HOKA Gaviota 5 vs Arahi 8

The HOKA Gaviota 5 and HOKA Arahi 8 are two modern support shoes from HOKA, though they serve slightly different runners. The Gaviota 5 is the roomier shoe, better suited to runners with wider feet, and though both shoes use HOKA's innovative "H-frame" stability system, the Gaviota is slightly more stable overall. That said, its heavier construct and quite awful energy return can make it feel sluggish for runners looking to get out of first gear. The Arahi 8, however, is the significantly lighter and more cushioned support shoe, and though it boasts significantly better energy return (and is snappy in comparison), it's still not a shoe that will smash any landspeed records. Wider-footed runners should go for the Gaviota 5; narrower-footed runners, the Arahi 8.