My first pair of Hoka One-One was Challenger ATR 2 Running Shoes . I bought them for shock absorbent experience from what I have read about Hoka brand in the media and friends .
I have read about the best selling Clifton and that Hoka Challenger ATR 2 is the trail version of the Clifton.
So after I have searched online about the best price I have bought a pair of Challenger ATR with about 80 dollars at sale .
First impression about the look was good, the shoe is not so big as some people say about Hokas’s.
At upper the Hoka Challenger ATR 2 has a breathable open mesh, the shoe seems to be very supportive at first look. It also has seamless interior environment to the ATR reduces irritation and blistering according to the manufacturer .
The midsole, which is the Hoka’s main reason to buy their brand, is made from a full length CMEVA midsole, for cushioning and increased impact protection and stability, and a Meta-Rocker midsole geometry.
Outsole is a H-Shape dynamic stability technology, a combination between road and forest which possesses the ability to adapt to a broad range of terrains.
Update : After 100k of mixed terrain the left outsole crampons starting to fall of, I think it was not glued properly .
I found a small piece of wood about 1 cm long in my outsole, but the foot was well protected, I did not feel anything in the my sole .
Now after I have put them on, I found that they are true to size, are wide enough for my not to wide feet.
The materials are nice, not to soft, not too hard. After a few miles it didn’t felt that I am running with a highly cushioned shoe, probably because are new.
At second run the cushioned midsole seems to work better, and in a forth category downhill in the forest the foot is well cushioned, but without the risk of losing control of the ground.
I was nice surprised of how Hoka Challenger ATR deals with the mud, especially at a hilly slope which I didn’t slip at all, in the downhill I have lost a little bit control, but overall the outsole is nice at trail, but also on the road .
The water was nice drained. The debris inside after a 10k run were in normal parameters, even less than in my Merrel All Out Peak shoes .
Other all I am very please about Hoka One-One Challenger ATR 2 Running Shoes and I will recommend it for mixed terrain and good cushioning .