Last updated at 10/19/2024 13:32:29
originally posted on saucony.com
I was stoked to try these super light low drop runners and the first few 5km runs I felt I had wings. I’ve put only about 25 km on them at this point and I loved them until a day after my last run. My tarsals and metatarsals started to ache on my right foot so I took a day off. I immediately recalled the scorching negative review posted by solereview, how the shoe is likely to cause foot injury due to the sole design. Today I ran another 5km in the Kinvara 14s this morning to give them another chance because I like them so much, and tonight the pain shot up to about an 8 when I walk, mainly in the bones around the ball of my feet. My left foot has about a level 2 pain. So I’m pretty sure it’s the shoes. I do pronate a little but still prefer neutral shoes usually ... MoreI was stoked to try these super light low drop runners and the first few 5km runs I felt I had wings. I’ve put only about 25 km on them at this point and I loved them until a day after my last run. My tarsals and metatarsals started to ache on my right foot so I took a day off. I immediately recalled the scorching negative review posted by solereview, how the shoe is likely to cause foot injury due to the sole design. Today I ran another 5km in the Kinvara 14s this morning to give them another chance because I like them so much, and tonight the pain shot up to about an 8 when I walk, mainly in the bones around the ball of my feet. My left foot has about a level 2 pain. So I’m pretty sure it’s the shoes. I do pronate a little but still prefer neutral shoes usually and don’t have problems. The Peregrine 13s are a favourite shoe so I thought these would be great. Unfortunately I’m having to now agree with the solereview. Do not run in these on a regular basis!! I gave an extra star because I love the super light weight, the extra cushioning and 4 mm drop.
originally posted on saucony.com
This edition feels to me like almost a total overhaul of the Kinvara. I've been using them for about 10 years, so I know their normal feel. These have more underfoot and a little more cushion. Personally, I like the changes. I felt like the other Kinvara models quickly went to feeling like a moccasin, even though I do love the low drop of the shoe. This 14 seems like it will last longer, and I really love the feel underfoot. Definitely NO slush or mush in the cushion, but a little more substantial. I give it 4 stars because they took a time for my feet to adjust, and normally I can wear Kinvaras right out of the box with no breaking in. I think they'd do excellent for half marathons, and maybe even more. (I did wear the 13 in a full marathon, and it did the job... ... MoreThis edition feels to me like almost a total overhaul of the Kinvara. I've been using them for about 10 years, so I know their normal feel. These have more underfoot and a little more cushion. Personally, I like the changes. I felt like the other Kinvara models quickly went to feeling like a moccasin, even though I do love the low drop of the shoe. This 14 seems like it will last longer, and I really love the feel underfoot. Definitely NO slush or mush in the cushion, but a little more substantial. I give it 4 stars because they took a time for my feet to adjust, and normally I can wear Kinvaras right out of the box with no breaking in. I think they'd do excellent for half marathons, and maybe even more. (I did wear the 13 in a full marathon, and it did the job... so I'd imagine the extra oomph in this edition would only help.) I will add that I think they lost a little support somehow, which I miss.
originally posted on saucony.com
I've been wearing Kinvara's now for 3 years. I ordered the latest model and expected the same shoe I always get. The moment I opened the box, I could see that they changed the design of the model. The arch support is weirdly placed further back than normal. The hump of the support is so far back that it hits my heel with each step. I took the shoes to my local running shop and compared them with the same model on the shelf. They were both the same so I didn't receive a defective shoe. After 40 miles I had to give up on it. My heel feels bruised and I've had to rest for a week to allow my feet to recover. If you've been using Kinvara for awhile, just be aware of this and go to your local shop first to ensure they still fit!
