REASONS TO BUY
Affordably priced
Runner-friendly design
Lightweight
Newly designed upper is an improvement
REASONS TO AVOID
Narrow midfoot
Not the most well-cushioned
Saucony Kinvara 15 - Women's Review
This budget-friendly buy is versatile and lightweight enough to encompass race days and social runs comfortably
The new Kinvara stays true to what this shoe has always been - reliable, lightweight, and versatile.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
RELATED: Best Running Shoes for Women
Our Verdict
The updated Saucony Kinvara 15 is as tried-and-true as previous versions, offering a predictable ride with a low-to-the-ground feel that previous Kinvara fanatics will appreciate. This affordable version of the Kinvara offers a redesigned upper with a more robust upper mesh while maintaining most of its previously existing comfort. With a total stack of 27 mm, the Kinvara is unbothered by the sky-high stack trend that has recently permeated the running shoe market. Road runners looking for a budget-friendly, neutrally stable, reliable, and impressively lightweight (5.44 ounces per shoe in women's size 6.5) everyday runner will love the no-frills approach to running that the Kinvara provides.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Saucony Kinvara 15 - Women's | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Bang for your Buck |  Best Overall Running Shoe | |||
| Price | $120.00 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $140.00 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $70 List $54.95 at Amazon | $70 List $74.95 at Amazon | $75 List $66.70 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
|||||
| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | Affordable and minimally-minded, the updated Kinvara is a great everyday shoe that is suitable for a myriad of running situations | Even with a few minor updates, this shoe shines as one for runners seeking a do-it-all road running companion | This affordable, low-profile running shoe is a good choice for beginners, offering a moderate stack, traditional drop, and a touch of bounce | While not suited for specified running, this shoe offers versatility and reliability for daily activities and moderate workouts | With its firm cushioning and 8 mm drop, this shoe is best suited as a dependable option for road runs and gym sessions |
| Rating Categories | Saucony Kinvara 15... | Asics Novablast 5 -... | Asics Gel-Contend 9... | New Balance Fresh F... | Under Armour Charge... |
| Landing Comfort (30%) | |||||
| Responsiveness (20%) | |||||
| Stability (15%) | |||||
| Upper Comfort (15%) | |||||
| Weight (15%) | |||||
| Traction (5%) | |||||
| Specifications | Saucony Kinvara 15... | Asics Novablast 5 -... | Asics Gel-Contend 9... | New Balance Fresh F... | Under Armour Charge... |
| Sizes Available | 5 - 12 US, regular |
5 - 12 US regular, wide |
5 - 12 US, regular | 5 - 12 US, regular & wide | 5 - 12 US |
| Style | Daily Trainer | Daily trainer | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer | Daily trainer |
| Measured Heel Stack Height | 27 mm | 40 mm | 30 mm | 26 mm | 30 mm |
| Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop | 3 mm | 9 mm | 9 mm | 8 mm | 8 mm |
| Plate Type | None | None | None | None | None |
| Rocker Angle | 25.0 deg | 26.5 deg | 28.0 deg | 26.5 deg | 25.0 deg |
| Rocker Apex Location | 64.7% | 61.9% | 58.7% | 54.5% | 62.4% |
| Measured Weight | 5.44 oz | 7.30 oz | 7.26 oz | 6.90 oz | 8.14 oz |
| Upper | Mesh | Jacquard mesh | Jacquard mesh | Mesh | Mesh |
| Midsole | PWRRUN | FF BLAST MAX | AMPLIFOAM+ | Fresh Foam | Charged Cushioning |
| Outsole | Rubber | AHAR LO | Rubber | Rubber | Rubber |
| Heel Tab Type | None | Finger loop | Finger loop | None | Finger loop |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The updated Kinvara 15 shoes each weigh 5.44 ounces in women's size 6.5. With a comfortable but not plush 27 mm underfoot stack and middling rocker apex location, the Kinvara is a great shoe for runners who want a low-stack shoe for everyday training.
Performance Comparision
The Kinvara is light and springy enough for the track, but comfortable enough that you might not want to take it off after you finish your workout.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Landing Comfort
The undercarriage of the updated Saucony Kinvara rides like it always has. It is impressively lightweight and flexible and offers a ground feel that's unlike most road shoes.
Sitting at only 27 mm above the ground in the rear, the Kinvara is far from a plush runner, making it slightly less suitable for long, plodding distances. The PWRRUN foam is bouncy enough to provide some energy return and feedback without feeling like you're prancing on marshmallowy clouds. The beauty of the landing comfort of the Kinvara is in its simplicity. It is light, fresh, and peppy enough for uptempo runs without feeling like a rigid super shoe. Runners seeking a plush ride won't appreciate the more minimal feel of the Kinvara. Road runners who want a flexible outsole, a bit of ground feel, and a lightweight shoe that doesn't come with the rigidity of a carbon fiber plate will love the ride that this version of the Kinvara offers.
For propulsion and comfort without an embedded plate, the Kinvara is one of our to recommendations.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
The midfoot platform and arch of this model of the Kinvara are slightly narrow and can feel pinchy on some feet. In the past, the Kinvara has been a slip-on-and-go type of shoe, but the slightly reconfigured shape detracts from its previously universal comfort a bit. Our average-footed testers were able to execute all of their testing runs and continue to reach for the Kinvara, but Kinvara diehards should be aware of this slight tweak. It is important to note that the midfoot loosened up with wear.
