HOKA ONE ONE Challenger ATR 6 review
A versatile cushioning shoe which is suitable for all types of running terrain
The HOKA Challenger ATR 6 shoe offers the runner an excellent range of cushioning that will help enhance the smoothness of your run and allow you to go further wherever you decide to venture. Whether on the road or the outdoor off-road trails, this well-made and attractive-looking shoe has something for everyone.
Here are my shoes in Ombre Blue/Green Sheen.
What I like and dislike about this particular shoe
Like with all new products you buy, you will always find a range of both good and bad points to that chosen product. For the most part, whenever I review something, I always try to look at things with an open mind and, in turn, offer a fair and balanced viewpoint on what a see and feel. After using the shoes for several months, I have highlighted below a few of my main likes and dislikes about this shoe. When using them yourself, you may agree or disagree with the points I raise, but this is my humble opinion on how they worked and performed for me.
The side of the shoe with striking HOKA branding and graphics.
Dislike
Likes
Slightly unstable on very technical terrain
The shoe tred was not as grippy as I would liked
Versatile road to trail shoe
Excellent on flat terrain trails
Comfortable fit throughout
Lightweight shoe
Ample cushioning, soft and spongey
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Drop: 5 mm (29 mm, 24 mm)
Fit: Medium
Surface: Trail All Terrain
Dual-layer mesh for support, durability and breathability
Unifi Repreve® fibre recycled from waste plastic
TPU toe box for durability
Internal heel counter for all-terrain support
Curved sole profile under the metas starting at the back of the foot for a fluid stride
Hoka One One®'s signature cushioning from the oversized, lightweight Eva midsole
CMEva midsole provides stability and absorbs impact points
4mm studs for traction on all terrains
Convex outsole design for stability on rough terrain
Rear of the shoe, with striking colours.
Front of the shoe with laces.
The Shoe
I purchased this shoe because I wanted a light and durable shoe for my recent mountain trip to Switzerland. This shoe follows on from a long line of previous HOKA Challenger models, which have been pretty successful in sales and customers using them on the roads or trails.
As with most successful shoes available on the market, the HOKA ONE ONE Challenger ATR 6 sees only a minor number of positive updates from the previous model. HOKA's focus was to improve the overall experience of this versatile road and trail running shoe with a smoother feel and a softer, more comfortable upper and generally comfortable ride.
HOKA modified the rocker's design to give version 6 a better ride for an enhanced heel-toe transition. Meanwhile, the dual-layer mesh upper holds the foot without the need for irritating overlays, and the recycled fibres within the material make the shoe more sustainable for the environment overall.
I mainly used the shoe while hiking in the Swiss alps and along the alpine trails. I found them to perform perfectly when walking and on a trail run on relatively well-maintained surfaces. These shoes consistently looked good and were comfortable throughout some extensive mileage. After use, my feet did not ache or feel sore, and I generally found them performing as expected.
Sole of the shoe is good and grippy with elements of cushion in between, which made it comfortable, but if you are looking for something with a stiffer ride and solid feel I would personally choose another model and a trusty Vibram sole.
Do I recommend them?
The HOKA ONE ONE Challenger ATR 6 is a versatile running shoe for road and trail use. Its high level of cushioning offers plenty of protection no matter the running surface, and I especially loved the shoe's comfortable underfoot feel. The shoe offers an upbeat blend of soft cushioning and springy energy return. While this shoe isn't recommended for more technical terrain due to its high stack height, the Challenger ATR 6 is a perfect partner for the runner who wants one shoe for both the trail and the road or anyone looking for comfortable cushioning with a lively ride. I think they would make for a great entry shoe for trail running.
Is the shoe worth it?
I like the shoe overall and was generally pleased with how it performed on the trails. The shoe is extremely light and is certainly fit for purpose. The only downside of the shoe is that I feel that if the terrain was to become more technical, then the sole of the shoe needs to be a lot stronger and rigid underfoot. I felt a little unstable when I was running on more technical terrain.
After comparing this shoe to different models in the HOKA trail running range, I found them not comparable to models like the Matafe speed 3, which obviously would outperform them. So although these shoes will be suitable for me running off-road in the Netherlands, I am not sure they would be my choice for rougher terrain and a return to the alps.
For more information on the excellent range of HOKA shoes and their various trail shoe options click here.
The route down into Gimmelwald and the Lauterbrunnen valley beyond.
The Lauterbrunnen Valley and runners competing in the Eiger Ultra Trail. This Ultra Trail delivers a truly spectacular alpine experience. With a distance of 101km and 6700m height difference, the E101 is a mighty challenge to even the most seasoned of trail runners.
A selection of images from my most recent trip to the Swiss Alps and the terrain I was hiking and running upon. More can be found on my Instagram page @garethmate.