How to Choose Running Shoes

Refined with a wider, more accommodating fit and H-Frame tech, the men's HOKA Gaviota 5 road-running shoes deliver stability without compromising cushioning for a comfortable and supported ride.
Imported.
View the HOKA Gaviota Product LineView all HOKA Men's Road-Running ShoesBest Use | Running |
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Running Shoe Support | Stability |
Running Shoe Cushioning | Maximum Cushion |
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm) | 6 |
Heel Stack Height (mm) | 36 |
Forefoot Stack Height (mm) | 30 |
Footwear Height | Ankle |
Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
Upper | Creel jacquard mesh |
Lining | Mesh |
Midsole | CMEVA foam |
Outsole | Rubber |
Vegan | Yes |
Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 5.9 oz. |
Gender | Men's |
5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 13.5 | 14 | 14 Wide | 15 | 15 Wide | |
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U.S. Men's | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.6 | 13 | 13.5 | 14 | 14 Wide | 15 | 15 Wide |
UK | 4.5 | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 13.5 | 13.5 | 14.5 | 14.5 |
EU | 37.3 | 38 | 38.6 | 39.3 | 40 | 40.6 | 41.3 | 42 | 42.6 | 43.3 | 44 | 44.6 | 45.3 | 46 | 46.6 | 47.3 | 48 | 48.6 | 49.3 | 49.3 | 50.6 | 50.6 |
Foot Length (in.) | 9.06 | 9.2 | 9.4 | 9.56 | 9.7 | 9.875 | 10.1 | 10.2 | 10.4 | 10.5 | 10.7 | 10.9 | 11.1 | 11.2 | 11.375 | 11.6 | 11.7 | 11.9 | 12 | 12 | 12.4 | 12.4 |
Measurements are stated in inches.
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First pair of hoka’s or any kind of highly supportive running shoe. I put them on and was immediately impressed with the comfort and the frame. It has a nice spring and keeps my feet comfortable for 10 hour hospital shifts. Now when you spend premium money on a product you expect premium quality. This is questionable quality. What appears to be sonic welding on the top of the shoe came undone after 10 hours of use, and the fabric on the upper is already fraying, and the rubberized protective layer above the crease between the upper and lower is already stripping away. None of these issues affect comfort, and as of now they don’t affect usability. I’m just worried after spending near $200 on a shoe that started coming apart the first time I put them on. Would. It reccomend, go with another brand that has a better history of qc like Brooks. Will write another review if this pair busts apart prematurely
These shoes offer incredible comfort and support! And that’s about it. I got these shoes in January 2024, flash forward to today and they are halfway to being in pieces. That would be fine if these were around $80. Seeing as these are an almost $200 shoe I expected them to last more than 4-6 months. It gets better! I don’t even run in these. These are a work shoe that I alternate with Birkenstocks. I work in a hospital so these shoes have never been on anything but concrete or linoleum . I’d say I average 3 days a week in these shoes WALKING. And they are falling apart at the heel. All the internal fabric layers have shredded at both heels and the dorsal, lateral, and medial aspects of both feet; so that only the plastic frame remains on the inside. Again this seems like some sort of joke seeing as these are top dollar in cost. Save yourself the regret and get something with acceptable build quality.
Have worn Hokas for a number of years, as I have foot problems and this brand seems to be the most comfortable, without sacrificing support. These Gaviotas... original, 2, 3, 4, and now model 5, have worked quite well for me. I normally wear a wide in Hoka, though this newest model is updated to allow for a wider toe box... a perfect fit! I've always wished for a wider forefoot area in Hokas, but have been limited in model choices. So I can see why a number of people do not like the model 5. But because I have very few choices in the Hoka line that are wide enough and supportive both, I truly hope they keep the Gaviota with a wider toe box. Thanks Hoka!
With the Gaviota 5, the Gaviota line of shoes is no longer a pronators dream stability shoe. Hoka in an effort to address BOTH the supination AND pronations market in ONE shoe has switched the gaviota from the j bar support system to the h bar support system. The results are horrible for pronators- a super cushioned shoe with little more stability than a bondi shoe. I’ve returned my shoes and purchased over 20 pairs of gaviota 4s wherever I could find them - unless hoka reinstates the j bar support system I am done with gaviota 5 and above.
These sneakers are very supportive, with very good cushioning without being over cushioned, lightweight [compared to the New Balances I had], they look great [got the black shoe with white sole] and they seem to have very good quality material... I am only week 2 with them right now so hoping they last a while. I walk 4 miles everyday at a fast pace [15 minute miles] on the sidewalk and street, they keep my feet from feeling pain which is huge for me since I am also an overpronater with plantar fasciatis! This is my first pair of Hoka's and so far I am happy with them!
Please bring back the Gaviota from 4 years ago. I love mine so much that I wanted to add a new color to my collection. Tried this newer Gaviota and it wasn’t even close in comfort and stability compared to the original. Nice color selection, mediocre shoes. And priced way above the competition.
These shoes fit great! They were wide enough for my wide foot and high instep, were well cushioned and comfortable all day.
Loved my HOKA Gaviota 4's (wore out 4 pairs) before HOKA updated to the 5. It's not the same shoe if you are looking for stability; it may work for neutral runners. Too soft for over pronators, and it doesn't feel like the 4. You can still find the 4 on eBay but it isn't easy.
Good shoe but I won’t purchase it again. The Gaviota 4 was much more comfortable as it had better arch support. The reason I purchased the Gaviota 4 in the first place was for the arch support. I won’t purchase this again unless Hoka adds back the great arch support. I only ever wear Hokas and now I’m going to try other makes of shoes
There is a flaw with the Gaviota 5 design compared to prior Gaviota designs. I first turned to Gaviota at the recommendation of a podiatrist around 5 years ago and I have gone through many pairs as historical problems I've had with my feet and knees vanished. The problems are coming back with the Gaviota 5. The difference is that the Gaviota 5 is compressing against the sides of my feet, pushing my metatarsals together when I wear them. I bought a pair of Gaviota 4s on sale just a few months before I purchased my 5s, so I have been able to compare them side-by-side and the compression on the sides of my feet is definitely a distinct difference between the 4 and the 5, despite 2E width on both. I have tried adjusting the laces repeatedly with no luck in sufficiently reducing the compression. I'm very disappointed in this change since I don't know which shoe to turn to now and the prior models of the Gaviota had been such a godsend to my feet, I was obsessed with them, buying multiple pairs per year as well as encouraging friends and family to try them too. All of that is gone now that this new model squeeze my feet and makes my foot problems resurface.