HOKA Gaviota 6 vs Clifton 11
Gaviota 6 or Clifton 11? Here’s how they compare on feel, fit, brand specs and price, from the fitting team at The Run House.
The short answer
Want maximum support with lots of cushion? Get the Gaviota 6.
Want the Clifton’s soft ride with a roomier fit? Get the Clifton 11.
Get the Gaviota 6 if
- Your feet roll inward or you like extra support
- You’d like a little less squish underfoot
- You need a roomier fit
- You like a stiffer, rocker-style forefoot that rolls you forward
Get the Clifton 11 if
- You don’t need stability and prefer a neutral ride
- You want the softer, more cushioned ride
- You want a dedicated recovery-day shoe
- You have slimmer feet and like a snug fit
On the run
Gaviota 6: Max cushion, max support. Protective cushioning with a long rocker, and softer than you’d expect from a max-support shoe, though it firms up in the cold. The support frame runs the full length, so it’s one of the most stable shoes we carry.
Clifton 11: The soft cruiser, refined. The same soft, steady Clifton ride. It’s comfortable and consistent rather than bouncy, and a new insole and a more flexible forefoot make it a touch smoother than the 10.
Specs side by side
| Gaviota 6 | Clifton 11 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $180 | $154.95 |
| Stack height (heel / forefoot) | 40 / 35mm* | 42 / 34mm* |
| Drop | 6mm | 8mm |
| Weight, men’s | 10.25 oz | 9.97 oz |
| Weight, women’s | 8.62 oz | 8.34 oz |
| Support | Stability | Neutral |
| Plate | None | None |
| Widths | Standard, Wide, Extra wide | Standard, Wide, Extra wide |
| Built for | Easy days, Long runs, Walking & all-day wear | Easy days, Recovery runs, Long runs, Walking & all-day wear |
| Expected life | 400–500 miles | 350–450 miles |
Stack, drop and weight come from each brand’s own website. Numbers marked * aren’t published by the brand and come from other published specs. Weights are for the size each brand quotes. Expected life is our estimate.
Fit
Gaviota 6. Wider-fitting than most HOKAs, with a roomy toebox and a secure midfoot. Narrow feet may need thicker socks.
Clifton 11. True to size. Reviewers find the forefoot roomier than the 10’s, but lab measurements show the toebox still narrows to a point at the very front. Wide and extra-wide available.
Try them on
Come try on both at The Run House in Walpole, Needham or Falmouth. Gait analysis is always free.
Shop the Gaviota 6 · Shop the Clifton 11 · Compare other running shoes