Saucony Kinvara Pro Review
Updated: August 14, 2023
Saucony Kinvara Pro
A carbon fiber experience for every run
Likes
- SPEEDROLL offers smooth, efficient transitions
- Midsole is highly protective with energetic toe-off
- Fantastic step-in feel and overall fit
Dislikes
- Caused some Achilles and heel discomfort
What's New
Known for its lightweight, low-stack, low-drop design, the Saucony Kinvara has become one of the brand's most popular, best-selling shoes ever. That said, besides sharing the same legendary name, the new Kinvara Pro is almost an entirely different shoe, and this super trainer will deliver impressive performance for all your daily training runs.
Unlike the traditional Kinvara, the Kinvara Pro has an all-new midsole design with 42 mm of foam in the heel and 34 mm in the forefoot, creating an 8-mm drop that strays away from the Kinvara's traditional 4-mm drop. Along with new midsole geometries, the Kinvara Pro introduces Saucony's highly responsive PWRRUN PB super foam along with an embedded carbon fiber plate that will deliver a responsive ride with elite efficiency, while the PWRRUN bottom midsole layer contributes to durability and stability on the run.
The Kinvara Pro is topped off with a lightweight engineered mesh that is reminiscent of a classic Kinvara, offering a familiar comfort that has helped the shoe garner its status among the running community. Though with new levels of soft padding in the heel and a more durable design, the Kinvara Pro will keep runners comfortable even longer.
The Bottom Line
Given the popularity of the Kinvara model line over the years and the incredibly successful Endorphin Speed, we were a bit surprised when we heard that the Kinvara would be receiving the super trainer treatment, but our testers found that this souped-up daily trainer has a lot to offer those looking for the efficiency benefits of a super shoe in a daily training-friendly package.
Jumping right in, the Kinvara Pro's dual-foam midsole with 3/4 carbon fiber plate and PWRRUN+ sock liner offered our testers a unique combination of comfort and performance, but what really grabbed our team's attention was the shoe's efficiency through the gait cycle. The super foam and carbon fiber plate, combined with Saucony's SPEEDROLL technology, was a match made in heaven, and though the shoe could have been more responsive, the midsole delivered an impressively smooth ride that made it easy for our testers to transition from heel to toe. This helped the ride feel super smooth even at faster paces, and with a large chunk of protective foam underfoot, the Kinvara Pro was perfect for slow to steady-paced runs around the 8- to 12-mile range.
Though it was not the star of the show, the Kinvara's engineered mesh upper also stood out throughout the testing period, but interestingly, for two different reasons. In terms of fit, the Kinvara Pro's upper was on point, as both testers found it true to size with no points of irritation or rubbing. The lightweight and breathable mesh material was also highly appreciated, especially in the summer heat, and runners will not need to worry about having hot, sweaty feet while wearing this shoe. Like all things, the Kinvara Pro was not perfect, and our testers both experienced some Achilles discomfort throughout testing. That said, the testers also found that after a couple of short warm-up miles, the Kinvara Pro practically disappeared on foot. So the Kinvara Pro may not be like your average, everyday Kinvara, and some Kinvara diehards may be intimidated by all the updates, but the Kinvara Pro has definitely proven itself throughout testing, and a lot of runners are going to benefit from having this versatile and efficient super trainer in their shoe rotations.
Specifications & Fit
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 9.5 oz (size 9) | Women's: 8.7 oz (size 8) |
| Stack Height | 42 mm (Heel), 34 mm (Forefoot) | 8 mm Heel-Toe Offset |
| Terrain | Road |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to size |
Our In-Depth Look
Upper
Grace: "The Kinvara Pro fits true to size with the perfect amount of extra length in the forefoot (just about a thumb's width). The upper is snug overall and is narrow-fitting through the toe box with a slightly lower volume. I did not have any issues with the fit on the upper, but I think runners with wider feet could experience some discomfort. The engineered mesh is highly breathable, and the rubber overlays on top of the mesh add an appreciated amount of structure."
Jon: "The mesh upper offered a really nice and comfortable fit, perfect for my weekend long runs. I found the fit to be true to size and average fitting throughout, which made it one of the best-fitting shoes I have tested this year. The upper was also very breathable and kept my feet comfortable despite the hot summer weather."
