On Cloudrunner 3 Max vs HOKA Gaviota 6

Cloudrunner 3 Max 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 a highly stable support shoe with lots of cushion? Get the Cloudrunner 3 Max.

Want maximum support with lots of cushion? Get the Gaviota 6.

Get the Cloudrunner 3 Max if

• You like a firmer, more stable feel
• You want more foam underfoot (5mm more at the heel)
• You have slimmer feet and like a snug fit
• You like a higher heel-to-toe drop (10mm vs 6mm)

Get the Gaviota 6 if

• You want the softer, more cushioned ride
• Long runs are your thing
• You need a roomier fit
• You want the lighter shoe, by about 1.9 oz

On the run

Cloudrunner 3 Max: Highly stable max-stack support. Highly stable, with a broad platform, raised sidewalls and a heel clip, plus decent impact protection. Heavy, with little bounce, so it’s best for easy runs and walking.

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 Cloudrunner 3 Max hasn’t been lab tested by RunRepeat yet, so its feel ratings are estimated from RTINGS’s lab test and the Cloudrunner 3 lab test (RunRepeat).

Specs side by side

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

Cloudrunner 3 Max. True to size.

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 Cloudrunner 3 Max · Shop the Gaviota 6 · Compare other running shoes