Gaviota 6

Topo Aura, especially in wide. 5-drop. Topo usually has extra arch support, plus wide anatomical toe box. Saucony Guide 18- 4E is really wide, try on before ordering. 6-drop. Saucony Hurricane 25- wide, meaning 2E, 6-drop. Hoka Gaviota 5, or the new 6- again, wide is 2E, and they are 5-drop. Lots more options if 8-drop or stable neutral are options.

I currently own just about every stability shoe on the market. Although the Saucony Guide is a lighter shoe, that's kind of where it ends for me. It returns very little energy and the cushion is built for daily miles, not longer runs. If you liked Gav 5, Gav 6 is even better. Mine weigh about an ounce less. The toe box is generous, the upper is more plush, and the lighter weight makes it easier to turn over. I also like my Sauc Hurricane 25s. They weigh around the same as my Gav 6s, but the foam has more pop to it. Not quite as roomy, but adequate. My current favs.

I own just about every stability model on the market. I prefer a roomy toe box and midfoot. Hoka Gaviota 6 is the clear winner. The standard width feels as wide as some 2E shoes. It has flat waisted geometry and a firmer (in a good way) ride that provides plenty of support. Saucony Hurricane 25 and Asics Gel Kayano 32 are runner ups. I prefer the Hurricane in this matchup. It fits better, feels lighter on foot, and has more pop.

Unfortunately the stability market has very few choices. For a while there, Saucony and Brooks introduced light performance models, but discontinued them. If you can still find a pair of Saucony Tempus 2 in your size, it's a narrow shoe that packs some super foam and an efficient rocker. One of the best shoes I've ever run in. Nailed a few PRs in them. Asics updated the GT 2000.14 with a Novablast style trampoline pod and Flytefoam Blast Max. It's a lightweight stability shoe that fits narrow. I know you have a negative experience with Hoka Arahi. I have a new pair of 8s that I'm loving. I've run in many versions of Arahi. For me, Hoka nailed this one. I've also run in Gaviotas but as you said they fit wide.

Yes, they feel like low drop shoes. RunRepeat's measurements often come in higher than the manufacturer's measurements. The Mach's foam is designed to compress and spring back, giving you that extra energy return and bounce. When your foot strikes the ground, you compress the foam a couple of millimeters, effectively lowering the drop. I've run in Mach, Clifton,.Bondi, Skyflow, Arahi, and Gaviota. Hoka's drop was 5mm across all their models at the time (Hoka recently updated some to 8). The stiffer shoes like Skyflow, Arahi, and Gaviota felt like high drop shoes compared to Mach. Mach felt the lowest of the bunch.

The Gaviota 6 should work for you. It can usually accommodate most of our customers who have a wider forefoot and midfoot. It’s pretty rectangular, doesn’t taper in the midfoot much. Another option is the Ghost Max 3–wide throughout the shoe, has stability features although it is a neutral shoe and does come in a wide

I have severe flat foot and find the arch support in the Gaviota 6 a little obtrusive. My foot is particularly messed up from having a collapsed ankle, so it may be more tolerable for other people. I liked the Hurricane 25 though. Not as wide as the Gaviota.

If you want a Hoka shoe with stability, that would be the Arahi or the Gaviota.

I think the Hoka Gaviota is a great beginning running shoe. Wonderfully plush, a lot of cushioning, and stability features, and those features are going to serve you better compared to a neutral show like.thr ghost.

I just ordered Topo Phantoms for similar training as what you’re doing (slow running, at least 5 miles a day) and I’m super excited to try them out. I tried them on in REI and loved them. I have been very happy with my Hoka Gaviotas besides the fact they wear out quickly for how expensive they are…if price were no factor I’d order these again but I am venturing out. Wouldn’t surprise me if I end up going back to them though. ASICS have never worked well for me, but I know people speak highly of the novablasts. Even wide ASICS seem narrow in the toe box imo. For reference, I like shoes with a good amount of cushion and a wide toe box. My left foot is a 10 and regular width, while my right foot is a 9 and wide. With that, I need shoes that are forgiving and can be adjusted well with laces. I have never quite figured out if I need a stability shoe or not so I’ve gone back and forth over the years.