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Shoe type | Neutral |
| Drop | 4mm |
| Midsole height | 31/27mm |
| Cushioning | PWRRUN foam |
I was stoked to try these super light low drop runners and the first few 5km runs I felt I had wings. I’ve put only about 25 km on them at this point and I loved them until a day after my last run. My tarsals and metatarsals started to ache on my right foot so I took a day off. I immediately recalled the scorching negative review posted by solereview, how the shoe is likely to cause foot injury due to the sole design. Today I ran another 5km in the Kinvara 14s this morning to give them another chance because I like them so much, and tonight the pain shot up to about an 8 when I walk, mainly in the bones around the ball of my feet. My left foot has about a level 2 pain. So I’m pretty sure it’s the shoes. I do pronate a little but still prefer neutral shoes usually ... MoreI was stoked to try these super light low drop runners and the first few 5km runs I felt I had wings. I’ve put only about 25 km on them at this point and I loved them until a day after my last run. My tarsals and metatarsals started to ache on my right foot so I took a day off. I immediately recalled the scorching negative review posted by solereview, how the shoe is likely to cause foot injury due to the sole design. Today I ran another 5km in the Kinvara 14s this morning to give them another chance because I like them so much, and tonight the pain shot up to about an 8 when I walk, mainly in the bones around the ball of my feet. My left foot has about a level 2 pain. So I’m pretty sure it’s the shoes. I do pronate a little but still prefer neutral shoes usually and don’t have problems. The Peregrine 13s are a favourite shoe so I thought these would be great. Unfortunately I’m having to now agree with the solereview. Do not run in these on a regular basis!! I gave an extra star because I love the super light weight, the extra cushioning and 4 mm drop.
This edition feels to me like almost a total overhaul of the Kinvara. I've been using them for about 10 years, so I know their normal feel. These have more underfoot and a little more cushion. Personally, I like the changes. I felt like the other Kinvara models quickly went to feeling like a moccasin, even though I do love the low drop of the shoe. This 14 seems like it will last longer, and I really love the feel underfoot. Definitely NO slush or mush in the cushion, but a little more substantial. I give it 4 stars because they took a time for my feet to adjust, and normally I can wear Kinvaras right out of the box with no breaking in. I think they'd do excellent for half marathons, and maybe even more. (I did wear the 13 in a full marathon, and it did the job... ... MoreThis edition feels to me like almost a total overhaul of the Kinvara. I've been using them for about 10 years, so I know their normal feel. These have more underfoot and a little more cushion. Personally, I like the changes. I felt like the other Kinvara models quickly went to feeling like a moccasin, even though I do love the low drop of the shoe. This 14 seems like it will last longer, and I really love the feel underfoot. Definitely NO slush or mush in the cushion, but a little more substantial. I give it 4 stars because they took a time for my feet to adjust, and normally I can wear Kinvaras right out of the box with no breaking in. I think they'd do excellent for half marathons, and maybe even more. (I did wear the 13 in a full marathon, and it did the job... so I'd imagine the extra oomph in this edition would only help.) I will add that I think they lost a little support somehow, which I miss.
I've been wearing Kinvara's now for 3 years. I ordered the latest model and expected the same shoe I always get. The moment I opened the box, I could see that they changed the design of the model. The arch support is weirdly placed further back than normal. The hump of the support is so far back that it hits my heel with each step. I took the shoes to my local running shop and compared them with the same model on the shelf. They were both the same so I didn't receive a defective shoe. After 40 miles I had to give up on it. My heel feels bruised and I've had to rest for a week to allow my feet to recover. If you've been using Kinvara for awhile, just be aware of this and go to your local shop first to ensure they still fit!
