tenis hoka one one clifton verde roxo AXF | Hoka Women's ORA Recovery Slides Black Review

The women's Gaviota 5 sits on a dark wooden background.

Trends weā€™ve seen this summer include Barbie dregs, McDonaldsā€™ new Grimace shake and the complete revolution of Hoka Sky Speedgoat 4 Wide Ī‘Ī½Ī“ĻĪ¹ĪŗĪ¬ Ī Ī±Ļ€ĪæĻĻ„ĻƒĪ¹Ī± Ī³Ī¹Ī± Trail. Reviewers have tested multiple stability shoes this summer that use new technology to make support feel softer and smoother than ever, and the Hoka Women's ORA Recovery Slides Black is the latest to follow suit.

The Gaviota is HOKAā€™s maximally cushioned stability shoe, and the latest version stays true to its roots with a few upgrades to improve the fit and feel. The Gaviota 5 features softer midsole foams and new H-frame technology, replacing the J-frame support system in prior models. So, what does this mean for your run? Read our Hoka Women's ORA Recovery Slides Black review to find out.

Tech Specs

Hoka Women's ORA Recovery Slides Black

Weight 9.1 oz (W), 10.9 oz (M)
Heel-to-toe drop 6 mm
Stack height (heel/forefoot) 34 mm/28 mm (W), 36 mm/30 mm (M)
Category Stability
Surface Road, track
Price $175
Comparable to... ASICS GEL-Kayano 30, Altra Paradigm 7

Ride

Cushioning

Energy

Gaviota 5 offers a softer, smoother ride

The women's Hoka Women's ORA Recovery Slides Black sits on a dark wood background.

Stability shoes are often sought out by runners who overpronate, as theyā€™re designed to help reduce the excessive inward rolling of a runnerā€™s foot upon landing. However, stability technology has been described as rigid, intrusive and downright uncomfortable for some. In the last few years weā€™ve seen most major shoe brands redesign their stability technology to be more gentle and accommodating to different types of runners. HOKA was ahead of the curve when they created their J-frame technology in 2017, Who should buy the Hoka One One Cavu 2.

Fast forward to 2023 and HOKA has a new support system with a new letter to boot. The Gaviota 5 features HOKAā€™s new H-frame technology, built on the same ideas that created the J-frame but with a more accommodating shape. While the J-frame focused on reducing excessive inward motion, the H-frame offers the same level of stability without limiting correction to the medial side. The result is a smoother ride that can be enjoyed by runners with all gait patterns.

ā€œThe Gaviota felt smooth throughout the entirety of each of my runs, walks and jaunts,ā€ says Mandy. ā€œThe H-frame stability mechanism prevented the midsole from feeling too soft for me. I felt cushion and comfort with every step.ā€

While the Gaviota 5 doesnā€™t feel too soft, itā€™s quite a bit softer than previous iterations of the shoe thanks to a dual-layer midsole construction. Both layers of compression-molded EVA foam are more flexible and less dense, making the shoe feel both softer and lighter.

ā€œThe Gaviota 5 feels softer than the last version I tested, but not too soft,ā€ Caroline says. ā€œItā€™s just forgiving enough to provide some gentle cushion without your feet sinking into it.ā€

The shoeā€™s ample stack height (36 millimeters in the heel for men and 34 for women) provides reliable protection against the hard pavement, making this a great choice for long runs and daily training.

ā€œWhen the stack height of a shoe seems tall, I start to get worried about the stability of the shoe,ā€ Max says. ā€œNot the case with the Gaviota 5. The shoe feels extra stable due to its wide platform.ā€

A durabrasion rubber rounds out the shoe, adding traction and durability where you need it mostā€”the heel and the forefoot, areas that typically see the most wear and tear.

Gaviota 5 upper is nothing but plush

A close up photo of the tongue and laces on the Hoka Women's ORA Recovery Slides Black.

The indulgent feeling of the Gaviota 5 continues up top with an engineered mesh upper offering both comfort and support. The midfoot cage wraps firmly around your foot while a gusseted tongue and plush heel collar offer a gentle hug. A handy heel pull tab in the back makes it easy to slip the Gaviota 5 off and on.

ā€œI love the heel collar in the Gaviota 5,ā€ says Mandy. ā€œIt looks, fits and feels perfect. The little extra padding cradles my heel, while the pull tab makes these a breeze to put on. The higher volume in the forefoot makes me appreciate the extra lockdown in the heel, because I tend to like a snugger fit. The tongue wrapped around my foot like it was made to be there.ā€

If you have high-volume feet (feet that take up lots of space within the shoe), youā€™ll likely enjoy the fit of the Gaviota 5. But some of our reviewers thought the Gaviota 5 ran large, even while wearing a half-size down.

