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Hoka Challenger 7 vs Vivobarefoot Tracker Forest ESC

Weight and specs compared for 2026 — and which one to choose.

Hoka Challenger 7 is the lighter option — 306 g lighter than the Vivobarefoot Tracker Forest ESC (53% less weight). If grams matter to you, that is the one to beat.
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Spec Hoka Challenger 7 Vivobarefoot Tracker Forest ESC
Weight 275 g · 0.275 kg · 0.61 lb 581 g · 0.581 kg · 1.28 lb
Brand Hoka Vivobarefoot
Category Footwear Footwear
Hoka Challenger 7
275 g

Versatile trail running shoe with moderate cushioning and aggressive lug pattern. Handles technical trails and hard-packed dirt with ease.

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Vivobarefoot Tracker Forest ESC
581 g

Minimal hiking shoe pair at 2 lb 9 oz (581g) with zero-drop platform and barefoot-style ground feel for natural movement.

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Hoka Challenger 7 vs Vivobarefoot Tracker Forest ESC: which should you buy?

If saving weight is your priority, the Hoka Challenger 7 wins — at 275 g it is 306 g (53%) lighter than the Vivobarefoot Tracker Forest ESC (581 g). That said, the heavier option may justify the extra grams with more capacity, durability or comfort, so weigh the trade-off against how you'll use it.

See where both rank against everything else in this category on the lightest footwear page, or browse the full gear weight database.

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