I was nervous reading the reviews before getting a pair, but I wanted to give them a fair shake and the new color options were enticing. First try on and it was obvious that the reviews were on to something. It's not the worst shoe ever, but it is not the Kinvara that I've been with since the first iteration. I'm not entirely disappointed with the addition of more cushioning, but it feels like the shoe is confused as to whether it wants to be a Kinvara, or if it's trying to be a Triumph lite knock off. I'm not a fan of the heel "cup" which I assume is to help keep the minimalist drop feel. I find that even tying the laces tighter, the heel slips which is annoying. To give them a fair shake, after a short break in period with runs 6 miles and under, I did do a half ... MoreI was nervous reading the reviews before getting a pair, but I wanted to give them a fair shake and the new color options were enticing. First try on and it was obvious that the reviews were on to something. It's not the worst shoe ever, but it is not the Kinvara that I've been with since the first iteration. I'm not entirely disappointed with the addition of more cushioning, but it feels like the shoe is confused as to whether it wants to be a Kinvara, or if it's trying to be a Triumph lite knock off. I'm not a fan of the heel "cup" which I assume is to help keep the minimalist drop feel. I find that even tying the laces tighter, the heel slips which is annoying. To give them a fair shake, after a short break in period with runs 6 miles and under, I did do a half marathon in them. My assessment is still the same, I absolutely am irritated by them for the first mile and then I settle in and they're adequate. But then post race or when walking in them in general, the heel cup in annoying. I've also ran in Merrell pace gloves, so a heel cup isn't a new concept to me. I rather liked it in the Vibram bottom. Overall, I hope that this model is very short lived, and that it goes back to being the Kinvara I've known and loved. In the meantime I will grab pairs of the 13's and older models when I see them.
I ran in Kinvara series from the first series from 2 -11 (my favs were 7 and 10 in think) but I started falling out of love with them and tried the endorphins for the last couple years. The endorphins are very different, not a close substitution at all, and I honestly hated them at first. I knew they were not a similar shoe, but heading into my forties I was looking for something that offered more cushioning for my joints without sacrificing speed and decided to make a big move. I eventually came to love the extra cushioning although I never liked the almost forced roll of my mid to forefoot, especially downhill, driving my toe to the edge of the shoe. When I read the poor reviews from other long time Kinvara fans complaining the 14s were too cushioned and a ... MoreI ran in Kinvara series from the first series from 2 -11 (my favs were 7 and 10 in think) but I started falling out of love with them and tried the endorphins for the last couple years. The endorphins are very different, not a close substitution at all, and I honestly hated them at first. I knew they were not a similar shoe, but heading into my forties I was looking for something that offered more cushioning for my joints without sacrificing speed and decided to make a big move. I eventually came to love the extra cushioning although I never liked the almost forced roll of my mid to forefoot, especially downhill, driving my toe to the edge of the shoe. When I read the poor reviews from other long time Kinvara fans complaining the 14s were too cushioned and a departure from the Kinvara running feel I decided to come back and try them. So far, I love them. I had to go a half size down from my consistent 9.5 to a 9, and they fit perfectly. I have the perfect amount of room in the toe box and the cushioning feels comfy and soft when I strike, but not squishy, and still firm enough that I don't feel like I have lost the sensation of feeling the ground beneath me (like I did with the endorphins). I have worn them about 10 times in the last 2 weeks for a few 5k, and several 11-16k. On the first couple runs I felt like certain muscles in my feet that had been sleeping in the endorphins were back in action and I had greater control of how my foot is making impact, there is less spring, but my pace and splits have stayed consistent. I had to retie them a couple of times the first trip out because there is quite a bit flexibility in the upper and lacing system that makes it easy to tie them too tight or too loose while seeming to mold to your foot just right. Once I found my sweet spot, I fell in love with Kinvaras all over again.TLDR: Unpopular opinion: love the new Kinvaras, extra cushioning with real road feel, half size down
