ASICS Blazeblast vs HOKA Challenger 8

Blazeblast or Challenger 8? Here’s how they compare on feel, fit, brand specs and price, from the fitting team at The Run House.

The short answer

Want plush cushion and grip for pavement, gravel and easy trails? Get the Blazeblast.

Want one shoe for roads, gravel and easy trails? Get the Challenger 8.

Get the Blazeblast if

You want the lighter shoe, by about 0.8 oz

Get the Challenger 8 if

You’re on your feet all day or walk a lot
You need a wide width

These two are close. Fit will decide it, so try both on.

On the run

Blazeblast: The cushy door-to-trail shoe. Plush and well cushioned, like a Novablast built for gravel. Outstanding grip on pavement and gravel, with shallow lugs that suit smooth paths. Limited to easy trails.

Challenger 8: The road-to-trail all-rounder. Well cushioned and stable, with grippy redesigned lugs for gravel, dirt paths and the road in between. Flexible for a max-stack trail shoe, though the foam isn’t very bouncy.

Specs side by side

	Blazeblast	Challenger 8
Price	$155	$155
Stack height (heel / forefoot)	42 / 34mm*	42 / 34mm*
Drop	8mm	8mm
Weight, men’s	8.9 oz	9.7 oz
Weight, women’s	7.8 oz	8.7 oz
Support	Neutral	Neutral
Plate	None	None
Widths	Standard	Standard, Wide
Built for	Trails, Easy days, Long runs	Trails, Easy days, Long runs, Walking & all-day wear
Expected life	350–450 miles	400–500 miles

Stack, drop and weight come from each brand’s own website. Numbers marked * aren’t published by the brand and come from other published specs. Weights are for the size each brand quotes. Expected life is our estimate.

Fit

Blazeblast. True to size but not for wide feet. The upper doesn’t breathe well.

Challenger 8. True to size and roomier than the Challenger 7, with a secure heel. Wide available.

Try them on

Come try on both at The Run House in Walpole, Needham or Falmouth. Gait analysis is always free.