![]() ![]() On asphalt roads, concrete paths, and paint stripes, I’ve found the Cavu’s outsole grip to be more than adequate. In low-friction regions, like the arch, the midsole foam is actually exposed.Īt first, I was skeptical about using abrasion-prone foam in an outsole, but as long as the foam isn’t in a high-wear spot, it seems to work just fine. It’s lighter and more cushioned than pure rubber but more wear-resistant than pure foam. In high-friction areas on the outsole (think forefoot and heel), the Cavu features a thick layer of proprietary R-MAT, which is a blend of midsole foam and rubber. ![]() 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.
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