Starting to get back into running after over a year off. The shoes I've been using are pretty worn down at this point, so I'm looking to make a much needed upgrade and was eyeing the Hoka Cavu's. Any experiences with these? In the past I've been a fan of the Tracer's and the Kinvara's, do they have a similar feel to either of those?
I had a pair, and I was thoroughly unimpressed. In fact, I was so unimpressed that I completely forgot that I had worn them for 400 miles, and I was looking into purchasing them because I thought I had never worn them before. From my recollection, the extra foam was nice at first, but it wore down quickly. I've never had knee issues before, but my knees bothered me a bit towards the end of their life.
I've really enjoyed all of the Altras I've tried. They take some easing into, but I would suggest giving those a go.
I had a pair. Honestly I was pretty impressed with it. Firmer than Kinvaras, maybe a smidgen stiffer, and bouncier. Super light. Somehow it didn’t agree with my left Peroneal muscle after a hundred miles or so but that’s a me thing, not necessarily the fault of the shoe. The Cavu 3’s came out, and supposedly have a bit more of a rocker to them, I suspect those may work better for me than the 2’s (I did well in the Cavu 1’s).
I’d try a pair if I were you. Very comparable to the Kinvara.
Tugboat1980 wrote:
I had a pair. Honestly I was pretty impressed with it. Firmer than Kinvaras, maybe a smidgen stiffer, and bouncier. Super light. Somehow it didn’t agree with my left Peroneal muscle after a hundred miles or so but that’s a me thing, not necessarily the fault of the shoe. The Cavu 3’s came out, and supposedly have a bit more of a rocker to them, I suspect those may work better for me than the 2’s (I did well in the Cavu 1’s).
I’d try a pair if I were you. Very comparable to the Kinvara.
Awesome. Appreciate the insight.
I really like them. They're a fast trainer. Sometimes they make me run too quickly on easy days, but otherwise, they are a solid trainer that you can put a lot of miles on, day after day. I've had two pairs, and each have ~500 miles on them.
I got an injury to my forefoot with them that I'd never experienced before. The forefoot of the shoe is totally inflexible and probably the least rockered of any Hokas. I thought it felt very different to the Kinvara. For me the Mach was a much better shoe, really liked the 1st version but be careful with Hoka, the rigid forefoot can lead to Achilles and plantar issues as the muscles can atrophy. A good alternative with some good flexibility is the NB Propel.
the newest cavu 3 is more cushioned than v1 or v2. v2 was the least cushioned and lightest/fastest. v3 gets a new knit upper (not overly stretchy, but bootie style)
if you liked the tracer and kinvara, look for discounted cavus or hupanas. the hoka hupana is a similar shoe and is more comfortable IMO.
I'd look at the Hoka Mach 2. I bought both on cybermonday sales last year and like the Mch 2 much more. They are both light but the Cavu feels very firm/hard foam. The Mach feels more classic Hoka
The Mach and me don’t get along. The abrupt transition between the soft heel and firm forefoot feels to me like the shoe equivalent of a bad fold-out with bar in the back. Cavu is a much better shoe to my feet.