Merrell Nova 4 vs HOKA Challenger 8

Nova 4 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 a comfortable, beginner-friendly trail shoe? Get the Nova 4.

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

Get the Nova 4 if

You like a firmer, more stable feel
You need a roomier fit
You want the lighter shoe, by about 0.5 oz
You’d rather spend $15 less

Get the Challenger 8 if

You want the softer, more cushioned ride
You want more foam underfoot (13mm more at the heel)
Long runs are your thing

On the run

Nova 4: The beginner-friendly trail shoe. Flexible and beginner-friendly, ideal for heel strikers, with a breathable upper. Very low energy return, and the high drop can feel awkward.

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

	Nova 4	Challenger 8
Price	$140	$155
Stack height (heel / forefoot)	29 / 21mm	42 / 34mm*
Drop	8mm	8mm
Weight, men’s	9.2 oz	9.7 oz
Weight, women’s	Not listed by Merrell	8.7 oz
Support	Neutral	Neutral
Plate	None	None
Widths	Standard, Wide	Standard, Wide
Built for	Trails, Easy days, Walking & all-day wear	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

Nova 4. True to size with a comfortable, fully redesigned upper. Wide available.

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.