We love nearly everything about the new Kinvara, but it runs on the narrow side which is a dealbreaker for some runners.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Responsiveness
When it comes to responsiveness, the Kinvara is different than the majority of uptempo running shoes in our lineup this season. You can certainly get moving in this shoe, but it does not have the powerful POP of plated shoes.
With a 3 mm heel-toe differential, the Kinvara provides a nearly unparalleled ground feel — a sensation that enhances feelings of agility as you push yourself to your pace-based limits. The Kinvara rides a bit like the responsive shoes from a decade ago before all runners had access to super shoes. The Kinvara provides energy return and a comfortable bit of PWRRUN midfoot spring, but its overall responsiveness pales compared to modern super shoes. The foamy rubber outsole of the Kinvara is more flexible than most, which comfortably allows your feet to bend, splay, and work more completely than in rigidly-plated shoes. With just enough rebound in its outsole, the magic of the Kinvara lies in how lightweight it is. The outsole flexibility and this shoe's overall weight of 5.44 ounces each (women's size 6.5) come together to provide a fresh feeling, lightweight shoe that is well-designed for daily uptempo runs.
Suitable for all kinds of running, the Kinvara is one of our favorites for uptempo runs where we want to engage with the ground beneath our feet.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Stability
The Kinvara has never been known for its stability, and this iteration is no different. With a perfectly neutral fit and body, the Kinvara is not made to correct overpronation.
The stability of the Kinvara is approached very simply. This shoe has a comfortable bit of cushion in its heel collar with a plush, dual-gusseted tongue. These elements hold the shoe in place without creating any type of bulk or structure to impact your gait. Runners in need of a stability shoe need not apply here, as the levity of the Kinvara won't be a great match. Runners who are comfortable with their gait patterns and want a secure and agile shoe that doesn't add any weight will find the stability of the Kinvara to be just right.
Not a stability shoe by any stretch of the imagination, the minimalistic approach to this neutral running shoe won't suit runners who want lateral support.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Upper Comfort
We already discussed how slight changes to the Kinvara have made its arch a bit pinchy, which is an element that comes into play when considering both landing comfort and upper comfort.
In terms of the upper comfort, the updated upper of the Kinvara is nearly perfect aside from its narrow fit. Once the medial edge softens a bit, the arch becomes comfortable enough for daily runs. The sockliner mesh upper of this version is more similar to a standard running shoe than the uppers of past versions of the Kinvara. In the past, the upper has been made of a seemingly double-layered mesh. This time around, the upper wears like a single overlay with perfectly balanced stretch. Saucony was able to maintain this shoe's low weight while updating the fit and feel of the upper. The flexible and smooth upper is comfortably breathable and perfect for warm weather running.
The updated upper of the Kinvara makes the overall fit a bit more breezy, comfortable, and traditional.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Weight
If you are looking for a seriously lightweight shoe that is suitable for daily runs but lacks all of the fancy tech of super shoes, the Saucony Kinvara might be perfect for you.
At 5.44 ounces per women's size 6.5 shoe, the Kinvara is one of the lightest shoes we've ever tested. The scant bit of weight that makes up this shoe is well-distributed and feels incredibly fresh and liberating as you run.
Traction
In the past, we have taken issue with the Kinvara's foamy outsole because it is more susceptible to abrasions from sharp rocks and wear.
This time around, the foamy outsole is a bit more durable and actually provides more traction than some of its counterparts. The forgiving rubber provides some security and ground feel that is necessary when picking up the pace around gravel-covered corners. It isn't a great crossover shoe, but its ridge-covered outsole helps you stay secure around tight turns.
The ridges that embellish the Kinvara's outsole provide enough traction to prevent you from sliding out around tight corners, though this outsole is far from the strongest we've seen.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Should You Buy the Saucony Kinvara 15?
Aside from our one gripe about the medial pinch of the arch, the Kinvara is a great shoe for runners who want a lightweight and peppy shoe. While not propulsive, this uptempo shoe offers a light and fresh ride for runners who want a lot of ground feel. This shoe allows you to rely on your own body because of how light and minimal its construction is. For the price, the Kinvara is a great shoe for daily paces on the road or the track.
There is very little to take issue with when it comes to the Kinvara. It is a bit narrow, but its recent updates have made it a budget-friendly shoe that we are more than happy to tell all of our friends about.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
What Other Road Running Shoes Should You Consider?
If you want a super lightweight shoe, the Nike Vaporfly 3 is even lighter than the Kinvara but designed for racing rather than casual everyday runs. The Vaporfly has a full-length carbon fiber plate, so the fit and propulsive bounce feel significantly different than the Kinvara. The Asics Novablast 5 is equally responsive, slightly more comfortable, and offers a bit more in terms of a crashpad for joint cushioning. The Novablast is similarly priced, making it a great alternative if something about the Kinvara rubs you the wrong way. A recent trend in the market has seen some other, more minimal and affordable shoes hit the market, but the Kinvara remains the reigning champion in terms of performance and value.
—Ally Arcuri
You Might Also Like
