ShoeGeometry

Hoka Challenger 8 vs Salomon GRVL Concept

Two shoes compared on measured geometry. Each cell carries a provenance badge; open a shoe for sources.

heel boneHoka Challenger 8: heel 44 mm, forefoot 37 mm (drop 7 mm); toe rocker 39 % of length, radius 52 % of length; heel bevel 15 % of length, 20 mm high at the back, reaching in front of the heel bone (the sole still curves up under it: a heel rocker).Hoka Challenger 8: toe rocker 39 % of lengthSalomon GRVL Concept: heel 43 mm, forefoot 37 mm (drop 6 mm); toe rocker not measured yet (visible lift over the front 23 % of length), typical shape drawn; heel bevel 10 % of length, 21 mm high at the back, ending behind the heel bone (only the back edge is rounded).
  • Hoka Challenger 844/37 mm · toe rocker 39 % · heel bevel 15 %
  • Salomon GRVL Concept43/37 mm · toe rocker not measured · heel bevel 10 %
Illustrative profiles, not photographs: drawn from published stack heights and photo estimates of the unloaded shoes on a common length (300 mm), heels aligned, toe to the left; dots mark where each toe rocker starts; the dotted vertical line is under the heel bone (12 % of length), so a heel curve reaching past it is a bevel in front of the heel bone. Dotted lines use typical values where a shoe has no measurement. Exact values are in the table below.

Which suits you

If you wantPickBecause
A smoother roll at toe-offHoka Challenger 838.6 vs 32.9 % toe rocker
More cushioning under the heelAbout the same44 vs 43 mm heel stack
More under the forefootAbout the same37 vs 37 mm forefoot stack
A lower dropSalomon GRVL Concept7 vs 6 mm drop
Less weightSalomon GRVL Concept275 vs 261 g

From the values below, with differences inside measurement noise shown as about the same. This describes the shoes, not what is right for your feet; comfort in the first few runs decides.

MetricHoka Challenger 8
Road/trail hybrid · Mixed
Salomon GRVL Concept
Road/trail hybrid · Mixed
Heel-to-toe drop7 mmStated6 mmDerived
Heel stack44 mmStated43 mmStated
Forefoot stack37 mmStated37 mmStated
Weight275 gStated261 gStated
Toe rocker39 %est.33 %est.
Rocker radius52 %est.—
Rocker rise angle25 degest.—
Rocker angle at toe59 degest.—
Toe tip over ground39 mm*est.34 mm*est.
Visible rocker lift onset75 %est.77 %est.
Toe spring (relative)18.2 %est.—
Heel bevel length15.4 %est.9.9 %est.
Heel bevel height20 mm*est.21 mmest.
Midsole width (forefoot)115.3 mmMeasured—
Midsole width (heel)99.6 mmMeasured—
Interior forefoot width96.5 mmMeasured—
Toebox width72.8 mmMeasured—
Longitudinal stiffness21Derived—
Midsole firmness37Derived—
PlateNo plateCarbon plate
Primary foamCMEVAoptiFOAM+ (PEBA/EVA), dual layer around forked energyBLADE carbon plate
List price$155$250

Key differences

  • Hoka Challenger 8's heel-to-toe drop is 7 mm, 1 mm higher than Salomon GRVL Concept's 6 mm.
  • Hoka Challenger 8's heel stack is 44 mm, 1 mm thicker than Salomon GRVL Concept's 43 mm.
  • Forefoot stack is about the same: 37 mm for Hoka Challenger 8, 37 mm for Salomon GRVL Concept.
  • Hoka Challenger 8's weight is 275 g, 14 g heavier than Salomon GRVL Concept's 261 g.
  • Hoka Challenger 8's toe rocker is 39 % of length, 6 % of length longer than Salomon GRVL Concept's 33 % of length.

Read more about both shoes

We measure the shape. For how they feel over many miles, and for lab tests of cushioning, grip and fit:

Hoka Challenger 8

Salomon GRVL Concept

Independent sites; we are not affiliated with them.

Hoka Challenger 8 details · Salomon GRVL Concept details · Add more shoes