Time for the Saucony Kinvara 16 assessment from a runner who has used each mannequin since model 1!
Whereas I like having a full staff of run testers now to unfold across the shoe love and guarantee we get quite a lot of opinions, they’ll must combat me for an opportunity on the Saucony Kinvara. This has been one of many staple footwear in my operating shoe rotation for almost a decade.
Whereas there have been a pair fashions that had been a miss on the entire this light-weight operating shoe has served me so properly that I regularly advocate it to many others. I can’t say it’s fully caught to it’s roots on the stack top has elevated over time, however they’ve not grow to be too tall or too plush.
Who’s the Saucony Kinvara 16 a very good match for, let’s break it down by some frequent classes:
- Large Toes: Common model runs slim, however now accessible in extensive!
- Heavier Runners: Might be a very good possibility for velocity days, however probably not for longer runs.
- Lengthy Runs: Loads of cushion for as much as the half marathon.
- Entrance of the Pack: As a non-plated possibility this light-weight shoe can completely decide up the tempo.
Saucony Kinvara 16 Evaluation
Whereas Saucony would name this a easy coach as a result of they haven’t added loopy foam or plates, I’ve at all times seen this a as a shoe that claims “hi there I’m right here to run.” You get it. It seems smooth and it feels good.
One of many largest updates to this model is a barely tweaked formulation of the PWRRUN (sure pronounced energy run) foam. It’s holding the identical identify, however now has much more power return, which is to say how shortly the froth rebounds after being compressed throughout your touchdown.
Clearly the higher the return, the snappier the shoe feels whenever you wish to decide up the tempo.
The second HUGE replace for all of us who weren’t impressed when the Kinvara 14 began to veer in to max stack, they’ve gone again to the unique Kinvara stack top of 29mm!!!
Okay so we’ve bought a greater foam, however much less of it. The query then is how did that really feel?
Implausible. It’s nonetheless loads of cushion, it’s simply not squishy or bouncy like an Endorphin Professional. It’s smooth and streamlined and does the work.
Belief me, I’m as in love with all the nice max cushioned footwear on a restoration run, however the Kinvara is supposed to be extra of that low and floor really feel shoe. And I’ll return to it time and again due to the sunshine, fast really feel that doesn’t get misplaced in a variety of cushion.
I’ll additionally say a variety of people don’t have the ankle energy for these max cushion footwear and I’m seeing some new accidents. Plus, the decrease profile of the Kinvara, I’ve seen assist a variety of IT Bands. However that’s off subject, again to the Kinvara.
In addition they made some small tweaks to the geometry within the midsole. I’ll say this wasn’t a stand out change for me and that’s a very good factor. I wish to run with out serious about my shoe and that’s precisely what occurs with the Kinvara. It feels easy and at all times feels very steady.
The shoe’s higher is made out of a breathable mesh materials that permits for optimum airflow and helps to maintain ft cool and dry. This one has a bootie fashion match, that means that the tongue is connected. I LOVE this as a result of it means it’s not going to be shifting throughout whereas I run.
Kudos to Saucony for holding the road on what the Kinvara was initially designed to be!! I for one am thrilled and even scripting this assessment, able to lace up for one more run. I’m actually excited to listen to what extra folks suppose as they checkout this new model, which feels quicker and appears quicker!
- Weight: 7.0 oz males’s, 6.3 oz girls’s
- Alcoholic: 4 mm
- Stack Top: 29mm
- Accessible in 9 colours
- Accessible in extensive
- Accessible now on Saucony.com ($130)
- The 15 is on sale and never as snappy, however nonetheless a very good possibility for giant financial savings
Nothing to do with efficiency, however I’m fairly darn thrilled to see the colorways this yr. Whereas I’m nonetheless placing miles within the 15, the bizarre beige, blush pink shade at all times made me consider outdated nursing footwear. 
An important low profile operating shoe that lets you decide up the tempo with out feeling such as you’ve sacrificed cushion.
Cons
- Too slim for some runners
- Not sufficient shoe for the marathon for many runners
- Much less stack top means rather less cushion
Saucony Kinvara Match
General match goes to really feel similar to the 15 with the identical gusseted tongue, evenly padded, similar heel collar, toe field, and so forth.
I’ve at all times stated that Saucony runs pretty slim by way of the mid-foot in sure fashions and that is a kind of. This has by no means been a problem for me, however know your foot sort and what works for you.
It’s going to present you that extra locked in feeling by way of the midfoot, which is frequent in racing footwear and why the Kinvara has typically adopted that line.
The toe field is certainly not extensive both. Maintain this in thoughts on longer runs when ft swell.
Padding across the heel collar and tongue is reasonable, as in not factor and never tremendous puffy. The general higher feels thinner and extra breathable, I actually like this.
The loops for lacing do make me slightly nervous on the sturdiness facet. I can see me pulling or yanking and busting that out…properly if I used to be somebody who untied my footwear. I don’t. I slip them on and off totally tied, which is horrible for the shoe, cease doing that.
Comparable Footwear to the Saucony Kinvara
Searching for different trainers that don’t have that huge cushion? Listed here are some concepts:
Saucony Kinvara vs Saucony Trip
A number of people have requested us to match these two fashions as a result of they will begin to appear comparable. Fortunate for you, I’ve put a very good quantity of miles in each and would simply advocate both shoe. However they’re completely different.
A number of key variations:
- Trip is a day by day coach that’s going to really feel even higher for longer miles
- Trip is an 8mm drop, Kinvara is a 4mm drop
- Kinvara is extraordinarily mild and going to really feel like you may as well actually decide up the tempo
- Kinvara goes to have a barely firmer feeling to the cushion
- Trip outsole is extra sturdy with the rubber
- Kinvara 16 higher is tremendous breathable, including to the general light-weight really feel

95%
What’s it going to take for a shoe to get a 100 round right here? We’re unsure, however this is among the high rankings we’ve given out this yr! It’s an ideal shoe for therefore many runners, the slim match is the foremost downside to this light-weight, properly cushioned operating shoe.
Saucony PWRRUN Foam
PWRRUN is a midsole foam designed to offer a stability of cushioning and responsiveness, with a concentrate on power return.
In response to Saucony, the froth is 25% lighter than the model’s earlier cushioning materials, but delivers 5% extra power return. Which means runners can expertise a extra comfy and environment friendly stride, with much less fatigue.
One other have a look at how the froth top has modified over time. Additionally you’ll discover a bit extra rocker with the heel and the cut up, the place they’re taking weight the shoe doesn’t want.
What units PWRRUN aside from different midsole foams is its building. The froth is made up of a proprietary mix of supplies that permits it to adapt to a runner’s distinctive stride, offering personalized cushioning and help.
Moreover, PWRRUN is extremely sturdy and might stand up to the wear and tear and tear of normal coaching and racing.
Proper now the Endrophin professional is utilizing the PWRRUN HG and as we normally see that can in all probability trickle all the way down to different fashions.
There you will have it! Our full assessment of the Saucony Kinvara 16. Have extra questions, drop em beneath! Have you ever tried it, drop your suggestions beneath as properly!!
