Arahi 7
I had to buy these shoes, because Hoka ruined the design of the Gaviota style. I have worn at least 100 pair of the Gaviota Style from style #1- almost every day since the #1"s came out. I changed them out once a month. The new Gaviota Style is a disaster. They look, and feel, like clown shoes. They widened the toe to make every shoe a wide shoe - even if you do not want wide shoes. They are a trip hazard. They ruined the design of the perfect shoe. It is worse than New Coke. I bought the Arahi 7 as a substitute, and they have ruined all of my socks. They are not as comfortable as the previous Gaviota Style, and they ruin your socks. All of my socks have turned black and purple. So, if you need stability shoes, that don't cause you to trip - you could to buy these, ... MoreI had to buy these shoes, because Hoka ruined the design of the Gaviota style. I have worn at least 100 pair of the Gaviota Style from style #1- almost every day since the #1"s came out. I changed them out once a month. The new Gaviota Style is a disaster. They look, and feel, like clown shoes. They widened the toe to make every shoe a wide shoe - even if you do not want wide shoes. They are a trip hazard. They ruined the design of the perfect shoe. It is worse than New Coke. I bought the Arahi 7 as a substitute, and they have ruined all of my socks. They are not as comfortable as the previous Gaviota Style, and they ruin your socks. All of my socks have turned black and purple. So, if you need stability shoes, that don't cause you to trip - you could to buy these, just be prepared to replace all of your socks. They are stable, and they do not cause you to trip - like the new Gaviota style. Hoka - you ruined the perfect shoe when you redesigned the Gaviota. We are in shock over your decision. Please return them to the original fit, and style. Thank you.... Show more
Dismayed in Texas
originally posted on hoka.com
Best Hoka model for me
After trying pretty much every Hoka model there is I've finally settled on the Arahi 7! I personnally think it's a GREAT running/walking shoe. The negative reviews probably comes from it not being plush enough (unlike most Hoka shoes) which is exactly what I need!! The stability is incredible and it feels light and nimble... which is rare and/or unheard of for a stability shoe. I've found out that shoes with too much cushiony softness gave me really bad shin splints as my feet were working really hard to remain stable. The Arahis are the complete opposite and are surprinsingly hard at first but soften up a bit with use and they make me feel like I'm in control all the time... whether I'm running, walking, hitting the gym, cycling, etc. The fit is ok... but wish it ... MoreAfter trying pretty much every Hoka model there is I've finally settled on the Arahi 7! I personnally think it's a GREAT running/walking shoe. The negative reviews probably comes from it not being plush enough (unlike most Hoka shoes) which is exactly what I need!! The stability is incredible and it feels light and nimble... which is rare and/or unheard of for a stability shoe. I've found out that shoes with too much cushiony softness gave me really bad shin splints as my feet were working really hard to remain stable. The Arahis are the complete opposite and are surprinsingly hard at first but soften up a bit with use and they make me feel like I'm in control all the time... whether I'm running, walking, hitting the gym, cycling, etc. The fit is ok... but wish it had a slightly larger toe box. I ordered the wide version is just wide enough so not a lot of wiggle room and my feet aren't even that large. Toe box aside, the fit is great and the shoes really hugs the feet nicely unlike the Clifton for example. It's like a good anatomical fit! I'm not a big fan of the design and colors but hopefully new version will look better :p... Show more
Colombe34
originally posted on hoka.com
Clumsy looking on foot
Everyone said they run small - good - normally a 7.5 in athletic shoes, got an 8 - BUT - the sole is sooo thick and bulky, I felt like I was wearing monster foot wear! It looked awkward and felt awkward, too. I prefer a lighter sole that does not go over the foot bed and make you feel like you were wearing snow shoes! This went back s soon as I received it - same day! I was sad b/c I heard so many positive things about this brand - guess this style was not for my feet. In a Tory Burch (for reference) I wear the 7.5 and they look perfect - same with NB, Nike, etc. In shoes I am a perfect 8 in TOD's, Ferragamo and Stuart Weitzman. I was disappointed but will not give up on this brand b/c I have a feeling that if I had a Bloomingdale's in LV (please think about this!) ... MoreEveryone said they run small - good - normally a 7.5 in athletic shoes, got an 8 - BUT - the sole is sooo thick and bulky, I felt like