Outstanding shoes! They are minimalist enough to allow for my gait to be self-correcting, yet cushioned enough to offer ample protection. These are mid to up-tempo shoes. So far I have only used them on the treadmill but will take them to the asphalt very soon. I would place them a little below the Endorphin Shift 3 in the lineup, and in a very successful competition against Brooks Hyperion Tempo. The Kinvara 14 is more forgiving to my feet than the Hyperion Tempo, and my recovery is faster after running in the Kinvaras. The Kinvara 14 is also surprisingly stable considering how snug and narrow they are. The snugness is a desirable thing here, and when buying, I would buy your correct size, not 1/2 larger as is often suggested for best experience and foot ... MoreOutstanding shoes! They are minimalist enough to allow for my gait to be self-correcting, yet cushioned enough to offer ample protection. These are mid to up-tempo shoes. So far I have only used them on the treadmill but will take them to the asphalt very soon. I would place them a little below the Endorphin Shift 3 in the lineup, and in a very successful competition against Brooks Hyperion Tempo. The Kinvara 14 is more forgiving to my feet than the Hyperion Tempo, and my recovery is faster after running in the Kinvaras. The Kinvara 14 is also surprisingly stable considering how snug and narrow they are. The snugness is a desirable thing here, and when buying, I would buy your correct size, not 1/2 larger as is often suggested for best experience and foot proprioception! The outsole is on the stiff-side, but mellows out a bit after a 20 mile or so break-in period. Please do not replace the insoles of these Kinvaras, as the original Saucony insoles are part of the cushion and support stack, and I think it is the name of the game when you go minimalist. All-in-all, highly recommended if this is the type of a shoe that you seek. If you are used to highly cushioned, high-stack shoes, these Kinvaras will be somewhat the opposite of that. These Kinvara 14's are the primary shoes in my gym/treadmill rotation lineup.
These shoes are just ok. I have worn several versions of Kinarva after they stopped making the Zealot, and the Kinarva 14 is definitely the worst.My biggest complaint is the narrow toe box. I have been running in Saucony shoes almost exclusively for about 30 years. The thing that attracted me to the brand was the relatively roomy tow box. My feet are narrow in the heel but wider in the toe area, with high arches. This makes finding a good fit pretty difficult. Saucony had always fit me well, but now it seems like the shoes are getting narrower with each edition. When I bought the Kinvara 14s, they felt really tight, so I actually also got a pair in wide width to see if it was any better. The wides didn’t feel much wider in the toes, but they seemed very loose in ... MoreThese shoes are just ok. I have worn several versions of Kinarva after they stopped making the Zealot, and the Kinarva 14 is definitely the worst.My biggest complaint is the narrow toe box. I have been running in Saucony shoes almost exclusively for about 30 years. The thing that attracted me to the brand was the relatively roomy tow box. My feet are narrow in the heel but wider in the toe area, with high arches. This makes finding a good fit pretty difficult. Saucony had always fit me well, but now it seems like the shoes are getting narrower with each edition. When I bought the Kinvara 14s, they felt really tight, so I actually also got a pair in wide width to see if it was any better. The wides didn’t feel much wider in the toes, but they seemed very loose in the heel and arch area. I ended up returning those and sticking with the regular width, but they just aren’t very comfortable.Saucony used to be a great shoe, but it seems like the fit and materials are getting worse. With each pair, there is always something that’s just not right. The laces are too short and the shoes don’t last very long. After 30 years, I’m thinking it might be time to try another brand.
I bought these shoes to train/run a half marathon and quickly realized they wouldn't work, but there are still some pros.ProsI love the mesh upper. I've had no problems with the tongue shifting or bunching. I feel like the shoes just hug the top of your feet.They're extremely lightweightThere's enough cushion for a shorter outdoor runConsThere's an odd cup/dip on the inside of each heel which made my ankles roll inwards. Unfortunately I think this also caused too much stretching/drop along my achilles and heel and after hitting an awkward step, I over extended and have been dealing with nerve/tendon damage - I've seen other reviews mention achilles pain and a reviewer that rolled an ankle in these, so be carefulThe shoe is really flexible, you're not going ... MoreI bought these shoes to train/run a half marathon and quickly realized they wouldn't work, but there are still some pros.ProsI love the mesh upper. I've had no problems with the tongue shifting or bunching. I feel like the shoes just hug the top of your feet.They're extremely lightweightThere's enough cushion for a shorter outdoor runConsThere's an odd cup/dip on the inside of each heel which made my ankles roll inwards. Unfortunately I think this also caused too much stretching/drop along my achilles and heel and after hitting an awkward step, I over extended and have been dealing with nerve/tendon damage - I've seen other reviews mention achilles pain and a reviewer that rolled an ankle in these, so be carefulThe shoe is really flexible, you're not going to get a lot of support out of itIt has a narrow base, so if you need more heel support or a wider base, this isn't the best shoeI'm keeping the shoes and turning them into my gym/speed shoes (only on flat surfaces) and purchased a different Saucony (which I LOVE) for my distance running.
