Advice for Road Runners: The HOKA Men's Gaviota 5 is the most cushioned stability model from the brand. This is effectively a stability version of the popular HOKA . We think the Deep Lagoon/Sherbet colourway looks great.
Underfoot Feel
The HOKA Gaviota 5 features a thick midsole of highly cushioned foam. For stability, the Gaviota has an H-Frame structure on top of the midsole. This firmer material keeps your feet stable and aligns the rest of your legs. As this stabilising frame sits around the foam, the Gaviota feels soft and padded underfoot. Particularly in comparison to the already well cushioned HOKA Arahi.
While we think the midsole sculpting looks great, these lines serve a purpose. The billowing effect makes the Gaviota feel softer and more padded underfoot. Additionally, the curved midsole rolls your feet forward and makes it easier to run, particularly when you're getting tired.
Upper Fit
The HOKA Gaviota 5 feels accommodating in the upper. It should fit broader feet well. For those interested in the detail, the upper is a creel jacquard mesh. This delivers excellent breathability. To match the underfoot comfort, an ultra-plush collar hugs your ankle. Finally, midfoot support is enhanced by a gusseted tongue.
As HOKA only converts men's US to UK sizes by half a size, we recommend choosing your normal US running shoe size.
Ideal Run Type
If you're looking for soft stability running shoes, we recommend the HOKA Men's Gaviota 5. That's because the midsole feels very cushioned and padded. As a result of the high level of protection, the Gaviota 5 is one of the best stability running shoes for longer distances.
At the same time, the Gaviota should feel amazing on easy paced runs when you want to forget about your feet. We would also recommend the Gaviota as a go-to-shoe between harder sessions. As the soft rocker midsole should help take the stress off your lower legs. Helping you keep your mileage up and priming your legs for the next run.
The H-Frame support in the HOKA Gaviota 5 should work well for runners with differences between their feet and legs. If you know that one side needs more support than the other, these should be a good choice.
Shoe size is a personal preference and everyone's feet are different, but we want to ensure you avoid any pain or discomfort from bruised toenails, rubbing, blistering or pins and needles.
Your running shoes should have enough width to allow you to spread your toes and should have some space at the front (we recommend having a half to one thumb's width of space from the end of your longest toe to the front of your running shoes).
This usually means that your running shoe will be at least a half size bigger than your regular shoe size though this can vary from brand to brand.
Technical Features
- Approximate weight: 310 grams
- Forefoot stack height: 30 mm
- Heel stack height: 36 mm
- Drop: 6 mm
- Durabrasion outsole rubber for enhanced durability
- Inherently stable geometry
- Recycled content in engineered mesh upper and poly laces