Midsole
Grace: "The Kinvara Pro's midsole has a lot going on: a PWRRUN+ sock liner, a PWRRUN PB super foam top layer with PWRRUN underneath, and a carbon fiber plate sandwiched in the middle that works seamlessly with Saucony's SPEEDROLL technology.
The Kinvara Pro's base is broad enough to keep things stable on the run, and the SPEEDROLL technology was very prominent during faster efforts, helping me maintain a high turnover rate and speed. The ride is fun, yet slightly perplexing as well. The midsole foams feel soft and lively, and with the carbon plate, the Kinvara Pro is well paired with speedier training efforts. My favorite use for this shoe was for 10- to 16-mile efforts around 7:00/mile pace.
That said, I did not enjoy the Kinvara Pro's ride quite as much at slower paces. There is 42 mm in the heel and 34 mm in the forefoot for an 8-mm drop, but the shoe's offset feels more like a 4 mm on the run. This, unfortunately, caused some Achilles discomfort as I warmed up into my run, but after the first few miles and as my body loosened up, the Kinvara Pro gradually disappeared on foot, giving me the comfort and confidence to do nearly any run. Again, I would not personally recommend the Kinvara Pro for slower paces and easier runs, but for anything else, this shoe is a good option."
Jon: "I am not sure I have ever been more conflicted about a shoe's midsole. On paper, this is the type of midsole that is right up my alley. With all its features, the Kinvara Pro's midsole setup has the makings of a top-of-the-line super trainer. During my initial runs, I was extremely excited and got that magical feeling that I felt when I started running in my current favorite shoe, the ASICS SUPERBLAST.
The PWRRUN PB foam is closer to the foot, so there is a soft underfoot feel that is not mushy thanks to the firmer PWRRUN bottom midsole layer of foam. That combination creates a stable ride that also delivers maximum protection on the run. The Kinvara Pro's carbon plate works well with the cushioning to generate a powerful toe-off when picking up the pace, while keeping transitions smooth and efficient during slower efforts.
I was digging this shoe out of the gate, but things took an unfortunate turn 6 miles into my first testing run. I started to feel discomfort in my left Achilles, and the irritation seemed to persist as I progressed into my run. Full disclosure: I have been dealing with left Achilles discomfort for a while now, and in the Kinvara Pro, it did not start to feel particularly abnormal until mile 8 or so.
I took a day off to recover before going out for an easy run in the Kinvara Pro, and it went well. My Achilles was still pretty tender throughout the run, but again, this is something that I have been managing while wearing any shoe recently. I am still not prepared to say that this discomfort was a result of the shoe, but I think it is worth mentioning, especially given that Grace had similar issues."
Outsole
Grace: "I have a little over 60 miles in the Kinvara Pro so far, and the outsole has no significant signs of wear. I also have not had any issues with the outsole's traction. I am surprised how well this shoe is holding up with no rubber, but I have not tested it on wet surfaces and would be curious to see how it performs in more adverse weather conditions. This shoe does have a midsole cutout, and like every shoe with a cutout, you might get some stones jammed in the gap when taking on gravel surfaces. It is part of the experience, and it never bothered me or got in the way of my run. I could always just pop the pebbles out and keep on running."
Jon: "The outsole of the Kinvara Pro is very similar to that of the Kinvara, utilizing a PWRRUN outsole without any additional rubber coverage. I only put in a little over 40 miles in this shoe, so it is difficult to say how it will hold up over time, but I think Saucony might be onto something here. Having the midsole foam double as the outsole saves a lot of weight, and that is vital when it comes to having a versatile training shoe meant to handle speed. I did not have any issues with traction either, though I was not able to test it on wet roads, so it remains to be seen how this outsole will perform in the rain. But overall, I was very pleased with the outsole design and performance."
Comparable Shoes
ASICS SUPERBLAST vs. Saucony Kinvara Pro
Grace: "The ASICS SUPERBLAST is my absolute favorite road running shoe. It is a fun and bouncy, lightweight, max-stack daily trainer that can be used for any pace or distance from 5K up to a marathon. The SUPERBLAST uses supercritical FlyteFoam Blast Turbo foam without a carbon fiber plate.