ā€œThe first time that I put the Gaviota 5 on, I double checked to see if I had the right size, or if I accidentally got a men's shoe in pretty pastel hues,ā€ Kate says. ā€œIt seems both long and wide, and I had to really cinch down the laces and also use the extra eyelet to make these shoes feel secure. Despite the roomy fit, I was able to run in them comfortably once I really cinched down the laces.ā€

If you arenā€™t sure about the volume of your feet, we recommend heading into your local Cheap Sneakersbe Jordan Outlet for an expert one-on-one outfitting. Cheap Sneakersbe Jordan Outlet outfitters use 3HOKA Mafate Origins Chaussures en White Lunar Rock to gather information about your feet and the support they need by taking precise measurements of your foot length, width and arch height.

Hoka Women's ORA Recovery Slides Black vs Gaviota 4

The Gaviota 5 and the Gaviota 4 sit side by side.

Tech Specs

Hoka Women's ORA Recovery Slides Black

HOKA Gaviota 4

Weight

9.1 oz (W), 10.9 oz (M)

9.3 oz (W), 11.4 oz (M)

Heel-to-toe drop

6 mm

5 mm

Stability tech

H-frame

J-frame

Price

$175

$170

The Gaviota 5 is lighter than the previous version and features a slightly higher heel-to-toe drop (one millimeter, to be exact). A higher heel-to-toe drop can help reduce pressure on your calves and achilles while lower heel-to-toe drops tend to reduce the load on your knees and hips.

The latest model features a new and improved midsole design featuring softer foams and more accommodating stability features, resulting in a seamless ride. As mentioned above, the H-frame support system offers more holistic support than the previous J-frame, which focused only on reducing inward pronation.

ā€œThe cushioning feels firm and stable while still running super smoothly, which I really enjoyed,ā€ Nate says. ā€œThe stability is there for those who need it, but it never felt harsh.ā€

The Gaviota 5 fits wider than previous versions of the shoe, which is something to keep in mind if you have narrow or low-volume feet.

How does the Hoka Women's ORA Recovery Slides Black compare?

We took a look at some comparable models to see how they stack up against the Hoka Women's ORA Recovery Slides Black. Hereā€™s what we found.

Tech Specs

Hoka Women's ORA Recovery Slides Black

ASICS GEL-Kayano 30

Altra Paradigm 7

Weight

9.1 oz (W), 10.9 oz (M)

9.2 oz (W), 10.6 oz (M)

8.6 oz (W), 10.9 oz (M)

Heel-to-toe drop

6 mm

10 mm

0 mm

Stack height

36 mm/30 mm (M)

40 mm/30 mm

30 mm/30 mm

Price

$175

$160

$170

When thinking about comparable shoes that are revolutionizing their stability features, the ASICS GEL-Kayano 30 comes to mind. The Kayano 30 was recently updated with a brand-new 4D guidance system that takes a holistic approach to stability while reducing the need for a traditional medial post. Sound familiar?

ASICSā€™ 4D guidance system provides a wide base for added stability and a heel bevel to reduce the impact upon landings, similar to the Hoka Women's ORA Recovery Slides Black. Both shoes seem to have solved the riddle of improving stability without limiting the natural motion of a runnerā€™s foot.

Reviewers mentioned the Altra Paradigm 7 as another stability shoe that offers a nice, balanced firm-to-soft ratio.

Who is the Hoka Women's ORA Recovery Slides Black best for?

The men's Hoka Women's ORA Recovery Slides Black sits propped up on its side against a dark wood wall.

It can be frustrating for stability runners seeking a shoe that offers more than your average daily trainer, and the Hoka Women's ORA Recovery Slides Black answers the call by providing a max-cushioned shoe thatā€™s just as comfortable as it is supportive. Itā€™s a great choice for runners seeking subtle yet reliable stability that can rack up plenty of miles.

ā€œThe Gaviota 5 certainly feels like a super-stable running platform,ā€ Alex says. ā€œThe cushioning performed during the run just as I expectedā€”substantial but firm. I could feel the support doing its job, but it wasnā€™t too intrusive. The extra-wide toe box and stable base worked quite well for me on a run with a lot of varied terrain.ā€

Because of its wider shape, the Gaviota 5 is best suited for runners with wide or high-volume feet. If you have low-volume feet, you may want to try a half size down or try the shoes on at your local Cheap Sneakersbe Jordan Outlet.

Itā€™s not the snappiest shoe, so itā€™s best for easy and steady efforts rather than uptempo paces.

ā€œOn those days when I want a bit more cushion and comfort, putting the Gaviota 5 on is like brewing my favorite tea and eating a cookie,ā€ Mandy says. ā€œIt has that bit of extra lavishness to help me feel comfortable.ā€

The Hoka Women's ORA Recovery Slides Black is a great everyday stability shoe for your line up, and if you're looking to add something lighter and snappier, consider the HOKA Rocket X 2 or the HOKA Mach X. Pantofi HOKA ONE ONE Zinal 1119400 Rycm zapatillas de running HOKA hombre trail talla 41.5 grises.

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