Customer Reviews Hoka Gaviota 5

Here's the truth on the new Gaviota 5. I've worn the Bondi 7, Bondi 8 and the Gaviota 4. Tried the Clifton 9 but they just felt like a Bondi 8 little brother - not much cushion in the fore-foot. I have bad knees - multiple surgeries/injuries due to sports throughout my life, a bad back and degenerating neck. The Gaviota 5's are absolutely Hoka's MOST cushioned and supportive shoe! Even my Bondi 8's come in 2nd place to them. I'm on my feet and doing a lot of walking all day. With the Gaviota 5's I can get more accomplished and still feel decent at the end of the day! Saying that - be careful when buying. I normally wear a wide in other sports shoes, including both the Bondi's and the Gaviota 4. With the Gaviota 5, I'm wearing a normal width and there's still plenty of space in the toe box. In fact, I could have easily dropped down a half size and still been fine. The other issue is the tongue. It has elastic on the inside part only, so the tongue always rides to the inside. Not really uncomfortable, just annoying. Still, the Gaviota 5's are a big win!

I've been on four runs with these so far. I find that they rub the inside of my foot weirdly and if I ran longer distances, I'd expect bad blisters. My calves also cramp a lot wearing these, which might be from the squishiness. I purchased these in part for the rumored softness--I'm prearthiritic on my metatarsals, and I will say that the cushion really softens the blow, but it seems to do so at the cost of stability, because I feel the inside soles giving too much, and it's causing knee pain.

I suffer from calf and ankle issues. Have been dealing with them for almost 3 years. I have purchased countless Hoka's and none have helped better the issue; I will say they are the best brand compared to all the others I've tried. My issue with the Gaviota 5s is that they do not last whatsoever. I wear them for walking indoors 5 days a week and within the first three months the sole was already worn, to the point my podiatrist was telling me my shoes were too old and worn; I told him I had just gotten them 3 months prior! My very first pair of Hokas around 2 years ago were the best I ever had, but they only lasted 6 months. All others purchased since Ive noticed the quality has gone down. I'd love to try the new ones that just came out but at that price point!

Very comfortable but medium width was much too wide and looked out of proportion

I wear Gaviota 4 which I love immensely. And I wear Bondi 8 as well . I'm a nurse and I'm on my feet all day for 12 hours, usually more like 16 hours. I bought the Gaviota 5 thinking they were going to be similar to the Gaviota 4 . They are not. It seems like you have turned the Gaviota 5 into Bondi 8. I feel it's the exact same shoe. Gaviota 4 wqs absolutely perfect. It was the perfect shoe. It didn't have that big balloon Feel as bondi size 10 if you hold it up to the gaviata 4 looks two sizes bigger. It's really hard to explain this, but the two different shoe styles are actually one in the same. Gaviota 5 is Bondi 8. Now I'm going to have to go online and find a pair of Gaviota 4 purchase them and not know if I'm getting counterfeit shoes or not because you changed your best shoe into a Bondi 8.

Comfortable shoe but too wide.