I was wearing monster foot wear! It looked awkward and felt awkward, too. I prefer a lighter sole that does not go over the foot bed and make you feel like you were wearing snow shoes! This went back s soon as I received it - same day! I was sad b/c I heard so many positive things about this brand - guess this style was not for my feet. In a Tory Burch (for reference) I wear the 7.5 and they look perfect - same with NB, Nike, etc. In shoes I am a perfect 8 in TOD's, Ferragamo and Stuart Weitzman. I was disappointed but will not give up on this brand b/c I have a feeling that if I had a Bloomingdale's in LV (please think about this!) I could go in and try on the styles until I found my perfect HOKA...this did not work. I buy all my foot wear at Bloomingdale's and 99% of the time, they are wonderful.... Show more
VegasVision
originally posted on bloomingdales.com
Mixed feelings
Couldn’t wait for the new Arabic 7 to be available. I’ve worn nothing but the Arahi since they came out and had multiple pairs of each version. I wear them to walk mostly and they have been super. I have a narrow foot and the heel has been appropriately narrow with a bit wider toe box. Cushion has varied from version to version but has been a nice balance between soft and firm. Got these shoes from Fleet Feet today and immediately took them for an indoor walk at the local rec center. Here are my first thoughts. 1) Don’t care much for color options but like the simple, classic look of the shoe. 2) The shoe is much narrower in the toe box than other versions of the Arahi. I have a narrow foot and they work for me but…The toe box also seems to have less volume so I ... MoreCouldn’t wait for the new Arabic 7 to be available. I’ve worn nothing but the Arahi since they came out and had multiple pairs of each version. I wear them to walk mostly and they have been super. I have a narrow foot and the heel has been appropriately narrow with a bit wider toe box. Cushion has varied from version to version but has been a nice balance between soft and firm. Got these shoes from Fleet Feet today and immediately took them for an indoor walk at the local rec center. Here are my first thoughts. 1) Don’t care much for color options but like the simple, classic look of the shoe. 2) The shoe is much narrower in the toe box than other versions of the Arahi. I have a narrow foot and they work for me but…The toe box also seems to have less volume so I could see where some feet would feel a bit cramped. 3) The cushion is much, much firmer than most Hoka’s I’ve tried. I liked the cushion on the 6 but the 7 is really quite firm. Can’t decide if I like it or not. Maybe if the temps warm up, the cushion will too. Not sure what the motivation was for making these so firm. Fleet Feet’s service was great.... Show more
Sunflower Sue
originally posted on fleetfeet.com
please bring back the arahi 6s
I started wearing the Arahi 6s for work, but quickly fell in love with them for running. They quickly became my staple running shoes until the 7s came out. I purchased a pair of the 7s not too long ago and initially regretted it, but I decided to give it a chance and try to break them in. It's been almost two months and they still feel so foreign on my feet.1. The shoe itself is much harder. I love the 6s because of how cushioned they felt. The cushion for the 7s is a lot more firm, and the shoe itself is not as malleable. While a firmer shoe might work for some people, it no longer feels like an "Arahi."2. The toe box is much more narrow. My foot width has always been a true D, and depending on shoe style, I switch between medium to wide. The Arahi 6 medium ... MoreI started wearing the Arahi 6s for work, but quickly fell in love with them for running. They quickly became my staple running shoes until the 7s came out. I purchased a pair of the 7s not too long ago and initially regretted it, but I decided to give it a chance and try to break them in. It's been almost two months and they still feel so foreign on my feet.1. The shoe itself is much harder. I love the 6s because of how cushioned they felt. The cushion for the 7s is a lot more firm, and the shoe itself is not as malleable. While a firmer shoe might work for some people, it no longer feels like an "Arahi."2. The toe box is much more narrow. My foot width has always been a true D, and depending on shoe style, I switch between medium to wide. The Arahi 6 medium felt perfectly fine, but the medium width for Arahi 7 felt like it was compressing my foot in the front. I should have returned and gotten the wide, but not a fan at how much it's changed between versions of the same shoe.3. The material of the Arahi 7s SUCKS. I don't even know how to explain it without you tactilely experiencing it for yourself. While the Arahi 6s were soft and almost "mesh-like" (probably not the best descriptor), the 7s felt like plastic. I also feel like the 7s did not allow for breathability and my feet were suffocating.Overall, Arahi 7s were such a great disappointment following the Arahi 6s. I did like the color selection for Arahi 7s, but would gladly take the style and functionality of the 6s over a greater selection of preferable colors. Please bring back the Arahi 6s.... Show more
