HOKA Cavu

Name: HOKA Cavu
Brand: HOKA
Rating: 4 (6 reviews)

Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 8.2 oz · 4mm drop · 24/20mm stack

Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The HOKA Cavu FN replaced it

How it ranks

The HOKA Cavu trails most daily trainers in our data. Cushioning and value are its strongest sub-ratings. The rating rests on 6 runner reviews and 1 other rated shoe in the Cavu product line. Another 6 reviews would set the confidence on this shoe's own reviews.

Bottom-tier

53/100

Overall

Bottom-tier 53

Cushioning

Very good 91

Value

Very good 91

Appearance

Decent 72

Durability

Below average 69

Comfort

Below average 60

Confidence

How settled the rating is against every other rated shoe. A shoe can rate high on confidence with relatively few reviews of its own when its product line has a long record and external ratings from retailer sites agree. Confidence will score low when we have few ratings or when runners disagree.

See the product line's history

Confidence

69/100

Moderate 69

What runners say

“The only downside is the durability, as my shoes had to be retired at 500 miles but I can usually get 600 or so out of shoes.”

5/5 Full review 55 mpw training for a half marathon came from the ASICS GEL-Nimbus 20

“This shoe was so firm it felt like running on cement.”

3/5 Full review 53 mpw training for middle distance came from the Saucony Kinvara 8

“I did size down a half size in this shoe.”

5/5 Full review 30 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Saucony Kinvara 7

“I don't feel like I am on stilts like the older Hoka models.”

4/5 Full review 20 mpw training for a half marathon

“It felt a little bit too clunky because of how big the sole was.”

3/5 Full review 53 mpw training for middle distance came from the Saucony Kinvara 8

“The toebox isn't super wide but the upper is very forgiving.”

5/5 Full review 30 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Saucony Kinvara 7

“My right foot has always felt weirdly constricted in this shoe.”

3/5 Full review 15 mpw came from the HOKA Clifton 5

“I would not recommend it for very long runs (probably not anything over an hour, at least not for me).”

4/5 Full review 40 mpw training for a marathon came from the HOKA Clifton 4

“Great cushion and energy return.”

5/5 Full review 30 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Saucony Kinvara 7

“The fit is much better than other Hoka shoes.”

5/5 Full review 30 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Saucony Kinvara 7

Prefer this shoe over another

14% 1/7

Where to buy

No offers available

Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.

Prices updated daily. Last checked Sep 14.

Pros

Averaging 7.3 oz across the men's and women's builds, it is well under the 8.9 oz median for daily trainers on sale, and two reviewers use it for tempo and quicker runs.
It lists at $110, below the $150 median for daily trainers on sale, and reviewers rate value 4.7 out of 5.

Cons

Two reviewers find the ride firm, one comparing it to running on cement.
Three of six reviewers so far record it as running big, and one sized down half a size.
The Cavu 2 after it scores 87 on three reviews, against this version's 53.

Cavu rates 53. This shoe has moderate certainty. See how we rate shoes.

Better Shoes Rating of prior versions of the HOKA Cavu

Each dot is one version of the Cavu, placed by its rating and release year. The gold dot is this shoe.

Rating

40 60 80 100

53 2018 87 2019

Release year

We use the reviews of past versions to inform this shoe’s rating. See why.

Cavu 2

2019 · 3 reviews

87 Good

35 Confidence
Cavu This shoe

2018 · 6 reviews

53 Bottom-tier

69 Confidence

Reader Ratings

6 ratings

5/5 2

4/5 2

3/5 2

2/5 0

1/5 0

See written reviews Write a review

Specs & fit

Sizing and ride details at a glance.

Weight: 8.2 oz
Release: 2018 Q1
MSRP: $110
Stack Height: 24mm heel - 20mm toe
Drop Height: 4mm

Runner reviews

Write a review

amazing

5/5

Overall

love this shoe, I feel so injury free since using it. the only downside is the durability, as my shoes had to be retired at 500 miles but I can usually get 600 or so out of shoes.

Anonymous runner · Jul 26, 2019

55 mpw training for a half marathon came from the ASICS GEL-Nimbus 20

Comfort: 5/5
Cushioning: 5/5
Durability: 4/5
Appearance: 5/5
Value: 5/5

I love these shoes

4/5

Overall

I am an older runner but still get out and these shoes really help with my knee issues. They are light enough to still run a 5k in and I don't feel like I am on stilts like the older Hoka models.

Anonymous runner · Jul 15, 2019

20 mpw training for a half marathon

Comfort: 4/5
Cushioning: 5/5
Durability: 2/5
Appearance: 4/5
Value: 4/5

Not Super Comfortable

3/5

Overall

My right foot has always felt weirdly constricted in this shoe and I feel like it's made my stride less powerful on that side.

Anonymous runner · Jul 10, 2019

15 mpw came from the HOKA Clifton 5

Comfort: 3/5
Cushioning: 4/5
Durability: 4/5
Appearance: 4/5
Value: 5/5

Excellent shoe. Replaced the Kinvara for me.

5/5

Overall

The shoe is light, comfortable, and fast. Been using Kinvara's as a race shoe for years and wasn't happy with the fit of the last two models. Tried this after seeing some write ups and have been happy with it. The toebox isn't super wide but the upper is very forgiving. The fit is much better than other Hoka shoes. I did size down a half size in this shoe. I wouldn't use this for easy/slow runs but great for tempo or some quicker runs. Great cushion and energy return.

Anonymous runner · Jun 19, 2018

30 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Saucony Kinvara 7

Comfort: 5/5
Cushioning: 5/5
Durability: 5/5
Appearance: 5/5
Value: 5/5

Solid Trainer at a Solid Price

4/5

Overall

I snagged a pair of HOKA ONE ONE Cavus for a serious deal at only $50 from my local running store. They were on sale because they weren't selling super well (sort of a niche market for this type of shoe). Despite that, I have really liked the shoe so far. I switch it out with my HOKA ONE ONE Clifton 4s during the week. I use the Cavus for shorter runs, speed work, or recovery days. It is good for all three of those things, but I would not recommend it for very long runs (probably not anything over an hour, at least not for me). Anyways, it's a great shoe at a great price (retail is not bad) and I would recommend it.

Supertramp · May 23, 2018

40 mpw training for a marathon came from the HOKA Clifton 4