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HOKA

Cavu 2

Cavu 2
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road
Above average (86/100)

Shoe details

Weight
7.2 oz
Release
2019 Q1
MSRP
$110

Ratings & Reviews

Above average (86/100)

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and 3 runner ratings.
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This score rates better than 76% 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.

Review a shoe.

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

Above average (86/100)

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

Above average (86/100)

Rank

Ranks above 76% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Value

Exceptional (95/100)

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

Exceptional (95/100)

Rank

Ranks above 92% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Cushioning

Excellent (94/100)

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

Excellent (94/100)

Rank

Ranks above 91% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Comfort

Above average (88/100)

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

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

Above average (85/100)

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

Above average (85/100)

Rank

Ranks above 70% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Durability

Above average (83/100)

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

Above average (83/100)

Rank

Ranks above 68% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

50%

2/4

Prefer this shoe over another.

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

All Running Shoes

Better than 76% of 2,532 running shoes ranked.

Above average (86/100)

Daily Trainers

Better than 77% of 1,849 daily trainers ranked.

77%

HOKA

Better than 59% of 134 HOKA shoes ranked.

59%

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

HOKA Cavu 2
HOKA Cavu 3
HOKA Clifton 9
Cavu 2
Cavu 3
Clifton 9
Current shoe
Best value
Newest / Best overall / Best comfort
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
7.2 oz M
7.2 oz M
8.5 oz M
Stack
—
—
40/35mm
Drop
—
—
5mm
Release
2019 Q1
2020 Q1
2023 Q1 Newest
MSRP
$110 Lower MSRP
$120
$165
Best price
—
—
$164.99
Ratings
Overall
Good (76%)
—
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Good (79%)
—
Exceptional (>99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Excellent (91%)
—
Exceptional (>99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Above average (68%)
—
Very good (80%) Best durability
Appearance
Good (70%)
—
Very good (82%) Best appearance
Value
Excellent (93%) Best value
—
Good (74%)
Specific shoe

Search for the exact model to add to this comparison.

Where to buy

No offers available

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Reader Ratings

3 reader ratings

Review a shoe

Showing 1–3 of 3 written reviews

Light, fast, comfortable

Florian_Ire · Apr 2, 2020

5/5

Overall

I'm a light and small guy so prefer light shoes. These were my first Hoka as I've been skeptical of the their stack hight and enormous amount of cushioning. The Cavu 2 were on sale so given the low weight I gave them a go: incredibly positive surprise. The ride is superb. Light, effortless, a pleasant amount of cushioning without being mushy. The shoe wants to go forward, aids a natural stride/mid-foot strike, and feels home doing fast work as well as on long runs. I prefer a bit more ground feel in a race shoe. But for those quality training runs this is the perfect shoe. Slight question marks on durability as the outsole shows a bit of wear and tear after 70k and the midsole shows slight deformation marks already. For around 60 bucks that's alright. I get a few more and all is good.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Faith Restored

Anonymous runner · Jul 27, 2019

5/5

Overall

After initially trying previous Hoka shoes I was a skeptic. I'm a clumsy (albeit fairly rapid) runner with athritic knees looking for light, slipper like race shoes with max cushioning (so im not laid up for 6 weeks post race). The Hoka Cavu 2 is a step up, light like Hoka Hupanas (my go-to interval shoe); with great tight fit around the ankle like the Brooks levitate 2 (my previous half marathon flavour of the month) and the right marathon distance feel of cushioning like the Adidas boost (my last long distance beau). What does the Hoka Cavu 2 have above these? All of the pros and none of the erm.... not buying those again... I'm (currently) happliy in love and training for Frankfurt Marathon in October; come on Cavu 2 we got this!
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Great

Anonymous runner · Jul 8, 2019

5/5

Overall

These shoes are great
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5