Annabelle
originally posted on hoka.com
So Disappointed
There's nothing good about this shoe!I received the Ahari 6 as a gift in 2022. I was elated when I took my first walk in them. I finally found a shoe that actually had stability supporting my flat feet and pronation. I've bought a pair every 3 months since then and even purchase a pair of Bondis as a gift. That's how much confidence I had in the HOKA brand. When I went to place my last order, to my disappointment there was no Arahi 6. It's been my experience that whenever a shoe is undergoes a model change, the style is degraded and that's what has happened to the Arahi 7This shoe gives me the same stability, cushion and flexibility as it's precedessor. The Arahi 6 made me feel like I was walking on air.Please bring back the Arahi 6.... Show more
Barbara
originally posted on hoka.com
Surprised! Arahi 7 is first size 8 too SMALL
I have bought MANY different Hokas Mach X, Mach 6, Cliftons and Bondi's, Kawana, Skyward X and they are always size 8 and fit beautiful/perfect. This is the first Hoka shoe that does not fit. My mom got an older style of Arahi that she loves, so i thought I would give it a try to buy for her, she and I wear the same size 8 in Hoka. This particular shoe runs MUCH narrow . I never had previously purchased wides in any Hoka, nor had to buy size 8.5. I just recently bought several different new pairs for both she and I so our foot is the same , the shoe is just smaller and or more narrow because the toe is very close to the front of shoe. I had already ordered the next size up 8.5 to see if it will work or will have to return it. They unfortunately do not have wides in ... MoreI have bought MANY different Hokas Mach X, Mach 6, Cliftons and Bondi's, Kawana, Skyward X and they are always size 8 and fit beautiful/perfect. This is the first Hoka shoe that does not fit. My mom got an older style of Arahi that she loves, so i thought I would give it a try to buy for her, she and I wear the same size 8 in Hoka. This particular shoe runs MUCH narrow . I never had previously purchased wides in any Hoka, nor had to buy size 8.5. I just recently bought several different new pairs for both she and I so our foot is the same , the shoe is just smaller and or more narrow because the toe is very close to the front of shoe. I had already ordered the next size up 8.5 to see if it will work or will have to return it. They unfortunately do not have wides in that particular color so that is not an option.... Show more
JJB
originally posted on hoka.com
The New Flat-Knit Uppers Make Arahi 7 a Hotter, Stiffer Shoe
I sell shoes at an outdoor recreation store. I wear the Arahi 6s (sometimes the Gaveotia 5s) because I stand on concrete all day (I also overpronate-- that is to say, my feet tend to slump inwards). As I understand, the main thing that changed in the Arahi 7s is the upper, which switched from an engineered mesh in the 6s to a flat-knit in the 7s. The flat-knit feels hotter. I can just tell they don't breathe as well. The fabric also seems stiffer. Where the toe box bends as I go up on the balls on my foot there is this "popping" feeling as the ridged materials snap back and forth. It's slight, but it's there. I assume this is the new flat-knit material at work.As for the width issue, many people have mentioned the Arahi 7 feels narrower than the 6. I can only ... MoreI sell shoes at an outdoor recreation store. I wear the Arahi 6s (sometimes the Gaveotia 5s) because I stand on concrete all day (I also overpronate-- that is to say, my feet tend to slump inwards). As I understand, the main thing that changed in the Arahi 7s is the upper, which switched from an engineered mesh in the 6s to a flat-knit in the 7s. The flat-knit feels hotter. I can just tell they don't breathe as well. The fabric also seems stiffer. Where the toe box bends as I go up on the balls on my foot there is this "popping" feeling as the ridged materials snap back and forth. It's slight, but it's there. I assume this is the new flat-knit material at work.As for the width issue, many people have mentioned the Arahi 7 feels narrower than the 6. I can only assume this shrink in width is due to a combination of the flat-knit upper being less flexible and the new plush tongue taking up more volume in the shoe, because to my knowledge nothing else about the Arahi 7 has changed. As someone who fluctuates between standard and wide fits, the 7s lean too much towards the narrow side for me to be able to wear it.While I appreciate HOKA's attempt to innovate and improve upon the Arahi series, I am puzzled by such a drastic change, particularly in the narrowing fit and the shoe's heat retention. These changes seem unlikely to resonate with a broad range of users.... Show more
