I have fumbled through a few sub-minimalist shoes in my running shoe inventory but I do not have a real minimalist shoe and looked for one
The Kinvara''s became talk of the town off of one forum It was a bigg hailstorm of anticipation, initial responses and testers verdicts
I finally got to see a pair of Kinvaras in a LRS I was hunting for a LD runner (Got Asics DS-Gels there), but them Sauconys caught my eye
I listened into more criticisms, short term and long term testings and it was mixed emotions overall, but a few things stood out overall
This is a LIGHT shoe, it feels uber comfortable (broken-in feel without actually breaking them in) and it really complies with Minimalist ideas
For those NOT familiar with "minimalist" shoes, here''s the main characteristics associated:
Weight (>8.0Oz @ size 9), lightweight materials application, low heel-toe drop (12mm or less) and an overall flexible structure
As said, this shoe hands down hits all aspects on the head
Currently, I have clocked in 50M in these shoes with longest run being 8Milers
The wear has been very minimal (mainly osmoe of those midgit bumps on Rubber Inserts smoothed off)
They really are comfortable throughout the run and I feel such a stride difference when running in them
I have a mixed strike when normally running (Heel / Mid-foot) and these shoes I feel are more so mid-foot than heel strike
Even when walking in them, I feel like I''m doing a mid-foot step EVERYTIME so cool
The upper material is cushy soft and flexible, its almost like wearing rugged socks
(I might want another pair just to wear without socks for the hotter weather)
These shoe will really cause a change for future running shoe design and they solidified me pulling away from Nikes ALL together (FTW)
I will definitely consider getting more of them in future, possibly the up-and-cominbg Peregrines (Off-Road version of Kinvaras)
With great anticipation I bought these shoes.I typically run in both road shoes and XC flats on trails and roads.I liked the minimal feel of the XC flats (Saucony''s Shay XC) but wanted a longer distance shoe so I purchased the Kinvaras.After less than 60 miles the upper started to break down and developed a hole in them.Sacrifice of lightweight materials?I liked the way the shoe felt EXCEPT for an obvious hard nub under the arch that after a 20 mile run did some damage to my arch that a month after stopping use of the shoes I am still getting over.After emailing Saucony about the upper breaking down I received the response:
"Saucony footwear used for its intended purpose has an expected lifespan of approximately 200-250miles or 6 months. We stand behind the quality of our product."
I had thought these shoes were for real runners.Many runners will do 250 miles in a month or less!So if you are looking for a minimal shoe that will last ... maybe try another brand.I have much more than 250 miles on my XC Flats!!
Buy Saucony Men''s ProGrid Kinvara Running Shoe Now
I dont understand how these reviews say these kinvaras are cheaply made. In my opinion they have done nothing but improve my running for the better, and cheaply made? I have had 1 pair about 9 months and put a lot of miles on them and they still are like brand new.KUDOS to the saucony kinvara in mt opinion! THANX AMAZON!
Read Best Reviews of Saucony Men''s ProGrid Kinvara Running Shoe Here
Normally I''m a big fan of Saucony shoes, but these shoes seem a little tighter on the sides and somewhat less comfortable.
Want Saucony Men''s ProGrid Kinvara Running Shoe Discount?
I bought this shoe due to my recent interest in more "natural" running technique and wanted a lighter shoe with less cushioning and less difference in height between the heel and toes. I always had quite a short stride and high frequency but have recently adopted more "landing on the mid-foot"-technique. I have a slight pronation on my left foot but my right foot is almost neutural. When possble I try to run about 30-40k per week. For me this shoe is great. On my normal 12k track about 1/3 is aspahlt and the rest is jogging tracks in the woods but even when I run exclusively on asphalt (16k the other day) I don''t feel that I need more cushioning in the shoe.
I used to run in a pair of Asics DS Trainer and developed a minor problem with my achilles but with the Kinvara this problem has faded out. My problem might however be more attributable to me trying to land on the fore-foot before my muscles, joints etc were ready. Now I keep my fingers crossed I will reach my 1.30-target on a half marathon next Saturday.
I had hunted high and low on Amazon for some silver wedges and was so happy when I discovered these. I had silver Kensie wedges that I loved and would totally buy again if I could find ''em, but needed to find a runner-up. I saw these beauties and was dismayed when my size was out of stock. I checked back daily for a few weeks until I could finally place my order for a size 8. When my size was available, I bought these suckers immediately!
