Review: Saucony Kinvara Running Shoe

[jessmarimba]

I think I have the opposite feet as you, but I appreciate the review! I'm looking at trying the Kinvara or the Mirage next. I like my New Balance MT 101s but I need just a little more cushion in the forefoot, I think. Saucony is one of the few brands that doesn't feel absolutely enormous in the toe box for me (plus the sides are so far apart at the laces that I can lace them tighter without bunching the toe box, either).

[jessmarimba]

Just wanted to update with my response.

The Mirage is absolutely absolutely absolutely not nearly as minimal as they advertise. I did not like them one bit. They are not "kinvaras for mild to moderate overpronators" or whatever they want you to think. Just normal chunky running shoes.

I bought the Kinvaras, and found out on my first run that those shoes plus my normal insoles mean I ended up with nasty blisters on my insole. Somehow, they are actually much more supportive on their own than they looked. However, put the factory insoles back in and ran hill repeats in them today and things went much better. First time I've run without a little something extra in my shoes in YEARS. They felt a little funny walking in, but very light and slightly squishy while running. Thumbs up!

(though I think they're ugly. I like plainer shoes...the highlighter green sole on these is absurd)

[tulip]

My second toe is exactly the same length as my big toe...what does that make me?

Running shoes are still on my list, but the budget just hasn't allowed it yet. Working on that.

[KnottedYet]

My second toe is exactly the same length as my big toe...what does that make me?

Running shoes are still on my list, but the budget just hasn't allowed it yet. Working on that.

Toe-length is only one characteristic (but it's the one most people notice).

What really matters are the proportions of the metatarsals and the angles of the toe-break.

I wouldn't even know where to begin describing over the internet how to figure that one out.

[nscrbug]

Just got an email from my LRS yesterday saying that they just got the Kinvara 2 in stock...I may have to go check it out. In the email, it says that the toe-box has been modified to be roomier...so that's a big plus for me, as I felt the toe box in the 1st version was a bit on the narrow side.

[ultraviolet]

I realize this is an old(ish) thread, but I finally got around to replacing my Newtons with the Kinvara 2. I'm in love, y'all! These are such a great fit for my wide, stumpy-toed feet. And I feel much more stable on wet pavement now--the lugs on the Newtons always made me feel like I was in danger of slipping when the ground was wet, and when you live in the PNW that just won't do.

Of course, now that I'm getting back into the swing of things with running, I had to buy myself some other treats to go with my shoes--a new pair of capris, running dresses, a new bolero. What? The pink shoes demanded an appropriate wardrobe. (Also, it's been a rough couple of weeks at work, and retail therapy was needed.)

Anyway, thanks again Knot for your review. It helped point me in the direction of my newest love.