Shoe: Saucony Progrid Kinvara (high viz orange)
Size: Men’s US8
With the buzzwords like “minimalist”, “barefoot running” and “midfoot” flying around these days, it is easy to get caught up in the hype. As the Runner’s World ‘Best Debut’ for 2010, the Saucony Progrid Kinvara may just be the right shoe at the right time.
At only 210g for a men’s US8, the Kinvara is likely to be one of the lightest shoes in your cupboard. But don’t be mistaken, this is not a racer. The Kinvara is positioned as a lightweight trainer that can be used for your daily training as well as those quicker race days.
So what really makes the Kinvara different from every other trainer, besides the fact that it went on a diet? To answer that, all we have to do is take a look at the sole of the shoe. The most significant feature would be the minimal heel-to-forefoot height differential. Having a smaller differential between the heel and forefoot promotes midfoot striking which will definitely appeal to many of the runners who are attempting to make changes to their running style (away from heel striking). The Kinvara’s heel-to-forefoot differential is 4mm, while shoes like the Asics DS Trainer’s is closer to 10mm.
Even though the Kinvara is lightweight, cushioning has not been sacrificed. There is a progrid (Saucony’s trademark cushionig system) unit in the heel to absorb the shock when the foot strikes the ground and a full length EVA foam midsole. Youw ill also notice that the Kinvara uses unique triangular lugs of carbon rubber on the outsole which provides traction while reducing weight.
The seamless mesh upper is extremely comfortable and the synthetic overlays at the midfoot help to provide runners with a snug, socklike fit. The heel cup is very secure and uses a hydrator collar lining to maximise wicking of moisture.
Technical mambo-jambo aside, I really like the Kinvara’s. While designed for neutral runners, the shoes provide a surprising amount of stability while retaining a very responsive ride. I have fairly low arches and did not think that the lightweight, mesh upper combined with its overall minimalist design would work well for me. But I was pleasantly surprised by the comfort and support I felt when I used them. I was further impressed when I did a video motion analysis and saw how these neutral shoes were able to reduce the severity of my pronation! The Kinvara provides a feel that is similar to that of the Nike Free Run+, but with the benefits of added support and cushioning. While the Nike Free Run+ is a great training tool for runners seeking to improve their technique and get that ‘barefoot’ feeling, the Kinvara does one better by being able to be used as a daily trainer.
The Saucony Progrid Kinvara is a lightweight, responsive shoe designed for neutral runners but provides a surprising amount of support and cushioning. This is a versatile shoe that is as comfortable on long runs as it is on those high tempo work outs. If you are looking for a new shoe for training and/or racing to spice up your collection, this could be the shoe for you!
Plus you can be sure that no one will ever miss you in shoes as bright as these! Orange for the men and pink for the ladies, the Saucony Progrid Kinvara is available at The Runner’s Gait.
TRG 