Saucony Men's Kinvara 13 Running Shoe

Product Information

The above research does not mean that everyone who runs in a partial minimal shoe is going to get injured. Partial minimal shoes happen to be my personal favorite category of shoes to train in, but I have run for several years in 0 or low drop shoes, self-select a midfoot landing pattern, and I work to maintain calf and foot intrinsic muscle strength. The main takeaway message is that partial minimal shoes do not provide the potential benefits of true barefoot running, and should not be used for such purposes. If a given runner heel strikes in a traditional running shoe, that runner will likely continue to heel strike in a partial minimal shoe. With less cushioning under the heel, a partial minimal shoe may lead a runner to higher impact forces and increased injury risk. Dr. Irene Davis, a well-known expert on minimal and barefoot running, recommends that runners who wish to adopt barefoot running mechanics should use true minimal shoes (such as Vibram FiveFingers) and do so over the course of many weeks or even months (Davis et al 2014). The Kinvara 12 was more of a miss because of its rather rigid ride. But with the Kinvara 13 turned out to be more forgiving and bouncier in our run tests! This lightweight daily trainer wears many hats. It can be responsive enough for speed intervals and is soft and easy for mid-distance runs. The reinforced rubber is only located on a tiny area of the heel and toe box. However, the step-in comfort doesn’t make the overall ride softer. If anything, the insole and topsole just waters down the harshness of the ultra-firm midsole. It is incredible breathable which made for some cold toes as I tested the K!2 at the end of winter. Printed graphic overlays add some structure to the upper, but keep the shoe lightweight.

Saucony Kinvara 13 | Fleet Feet Shoe Review: Saucony Kinvara 13 | Fleet Feet

Once I finally had the correct size, I took the Kinvara 12 out for an easy run to get a feel for the ride. This graphic highlights most of the positive aspects of the Kinvara 13. Besides its speed-oriented road behavior, the firm cushioning is stable and forefoot-strike friendly. Even after taking into consideration the durability-related issues, the New Balance Fuelcell Rebel V2 ( our review here) is one of our favorite speed trainers. It is incredibly cushioned and bouncy for its weight, and happens to be a suitable speed trainer that’s also very comfortable. Personal: A- (I am a huge Kinvara fan and this one is such an improvement with regards to fit and ride. Felt like I was running with an old friend the second I put them on. Not for longer distances, but ) The Kinvara 12 maintains the same simplicity and style that we’ve come to expect from this shoe since it first hit the market in 2010.The Saucony Triumph 20 is an awesome-fitting daily trainer with great cushioning from top to bottom. We loved running in these shoes almost daily, and the lab tests confirmed that this is indeed the best daily trainer among the Saucony squad. Except for the tiny pieces of rubber under the high-wear zones, the outsole is an extension of the foam midsole. It’s the same as last year, so there are large chevron-shaped lugs under the forefoot for traction. The outer shell is a giant single piece of mesh, so the insides feel seamless – because they are. Only the internal toe-bumper and high-density printing support the lightweight mesh upper. PROS AND CONS

Saucony Kinvara 13 Review | Tested by GearLab

David: The Saucony Kinvara 13 is a lightweight performance trainer for those looking to have a natural ride underfoot. The shoe does not have a dramatic drop and has good flexibility throughout the shoe. This is one of those shoes where it is "all you". There is just enough cushion to handle long runs and just enough durability for those that are looking for that in a daily training shoe. For me, this is a lightweight performance shoe great for long runs and fartleks. It isn't a shoe that has many bells and whistles but features a nice upper with good platform integration. Like previous models, the Kinvara 12 is versatile and feels good on any and every run, from easy shake-outs to long threshold workouts. It performs well as a daily trainer, speed trainer, and long run shoe. The Saucony Kinvara 14 has wings for the feet. Aside from being extremely light and ultra-breathable, it also feels smooth and natural. A speedster shoe without the stiffness brought by carbon plates, it is also fairly cheap for what it offers. Hence, the Kinvara 14 is our choice for the best lightweight Saucony running shoe.The upper is my favorite part of the shoe. It’s seamless and hugs your foot in all the right places. It might be the most comfortable upper I personally have ever worn. From day one I have had no issues with rubbing or problems of any sort. It gives you more wiggle room up around the toe box area due to the upper being stretchy. But don’t worry, it gives you a secure fit. It fits true to size and is offered in a “wide” option as well. Over the years, the brand has developed a wide range of running shoe categories for any type of run: easy, fast, race, trail, mud, etc. The sections below will help you make an informed decision on which models match your needs. Saucony running shoes Since the Kinvara 13 isn’t the ideal everyday trainer due to the minimal ride character, we recommend a shoe like the Saucony Ride 15 or Nike Pegasus 38 as your daily go-to shoes. For a more traditional ride experience, there’s the New Balance Fresh Foam Tempo. ( Our review here) Though the Brooks Launch 9 has a higher heel-to-toe offset of 10 mm, it works both as a running shoe for forefoot strikers and tempo runs. The Launch 9 GTS is the same shoe, but with raised midsole sidewalls.

Saucony Ride vs Saucony Kinvara | Running Shoes Guru Saucony Ride vs Saucony Kinvara | Running Shoes Guru

Measured the rubber firmness at the bottom, we can see that it is also softer than average: 76 HC compared to 80 HC. We have put the shoe through our freezer test (20 minutes in the freezer), measuring the softness before and after. The foam got 23.9% firmer. The company is owned by Wolverine World Wide, an American manufacturer of footwear which also produces shoes and boots from Caterpillar, Merrell, Keds, Hush Puppies, Sperry, among others. Are Saucony running shoes vegan?The midfoot has a secure grip, and so does the heel. The midfoot is partially sleeved, so the tongue doesn’t slide during runs. I wish Saucony could have carried the design principles of the tongue over to the exterior of the heel cup. The Kinvara 12 tongue is arguably the most premium feature of the shoe. The top of the tongue has a soft suede feel while underneath, subtle padding protects the dorsal arch of the foot from tight laces. If I could suggest to Saucony I would make the next version of the Endorphin Pro upper just like the newest Kinvara 13.

Saucony Kinvara 13 Mens Running Shoes - White - Start Fitness Saucony Kinvara 13 Mens Running Shoes - White - Start Fitness

Above review is missleading. I have wide feet, so I bought Saucony based partially on what David wrote.It's the first Kinvara to have a 100% recycled mono mesh upper, while the remaining components of the upper are made with 90% recycled materials. While its minimalist upper also contributes to keeping the weight low, it also makes the shoe superbly breathable and breezy. In our breathability test, smoke easily passed through the upper and enveloped the shoe—earning the Kinvara 14 a perfect 5/5. Not even the insole has changed; the removable insole and Pwrrun+ (expanded PU) are the only layers of softness.