In a way, this highlights how running shoes and running shoe trends have evolved over the last 15 years. When the OG Kinvara was launched in 2010 it was a slight departure from the minimalist trend that dominated at the time. Kinvara did indeed have a low drop at 4 mm, but also a for the time relatively generous cushioning, all in a low weight package without any particular stabilising features. This made it a good shoe for faster paced training, longer sessions and an almost ideal shoe for a marathon. 15 years on the Kinvara hasn’t actually changed that much. Stack height is very close to the original, the midsole material remains the same as does the 4 mm drop and the weight is very near that of the original (in fact slightly lighter). But as running shoe tech has developed this is nowadays a comparatively low stack height that makes you feel closely connected to the ground and not having a lot of cushioning. That now places the Kinvara in the category of shoes suitable for shorter sessions rather than longer, despite the shoe being essentially the same as it was 15 years ago.
Will be replacing my 13's with a pair of these. I always go back to wanting that low, lightweight shoe with great ground feel. I don't mind a thicker bouncier shoe, I have a set of Rebel v3's for example, but I love the Kinvara for its true neutrality. Hoping the fit and upper is all good. Thanks for the overview, and props for the title, too 😂
Love the Kinvara. Dodnt reay do more then 10to 15km and mostly want to work on speed for 5km. 13s and 14s have been excellent for workpits and races. It's just really nice to have a supreme lightweight and flexible shoe. Yhe price as well cant be beat.
Unfortunately, I need these in wide. Enjoyed the Kinvara 14 that did come in wide. Have switched to the wide version of the Hoka Mach 6 and am very happy with it.
Thanks for the review! I am currently looking for a lightweight non-plated speed shoe, choosing between Kinvara 15 and Brooks Hyperion 2. How do they compare? Would love to see Kinvara 15 vs Hyperion 2 test
I like the idea that a daily trainer needs to make you work a little more. How does it compare against the Puma Deviate Nitro Liberate (which I like but wish it was a little more aggressive) ?
How is this compared to the Kinvara 14? I bought that one on sale. Super light and breathable, yes, but way too hard! And i have 90kg/200lbs. My larger right foot is EU 45,5 and i went for the size EU 45 and was spot on. Was worried it may be too small, but no problems in that run i did. run with intervall workout and walking in between. Total like 11km. Too hard! Felt a little like bricks. I mean, they had a little bend in the sole, but wow, that impact to the ground was hard. Definately NO sink in and energy loss, so yeah, the shoe is fast (for one without pop or plate or whatever). Also the "outsole"... makes strange noises when running and reminds me after every step of slippage. I suppose there was no slip, but the sound had me worried during the entire run. No shoe for me - sold it. And with the Kinvara 14, where people got upset by the tiny stack increase of 2mm, it is now 2mm less, so, Kinvara 15 = Kinvara 13? I guess the foam is just too firm. The next Saucony Foam, those PR+ in the Triumph 21 (which i have at home) i still have to test, but doesn't fee so hard when doing a few steps/runs in the living room ;)
It's a cheap but very specific/dated shoe. If you've run in Puma Velocity Nitro, then these are comparatively stiffer, less squishy and more recent models were very narrow. They have almost no rubber coverage on the outsole so say goodbye to your Pumagrip. Overall, this shoe is for people who are used to this type of shoe and buy it for sentimental reasons as Kinvaras were used for a long time as race shoes but since then we've leaped in terms of technology up to the point that even Kieran doesn't like them as much.
Hi. !!!! Kinvara for ever!!!. I had the k11 and k13. Like from 🇪🇸 Spain. Happy weekend.
In a way, this highlights how running shoes and running shoe trends have evolved over the last 15 years. When the OG Kinvara was launched in 2010 it was a slight departure from the minimalist trend that dominated at the time. Kinvara did indeed have a low drop at 4 mm, but also a for the time relatively generous cushioning, all in a low weight package without any particular stabilising features. This made it a good shoe for faster paced training, longer sessions and an almost ideal shoe for a marathon.
