Customer Reviews Hoka Gaviota 5

I LOVE these shoes! I needed to replace the pair of Hoka One One Gaviota 4 shoes that I had because the bottom was starting to get smooth in several places. I suffer from Plantar Fasciitis, Overpronation, Arthritis in my feet, Pain and burning on the bottoms of my feet, toe and ball of foot pain, a damaged ligament from twisting my left ankle, left knee pain from arthritis, sciatica on the left side and neck and low back pain and I need a a wide toe box. So I need a shoe that can provide plenty of cushion and support and help with all of these health issues. The Gaviota 4 that I've been wearing is a wide width. I ordered this shoe in both a medium and a wide width and the medium is so roomy it fits perfectly. The change from the J frame to the H frame is very noticeable. More cushion feels fabulous! From the moment I tried these shoes on they felt like they had been custom made just for my feet! They are so comfortable, roomy yet stable and I can't say enough about the cushioning! Thank you so much for making my feet happy so that I can enjoy walking my little Yorke so much more and walk farther distances because my feet don't hurt!

Completely different shoe than than the Gaviota 4. The arch is extremely high and is not good for flat feet. Really disappointed. Thought the Gaviota 5 would be similar to 4, but it is much different. The shoe sole itself is wider, but the arch cuts way further in.

The podiatrist recommended Hoka shoes for some feet problems I have. Unfortunately, I need a narrow shoe and Hoka doesn't make shoes in narrow width. In the past the Gaviota 2 fit OK. Unfortunately, the Gaviota 5 is much wider. I'm attaching a photo of a Gaviota 2 (pink trim) and the new Gaviota 5. They are both women's 8.5 medium width.

I currently have the Gaviota 4’s and they’re super worn (because I’ve loved them!) so I bought an identical pair of 4’s as well as this pair of 5’s so I could compare them. The photos show a few style (fabric, foam composition) and functional (toe box width, tread placement) differences. I totally understand the reviews that ask why HOKA made such a dramatically wider toe box on this model, but I’m finding after wearing them around the house a bit that the extra horizontal room is actually really beneficial to me. I suddenly feel like my toes and the ball of my foot are a bit squished in the 4’s, and I’m noticing that I wiggle my toes every so often to try to get them to be a little comfier. I’m sure many disagree still, but personally I am finding the 5’s to be a step up!

The style of the shoe means that the area around the main arch is very narrow, even though I ordered a WW. My orthotics do not really fit well in them. I am going to have to have another pair of orthotics, especially made for them, but I’m keeping them because it is so difficult to find a pair of shoes wide enough for the ball of my foot, including the bunions.

If I could give these a Zero for style, I would - they are incredibly wide and look like duck feet. I cannot imagine who they would flatter. Comfort was fine, consistent with Hoka. Back they go!

I may order s 2nd pair of this HOKA Gavioto 5. My usual 8.5 M fits well, good toe wiggle room, heel fits my narrow heak. In younger years I wore AA, but as years passed, M with a narrow heel feels best. Shoe is very cushioned, feels good, but my flat arches need my orthotic, and I lace the left to the highest hole to support a weak ankle that foit doctor said needd fusion surgery. To avoid surgery & knee scooter over montjs of recovery, I opted for ankle wraps and super supportive shoes with deep heal cup footbed, and mid foot support for over pronating feet.I also wear graduated compression knee high hosiery or sport socks.

The fit and size were perfect. Unfortunately, this style has a negative or neutral heel which is not good for my Achilles tendonitis so I had to return them.