REASONS TO BUY
Inexpensive
Lightweight
Feels fast
REASONS TO AVOID
Limited use case
Dissapointing cushioning
Poor traction
Saucony Kinvara 14 Review
A lightweight trainer that is good at going fast, but struggles to carve out a niche
Credit: Saucony
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Our Verdict
With lightweight cushioning and a hyper-breathable upper, the Saucony Kinvara 14 is a great value daily trainer. Combining a low-drop midsole with a rocker geometry, the Kinvara does well at faster paces and has enough cushioning to handle long runs. However, it left us wanting in regards to traction, and we don't find it very versatile. It also isn't supportive and isn't as fast as some of the plated options on the market. Still, it could find a place in your rotation for faster sessions if you want something at a more affordable price.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Kinvara has always been a low-slung daily trainer with lots of natural ground feel, a light weight, and the ability to go fast. In some ways, this latest model is a departure — the rocker geometry makes it feel less natural, and the thick chunk of cushioning limits the ground feel. We don't think those changes are bad, but they are worth noting, especially if you've worn and loved previous iterations.
Performance Comparison
Lightweight and fast with some cushioning, the Kinvara feels best for faster days and rings in at a good price.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Cushioning and Landing Comfort
The Kinvara 14 sports a slab of PWRRUN foam that we measured at 30mm in the heel and 26mm in the front. It's decent cushioning that never feels like it bottoms out, but there are definitely more comfortable shoes on the market that are significantly more plush while also feeling bouncier. While we appreciate that Saucony is keeping the price down on the Kinvara, we think it really could benefit from a more premium foam.
To be clear, there isn't anything wrong with the cushioning, but we think it feels a little dead. It's as though the shoe is caught between providing good ground feel and a natural gait and providing more cushioning. It ends up doing neither particularly well. The padding feels dense and firmer than we prefer, and the rocker doesn't feel natural. This also isn't to say the shoe is poorly cushioned. We're comfortable taking the Kinvara out on long runs, although it did leave our legs more fatigued than other models. We appreciate the generous forefoot cushioning and base.
For many runners who are used to more traditional daily trainers, the 4mm of drop will likely place increased strain on the lower legs. If you're interested in trying this shoe, we'd recommend slowly adding it into the rotation to allow your muscles and tendons to adapt.
The Kinvara is low drop, but also has a good bit of cushioning that handles pavement well.
Credit: Jessica Riconscente
Responsiveness
That firmer foam combined with the rocker should make the Kinvara 14 a very responsive shoe. But, while it can get moving, it doesn't give the same effortless turnover sensation that other shoes do. At the same time, it is incredibly lightweight, which makes it feel fast regardless of foam and geometry. One area where it thrives is faster, shorter work. There, the wider forefoot, firmer foam, and lower drop work together to allow us to push the pace easily. We enjoyed it most around 5K-10K paces.
Responsiveness is a mixed bag in this shoe. It's light and feels fast, but it also doesn't feel as effortless as other speed-oriented shoes.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Stability
This isn't a stable shoe — the Kinvara line has always been designed to provide a natural and uninhibited gait. Sure, this iteration has some changes, but none that really provide much support. Regarding lateral support, it feels agile, likely because of the very low weight. However, we didn't find it to be outstanding on uneven terrain.
Ovearll, we don't recommend this shoe for runners needing support. Similarly, we don't recommend this as your first running shoe; a more traditional trainer would likely be a better place to start.
The wide forefoot and natural feel of the shoe lend an agile confidence to your running.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Upper Comfort
The upper on the Kinvara 14 is insanely lightweight. It consists of a soft mesh on the interior with a coarser mesh on the outside. We found it to have a racy feel with excellent lockdown that almost felt as though it disappeared on our feet.
The material is extremely breathable and dries quickly. The tongue is thin and lightly padded where the laces rub. The heel cup provides good retention, and we didn't experience any rubbing or hotspots. We also appreciate the inclusion of an elastic heel loop, something we wish more shoes had (particularly those with very flexible uppers). Overall, the upper design is solid, and we don't have any complaints. We did initially have durability concerns, but those were proven wrong over the course of our testing.
Similar to the Endorphin Pro 3, the upper is extremely light.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Weight
Coming in at just 7.27 ounces per size 10.5 shoe, we love how lightweight this shoe is. However, the lack of rubber on the outsole does raise some durability and traction concerns. We wouldn't mind an extra half ounce or so for a bit more rubber under the forefoot.
This shoe is light, light, light. That said, we'd take a little heavier footprint for some extra rubber in key places.
Credit: Jessica Riconscente
Should You Buy the Saucony Kinvara 14?
If you want a lightweight and affordable daily trainer, this is a great model. If you're new to running or are looking for a trainer to do everything, we think a more traditional trainer with a bit more drop and support would be a better choice. Still, the Kinvara is a great shoe for runners who want to go fast on a budget.
What Other Running Shoes Should You Consider?
If you're looking for an affordable daily trainer, we think the Puma Velocity Nitro 3 is a phenomenal all-around shoe for the money that will serve most runners well. If you're looking for a daily trainer that can also pick up the pace, the Hoka Mach 6 is one of the best all-around shoes on the market. If lightweight speed is what you're after, the Nike Vaporfly 3 is our favorite dedicated race shoe for max efforts.
—
Nathaniel Bailey
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