Customer Reviews Hoka Gaviota 4

The shoe itself is amazing but parts of the soul of the shoes were becoming unglued.

These shoes feel great when wearing them and getting anywhere I need to however I have noticed some wear and tear already on my shoes and I have only had them maybe two weeks. I don't do anything strenuous in my shoes just to and from work. Otherwise a great feeling shoe.

I ordered my size (11.5), and they were way too tight on the toe, so I returned and ordered a size 12, which also was too tight on the toe and narrow. I've purchased 3 pairs of Bondi 7 and wish they were still available due to the size fit and extreme comfort. I bought the Bondi 8 for my wife, and they were not as comfortable as the 7's, but I will try them out for me and see how they fit.

I love the way the shoe fits, feels, and performs. I'm not very happy with how the shoe holds up. I've been through 2 pair in less than a year and the only reason I went back with the second pair was in anticipation of me just receiving a poorly manufactured shoe. I can't keep the glued areas to stay together.

To establish my actual foot size I've measured with one of those Brannock devices found in shoe stores - my foot with the sock I normally wear is 11 D, a solid medium width. But Hokas are too narrow for me in their standard width so I always order the 2EE wide size and I normally wear in almost all shoes 11.5. I currently have Clifton 8s, Arahi 5 and 6, and Bondi 7. The Arahi is my ultimate shoe of all the Hokas.. Great stable support with wonderful cushioning but still giving me a grounded balanced feel. So I was looking for something similar in a different shoe, in case Arahi was ever discontinued. This Gaviota 4 is my first of this model and is immediately noticeable as narrower than the other Hokas in the same width. That can be seen before putting them on. Once on it's obvious that in a standard width they would be unwearable for almost anyone with a medium to wide foot. They are also shorter than the other Hokas I have in the same size. I have returned them to exchange for size 12. I debated whether to order a larger size or just exchange for another pair of my favorite Arahi. But the underfoot feel - firm, supportive, similar to the Arahi but in a higher stack height - was very good so I'm taking a chance on the larger size. I really would like to have another alternative to the Arahi just in case. Compared to the others Gaviota is much firmer than a Bondi or Clifton and gives a more supported, stable feel. Very similar to an Arahi but higher, shorter and narrower. Some of the shorter feel may be because the cushioning around the heel and Achilles is much thicker than the other shoes, similar to the Bondi, which may push your foot forward toward the end of the shoe. So my advice if you order these go up at least a half size from your usual and definitely avoid the standard width unless you know you have a narrow foot. The upper material is also somewhat denser than my others which made them noticeably warmer in my apartment.

This is my 2nd pair of Hoka shoes. The first was the Bondi 7, which made me feel like I was walking on clouds. However, the Bondi 7 is a bit narrow, so for my second purchase I took the survey and followed the recommendation. While the Gaviota 4 is wider, it's not nearly as soft and cushioned. In fact, it feels like a totally different cushioning material. It's still a great shoe, but Hoka may want to revisit its description and cushion rating.

Great looking and comfortable shoe. The right shoe does squeak and seems to have what feels like detached foam in the middle of the sole.

They are very hard and hurt my feet.

This is l believe my third pair of Gaviotas. The sole is holding up better than used to however other failure points are the same. I admit I am a big guy however that's why I am buying this model. At 75 miles the heel wore through exposing the foam in the heel counter. At 175 miles I have noticed the trim on the heel of the left shoe. I will need to super glue this back on and figure how to patch the heel on the inside of the right shoe.My goal is 300 miles. I don't think that is excessive. Please put some thoughts into the design so that the shoe will last longer.

Loved the fit but boy is the traction part of the sole firm So much so they were clunky on our tile floor so I sent them back for the tried and true Bondi 7/8

The inner sole was not soft enough for me. I am going to try a Bondi shoe

Nice shoe, quality you expect from Hoka. Just didn't fit my wide foot. Sizing is different from the Bondi. I need a wide and the Bondi is a bit wider with more toe room.

Looks like a lot of dampeningmaximal cushion, but is more responsive shoe

I've been wearing Gaviotas since Version2. All were size 9.5. V4's 9.5 was incredibly small and tight. Exchanged for a size 10 and now that seems a bit large but manageable. Will probably look at a different brand or model next time out. Drives me crazy how shoe makes feel the need to fix things that are not broken just for variety sake.

I purchased a pair of these 3 months ago. I have worn them to run 10 miles a week since then. They are light and comfortable but the fabric along the heel has worn through on both shoes. (I attempted to upload an image but was unable to do so.) I don't mind spending $170 on good running shoes but I need them to last a lot longer than 3 months.

The change to a one-piece lacing system and the double-gusset holding the tongue in place (all different than the Gaviota 3) made the shoe very tight and uncomfortable over my instep. I ordered a men's Gaviota 4 to get a little more width over the instep. If I wear heavy socks to keep the gusset seam from cutting into my foot, they work, but they're not nearly as comfortable as my Gaviota 3 is.

Have now used the Gaviota 4 for three weeks. Experiencing foot pain on heels and right side of heel after each long walk or elliptical exercise. based on experience so far would not recommend. As a reference I am male, 6', 203 lbs.

These are great for an hour, then they squeak when your feet warm up. Maybe bad glue? I don't know but very annoying.m

This is my first pair of HOKA's and they're just so-so. Nothing special. I'm disappointed because a friend had highly recommended them.

I wish they would bring back the arch wrap across top of midfoot like past version...also collar lining around back of heel should be more durable tears to soon...also i wish the heel collar and and sides around the ankle could be higher for better support

I saw some commercial about this brand and decided to spend more than $150 to buy one. The cushion was soft and felt good for about a month, then it felt like my other running shoes which I paid for less than $50.

Probably just me...they seem to fit fine but after walking 1/2 mile or so my left pinky toe starts to hurt..purchased a pair for my wife at the same time, she has no complaints..

I've just received my Gaviota 4s and I have to say, after reading all the glowing reviews, I'm a bit disappointed. They don't provide the support I was expecting and the narrow pointy toes are nothing like any foot I've ever seen. Do they think we were all born with narrow pointy feet?