HOKA

Cavu

Cavu
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road
Below average (60/100)

Shoe details

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

Ratings & Reviews

Below average (60/100)

Better than about 11% of shoes

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and runner reviews.
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This score rates worse than 89% of shoes.

Our ratings use detailed reviews from knowledgeable runners, ratings for shoes in the same product line, and reliable product information from trusted retailers.

Rating breakdown

Better Shoes score out of 100. Shading shows the expected rating range.
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Rankings combine runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, direct comparisons to other shoes, related product-line performance, and trusted external ratings.

The darker band shows the central score range. The lighter band shows a wider range of reasonable outcomes. More reviews for this shoe usually narrow both bands.

Overall

Below average (60/100)

Overall ranking

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Estimate

Below average (60/100)

Rank

Ranks above 11% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.

Value

Above average (89/100)

Value ranking

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Estimate

Above average (89/100)

Rank

Ranks above 83% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.

Cushioning

Above average (88/100)

Cushioning ranking

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Estimate

Above average (88/100)

Rank

Ranks above 79% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.

Appearance

Good (74/100)

Appearance ranking

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Estimate

Good (74/100)

Rank

Ranks above 44% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.

Durability

Good (67/100)

Durability ranking

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Estimate

Good (67/100)

Rank

Ranks above 21% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.

Comfort

Below average (62/100)

Comfort ranking

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Estimate

Below average (62/100)

Rank

Ranks above 11% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.

14%

1/7

Prefer this shoe over another.

Reviewers said this shoe was better than another shoe they ran in.

All Running Shoes

Worse than 89% of 2,532 running shoes ranked.

Below average (60/100)

Daily Trainers

Worse than 87% of 1,849 daily trainers ranked.

13%

HOKA

Worse than 96% of 134 HOKA shoes ranked.

4%

Pros & Cons

Cons

  • Most reviewers like this shoe less than their last shoe.
  • Some of reviewers think this shoe runs too big.
  • Rated among the bottom 10% of shoes overall.
  • Rated among the bottom 10% of shoes on comfort.
  • Rated below average on cushioning.

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Current shoe
Best value
Lightest
Newest / Best overall / Best comfort
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
8.2 oz M
7.2 oz M Lightest
8.5 oz M
Stack
24/20mm
40/35mm
Drop
4mm
5mm
Release
2018 Q1
2020 Q1
2023 Q1 Newest
MSRP
$110 Lower MSRP
$120
$165
Best price
$164.99
Ratings
Overall
Bottom tier (11%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Bottom tier (11%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Good (79%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Below average (21%)
Very good (80%) Best durability
Appearance
Average (44%)
Very good (82%) Best appearance
Value
Very good (83%) Best value
Good (74%)
Specific shoe

Search for the exact model to add to this comparison.

Where to buy

No offers available

Better alternatives

Higher-rated shoes similar to this one

More from HOKA

Reader Ratings

6 reader ratings

Review a shoe

Showing 1–5 of 6 written reviews

amazing

Anonymous runner · Jul 26, 2019

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

I love these shoes

Anonymous runner · Jul 15, 2019

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

Not Super Comfortable

Anonymous runner · Jul 10, 2019

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

Excellent shoe. Replaced the Kinvara for me.

Anonymous runner · Jun 19, 2018

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.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Solid Trainer at a Solid Price

Supertramp · May 23, 2018

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