Can I go straight from the Hoka Challenger ATR 6 to the Challenger 8 and skip the Challenger 7?

Yes, but going Challenger 6 to Challenger 8 means taking one change in a single step: the Challenger 8 is where the ride moved. The drop also goes 5 mm to 8 mm across the jump, so give it a week of easy running.

How much did the weight change across these two updates?

It nets out. The Challenger 6 and the Challenger 8 both weigh about 9.6 oz in a men's US 9, though the Challenger 7 sat at 8.8 oz in between.

Is the Challenger 7 the better buy than either of these?

On paper it splits them: 8.8 oz against 9.6 oz for the Challenger 6 and 9.5 oz for the Challenger 8, on a 31 mm heel and a $145 list price. Whether that is worth chasing depends on what the Challenger 7 update actually did, which the section above works through.

Did the Challenger get taller between the Challenger 6 and the Challenger 8?

Heel stack went 29 mm to 42 mm, by way of 31 mm on the Challenger 7. Drop moved 5 mm to 8 mm, which is the change your calves and Achilles notice.

Where does the Challenger 8 sit in the Challenger lineup now?

It is the current model, two versions on from the Challenger 6 and the newest one you can buy at full retail.

Hoka Challenger ATR 6 vs Challenger 8

Two versions apart. Updated September 10, 2026. Specs are men's US 9.

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THE SHORT ANSWER

Two updates and 4 years separate the Hoka Challenger ATR 6 from the Challenger 8. Net change: 13 mm more heel stack, a drop change from 5 mm to 8 mm, $25 more at list. The Challenger 8 is where the character changed, and that is the update Challenger 6 owners notice first.

Hoka Challenger 8Sizes running outMen's at Amazon Women's

Availability last checked Sep 10, 2026. Prices and stock change without notice.

Challenger 6 · 2021

Challenger 8 · 2025

The two updates in between

Each step has its own page with the full change list and the verdict on that update.

Step 1Challenger 6 to Challenger 72023Refined, same shoe
Challenger 6 vs 7 What replaced the Hoka Challenger ATR 6?
Step 2Challenger 7 to Challenger 82025Changed character
Challenger 7 vs 8 What replaced the Hoka Challenger 7?

Challenger 6 vs Challenger 8: every spec, side by side

The net of both updates. Per-update change notes stay on the step pages above, because they explain changes measured from a different starting point than this table uses.

Spec	Challenger 6	Challenger 8
FIT AND WEIGHT
Weight	9.6 oz	9.5 oz
Widths	D, 2E	D, 2E
Upper	Double-layer engineered mesh, recycled yarn	Recycled jacquard mesh
CUSHIONING GEOMETRY
Heel stack	29 mm	42 mm
Forefoot stack	24 mm	34 mm
Drop	5 mm	8 mm
MATERIALS
Midsole	CMEVA	CMEVA
VALUE
List price at launch	$130	$155

Or buy the Challenger 7 instead?

The Challenger 7 is the value play if you find it discounted. It carries most of what the Challenger 8 added while selling as an older model, and moving one version at a time is the smaller adjustment.

Buy the Challenger 7

Sizes running out

Discontinued at retail. Amazon carries what remains, so treat an in-stock size as a closing window, and expect prices to swing.

Men's: Check remaining stock Women's: Check remaining stock

Availability last checked Aug 9, 2026.

Questions runners ask

Can I go straight from the Hoka Challenger ATR 6 to the Challenger 8 and skip the Challenger 7?: Yes, but going Challenger 6 to Challenger 8 means taking one change in a single step: the Challenger 8 is where the ride moved. The drop also goes 5 mm to 8 mm across the jump, so give it a week of easy running.
How much did the weight change across these two updates?: It nets out. The Challenger 6 and the Challenger 8 both weigh about 9.6 oz in a men's US 9, though the Challenger 7 sat at 8.8 oz in between.
Is the Challenger 7 the better buy than either of these?: On paper it splits them: 8.8 oz against 9.6 oz for the Challenger 6 and 9.5 oz for the Challenger 8, on a 31 mm heel and a $145 list price. Whether that is worth chasing depends on what the Challenger 7 update actually did, which the section above works through.
Did the Challenger get taller between the Challenger 6 and the Challenger 8?: Heel stack went 29 mm to 42 mm, by way of 31 mm on the Challenger 7. Drop moved 5 mm to 8 mm, which is the change your calves and Achilles notice.
Where does the Challenger 8 sit in the Challenger lineup now?: It is the current model, two versions on from the Challenger 6 and the newest one you can buy at full retail.