Choosing the right trail running shoes can be a game-changer for any runner. Whether you're tackling technical trails in the French Alps or navigating the rugged terrain of the Lake District, the shoes on your feet play a critical role in both performance and comfort. Two brands have garnered significant attention in recent years for their trail running offerings—Hoka and ON. Both brands have strong followings among runners across Europe and the United Kingdom, and each has carved out its own niche in the trail running world. In this article, we will dive into a detailed comparison between two of their flagship models for trail running: the Hoka Challenger 7 and the ON Cloudrunner Trail.
By examining their design, performance, comfort, durability, and overall value, we aim to help you decide which brand and shoe model is best suited for your trail running needs.
Brand Overview: Hoka and ON
Before we break down the features of the Challenger 7 and Cloudrunner Trail, it’s important to understand the ethos behind each brand.
Hoka, a brand born in the French Alps, initially gained fame for its maximalist cushioning and rocker technology, offering ultra-soft landings and smooth transitions for long-distance runners. Over the years, Hoka has evolved from a niche brand in ultra-running circles to a mainstream favourite, known for their comfort and innovative design.
On the other hand, ON is a Swiss brand that has rapidly gained a foothold in the running world, offering a combination of sleek aesthetics and advanced technology. ON’s hallmark is its CloudTec® system, which features pods on the sole designed to compress upon impact and provide a responsive push-off. This technology has made ON shoes particularly popular with runners who appreciate a balance of responsiveness and comfort.
Design and Aesthetics
Let’s start by comparing the design and aesthetics of the Hoka Challenger 7 and ON Cloudrunner Trail. While design may not directly impact performance, many runners appreciate shoes that not only perform well but also look good on and off the trail.
Hoka Challenger 7: Known for its distinctive look, the Challenger 7 stays true to Hoka’s maximalist cushioning style. The shoe features a high stack height, giving it the unmistakable Hoka profile. The Challenger 7 is designed to provide a plush ride, making it ideal for long trail runs where comfort is key. Its colour options are bold yet refined, blending trail-ready functionality with modern aesthetics.
ON Cloudrunner Trail: ON shoes are known for their clean, minimalist design, and the Cloudrunner Trail is no exception. The shoe has a sleeker, more understated appearance than the Challenger 7, making it versatile for both trail runs and everyday wear. The Cloudrunner Trail features ON’s signature CloudTec® pods, which give the shoe a unique look, combining performance elements with an elegant, modern design.
When it comes to design, it ultimately comes down to personal preference. If you’re drawn to bold, cushioned aesthetics, the Hoka Challenger 7 will likely appeal to you. If you prefer a more streamlined, understated design, the ON Cloudrunner Trail is the way to go.
Cushioning and Comfort
Cushioning is a crucial factor for trail running shoes, especially for those tackling uneven and rugged terrain. Both the Hoka Challenger 7 and ON Cloudrunner Trail offer excellent cushioning, but they approach it in different ways.
Hoka Challenger 7: The Challenger 7 features Hoka’s signature EVA foam midsole, which is soft yet responsive. This shoe is designed for long-distance comfort, absorbing impact over prolonged periods of time. The Challenger 7 also incorporates Hoka’s early-stage Meta-Rocker technology, which helps create a smooth transition from heel to toe, providing a consistent, rolling motion that’s easy on the legs. This makes the Challenger 7 ideal for runners who prioritise comfort on long, endurance-based trail runs.
ON Cloudrunner Trail: The Cloudrunner Trail features ON’s CloudTec® cushioning system, which is engineered to offer both softness and responsiveness. Unlike the Challenger 7, which focuses on plush cushioning, the Cloudrunner Trail aims to balance impact protection with a more energetic, springy ride. The shoe’s Cloud elements compress upon impact, providing a cushioned landing, and then quickly rebound to give the runner a propulsive push-off. This makes the Cloudrunner Trail ideal for runners who appreciate a more responsive, energetic ride.
If you prioritise maximum cushioning for long-distance comfort, the Hoka Challenger 7 may be the better choice. However, if you prefer a more responsive feel with some bounce, the ON Cloudrunner Trail’s CloudTec® system is hard to beat.
Traction and Grip
Trail running demands exceptional grip, especially when navigating wet, muddy, or rocky terrains. Both the Challenger 7 and Cloudrunner Trail offer solid traction, but they cater to different types of trail environments.
Hoka Challenger 7: The Challenger 7 features a multi-lugged outsole with 4mm lugs, providing good traction on a variety of surfaces. It is particularly well-suited for dry, packed trails but also holds its own on more technical terrains. However, it may struggle in extremely muddy or slippery conditions due to the relatively shallow depth of its lugs. The Challenger 7’s outsole is versatile, designed to transition seamlessly between trails and roads, making it a great option for runners who mix trail and road running.
ON Cloudrunner Trail: The Cloudrunner Trail, by contrast, has deeper and more aggressive lugs than the Challenger 7, making it better suited for technical and more challenging terrain. The lugs are designed to grip a variety of surfaces, including wet rocks and muddy trails. ON has focused on creating a shoe that excels in more rugged environments, and the Cloudrunner Trail is an excellent choice for runners tackling steeper, more uneven trails.