The Saucony Kinvara Pro does have more pop thanks to the carbon fiber plate and Saucony's SPEEDROLL technology. I prefer the SUPERBLAST for daily training runs and recovery runs because of its ultra-protective midsole without the bulky, clunky feeling. The liveliness of the Kinvara Pro made it really stand out for me on speedier training days, making it easy for me to go fast on both flat stretches of pavement and tough hill climbs with a great rolling sensation and a trampoline-like effect."
Jon: "The first comparable shoe that came to mind on my initial testing run was the ASICS SUPERBLAST, which is the highest praise I can offer given that the SUPERBLAST is currently my favorite running shoe. The SUPERBLAST's and Kinvara Pro's midsoles feel similar, offering a lightweight on-foot feel with a firmer underfoot and a snappy toe-off. The difference is that the SUPERBLAST does not have a plate, whereas the Kinvara Pro has a 3/4 carbon fiber plate. Both shoes feel very stable, but ultimately I prefer the feel of the SUPERBLAST, as the midsole is slightly softer, and the shoe is objectively lighter. I also try to limit the use of plated shoes, as my legs tend to feel fresher after training in the SUPERBLAST. But for someone who prefers training with a plate and wants to save some dough, then the Kinvara Pro would be an excellent choice."
New Balance SC Trainer v2 vs. Saucony Kinvara Pro
Jon: "Another comparable shoe is the New Balance FuelCell SC Trainer v2. Both shoes have around 40 mm of stack in the heel and feature a carbon plate embedded in the midsole. The SC Trainer v2 is slightly heavier than the Kinvara Pro, but the midsole is significantly more plush and bouncy. The FuelCell foam of the SC Trainer actually feels a bit too squishy for me and does not work cohesively with the carbon plate. On the other hand, I find the firmer foam setup of the Kinvara Pro to work cohesively with the plate to deliver a smooth ride. Both shoes are $180, so it comes down to personal preference. The SC Trainer v2 will cater to a broader audience due to how soft the midsole is, but runners who want a more performance-oriented super trainer may be better off with the Kinvara Pro."
Individual Thoughts
GraceOverall Score: 7/10
For a max stack shoe, the Kinvara Pro is lively underfoot, and I really enjoyed using the shoe for faster-paced workouts at any distance. I think the combination of Saucony's SPEEDROLL technology with the carbon fiber plate gave me a little extra push as I ran. The SPEEDROLL created a smooth ride and made my legs feel like wheels rolling through the gait cycle. I also really appreciated the carbon fiber plate, as it gave me the extra pop I needed to charge up hills.
My only issue with the Kinvara Pro is that the drop does not feel like 8 mm; it feels closer to a 3- to 4-mm drop, which for me is something that does not always feel great on the Achilles with max stack shoes. I think the Kinvara Pro works best for workouts and speedy runs anywhere from 5 to 20 miles. The fit on the Kinvara Pro is a bit snug in width and volume, so I recommend trying them on to see if they will work for your foot shape. The Saucony Kinvara Pro is a unique shoe that has a lot going on, and I think runners will have to try it for themselves to see if it works for them.
JonOverall Score: 8/10
As I said before, I am really conflicted about my feelings here. The first 5 miles felt divine, and I was already anticipating giving this shoe a perfect score, but the Achilles issues I experienced were too significant to simply gloss over. It is impossible for me to know how much of a role the shoe played in that, but the fact that it played any role was enough for me to adjust my rating. That said, I have not given up on the Kinvara Pro, and I look forward to continuing to log a bunch of miles in it once I feel closer to 100%. The fit and feel of the Kinvara Pro are too comfortable for me not to give the shoe the benefit of the doubt.
We are seeing some exciting offerings in the super trainer category this year, and I could not be more thrilled about it. The only thing better than a versatile shoe is a versatile super shoe—a shoe that does everything at a high level and allows you to get the most out of every run. The Kinvara Pro fits the bill in that regard and gives runners a lot to be excited about.
Saucony Men's Kinvara Pro
The Saucony Kinvara Pro is a highly cushioned all-around running shoe that is designed to bring the efficiency benefits of super shoes to every type of runner.
Saucony Women's Kinvara Pro
The Saucony Kinvara Pro is a highly cushioned all-around running shoe that is designed to bring the efficiency benefits of super shoes to every type of runner.
