Details
Brand
Hoka One One
Heel To Toe Drop
4mm
Breathability
7/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Cushioned
Key Features
• ProFly dual density midsole has a softer heel and firmer forefoot• Engineered mesh upper is soft and lightweight with a slipper-like feel• Decoupled heel and interrupted outsole make transitions smoother• Built for speed• Uncluttered design without wild colors and overlay patterns
Upper
The seamless engineered mesh upper on the Hoka One One Cavu is a soft, comfortable, slipper-like addition to the line. Though the entire upper is mesh with distinct designs, it still provides a good deal of support. With a wider, soft, unstructured toe box, the feel is natural and uninhibited. There is no toe bumper stiffening, pinching or pressure points at all, just a continuation of the mesh upper surrounding the entire foot.;This model has distanced itself from the neons of current popularity and has embraced simple colors and designs on the mesh upper. Reds, blues, black and white are the main options but they have a streamlined, clean look with the removal of the wild colors and overlays from previous designs.
Midsole
The ProFly midsole in the Cavu is an evolution of the Pro2Lite design Hoka One One had in previous models. They added a new EVA foam and renamed it for the newer versions. It is expected to be more resilient and energy efficient while reducing shock effects more effectively. These adjustments have created a more responsive and less bouncy shoe.
Outsole
The Hoka One One Cavu has the traditional RMAT rubber outsole but covers only where the foot is likely to contact the pavement, leaving the heel decoupled and outsole interrupted. It is a thinner design than other models but is great for traction on tarmac and concrete multi-use paths. Combining the RMAT with the ProFly dual-density midsole is key with the Cavu as the softer heel and the firmer forefoot work well together to create an optimal shoe for speed runs and training and the thinner rubber accommodates the speed more so than a thicker, heavier gripping design.
Breathability
A good running shoe has to be breathable for racers so as to avoid excessive swelling and discomfort. The Hoka One One Cavu has mastered breathability. The engineered mesh upper carries 360-degrees around the shoe. This negates any possibility of a hot spot. The moisture-wicking textile linings and the lycra comfort fit bootie built into the upper are extremely lightweight and breathable.
Comfort
Since the beginning, Hoka One One has been focused on comfort. They provided additional outsole and cushion at a time when minimalist shoes were popular. This strategy worked for them then and has continued to do so. Runners of any distance want a shoe that provides comfort and performs exceptionally.;The new dual density ProFly EVA foam midsole features a softer heel and a firmer forefoot. This gives added protection and propulsion at the same time. For runners who heel strike, this reduces the shock to the joints. For all runners, the firmer forefoot makes for a faster toe off and makes it easier to maintain speed.;The softness of the upper is near excessive. Because it is so soft and comfortable, runners don’t believe the Cavu will stand up to the wear and tear they will be administering. The shock is, they do. While the upper is extremely lightweight and airy, it provides a hidden line of support in the engineering of the material. The lycra comfort fits bootie hugs the foot closely and the moisture-wicking textiles reduce moisture, leaving the foot cool and comfortable.
Style
After years of wild colors and overlays, the Hoka One One Cavu has departed from the neons and over-designed popular schemes. They have created a clean, natural, understated look. A few simple colors, red, white, blue, yellow and black are featured with a solid white midsole and either a grey or complimentary color outsole are available. Each shoe also features the brand name, Hoka, on the outside and a full lace enclosure to accommodate all fits. The outsole is two-toned as it has the RMAT outsole only on the parts of the foot that connect with the pavement when running, creating a solid white stripe across the bottom as well. The strategically placed mesh creates a pleasant design on the outside as well as the inside, keeping the breathability at a maximum.
Durability
The Hoka One One Cavu is a shoe built for speed. With speed comes increased force on the base of the shoe. A concern is that the RMAT rubber outsole is not thick so it may not have as much durability. After about 50 miles some wear is visible but an additional 100 miles appear to have the same amount of wear so there may be a break-in period necessary for this model. The upper is well made and, although light, is soundly solidly constructed. With no additional material in the toe box and no toe bumper stiffening, the forefoot flexes with the natural flex of the foot, reducing frays and imprints that would normally occur with a stiffer material.
