Saucony Ride TR3 vs HOKA Challenger 8
Ride TR3 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 cushioned shoe for roads, gravel and easy trails? Get the Ride TR3.
Want one shoe for roads, gravel and easy trails? Get the Challenger 8.
Get the Ride TR3 if
- You like a firmer, more stable feel
- You want more bounce and energy back
- You like a bit more structure under the forefoot
Get the Challenger 8 if
- You want the softer, more cushioned ride
- You want more foam underfoot (3mm more at the heel)
- You’re on your feet all day or walk a lot
- You like a flexible, natural-feeling forefoot
On the run
Ride TR3: The Ride for roads and trails. A road-to-trail Ride, with more PWRRUN+ cushioning, grippy 3.5mm lugs and a rugged upper. Best for easy days and long mixed-surface runs.
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.
The Ride TR3 hasn’t been lab tested by RunRepeat yet, so its feel ratings are estimated from the Ride 19 lab test (same PWRRUN+ foam) and Running Warehouse’s description.
Specs side by side
| Ride TR3 | Challenger 8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $150 | $155 |
| Stack height (heel / forefoot) | 39 / 31mm* | 42 / 34mm* |
| Drop | 8mm* | 8mm |
| Weight, men’s | 10.1 oz* | 9.7 oz |
| Weight, women’s | 8.9 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 | 400–500 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
Ride TR3. True to size, with a rugged upper.
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.
Shop the Ride TR3 · Shop the Challenger 8 · Compare other running shoes