Overpronation can increase your risk of injury to both your legs and your feet. So if you’re noticing any inward roll or flattening of your feet’s arches. Switching to a shoe that is designed with added support can be just the thing you need to keep you healthy and running. Below I’m going to go over the best Hoka shoes for overpronation. Providing that added support you need for your next road run.
Best Hoka Shoes for Overpronation – Road Running Shoes
Hoka offers two “supportive” road running shoes in their lineup. The Hoka Arahi and the Hoka Gaviota. Both shoes feature the brand’s trademark “J-FRAME” technology. Which works as a guide rail to prevent that inward roll. And provide the right amount of arch support.
The great thing about these two shoes is that they are based on two of Hoka best selling “neutral” running shoes. With the Arahi being based on the Hoka Clifton. And the Gaviota being based on the Hoka Bondi. So you know the designs are tried and true. Just with the added support needed for runners that are dealing with overpronation.
Here is an overview of both of the shoes. With the advantages and disadvantages for each. You can also read a more detailed breakdown on the Hoka Arahi vs Gaviota here.
Hoka Arahi
Weight: 9.30 oz
Drop: 5 mm
Volume: 667 cm3
Spring: 33 x 23 mm
Cushion: Balanced
Link: Click Here
The Hoka Arahi is based on the brands top selling Clifton. My running clubs go to shoes for daily miles. So you know the pedigree of this shoe is strong. Designed to be a balance of stability and cushion. The Arahi has noticeably more cushion than most other running shoe brands. But runs about middle of the pack for Hoka. It’s just enough to take all of the road shock without being too heavy. Allowing for a semi quick turnover. I would exactly call them fast. But they are really comfortable. And for daily training miles, they are a great choice.
Pros: Plenty of cushion, lighter weight, and quicker turnover. Probably my first choice if I was going to try with these shoes.
Cons: Less arch support than the Gaviota. Don’t feel slow, but definitely don’t feel fast. Not as well suited for runners over 200 lbs (women over 175 lbs) or with wider feet.
Hoka Gaviota
Weight: 11.40 oz
Drop: 5 mm
Volume: 731 cm3
Spring: 36 x 10 mm
Cushion: Plush
Link: Click Here
Based on the popular Hoka Bondi, the Gaviota is a large and plush road running shoe. Designed for max cushion. These things will take all of the road shock out of hitting those long road miles. If you’re coming from a different brand, the cushion can take a few runs to break in and get comfortable. So give them a few runs. All of that cushion comes at the cost of some added weight. It’s not enough to be uncomfortable. But I don’t think many people would call them fast. And you have to work a little harder to turn them over. These things are designed to log big training miles comfortably.
Pros: Max cushioned, max comfort road running shoe. Perfect for runners over 200 lbs (women over 175 lbs) and runners with wide feet. Plenty of arch support. Great for training runs.
Cons: On the heavier side of running shoes. Doesn’t feel fast and is probably not your race day shoe.
Conclusion – Best Hoka Shoes for Overpronation
With Hoka only offering two options for stability running shoes. We should be thankful that they have provided two such great options. If I’m having to choose, I’m going with the Arahi based on their overall weight and comfort. And since I run in the Cliftons, it’s not a surprise. All that said, if I was a runner over 200 lbs I’d be all in on the Bondi. The added cushion would be a huge benefit for the added weight.
I do hope in the future that Hoka comes up with a lighter, speed oriented stability running shoe. Something that people could run their mid to marathon distance races in. But we’ll have to wait and see if they ever release one.
If you have any opinions on the Arahi or the Gaviota, or stability running shoes in general. Let me know in the comments below!
You can also read about the difference between overpronation vs under pronation here.
