HOKA ONE ONE Gaviota 2 Running Shoe - Men's for Sale, Reviews, Deals and Guides

8.8
out of 10
9 Positive, 3 Mixed & 0 Negative
from 12 Reviews
Retail Price:
$149.95
Used Value:
$89.97
Sale Value:
$134.96

If clunky and restrictive shoes are what come to mind when you hear the word "stability" then there's a good chance you haven't taken the HOKA ONE ONE Gaviota 2 Running Shoe for a spin yet. Designed with an ideal balance of comfort and support, this shoe will be a steady partner to you on long weekend training runs. It gets most of its stability from HOKA's J-Frame design, which uses a firmer density foam to support the inside of your foot without weighing it down or throwing a wrench into your natural running stride. Your foot will be guided to a healthy stride without rigid and restrictive materials, which in turn helps you run more smoothly and comfortably. A late-stage Meta-Rocker design also delivers a stable forefoot and smooth transition, and an updated mesh upper offers more breathability than ever before, giving you comfort on all fronts for your long miles on the road.


Specifications

Brand:
Claimed Weight:
(single, size 9) 10.6oz
Closure:
lace
Cushion:
moderate
Drop:
5mm
Footbed:
Ortholite
Heel / Forefoot Height:
29 / 24mm
Manufacturer Warranty:
45 days
Midsole:
EVA, J-Frame, late-stage Meta-Rocker
Recommended Use:
road running
Sole:
zonal rubber, J-Frame rubberized foam
Support Type:
stability
Upper Material:
engineered mesh

