Saucony Kinvara 14 Introduction
If I’m being trustworthy, the Kinvara sequence has by no means actually appealed to me. I’m a fan of chunky midsoles with deep cushioning. When working in lean midsoles like those within the Kinvaras of days passed by, it takes my legs longer to get well.
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 comparable light-weight, tempo trainers.
The Kinvara used to have a cult following, nevertheless, over time the variety of Kinvara customers has dwindled as a result of maximalist motion, with nearly all 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 12 months’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 worth has not been confirmed but however I count on it to stay at $120 as a result of the Kinvara 13 went up by $10 final 12 months.
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 greatest describe the experience have been clean, pure, and light-weight.
The shoe that jogged my memory probably the most of was the Saucony Journey 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 working 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 experience of the Kinvara 14 felt very well balanced- mixture of floor really feel and cushioning softness from the brand new insole. The experience additionally felt secure with out a lot lean bias. I completely 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 just like a racing mesh, a very porous materials with excessive breathability that’s extra suited to heat climates than cool ones. It has tender, suede panels on the rear and outer collar lining which is the brand new Saucony design theme.
The skinny, large tongue is totally gusseted and hooked up to an inside sleeve however I nonetheless observed some vital lateral tongue slide because of there being no lace loop by the center of the tongue to carry it in place. The heel tab and collar are frivolously 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 be included.
The Kinvara 14 matches true to dimension and it has a slim midfoot/forefoot/toe-box which is extra suited to slim toes. I discover higher match and luxury to be distinctive for my slim toes. It does additionally are available a large 2E model.
Saucony Kinvara 14 Sole Unit
Though it’s marketed as a pace coach, I discover the Kinvara 14 actually versatile. It’s tender sufficient for my gradual paces and after I need to choose up the tempo, its light-weight construct permits me to up my cadence and improve turnover. This can be a enjoyable coach which I loved rather more than I believed I’d and I regarded ahead to runs in it.
The Kinvara 14 has the identical sole setup because the Journey 15 with a PWRRUN (EVA) midsole and a softer PWRRUN+ (PU) insole. The principle variations are that the midsole of the Kinvara is thinner and it has a 4 mm drop in comparison with 8 mm of the Journey. This makes the Kinvara 14 higher for quicker, shorter runs than the Journey 15.
The massive 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 further cushioning softness. The Triumph 20, Information 15 and Journey 15 even have the identical thick, PWRRUN+ insole. It provides extra bounce and vitality return to the experience 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 might even deal with full marathons now for those who’re used to firmer rides.
The Kinvara 14 doesn’t have a agency experience by any means. It’s softer than each 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 grow to be firmer.
The forefoot of the Kinvara has at all times been extremely versatile and the 14th model is not any completely different. There’s no plate or shank to stiffen the midsole so the experience 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 in opposition to 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 working in it however the outsole nonetheless gained’t be as sturdy as a each day coach which has rather more outsole rubber protection.
The uncovered midsole foam which types the outsole offers the Kinvara actually padded, quiet landings with degree of floor really feel which makes runs really feel participating. Transitions really feel extremely clean as a result of uncovered midsole foam which types the outsole.
Saucony Kinvara 14 Conclusions
I feel the Kinvara 14 is an efficient replace. The Kinvara sequence has by no means appealed to me however this beefed up model has been modernised and it made me need to buy it. This can be a enjoyable coach to make use of due to how clean, pure and fascinating its experience feels. I predict that this 14th model will increase the Kinvara’s reputation as soon as once more.
After all, there shall be Kinvara loyalists who will say that this reimagined Kinvara will not be how the Kinvara is meant to be. It was once a agency, lean coach.
When the primary Kinvara got here out in 2010, the working shoe panorama was a far completely different one to how it’s now and since then, runners’ preferences and tastes have developed. The Kinvara ought to change and adapt to stay thrilling and related; this newest model definitely has.
When you felt just like the Saucony Journey was too cumbersome and gradual, the Kinvara 14 is a a lot lighter, extra nimble shoe which can be utilized as a each day coach due to its thicker, up to date sole unit. The Kinvara 14 isn’t as sturdy because the Journey 15 nevertheless it’s additionally cheaper.
When you don’t like stiff, plated trainers the Kinvara 14 is a superb pace coach. It’s gentle, responsive, and cozy. It doesn’t present a lot mechanical pace help so it makes you’re employed more durable to extend your pace than the everyday plated pace shoe.
I desire 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 simply too versatile and never snappy sufficient for speedwork.
The Kinvara Professional popping out subsequent 12 months can have a plate with a a lot thicker midsole and shall be extra geared up to deal with tempo runs and races.
