Brooks Beast / Ariel GTS 26 vs HOKA Gaviota 6
Beast / Ariel GTS 26 or Gaviota 6? 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 and structure? Get the Beast / Ariel GTS 26.
Want maximum support with lots of cushion? Get the Gaviota 6.
Get the Beast / Ariel GTS 26 if
- You like a firmer, more stable feel
- You like a less rigid forefoot
- You like a higher heel-to-toe drop (12mm vs 6mm)
Get the Gaviota 6 if
- You want the softer, more cushioned ride
- Long runs are your thing
- You like a stiffer, rocker-style forefoot that rolls you forward
- You want the lighter shoe, by about 2.3 oz
On the run
Beast / Ariel GTS 26: Maximum support for walking and easy miles. Very supportive, with front-to-back GuideRails that are prominent but well integrated. Best for walking and heavy heel strikers; the midsole feels limited for running.
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.
The Beast / Ariel GTS 26 hasn’t been lab tested by RunRepeat yet, so its feel ratings are estimated from the Beast GTS 24 lab test (RunRepeat) and Doctors of Running’s review of the 26.
Specs side by side
| Beast / Ariel GTS 26 | Gaviota 6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $170 | $180 |
| Stack height (heel / forefoot) | 38 / 28mm* | 40 / 35mm* |
| Drop | 12mm | 6mm |
| Weight, men’s | 12.5 oz | 10.25 oz |
| Weight, women’s | 11.2 oz | 8.62 oz |
| Support | Stability | Stability |
| Plate | None | None |
| Widths | Standard, Wide, Extra wide | Standard, Wide, Extra wide |
| Built for | Walking & all-day wear, Easy days | Easy days, Long runs, Walking & all-day wear |
| Expected life | 400–500 miles | 400–500 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
Beast / Ariel GTS 26. True to size with a very secure, structured upper. Called the Ariel in women’s sizes. Wide and extra-wide available.
Gaviota 6. Wider-fitting than most HOKAs, with a roomy toebox and a secure midfoot. Narrow feet may need thicker socks.
Try them on
Come try on both at The Run House in Walpole, Needham or Falmouth. Gait analysis is always free.
Shop the Beast / Ariel GTS 26 · Shop the Gaviota 6 · Compare other running shoes
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