HOKA is renowned for soft, cushioned trainers, and the Gaviota adds maximum stability. In our running shoes for bad knees guide we liked how the design lets the foot roll through a natural gait, reducing wear and tear on painful knees.
The grippy outsole holds well in all conditions, and the relatively wide toe box suits runners with wide feet. The Gaviota 6 is the current version.
In our best running shoes for flat feet guide we picked the Gaviota as one of the best max-cushion shoes for severe overpronation. Severe flat feet can wobble both inwards and outwards. HOKA’s H-Frame wraps stabilising foam around both edges, securing the foot centrally over the wide sole so the arch doesn’t sag over the side.
It feels wide, steady and protective, and the Early Stage MetaRocker eases turnover so it doesn’t feel like a flat plank. It’s heavy, with little ground feel, and runners with narrow midfeet may find the roomy base hard to lock down.
Who it’s for: overpronators and runners with bad knees who want HOKA comfort with maximum support.
