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The RW Takeaway: The Kinvara remains a fast and nimble shoe for speedwork and tempos, now with more cushioning than v13. However, its dip in stability may prevent some runners from enjoying that newly added foam for longer runs.
Preceded by: Kinvara 12, Kinvara 13
Key Tech: Pwrrun EVA midsole, Pwrrun+ TPU sockliner
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Pros
- Lightest Kinvara yet
- Excellent upper breathability
- Versatile for speedwork and daily runs
- Ride feels nimble and responsive
Cons
- Outsole slips a bit on wet surfaces
- Less stable than previous versions
- Snug toebox
Key Specs
| Type | Road |
|---|---|
| Weight | 6.8 oz (M), 6.0 oz (W) |
| Drop | 4 mm |
The Saucony Kinvara was that special shoe for many of our editors and testers. The first version saw Jeff Dengate break three hours in the marathon for the second time. One tester, who calls himself a “Saucony junkie,” still hoards two pairs of his favorite model, the 8. I also have fond memories of past Kinvaras. The v4 was the first shoe that made me feel fast enough to hang with the front of the pack during my college track workouts. For that reason, it holds a sweet place in our hearts. And for many, the 14 only continues to improve. (Our Saucony junkie told us the 8 will be hard to go back to for him.)
But it’s not for everybody. Elements of this update to the Kinvara were hotly debated between both our staff and test team and, of course, more than a few Kinvara keyboard warriors in the comments sections of running blogs. The main struggles most had were the 14’s narrow fit and lack of stability.
Based on our testers’ feedback, women runners most noticed the lack of stability. Amanda Furrer and several Division I runners on the local college track team felt wobbly in the shoe, and one female tester actually withdrew from testing due to a rolled ankle. While the guys on our test team also said that the shoe didn’t lend much stability, they most noticed the shoe’s smooth snappiness and natural feel.
“This shoe is very well-balanced for an everyday comfortable ride with the ability to push into it for some faster efforts. It’s flexible enough for a smooth ride but has enough stiffness to respond if you want to drop those last miles of your long run with a little bit of extra spice,” said one tester who supinates. “The work is on you to keep this shoe upright and get your foot on the ground in an efficient way. If you need extra support and guidance, look elsewhere.”
So, what changed from 13 to now? A lot. Saucony designed the 14 to be more of a do-it-all shoe that could run the gamut as a lightweight daily trainer and even a budget racer. For that reason, it borrowed key pieces from its hallmark neutral daily trainer (the Ride 16) and top-tier speedy model (the Endorphin Pro 3).
Now with an additional 3mm of stack height, the Kinvara 14 midsole has the same setup as the Ride 16. The bulk of the midsole is EVA-based Pwrrun with an extra thick Pwrrun+ sockliner, made from fused TPU beads. Saucony broadened the Kinvara’s platform and raised the midsole sidewalls to stabilize the additional cushioning—though according to our testers, they’re perhaps still not quite wide or tall enough in the women’s version.
Given the similar foam construction, it’s not surprising that the Kinvara 14 feels like a stripped-down version of the Ride 16. The experience is nimbler and firmer underfoot—one that’s fun because it’s lean and fast and snappy, not bouncy and squishy. Runners who’ve grown up in the super-shoe era (or who have become accustomed to plush super foams, like myself) found it quite firm by comparison, and might avoid it for longer efforts when there are more max-cush offerings out there. One tester, who knows the Kinvara’s heritage, didn’t mistake the ride as low-energy return or overly harsh.
“I used to wear the Kinvara for 20-milers and longer tempos, but now I prefer it for shorter tempos and workouts,” she said, wanting more cushion as a mid-to-forefoot-striker. “My feet got a little achy beyond eight miles in the shoe, but overall it did feel responsive underfoot.
If you recognize the upper, that’s because Saucony used the same material as in its featherlight Endorphin Pro 3 to get the Kinvara down to its lowest weight yet. The fishnet-like mesh feels airy and breathable but isn’t game for rain and puddles—or wide feet. “The narrowness made me constantly think about the pressure on the outer edge of my midfoot,” said one tester, whose average-width feet rarely feel cramped by standard toeboxes. “The fit and hug of the upper was secure but not comfortable.” Another runner, who tells us she has long and narrow feet, said the Kinvara 14 was “made perfectly for [her] foot shape.”
Testers’ Feedback
Eileen C. | Tester since 2019
Arch Height: Medium | Pronation: Neutral | Footstrike: Midfoot
“As a longtime Kinvara lover, I do not think this version is as strong as its predecessors. I felt like the 14 was not as secure in the upper, and that this caused my forefoot to slide around. (Even if I laced the shoes tighter, the tongue did quite a bit of moving around.) It felt okay when running in a straight line, but as soon as I made multiple turns I would have to adjust the tongue and laces. However, I did think the heel collar was very comfortable and the mesh upper was breathable in all different types of weather.
“Even though I craved a little bit more cushioning under the midfoot and forefoot, I liked the overall weight of the shoe. The fast and light feel of previous Kinvaras stayed true with this version—there was no excess weight, which made uptempo running easier.”
Josh D. | Tester since 2021
Arch Height: Medium | Pronation: Underpronator | Footstrike: Forefoot
“The Kinvara is a no fuss, lightweight trainer for efficient runners. Though I have spent most of my time recently in Hokas, I have run in previous Kinvaras. This version made me remember a lot of the shoe’s great features. My first impression lacing these up was that the soft mesh upper felt amazing wrapping around the top of my foot.
“From easy runs to tempos, these shoes have solid responsiveness. I’ve run more than 100 miles in this pair and I haven’t noticed any breakdown in the foam nor any decline in performance and responsiveness. My longest run in the shoe was 10 miles and the cushioning kept my legs feeling pretty fresh afterwards. However, it lacks support and is not great for anything rocky or uneven—there’s a high likelihood of turning an ankle if you try to rough it in this shoe. The traction is a bit slippery when roads are wet, but is good overall on paved surfaces.”