I bought these for my long-distance walks, currently the Via Francigena pilgrimage route between Canterbury and Rome. Aside from the hiking boots I wear while walking, I always carry a pair of backup shoes to wear in the evening, walking through small towns and going to restaurants. It’s important that they be as light as possible since I have to carry them in my backpack. To that end, the Kinvara 14 shoes are the lightest I have found. My size 12 shoes weigh in at very light 223 grams each.They fit well but there is a slight pressure on my bunions. A larger toe box would have been welcome. The soles are nicely cushioned and look like they will grip wet, smooth paving (haven’t been able to test this). The uppers are a very light mesh material so these are ... MoreI bought these for my long-distance walks, currently the Via Francigena pilgrimage route between Canterbury and Rome. Aside from the hiking boots I wear while walking, I always carry a pair of backup shoes to wear in the evening, walking through small towns and going to restaurants. It’s important that they be as light as possible since I have to carry them in my backpack. To that end, the Kinvara 14 shoes are the lightest I have found. My size 12 shoes weigh in at very light 223 grams each.They fit well but there is a slight pressure on my bunions. A larger toe box would have been welcome. The soles are nicely cushioned and look like they will grip wet, smooth paving (haven’t been able to test this). The uppers are a very light mesh material so these are definitely warm weather shoes. I have the black sole/black upper version because I wanted shoes that would be presentable in an urban setting or a good restaurant at night. However, there is a shiny glistening quality to the plasticky uppers that is a little off-putting. Perhaps this is less apparent in other colours. All of these are minor criticisms; I am so happy to have such light shoes in my backpack!
Put me down as another Kinvara fan who is appalled at the changes to this shoe. I am leaving two stars instead of one because I CAN run in them, so although they don’t feel anything like the old shoes, at least I don’t find them totally unusable. The upper is different, the lacing is different (Minus one eyelet, which makes a big difference for my weird shaped foot!) And, of course the sole is totally different. I am lucky I guess that I am a forefoot striker because there is something really bizarre about the heel— It really is uncomfortable to walk in! So basically It’s a totally different shoe as others have said. The weird sparkly fishnet mesh that the upper is made out of Is like something I would have worn to a rave in 1999, I actually laughed out loud at how ... MorePut me down as another Kinvara fan who is appalled at the changes to this shoe. I am leaving two stars instead of one because I CAN run in them, so although they don’t feel anything like the old shoes, at least I don’t find them totally unusable. The upper is different, the lacing is different (Minus one eyelet, which makes a big difference for my weird shaped foot!) And, of course the sole is totally different. I am lucky I guess that I am a forefoot striker because there is something really bizarre about the heel— It really is uncomfortable to walk in! So basically It’s a totally different shoe as others have said. The weird sparkly fishnet mesh that the upper is made out of Is like something I would have worn to a rave in 1999, I actually laughed out loud at how bad it looks when I took it out of the box! I don’t know what they’re trying to do with the shoe, I watched some preview videos for the upcoming model, and it seems like they are trying to market it as more of a cross trainer—probably to sell more of them to more people, right? I am definitely going to shop around for a replacement for the Kinvara, like half the other people and these comments, ha ha.