15 years on the Kinvara hasn’t actually changed that much. Stack height is very close to the original, the midsole material remains the same as does the 4 mm drop and the weight is very near that of the original (in fact slightly lighter). But as running shoe tech has developed this is nowadays a comparatively low stack height that makes you feel closely connected to the ground and not having a lot of cushioning. That now places the Kinvara in the category of shoes suitable for shorter sessions rather than longer, despite the shoe being essentially the same as it was 15 years ago.
The Kinvara needs to be treasured. Endangered species.
Saucony Sinister has Powerrun PB and a proper outsole, feels nicely cushioned for the low stack
Will be replacing my 13's with a pair of these. I always go back to wanting that low, lightweight shoe with great ground feel. I don't mind a thicker bouncier shoe, I have a set of Rebel v3's for example, but I love the Kinvara for its true neutrality. Hoping the fit and upper is all good. Thanks for the overview, and props for the title, too 😂
Love the Kinvara. Dodnt reay do more then 10to 15km and mostly want to work on speed for 5km. 13s and 14s have been excellent for workpits and races.
It's just really nice to have a supreme lightweight and flexible shoe. Yhe price as well cant be beat.
Unfortunately, I need these in wide. Enjoyed the Kinvara 14 that did come in wide. Have switched to the wide version of the Hoka Mach 6 and am very happy with it.
Thanks for the review!
I am currently looking for a lightweight non-plated speed shoe, choosing between Kinvara 15 and Brooks Hyperion 2. How do they compare? Would love to see Kinvara 15 vs Hyperion 2 test
I like the idea that a daily trainer needs to make you work a little more. How does it compare against the Puma Deviate Nitro Liberate (which I like but wish it was a little more aggressive) ?
Keep Kinvara as is forever. Make a Knivara Max for cushion and pro for races. But please leave the OG alone.
How is this compared to the Kinvara 14?
I bought that one on sale. Super light and breathable, yes, but way too hard!
And i have 90kg/200lbs. My larger right foot is EU 45,5 and i went for the size EU 45 and was spot on. Was worried it may be too small, but no problems in that run i did.
run with intervall workout and walking in between. Total like 11km.
Too hard! Felt a little like bricks. I mean, they had a little bend in the sole, but wow, that impact to the ground was hard.
Definately NO sink in and energy loss, so yeah, the shoe is fast (for one without pop or plate or whatever).
Also the "outsole"... makes strange noises when running and reminds me after every step of slippage. I suppose there was no slip, but the sound had me worried during the entire run.
No shoe for me - sold it.
And with the Kinvara 14, where people got upset by the tiny stack increase of 2mm, it is now 2mm less, so, Kinvara 15 = Kinvara 13?
I guess the foam is just too firm.
The next Saucony Foam, those PR+ in the Triumph 21 (which i have at home) i still have to test, but doesn't fee so hard when doing a few steps/runs in the living room ;)
I had Triumph 20 and found them way too soft, so I got rid of these. On the other hand I love my Kinvara 14 😊.
@@LizaKoog OK :)
May i ask your approximate weight and the speed you are running in the shoes? :)
👍🏻 For Saucony
Would u recommend for people who just do easy runs and plan to own one shoe to do it all? If not, what do you recommend?
always have at least two pairs of shoes - rotation makes them last longer
I can't afford
My current shoe is puma velocity nitro. I've been using it for 3 years (900-1000 miles) and did a half marathon in them. I need one shoe to do it all.
i'm pretty sure they would recommend a puma velocity nitro, the newest one you can afford (version 2 is £50, 3 is about £80)
It's a cheap but very specific/dated shoe. If you've run in Puma Velocity Nitro, then these are comparatively stiffer, less squishy and more recent models were very narrow. They have almost no rubber coverage on the outsole so say goodbye to your Pumagrip. Overall, this shoe is for people who are used to this type of shoe and buy it for sentimental reasons as Kinvaras were used for a long time as race shoes but since then we've leaped in terms of technology up to the point that even Kieran doesn't like them as much.