Hoka Gaviota 5 vs Mizuno Wave Inspire 22:
Which to Choose

The single biggest difference is the feel of the cushioning, not the amount of it. The Gaviota 5 rates a maximum 6/6 on cushioning against the Inspire's 4/6, and its CMEVA foam is genuinely plush and forgiving, soaking up impact with a soft, planted landing. The Inspire's nitrogen-infused Enerzy NXT is firm and grounded — protective enough for long runs but deliberately connected to the road rather than pillowy. Interestingly, that difference is more about foam character than raw stack: measured heights are close, with the Gaviota carrying a thicker forefoot (roughly 33mm) at a 6mm drop and the Inspire sitting on a taller heel (about 37mm) and thinner 29mm forefoot at a measured 8mm drop, so the Mizuno tips you forward a touch more while the Hoka spreads cushion more evenly front-to-back. Weight, despite the Gaviota's reputation as the more substantial shoe, is nearly a wash — both land right around 295–300g in a men's US 9. On stability, both are among the most supportive non-posted trainers you can buy, but they get there differently: the Gaviota's H-Frame builds sidewall structure around a max 6/6 rating, while the Inspire uses a wide platform plus a plastic Wave plate for a slightly less aggressive 5/6 hold. That Wave plate is for guidance, not propulsion — neither shoe is springy or snappy, and both post modest energy return (3/6 responsiveness each). Ride-wise, the Gaviota rolls you through the stride on its early-stage Meta-Rocker and rewards a relaxed, unhurried cadence, topping out usefully around 5:15/km before the cushion feels like dead weight; the Inspire's transitions are smooth and predictable and it's marginally more willing to pick up the pace, with a comfortable-tempo ceiling around 5:00–5:30/km. Both cover the same 10K/half/marathon range and shine on steady long runs.