Sarah
originally posted on hoka.com
Thoughts on the new Arahi 7
I've been an Arahi fan since version 1 and have had multiple pairs of most editions. I first wore an 11 and now a 12 since Hola seems to have adjusted the size. I was anxiously waiting for version 7. My new pair arrived today and I took them for a spin around our local rec center. Here are some initial thoughts. 1) Despite the somewhat bland color choices, this is the nicest looking Arahi yet. It is plain but that's to its credit. 2) It's narrow. I have a narrow foot and the forefoot of most Arahi versions has been a tad wide.. These are narrow and people with a wider forefoot may find their feet cramped. (I have found that fit varies from color to color so this may not be true for all colors.) 3) The shoe is very firm, almost too firm, compared to the Arahi 6. At ... MoreI've been an Arahi fan since version 1 and have had multiple pairs of most editions. I first wore an 11 and now a 12 since Hola seems to have adjusted the size. I was anxiously waiting for version 7. My new pair arrived today and I took them for a spin around our local rec center. Here are some initial thoughts. 1) Despite the somewhat bland color choices, this is the nicest looking Arahi yet. It is plain but that's to its credit. 2) It's narrow. I have a narrow foot and the forefoot of most Arahi versions has been a tad wide.. These are narrow and people with a wider forefoot may find their feet cramped. (I have found that fit varies from color to color so this may not be true for all colors.) 3) The shoe is very firm, almost too firm, compared to the Arahi 6. At first I thought it was because the shoes had been sitting outdoors in a box all day in freezing temperatures. But even after a 3 mile walk, they were still very firm (I think responsive is the term Hoka uses to indicate firmness.) For Hola lovers, this may come as somewhat of a shock. Firmest Hoka I've worn yet. Feel of Hoka 6 was more to my liking. Not sure if I like the feel of the 7, but we'll see.... Show more
Sunflower Sue
originally posted on hoka.com
Worried about negative reviews? So was I. Arahi 6 lover.
I loved the Arahi 6 and bought several pairs before trying to find my fave color and realizing my local store was clearing the 6's to make room for the 7's. I jumped on here when there were only about 5-7 reviews and most of them were pretty negative. It made me fairly nervous, but there was rapidly diminishing options in the 6 inventory so here I came.Initial thoughts:TOE BOX: I see why folks are worried about the toe box. It's much more narrow than the 6, and I am prone to having issues with tight toe boxes. After wearing them, I don't think I'll have any issues as long as I stick to thin socks. Folks with longer or wide feet, proceed with caution.FIRM: This is a rock-hard shoe at first. I think it will take me a few weeks to break these in. Wearing them ... MoreI loved the Arahi 6 and bought several pairs before trying to find my fave color and realizing my local store was clearing the 6's to make room for the 7's. I jumped on here when there were only about 5-7 reviews and most of them were pretty negative. It made me fairly nervous, but there was rapidly diminishing options in the 6 inventory so here I came.Initial thoughts:TOE BOX: I see why folks are worried about the toe box. It's much more narrow than the 6, and I am prone to having issues with tight toe boxes. After wearing them, I don't think I'll have any issues as long as I stick to thin socks. Folks with longer or wide feet, proceed with caution.FIRM: This is a rock-hard shoe at first. I think it will take me a few weeks to break these in. Wearing them made my feet ache the first time, but I could see how this will benefit my runs later on when they're broken in.OTHER: The back of the shoe is much lower than the Arahi 6, or maybe that's just my impression. When I first put these on it felt like my foot was going to slip out of the back of the shoe multiple times. I'm not certain it actually will, but the difference is noticeable if you're used to the higher back.AESTHETIC: This is a nice looking shoe. I got the rose gold and they're basically an all-over white shoe with just the rose-gold logo and the slightly rose gold edges on the sole. The knit top with the holes has been growing on me.Overall, I give it a 3.5/5, which I've rounded up to a 4 here. I can see some issues and definitely would've preferred to stick with the 6, but I'm not going to knock this shoe quite yet.... Show more
Jay
originally posted on hoka.com