Protection
The main point of protection of the Hoka One One Cavu is the ProFly EVA foam midsole. The softer heel absorbs the shock of the heel landing, reducing friction and fatigue in the knees and muscles. The gradual increase of firmness leading to the forefoot gives a firmer toe off and a faster ride, reducing foot fatigue. Though you’re running faster, your feet don’t feel it until further down the road.;The upper on the Cavu offers its own form of protection. With the extensively breathable engineered mesh, the foot will be less likely to sweat and cause slippage. To further reduce that possibility, the Cavu also has moisture-wicking textiles to keep the foot cool and dry.
Responsiveness
A lightweight, neutral cushioned shoe, the Hoka One One Cavu has a 4mm drop giving a fast ride with a weightless feel enabling smoother, faster runs. With the ProFly midsole, the amount of fatigue is reduced and runners are able to maintain a faster run while enjoying many different routes. The RMAT outsole has a long decoupling groove, reducing how much grip the rubber has on the road, adding to the speed of the run without reducing the response from the midsole.
Support
With the engineered mesh upper and the lycra comfort fit bootie, the Hoka One One Cavu is soft and comfortable. It is described as slipper-like and shockingly supportive. Because the mesh is woven with two different materials, it is strengthened and forms to the foot, deceptively supporting while appearing lightweight. The ProFly EVA foam of the midsole maintains the comfort and support from beneath. The heel does have a softer design but the firmness of the forefoot enables the foot to keep the fast speed that the Cavu is known for, without the fatigue of overworking.
Terrain
The Hoka One One Cavu is a road racing shoe. With good lateral stability, there is not sufficient rubber on the outsole to maintain speed on trails or packed dirt. This model is great for faster training and races on tarmac or concrete multi-use paths.
Price
The design and technology that has gone into the Hoka One One Cavu are top notch and the price should reflect that. Even so, this shoe is competitively priced with its cohorts. This model reflects a change in design, functionality, and focus. It is being offered at a great price.
Drop
The Hoka One One Cavu has a low drop of 4mm. This is a lower drop and allows for a natural ride with a smooth feel. With such a light shoe, this shoe is best for smoother, fast runs.
Stability
While the Hoka One One Cavu is lighter than the Clayton 2, Hoka did not reduce any of the stability. With the evolution of the ProFly dual density midsole, the stability is consistent with the previous models. The engineered mesh upper fits snugly and features a full lace up for adjustment to each individual foot.
Flexibility
Since the ProFly EVA foam midsole adjusts firmness across the foot, the toe flexes naturally with the step. The upper is an engineered mesh that is flexible to the asymmetrical shape of the foot, allowing for swelling during the run without discomfort. The placement of the RMAT rubber on the outsole also allows for additional flex at toe-off, since it is located at the front and the back of the foot.
Traction
The ProFly EVA foam midsole adds the firmness needed when toeing off. Combined with the rubber RMAT outsole, the traction is just enough for a good road race and training but not encouraged for trail races, cinder or packed dirt trails.
Bottom Line
Hoka One One burst onto the scene in 2009, offering the opposite of the popular trends. With the additional cushioning, they continued to make a brand that would be sold worldwide and created a reputation for the comfort and solid construction that other brands would aspire to.;In the follow up to the Clayton 2, the Hoka One One Cavu features a redesigned midsole, an engineered upper and an interrupted outsole. These are not standard for the industry but they are the right idea for Hoka. They have created a durable, comfortable, lightweight shoe that helps make runners faster and enables them to train the way they want to. Fast. And with the speed comes the smallest of limitations in terrain but that is the shoe. It is designed for a fast, debris-free route in order to increase the speed of the runner. In that case, this shoe is doing exactly what it is meant to do.;Reducing the thickness of the RMAT rubber reduced weight. Adding the ProFly EVA foam to the insole increased speed. Engineering the upper with a mesh design and lycra bootie increased breathability and kept the weight down. Removing any additional material on the toe box and toe area reduced any rub and increased the lifespan of the shoe. All of these tweaks and adjustments are paying off for Hoka. They have developed an outstanding shoe that will be making appearances in marathons, half marathons and 5k’s worldwide, and with much deserved congratulations. This shoe is quality and has a great appearance. Hoka should continue to make adjustments as, every time they do, a new advancement is introduced to the industry that drives technology and expectations to an all new level.