Full Reviews

6
I Have had these for a couple months now and have put between 125 and 150 miles on them *walking*. I don't run, as these knees are shot, but I do get in 3 - 4 miles walking the roads a few times / week. These are probably the most comfortable pair of shoes I have ever worn - hands down. They are wide, and I have a narrow foot, but they don't slip; they stay tight and the uppers are like air. One thing to keep in mind is that they run extremely small; I am an 11.5 in most every other shoe, but I am a 12.5 in this one. Which is odd, as my Hoka ATR trail shoes are 11.5's. Anyway, no big deal, they fit, they're just a size larger than every other shoe I have. The *really* bad is that the soles are going to wear out rather soon. They are a 3-part material, one of which, the red material in the pictures, is solid and shows little-to-no wear...the grey and material is wearing down significantly. The *really really* bad is that they cost $150! Such a shame as they could be worth that if they would just use that red material over the entire sole - there's enough cushion to offset whatever stiffness the red material would create...if any...I'm not a tech guru. Anyway, the shoe is super comfortable, it kinda looks clownish but that's ok, and the soles are just not all that durable. Weigh your needs when thinking about buying these...
Ben M., backcountry.com
November 24, 2020
6
I Have had these for a couple months now and have put between 125 and 150 miles on them *walking*. I don't run, as these knees are shot, but I do get in 3 - 4 miles walking the roads a few times / week. These are probably the most comfortable pair of shoes I have ever worn - hands down. They are wide, and I have a narrow foot, but they don't slip; they stay tight and the uppers are like air. One thing to keep in mind is that they run extremely small; I am an 11.5 in most every other shoe, but I am a 12.5 in this one. Which is odd, as my Hoka ATR trail shoes are 11.5's. Anyway, no big deal, they fit, they're just a size larger than every other shoe I have. The *really* bad is that the soles are going to wear out rather soon. They are a 3-part material, one of which, the red material in the pictures, is solid and shows little-to-no wear...the grey and material is wearing down significantly. The *really really* bad is that they cost $150! Such a shame as they could be worth that if they would just use that red material over the entire sole - there's enough cushion to offset whatever stiffness the red material would create...if any...I'm not a tech guru. Anyway, the shoe is super comfortable, it kinda looks clownish but that's ok, and the soles are just not all that durable. Weigh your needs when thinking about buying these...
Ben M., backcountry.com
November 24, 2020
6
I thought HOKA's would be good for me because I have a pretty wide toe box. I also wanted to try something with less heel to toe drop and these looked like they would fit the bill. I've always run in Brooks and while these shoes were initially comfortable, after a few miles they give me a lot of pressure on my toe box and some troubles along my arch. I tried to run in them a few times for on short recovery runs but they're just not a great fit for me. It looks like they're a great option for a lot of people though! Definitely like the stability and design of the sole.
Joe, backcountry.com
May 13, 2020
10
As someone new to running I am no expert but these shoes are amazing. As someone who is out of shape and new to running, these shoes have made an amazing difference. The stability and cushioning is phenomenal! Tried Nike's but couldn't find the stability like these. If you need a stable shoe with cushion, these are the ones for you! Im completely sold on Hoka! Post run hangs with the pup.
Freddie A., backcountry.com
April 17, 2020
10
As someone new to running I am no expert but these shoes are amazing. As someone who is out of shape and new to running, these shoes have made an amazing difference. The stability and cushioning is phenomenal! Tried Nike's but couldn't find the stability like these. If you need a stable shoe with cushion, these are the ones for you! Im completely sold on Hoka! Post run hangs with the pup.
Freddie A., backcountry.com
April 17, 2020
10
As someone new to running I am no expert but these shoes are amazing. As someone who is out of shape and new to running, these shoes have made an amazing difference. The stability and cushioning is phenomenal! Tried Nike's but couldn't find the stability like these. If you need a stable shoe with cushion, these are the ones for you! Im completely sold on Hoka! Post run hangs with the pup.
Freddie A., backcountry.com
April 17, 2020
10
My whole body is jacked up but especially my feet, left knee, lower back and neck. I'm just dying without the gym in my life so I figured I'd buy the most comfortable, supportive shoe out there. Well, a lot of fingers pointed at Hoka and I just went and tried them all on.... and walked this this one. Best feeling shoe out of the box ever.... and I'm a La Sportiva die hard. They don't look too bad either. Growing on me. But honestly if they looked like shit I'd still wear them. Excellent, excellent shoe. You won't regret this purchase.
Tom Samuels, backcountry.com
October 21, 2019
10
I have also found that these run about a half size small. I normally wear a size 11.5 in street shoes and 12.5 in run shoes, but the 12 was perfect. I loved this shoe for road running around Salt Lake City. The rockered sole seems to push you forward into your next step and it took about one run to get used to, but then I loved it. I'm a bad overpronator while running and the Gaviota gave all the stability I would ever need. From the looks of it the cushion looks out of control, but your foot actually sits inside of the cushion, not on top so it provides a unique amount of support and stability. The uppers on the shoe were my favorite part, super comfortable and sock-like, with a firmer harness from the ankle around the laces to provide support where you need it. If you need a stability shoe and are more of a maximalist than a minimalist this is the shoe for you.
Aaron Bytendorp, backcountry.com
May 10, 2019
10
These shoes fit about a half size smaller than other shoes. I am solidly a 10.5 and the 11 was a perfect fit in the Gaviota. I love the concept of the Hoka and these feel like a well made running shoe. I have only taken these on short runs but love the feel thus far.
Daniel Gonser, backcountry.com
April 6, 2019
10
All the support and performance of the best running shoes with footbeds like pillows. The tread handled all sorts of weather in Salt Lake just fine - snow, wet, and dry. They're also lightweight so there's no tradeoff with the cushioning. It's plushy without sacrificing performance. I've been using them everyday - running, jogging, and standing at my desk at work. No complaints! As I don't know the research behind the rocker design of the sole, I can't objectively say how it compares to traditional shoes. I can say from personal experience that it felt like I had an increased momentum carrying me forward. Even if it was all in my head, running felt awesome.
Ben Wilson, backcountry.com
March 18, 2019
10
If you have a job that requires standing for a Long period of time! This is the shoe for you, after the first 2 days wearing them my feet dont hurt, Ive been using Asics shoes, but noting compares to Hoka, the extra Cushion is amazing!
christoper lopez, backcountry.com
March 5, 2019
8
These are super comfortable and really help my feet feel protected and cared for on those recovery and easy runs. I like using stability shoes for the easy runs I do so I can really focus on form. The Gaviota 2 offers a nice wide platform that feels super stable ad comfortable. The only thing I would change about these is the mid foot wrap, which feels unnecessary and adds an ounce to each shoe. Even without the midfoot wrap I feel like the Gaviota would still fit super well. Overall a great shoe for its intended purpose, and would be perfect for someone looking to do casual jogging and mellow jaunts. These fit true to size and have a nice spacious toe box!
Andrew Butterworth, backcountry.com
January 21, 2019