Customer Reviews Hoka Gaviota 5

Will not purchase again

I teach in an elementary. I ordered a wide in my regular size and they were rubbing my feet.

Ordered the same size as my Bondi but was much larger/ wider. Could not use.

This is my first time wearing a Hoka shoe and I am very disappointed with the Gaviota 5. I wear a 9.5 medium in Merrill, Skecher, Dansko and Teva but the 95. medium Gaviota 5 is way too wide and long. It takes me forever to lace them up and unlace them because they are so wide and the heel does not fit snugly. I really needed these and didn't want to go through the hassle of exchanging them. Yes they are plush with a wide base for balance - almost too plush as you sink into them which takes more effort push off and move forward. They wear out way too quickly. After just two months of walking the front, outer portion of the sole is nearly worn flat. My Merrill Moab and Skechers last for 2-3 years with extended walking. Asics also wore out out within thee months like these. I will stick with Merrill and Skechers going forward.

Horrible

I guess my feet don't like Hokas. I bought them for a Disneyland trip. I gave them 2 months to try and break in. They fit different than other shoes. I had heard so many wonderful and amazing things about this brand. It took another 2 months fr my feet to recover after the trip. They are now just sitting in my closet and I am disappointed that I spent that much money on them.

I'm not sure why I was asked to do a review. I reached out for assistance on a defective pair of shoes and have yet to receive any feedback. This is the 2nd time I've had a quality issue with the Hoka brand; first time my husband's shoes, this time mine.

Spongy - not supportive at all. Glad I did not pay full price. I hope the next update of the Gaviota is more like Gaviota 4. Don't bother buying Gaviota 5.

Width was good but have to size down from your normal size. Too soft and not enough support for me.

I was hoping these shoes would help with long hours on my feet. They did not. They were not true to size. For me, they ran big. The support was subpar.

I tried wearing them for a month.Wore them outside, ended up getting blisters on both feet.I tried to return them, but they said that it was past one day or four days past the time limit that it could be returned.So I spent a hundred and fifty dollars for nothing.Not good customer service

I tried 3 different styles and sizes of Hoka running shoes. None of them fit right. All were too wide, too big. Even though some styles claim true to size or suitable for narrow foot, I found none of them acceptable. All were returned.

These shoes were comfortable but the tread was worn almost completely down in less than 4 months. I walked in them 3-4 miles a day. I've never had a shoe become unwearable this quickly.

I wore the sneakers in my house for 2-3 weeks and they felt comfortable so I kept the sneakers. However, I only started to wear them in December (3.5 mo after purchase)for my interval walk training (iwt) outdoors. After the first time wearing outdoors I had the worse left ankle and metatarsal pain. I thought maybe just a fluke and few days later after another iwt, same tremendous pain with left ankle and metatarsal . I reached out to the warranty team several times. I was told each time I would receive a response via email in 5-7 business days and this never happened until finally my fourth call. Then I was denied any type of compensation , return or exchange due to "the reported issue has been evaluated and found not to be related to manufacturing defects". How can they tell this from the photos that I submitted?! My left ankle and metatarsals would disagree that there are no defects. I have had several Hokas and models since novemeber 2022... Bondi 8, Bondi 7 and recently arahi 8 and love all of them. VERY disappointed in Hoka warranty team and customer service. I will be taking the defective Gaviota 5 to my local Hoka dealer runner's Edge to reaffirm the defect that is causing the left ankle foot pain and then circle back to customer service /warranty team. Hoka has poor business practices.

Unfortunately, these shoes were terrible for my feet. I tried to continue wearing them hoping to "break them in." I got blisters on the outside of my big toe and the top of one of my second toes. The toenail also bruised and is still bruised 2 months later. I've learned my lesson and will always try shoes out on a treadmill before wearing outside so that I have the option on returning them.

Shoes squeak. I tried two things that customer service suggested, but neither worked. I filed a claim, which was denied. Shoes were less than 6 months old. Will not buy another pair of Hoka brand shoes.

I purchased these shoes for work after noticing a lot of coworkers wearing them, I kept them at work and never had them outside. I hoped for them to last longer then they did.

They cause some pain so I can't wear them. Sadly I missed the return date.

They're good for a month and I'm not even a runner - and then they go soft. Way too expensive for what they are. Stop emailing me...

I bought Hoka Gaviota 5 on May 20th 2025 and within a 6 months stitches came out on both shoe and I try to do warranty claim and the they said it's not cover under warranty and they denied my claim. And they said your claim pertaining to this order will be closed.

I owned so many Hoka over years and this pair is the most uncomfortable shoes from Hoka. I walk and stand for ten to twelve hours per day

These are not nearly as stable as the Arahi 7 even though they have the same frame and the toe bed is far too wideI hate the Graviota 5. The Arahi 7 was my perfect sneakerLOVED THEM! And what does HOKA do to a good shoe, they change themCOMPLETELY! The Arahi 8 has a different frame which is not nearly as stable as the 7 and they increased the heal to toe drop which killed my knees the entire time during the week I wore them. GRAVIOTA 5 and Arahi 8 are horrible and they're the nicest looking stable shoes HOKA makes. I'm now searching for a new brand that doesn't change styles ever year for no reason.

I've had 4 pairs of the clifton 9 I felt they wore out fast as well... These are more expensive and wore out faster!! I plan to try nike instead.

I'm sick to my stomach. I spent a ton of money, and was so excited to get the shoes. But, I do not like them at all. Interestingly, I do like my other HOKA shoes, just not the Gaviota.