Saucony Kinvara 10

Review of Saucony Kinvara 10’s after 200 miles

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I never thought I could love a brand besides New Balance until I ran my first miles in these bad boys.

I had always been a fan of New Balance and owned multiple pairs, but one day decided to branch out and give Saucony a try.

I am a neutral runner and have always loved the lighter training shoes. So, when someone recommended me to try the Kinvara 10, I thought why not.

I usually run 7–8 min per mile. Regardless, this lightweight yet cushiony shoe is delightful to run in. I look forward every day to be able to take a spin in these.

First Wear

During my first time trying these shoes on, they fit very snug, especially around the back of my heel. Although tight, these were still breathable and very cushiony. I knew I had to give these a try.

Not only is the comfort great, but also the aesthetics of the shoe are phenomenal, such as the awesome logo on the side of the heel. 

First Run

My first run in the Kinvaras was a 5-mile long run on the road. They were definitely tight compared to some of my previous trainers. But, I knew they still had to be broken in.

There's no doubt that these are the most comfortable trainers I've ever had on my first run, and they still are today 200 miles later.

The Kinvaras in the middle of a 7 mile long run. This heel strike is really hurting my eyes.

Performance

I have used these shoes on roads and trails and have never felt uncomfortable on a run because of them.

I have ran on grass, asphalt, concrete, wood, and dirt with these. Regardless of the surface I'm running on, these provide the same comfort—all thanks to the shoes' fantastic cushioning.

I never feel awkward when I land, and I owe that to the comfortable cushioning on the inside of the back end of the shoes.

Durability

The only aesthetic flaw that I have so far would be how dirty these get after trail runs. Dirt has gotten stuck in the mesh upper of the shoe.

Unfortunately, no amount of soap or hand-washing has been able to get it out. I am not willing to wash them, so the white has changed into more of a gray/brown.

Although the mesh upper on the shoe may get dirty after trail running, it doesn’t mean that it isn’t durable. The upper has not shown any signs of ripping now after 200miles, so that's a great sign.

The sole is still in excellent shape after countless trips and falls. It still looks good as new.

There seems to be no wear, which is fantastic. Many of my previous shoes would have started to wear down by this point.

Conclusion

The fact that these shoes have made me feel no pain after countless trips and falls proves the comfort and stability that many people rave about.

A lightweight yet stable shoe with almost no flaws, in my point of view, deserves a 98/100.

Saucony Kinvara 10 in action during a long run on asphalt

From what I have heard about the Hoka Clifton 6, the Kinvara 10 seems like a more lightweight alternative for a neutral runner like myself.

Many people complain about the durability and wear of many Nike and New Balance shoes. On the other hand, I have even been told by people that Sauconys do not last.

But, from my experience, these have made it to 200 miles and seem like they can last to 500!

I may even have to buy another pair for when this pair decides to give in eventually because of my love for this shoe!

Saucony Kinvara 10: The legend continues

In a hurry? Read this: If you love neutral running shoes, you’ll want to add the Kinvara 10 to your lineup!

The locked-in heel construction combined with a responsive EVA+ midsole and Everun® topsole creates a premier lightweight, yet cushioned trainer. From long tempos to short track work, the Kinvara performs admirably.

In it for the long run? Read on.

Shoe specs

The Kinvara 10 weighs in at a 6.7oz for women and 7.8oz for men. The 4mm heel-toe offset is as minimal as it comes for mainstream trainers outside of Altra’s zero-drop niche. The 23mm stack height of the heel provides notable cushion while keeping the shoe lightweight.

Outsole changes

The EVA+ midsole doubles as the Kinvara 10’s outsole—cutting down on weight. Previous Kinvara models have done the same but encountered problems with the EVA foam becoming worn down and slick with use.

Saucony has attempted to remedy this issue by adding a layer of rubber to the back of the heel and front of the toe. This provides much-needed grip for the foot during heel strike and toe-off without weighing down the shoe in the excessive tread.

My Kinvara 10s after 150 miles

On the roads

The Kinvara 10 requires no break-in time. This is because the flexible sole allows the shoe to contour to your foot strike from the first step (notice the bend in the front of my shoes). I never once experienced blisters in the Kinvara 10.

The roomy toe box gives the foot plenty of space, and I found my heel was both snug and well padded. The strategically placed rubber on the outsole provides good tread even in wet road conditions.

Individual-specific concerns

For those used to running in more narrow shoes, the wide toe box might feel clunky.

Another concern is the low heel-to-toe drop. If you are inexperienced with running in low-drop shoes, your Achilles and calf muscles may feel strained upon first use. This will be especially true after fast or uphill running.

On the flip side, low-drop shoes tend to strengthen the feet and low legs, but it takes time to make the transition injury-free.

On the trails

The Kinvara is not a trail shoe. Thus, it lacks the more aggressive tread preferable for regular trail use.

However, the Kinvara still performs exceptionally well on easier trails. I ran a successful tempo workout on a mixed route of dirt trails and gravel roads.

On one particularly rocky section, I wished I had a firmer shoe with more robust support. A stretch of downed, wet leaves also tested the limits of the Kinvara tread.

At the same time, I felt the shoe was in some ways advantageous for navigating trails. The toe box gave my foot a wider support platform and made it harder to twist an ankle on exposed roots.

Flexibility in the sole allowed the shoe to ebb and flowed with the terrain. If you’re a nimble runner, the Kinvara can easily adapt to light trail use.

Some things don’t change

I bought my first pair of Kinvaras as a sophomore in high school. On the first day I wore the shoe, I remember jogging out to meet the track team for warmups.

I was keenly aware of the comical, bright-green color scheme. It looked like someone covered my shoes in highlighter. But I didn’t care, I felt fast.

Many years and several Kinvara models later, the shoe continues to provide users with a sense of speed (although, I am not convinced the colors have improved much).

Now, on its 10th-anniversary edition, the Kinvara rightfully claims that a lightweight running shoe can pack a heavyweight punch.

Saucony has kept the Kinvara 10 true to everything that made its earlier versions great but added improved technology and useful additions to tread.

The sun has yet to set on this iconic shoe.

View from the trail