If you’re running on mixed terrain or combining road and trail runs, the Hoka Challenger 7’s versatile outsole will likely suit your needs. However, for those venturing onto more technical, slippery trails, the ON Cloudrunner Trail offers better grip and stability.
Durability
Trail running shoes need to withstand harsh environments, from sharp rocks to muddy puddles. Let’s look at how the durability of the Hoka Challenger 7 compares with the ON Cloudrunner Trail.
Hoka Challenger 7: The Challenger 7 is built with Hoka’s signature durability, featuring a robust upper and reinforced toe cap that protects against abrasions and impacts. While it excels in maintaining its cushioning over time, some users have noted that the outsole may wear down more quickly on highly technical or rough terrains. That said, for runners who stick to moderate trails or combine road running, the durability of the Challenger 7 is more than sufficient.
ON Cloudrunner Trail: The Cloudrunner Trail is designed with durability in mind, particularly for runners tackling rugged terrain. Its outsole is more robust than the Challenger 7’s, with deeper lugs and a harder-wearing rubber compound that stands up well to rough surfaces. The shoe’s upper is also reinforced, with a protective toe cap and additional overlays to prevent wear and tear in high-abrasion areas. This makes the Cloudrunner Trail a great choice for runners who regularly tackle challenging or technical trails.
If you’re primarily running on moderate trails and roads, the Hoka Challenger 7’s durability will suffice. However, if you frequently run on more technical or rocky terrains, the ON Cloudrunner Trail offers better long-term durability.
Fit and Sizing
When it comes to fit, both the Hoka Challenger 7 and ON Cloudrunner Trail cater to different types of foot shapes and preferences.
Hoka Challenger 7: Hoka shoes are generally known for their wider fit, making them ideal for runners with wider feet or those who prefer a roomier toe box. The Challenger 7 continues this tradition, offering a comfortable, accommodating fit that allows your toes to splay naturally during runs. The padded collar and tongue add extra comfort, especially during longer runs.
ON Cloudrunner Trail: ON shoes typically have a more narrow and precise fit, and the Cloudrunner Trail is no different. This shoe is best suited for runners with a narrow to medium foot width. Its snug fit ensures a locked-in feel, which is beneficial for technical trail running where stability is key. If you prefer a more secure, glove-like fit, the Cloudrunner Trail is the better option.
Runners with wider feet or those who prioritise comfort over a locked-in fit may prefer the Hoka Challenger 7, while those seeking a snug, performance-oriented fit should consider the ON Cloudrunner Trail.
Weight and Breathability
Weight can be a critical factor for trail runners, especially those covering long distances, while breathability is essential for comfort, particularly in warmer climates.
Hoka Challenger 7: Weighing in at around 247 grams for a men’s size 9, the Challenger 7 is relatively lightweight for a trail shoe with such substantial cushioning. The upper is made of engineered mesh, which allows for good airflow and breathability, keeping your feet cool and comfortable during long runs. The lightweight nature of the Challenger 7 makes it a great choice for runners who want maximum cushioning without feeling weighed down.
ON Cloudrunner Trail: The Cloudrunner Trail is slightly heavier, weighing around 295 grams for a men’s size 9. However, this extra weight is largely due to the additional durability and protection offered by the deeper lugs and reinforced upper. The shoe also features a breathable mesh upper, though it may not be quite as breathable as the Challenger 7 due to its more rugged construction.
For runners prioritising lightweight design and breathability, the Hoka Challenger 7 is the better option. However, if you value durability and protection over weight savings, the ON Cloudrunner Trail’s additional features may be worth the extra grams.
Price and Value for Money
When comparing the Hoka Challenger 7 and ON Cloudrunner Trail, price is always a factor to consider, particularly when weighing the overall value for money.
Hoka Challenger 7: The Challenger 7 is competitively priced, typically retailing around £120-£130. Given its versatility for both trail and road running, as well as its excellent cushioning, the Challenger 7 offers great value for runners looking for a shoe that can handle a variety of conditions.
ON Cloudrunner Trail: The Cloudrunner Trail is slightly more expensive, usually retailing around £135-£145. However, the shoe’s additional durability and advanced technology make it a worthwhile investment for runners who prioritise rugged performance and longevity.
If you’re looking for a versatile shoe at a slightly lower price point, the Hoka Challenger 7 is a solid choice. However, for runners willing to invest a bit more for additional durability and technical performance, the ON Cloudrunner Trail offers excellent value.
Final Verdict: Which Shoe is Better?
Ultimately, the best trail running shoe for you will depend on your personal preferences and the type of terrain you’ll be tackling.
If you’re looking for a versatile shoe that offers exceptional cushioning, a comfortable fit, and the ability to transition between trails and roads, the Hoka Challenger 7 is a fantastic option. It’s ideal for runners who prioritise comfort over rugged technical performance and enjoy longer, more leisurely trail runs.
On the other hand, if you frequently run on more challenging, technical trails and need a shoe that offers superior grip, durability, and a responsive feel, the ON Cloudrunner Trail is the better choice. Its combination of CloudTec® cushioning, a snug fit, and aggressive outsole make it perfect for runners tackling steeper, rougher trails.
Whichever shoe you choose, both Hoka and ON offer excellent trail running options, ensuring you’ll be well-equipped for your next adventure in the mountains or across the rugged trails of Europe.
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