Customer Reviews Hoka Gaviota

I am an avid runner. Usually use a stability shoe - Saucony Omni or Brooks addiction. The Hoka seems okay. I did notice that when I head out for a run I still go for my Omni (still like these best). However, when I wear the Gaviota it seems okay and in general feels like a solid stability shoe.

Great shoe but unlike other reviews, the shoe runs more than a full size smaller than all other shoes I've ever worn.

I chose the wrong shoe I need arch support and better cushion

This is a great stability shoe but even after months of trying to break them in, they still cause blisters. I've tried many things to prevent but it still rubs it raw every time. I really want to love them but I guess they don't fit my foot.

I was lookin forward to experiencing superior forefoot cushioning. Unfortunately, these shoes were way too tight scross the instep, so back they went. The happy ending is that the Arahi 2 fit perfectly. I sacrificed I small amount of stability for a great fit and am now loving the great cushioning!

I was so sad to hear of the "Infinite" going away. I bought 3 pair of them to rotate through and I need a replacement for them. They are definitely the best shoes I have ever had. I could pull a 12 hour shift and feet still feel good enough to go play tennis. I was told by online rep that these Gaviotas were the replacements to the Infinite and to order the same size. Wrong. These fit way too tight and my feet are still tingling from trying to make them work.

I am a tall woman with feet to match. So, now after having sent back 2 pairs of the shoes, 1lady's pair and 1 men's pair, I thought I had found shoe heaven in the 3rd pair (men for length and width). At first this shoe felt like I was walking on clouds, but after a few runs and walks I discovered that this shoe's heels sit down too low (almost lower than the toe level). I even bought heel/arch inserts hoping that it would lift my heels up some and alleviate the pain of walking/running so flat. I have low arches and over-pronate My previous running shoes were the Women's Mizuno Wave Inspire and Wave Paradox (11.5 B) with NO major fit issues (could have been more narrow). Hopefully this long review will help someone.

I'm only running about 5 miles a day right now and was previously using the arahi 2 but figured I would try something with a little more cushioning so I purchased the gaviotas and after using two times I got shin splints. I'm thinking due to over pronation because of very flat feet even with orthotics. But still very comfortable but not for running. I think I will stick to the arahis.

Great product. The problem is that this is third pair I purchased. 2 of them have the rubber on the button of the shoe fall out after 6 month. I only use the shoes to walk. No exercises. It happens in the Same place. Piece of rubber falls off from the middle of the shoe where it touches ground. Please fix this.

Trialed these for a day (wanted to upgrade from Brooks Beast) and then had to return them :( The side profile of the shoe would suggest ample cushion, but I can tell you the illusion of cushion does not translate to actual shock absorption for the road! The Bondi's I've trialed had supernatural cushioning, but neutral stability; these have the stability rating I need but sub-Beast cushion... back to the BEAST!

Does not fit correctly- hurts at the "inside bottom islet". I have ordered a wider shoe; hoping it will arrive today.

I use the shoes for running distances. They are responsive and bouncy making for a softer run. Never had a shoe this comfortable to run in.

I liked how they felt but I was left with blisters. Have returned for another model. Waiting to get those back.

It is not wide enough in front and needs to be more flexible

Took these out for a quick 2 mile run, and the comfort and fit was great, but my feet started to get hot early in the run, and stayed with me the rest of the time. Not sure if it is due to the insoles, but if the heat does not go away, I will have to return them.

I tried these shoes at my local running store and was immediately impressed with the cushioning, which reminds me of my memory-foam mattress. On my first run, after a couple of miles, my toes started to get numb. I realized that mid-shoe, the fit was too tight. I've been running for about 15 years and have worn all types of normal width running shoes. These were the first that were noticeably too narrow. The front around the toes was fine. They get tight as they approach the ankle. I've compensated by not lacing them up as tightly as I should, but that's not really a good solution. Please fix this so I can keep buying them.

I do trail ultras and I need pronation control. I was very excited to try Hoka's new line of stability shoes. I decided to try the Gaviota 1st (vs. the Arahi) since I was looking for as much cushion as possible. Out of the box, the Gaviota felt pretty good and I took it for a long road run. I noticed quickly that although the tongue is gusseted, it lacks a designated tongue holder to run the laces through and the tongue on my Gaviotas started to slowly creep down after only a few miles. It shifted over to one side, bunched up, and was overall uncomfortable. The Gaviota also has a separate built in mid foot wrap that tightens down as you tighten the laces. In theory, this seems like a good idea, but in practice for my feet, it just caused blistering at my arch bilaterally. I also tried the Gaviotas on a long trail run. The cushioning was great and exactly what I was looking for, but I still had the same issues with the tongue sliding around and the mid foot wrap causing blistering. Even though this isn't a designated "trail" shoe, the traction was actually fairly decent on technical single track (probably because it's such a large footprint). I'm not sure how long the shoe would hold up with full time trail use though, and that is definitely a concern for me. I'm going to return the Gaviota and try the Arahi (which has a tongue holder and no mid foot wrap). I'll post a review once I've had a chance to try it out. Hoka please make a designated trail shoe in the new stability line!

I didn't wear this shoes everyday.

these were too narrow for my feet

I love the shoe from a comfort and stability standpoint, but the tread wears unacceptably fast as others have noted and any run longer than an couple hours and your feet will sweat so bad they will be sloshing around in your shoes. They do not breath. It's a deal breaker.