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Shoe type | Neutral |
| Drop | 4mm |
| Midsole height | 31/27mm |
| Cushioning | PWRRUN foam |
The Saucony Kinvara 14 is designed for runners who want to get the most out of their training and competitions and want to cover many kilometers at a high pace. The Kinvara comes into its own for competitions up to the half marathon distance and for interval and tempo training. Accelerate to victory with this competition shoe, designed for top performance in every race! Midsole The PWRRUN cushioning material provides good cushioning and energy return for a super comfortable feeling. In addition, the Kinvara offers extra comfort with the PWRRUN+ sockliner, which adds an extra layer of cushioning. Upper The Kinvara has a FORMFIT mesh upper that provides extra comfort. FORMFIT wraps every part of your foot for a personalized fit. In this way, the foot sinks into the running shoe, as it were, which gives a good lockdown feeling and the necessary stability. Outsole While running, the shoe offers good grip and traction due to the rubberized EVA outsole. An outsole made of EVA is lightweight and provides extra flexibility. With the Saucony Kinvara 14 at your feet, you're ready to fire! Experience the perfect balance of speed, comfort and durability and leave everyone behind in the dust.
The Saucony Kinvara 14 is designed for runners who want to get the most out of their training and competitions and want to cover many kilometers at a high pace. The Kinvara comes into its own for competitions up to the half marathon distance and for interval and tempo training. Accelerate to victory with this competition shoe, designed for top performance in every race! Midsole The PWRRUN cushioning material provides good cushioning and energy return for a super comfortable feeling. In addition, the Kinvara offers extra comfort with the PWRRUN+ sockliner, which adds an extra layer of cushioning. Upper The Kinvara has a FORMFIT mesh upper that provides extra comfort. FORMFIT wraps every part of your foot for a personalized fit. In this way, the foot sinks into the running shoe, as it were, which gives a good lockdown feeling and the necessary stability. Outsole While running, the shoe offers good grip and traction due to the rubberized EVA outsole. An outsole made of EVA is lightweight and provides extra flexibility. With the Saucony Kinvara 14 at your feet, you're ready to fire! Experience the perfect balance of speed, comfort and durability and leave everyone behind in the dust.
The Saucony Kinvara 14 is designed for runners who want to get the most out of their training and competitions and want to cover many kilometers at a high pace. The Kinvara comes into its own for competitions up to the half marathon distance and for interval and tempo training. Accelerate to victory with this competition shoe, designed for top performance in every race! Midsole The PWRRUN cushioning material provides good cushioning and energy return for a super comfortable feeling. In addition, the Kinvara offers extra comfort with the PWRRUN+ sockliner, which adds an extra layer of cushioning. Upper The Kinvara has a FORMFIT mesh upper that provides extra comfort. FORMFIT wraps every part of your foot for a personalized fit. In this way, the foot sinks into the running shoe, as it were, which gives a good lockdown feeling and the necessary stability. Outsole While running, the shoe offers good grip and traction due to the rubberized EVA outsole. An outsole made of EVA is lightweight and provides extra flexibility. With the Saucony Kinvara 14 at your feet, you're ready to fire! Experience the perfect balance of speed, comfort and durability and leave everyone behind in the dust.
The Saucony Kinvara 14 is designed for runners who want to get the most out of their training and competitions and want to cover many kilometers at a high pace. The Kinvara comes into its own for competitions up to the half marathon distance and for interval and tempo training. Accelerate to victory with this competition shoe, designed for top performance in every race! Midsole The PWRRUN cushioning material provides good cushioning and energy return for a super comfortable feeling. In addition, the Kinvara offers extra comfort with the PWRRUN+ sockliner, which adds an extra layer of cushioning. Upper The Kinvara has a FORMFIT mesh upper that provides extra comfort. FORMFIT wraps every part of your foot for a personalized fit. In this way, the foot sinks into the running shoe, as it were, which gives a good lockdown feeling and the necessary stability. Outsole While running, the shoe offers good grip and traction due to the rubberized EVA outsole. An outsole made of EVA is lightweight and provides extra flexibility. With the Saucony Kinvara 14 at your feet, you're ready to fire! Experience the perfect balance of speed, comfort and durability and leave everyone behind in the dust.
