR3 had a padded tongue where the Challenger
ATR4, while padded, has less padding in the tongue. It does tie more secure though and keeps
debris out a little better than previous models.
The one thing to definitely take into account is that I am
normally a size 10 in men’s shoes (with most other brands). I was a size 11 in the Challenger
ATR3 and needed to go down to a size 10.5 in the Challenger
ATR4.
In all of my testing, I never doubted the Challenger
ATR4. It’s extremely comfortable
both on power hiking ascents and quick descents. I was able to make very quick turns and
handle some technical rocky sections with ease.
The puddles that I ran through were no match either. I feel that the water from the puddles didn’t
enter the shoes as quickly as previous models and when it did, the water drained
out quickly. Even after running over very
rough outcroppings, and other difficult terrain, the shoes showed almost no
wear after 50+ miles.
Challenger ATR4 Pros:
Plenty of cushion for all types of runners
More durable than previous models
5mm heel drop
Very light 9.0 ounces
Hoka One One Social Media Links:
In my pursuit of completing my first 100k and 100 mile races
in 2018, I will be doing a lot of trail training. The Challenger
ATR4 will definitely be in my shoe rotation as I feel that my feet can last
longer thanks to the comfort, water management, and cushioning. The light weight and decent price are two
more pluses in my book. Check them out
at your local running store (click here for
locations), at the Hoka One One website,
or at your favorite online retailer.
They are worth checking out and I would love to know what you think.
Note:
I received this product in exchange for a review. The review is my
personal opinion of the product and I was not required to give a particular
opinion of it. I am not a doctor, so
please use all of the products that I review at your own risk.
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