Heel-toe stack height is 24mm/20mm (men’s), and 22/18 (women’s), giving a 4mm drop. The Odyssey Pro 2 is on par with the Cavu, but the latter has a smoother heel-to-toe transition and better cushioning. The only faster shoes in my closet are the aforementioned Asics flat and the Nike VaporFly 4%, which I raced in for Houston. For context, my Houston goal was sub-2:30, and my harder efforts were in the low five-minute-per-mile range. However, it’s still pliable, not slappy, and with 20 millimeters of foam and soft foam-rubber outsole under the forefoot, it does not feel thin like other fast trainers, such as the Salomon Sonic Pro 2 (read my review), which is only 16mm at the toe and uses a harder outsole compound.Īs a neutral shoe with a responsive forefoot and 8.2-ounce weight (men’s size 9), the Cavu feels like a natural at high speeds. The forefoot is stiffer than any Hoka shoe I have worn. The heel cushioning feels on par with the Clifton 4 or Challenger ATR 4, but it’s not marshmallowy like the Clifton 2 or Speedgoat 2. The Cavu has a two-foam midsole: a soft and forgiving heel and a firm and responsive forefoot. The transition between soft and firm foams is continuous, not abrupt-the two midsole foams transition over a zone, without a concrete line or seam. The Cavu’s ProFLY midsole is soft in the heel for a forgiving landing and firmer in the forefoot for a more responsive push-off. As a generally efficient runner, I prefer my shoes this way. The Cavu is a neutral trainer with only four millimeters of drop from heel to toe, and it has no deliberate stabilizing or supportive features. The Cavu fits true to size, based on my experience. I am a size 11.5 in other Hoka models (Clifton 2, Clifton 4, Speedgoat 2, Challenger 4) and in other brands (including Altra, Merrell, Salomon, and Salewa), and a size 45.5 in La Sportiva. It fits most similar to the Challenger, but doesn’t feel similar to either. The Cavu shares the same last and similar sock inserts as the new Challenger ATR 4 (red) and Clifton 4 (right). Versus the Clifton 2 and Speedgoat 2, the Cavu is wider throughout, particularly in the toebox. However, the Challenger has a vastly different outsole (four-millimeter lugs), midsole (softer), and upper (reinforced toe bumper and forefoot overlays). In the Cavu, I feel more centered, as I do in the Challenger ATR 4. To me, the axis of the Clifton 4 feels off by a few degrees, with my big toe and arch skewed toward the inside edge of the shoe. The Cavu shares the same last as the Clifton 4 and new Challenger ATR 4, but it fits and feels different than both. RMAT outsole (blended rubber and foam) with exposed midsole foamĪverage-width feet will best fit the Cavu, but wider feet may find that the soft and unstructured upper is acceptably forgiving, and narrower feet (like mine) may feel secure enough with a simple tightening of the laces.ProFly midsole: firm forefoot, softer heel.Stack height: 24/20 mm (men’s), 22/18 mm (women’s) for heel/forefoot.Weight: 8.2 oz (men’s size 9) 6.6 oz (women’s size 7) 9 oz for men’s size 11.5 (verified).It will be released around the same time as the new Mach, which is the next-generation Clayton 2. I was able to obtain a production-quality sample in my size from Hoka for review. Want a pair? Unfortunately, you’ll have to wait until next month. And for others, it could be race-worthy in faster events. For veteran-but-not-elite runners like me, it’s best for workouts or marathon-plus races. For Hoka’s sponsored trio of sub-2:14 marathoners, the Cavu may be a delightful daily trainer. This shoe is more durable and cushioned than a conventional racing flat like the Asics GEL-Hyper Speed 7 (read my review of that shoe), but it’s nimbler than a standard road runner like the Hoka One One Clifton 4 (again, my review). It will best fit feet of average width and volume. The Cavu is a neutral, lightweight road trainer that is moderately cushioned, responsive, and fast. In total, and over the course of 3.5 months, I put more than 280 miles on these road runners, including multiple 10Ks at race pace and long runs of up to 24 miles. For all my tempo workouts and hard, long efforts while training, I wore the new Hoka One One Cavu. With the Cavu, it sure looks like clear skies ahead.Last week, I ran the Houston Marathon. Employing a seamless, engineered mesh upper, this shoe really disappears on the foor delivering a smooth, light ride. That responsiveness is further enhanced by the outsole’s zonal RMAT. A little lower, and a little lighter than its category mates, the Cavu features PROFLY cushioning which is softer in the heel for shock absorption and firmer in the forefoot for propulsion and energy return. Made for those who run but don’t just run, the Hoka One One Cavu offers a versatile running shoe with a bold and simple look.
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