Saucony Kinvara 14 Introduction
If I’m being sincere, the Kinvara collection has by no means actually appealed to me. I’m a fan of chunky midsoles with deep cushioning. When operating in lean midsoles like those within the Kinvaras of days passed by, it takes my legs longer to get better.
The Kinvara is a light-weight, tempo coach with a excessive degree of floor really feel so it’s in a class of trainers which is dying as a result of midsoles have gotten thicker and extra cushioned. The New Stability Beacon, ASICS EvoRide, Nike Rival Fly, Skechers Razor and Adizero SL are related light-weight, tempo trainers.
The Kinvara used to have a cult following, nevertheless, through the years the variety of Kinvara customers has dwindled as a result of maximalist motion, with the vast majority of runners (me included) preferring thick midsoles with a surplus of cushioning- even for pace exercises.
The Kinvara 13 was solely an higher replace however the Kinvara 14 has been utterly redone. It now has extra cushioning, an ultra-lightweight higher and a thick, PWRRUN+ insole.
This yr’s Kinvara 14 weighs even lower than the Kinvara 13, 0.2 oz (6 g) to be actual, regardless that it has a thicker midsole and insole. It weighs 7 oz (199 g) and it nonetheless has the signature Kinvara 4 mm drop.
The US value has not been confirmed but however I anticipate it to stay at $120 as a result of the Kinvara 13 went up by $10 final yr.
Saucony Kinvara 14 First Impressions
My first run was a ten km simple run. The Kinvara 14 felt nice instantly and didn’t want any breaking in. The adjectives which finest describe the trip had been easy, pure, and light-weight.
The shoe that jogged my memory essentially the most of was the Saucony Trip 15 however the Kinvara 14 landings felt softer and extra padded as a result of floor contact outsole. The Kinvara felt actually nimble and agile due to its tremendous light-weight construct.
I’m not used to operating in low, 4 mm drop trainers just like the Kinvara however my legs adjusted rapidly and it didn’t really feel unnatural to me. I additionally didn’t get any stiff calves or Achilles.
The trip of the Kinvara 14 felt very well balanced- a great mixture of floor really feel and cushioning softness from the brand new insole. The trip additionally felt secure with out a lot lean bias. I totally loved that first run.
Saucony Kinvara 14 Higher
The Kinvara 14’s higher clearly takes inspiration from the Endorphin Professional 3’s higher. It’s gentle, breathable and the mesh even has the identical sparkly end that the Professional 3 has.
The mesh of the Kinvara 14 is much like a racing mesh, a extremely porous materials with excessive breathability that’s extra suited to heat climates than cool ones. It has gentle, suede panels on the rear and outer collar lining which is the brand new Saucony design theme.
The skinny, extensive tongue is totally gusseted and hooked up to an interior sleeve however I nonetheless seen some vital lateral tongue slide on account of there being no lace loop by the center of the tongue to carry it in place. The heel tab and collar are calmly padded and heel lockdown was no issue- I did have to make use of all of the eyelets although. An elastic heel pull tab can also be included.
The Kinvara 14 matches true to measurement and it has a slender midfoot/forefoot/toe-box which is extra suited to slender ft. I discover higher match and luxury to be distinctive for my slender ft. It does additionally are available in a large 2E model.
Saucony Kinvara 14 Sole Unit
Regardless that it’s marketed as a pace coach, I discover the Kinvara 14 actually versatile. It’s gentle sufficient for my sluggish paces and after I wish to decide up the tempo, its light-weight construct permits me to up my cadence and enhance turnover. It is a enjoyable coach which I loved way more than I believed I’d and I appeared ahead to runs in it.
The Kinvara 14 has the identical sole setup because the Trip 15 with a PWRRUN (EVA) midsole and a softer PWRRUN+ (PU) insole. The primary variations are that the midsole of the Kinvara is thinner and it has a 4 mm drop in comparison with 8 mm of the Trip. This makes the Kinvara 14 higher for sooner, shorter runs than the Trip 15.
The large replace to the only unit of the Kinvara 14 is the change from a skinny, PWRRUN+ topsole layer to a mega thick, PWRRUN+ insole which provides additional cushioning softness. The Triumph 20, Information 15 and Trip 15 even have the identical thick, PWRRUN+ insole. It provides extra bounce and power return to the trip of the Kinvara.
Because of the thicker insole and midsole, the Kinvara 14 can deal with longer distances than earlier Kinvaras. Half marathons are simply doable and it will probably even deal with full marathons now for those who’re used to firmer rides.
The Kinvara 14 doesn’t have a agency trip by any means. It’s softer than day by day trainers such because the Ghost 15 and Infinity Run 3 nevertheless over time, I do really feel that the PWRRUN midsole, being EVA, will lose cushioning and develop into firmer.
The forefoot of the Kinvara has at all times been extremely versatile and the 14th model isn’t any completely different. There’s no plate or shank to stiffen the midsole so the trip feels relaxed, pure and your foot has to do a lot of the work throughout transitions.
There are solely two small sections of the outsole which have rubber protection: the lateral heel and the medial toe-off sections. The remainder of the outsole is uncovered PWRRUN midsole foam which has a ribbed texture for higher traction.
The uncovered PWRRUN midsole foam is comparatively sturdy towards abrasions and scuffing so it doesn’t present a lot put on after the primary couple of runs. I’ve been impressed with how little put on is exhibiting after about 80 km of operating in it however the outsole nonetheless received’t be as sturdy as a day by day coach which has way more outsole rubber protection.
The uncovered midsole foam which kinds the outsole provides the Kinvara actually padded, quiet landings with a great degree of floor really feel which makes runs really feel partaking. Transitions really feel extremely easy as a result of uncovered midsole foam which kinds the outsole.
Saucony Kinvara 14 Conclusions
I believe the Kinvara 14 is an efficient replace. The Kinvara collection has by no means appealed to me however this beefed up model has been modernised and it made me wish to buy it. It is a enjoyable coach to make use of due to how easy, pure and interesting its trip feels. I predict that this 14th model will elevate the Kinvara’s recognition as soon as once more.
After all, there can be Kinvara loyalists who will say that this reimagined Kinvara isn’t how the Kinvara is meant to be. It was a agency, lean coach.
When the primary Kinvara got here out in 2010, the operating shoe panorama was a far completely different one to how it’s now and since then, runners’ preferences and tastes have advanced. The Kinvara ought to change and adapt to stay thrilling and related; this newest model definitely has.
In the event you felt just like the Saucony Trip was too cumbersome and sluggish, the Kinvara 14 is a a lot lighter, extra nimble shoe which can be utilized as a day by day coach due to its thicker, up to date sole unit. The Kinvara 14 isn’t as sturdy because the Trip 15 but it surely’s additionally cheaper.
In the event you don’t like stiff, plated trainers the Kinvara 14 is a wonderful pace coach. It’s gentle, responsive, and cozy. It doesn’t present a lot mechanical pace help so it makes you’re employed tougher to extend your pace than the everyday plated pace shoe.
I favor utilizing the Kinvara 14 for simple and steady-paced runs. I just like the pace help {that a} plate gives so for me, the Kinvara’s forefoot is just too versatile and never snappy sufficient for speedwork.
The Kinvara Professional popping out subsequent yr can have a plate with a a lot thicker midsole and can be extra geared up to deal with tempo runs and races.
