Saucony Kinvara 15 Review | Maintaining Its Roots

I still remember snagging that first pair in 2010 and feeling like “I have found my shoe!!!”. In the years since then I’ve run in a lot of Kinvara models. There were a few misses, but mostly hits. Today we’ve got a full Saucony Kinvara 15 review to find out who will enjoy this light, lower stack running shoe.

In fact, when I had to pick just 1 pair of road shoes for a 3 week trip to New  Zealand, I went with my trusty Kinvara!

These aren’t the flashy big cushion, high stack shoes everywhere right now. Instead, it’s a lower profile moderate cushion shoe that can be a work horse in a lot of rotations.

With all that said, let’s talk more about the fit, feel and who is going to like the newest Saucony Kinvara.

Saucony Kinvara 15 Review

My first impression of the Kinvara 14 was “why is it taller?” Honestly, one of the things I enjoyed about the Kinvara, from that original pair, is that it’s a low profile shoe with enough cushion to feel good for my runs up to 13-15 miles.

Sooooo I was immediately excited to see them not add, but subtract 2mm with the 15!!

Trust me, I’m as in love with all the great max cushioned shoes as anyone else, but the Kinvara is meant to be more of that low and moderate shoe. And I will return to it again and again because of the light, quick feel that doesn’t get lost in a lot of cushion.

I’ll also say a lot of folks don’t have the ankle strength for those max cushion shoes and I’m seeing some new injuries.  Plus, the lower profile of the Kinvara, I’ve seen help a lot of IT Bands. But that’s off topic, back to the Kinvara.Other than going back to more of an expected cushion and stack, the other change to the 15 is the tongue and upper.

Where the 14 was pretty thin, the 15 has added just a smidge of padding back to the tongue. It’s not as thick as many tradition run shoes, but it’s very comfortable with the sock liner fit.

The shoe’s upper is made from a breathable mesh material that allows for maximum airflow and helps to keep feet cool and dry. This one has a bootie style fit, meaning that the tongue is attached. I LOVE this because it means it’s not going to be moving all over while I run.

The Saucony Kinvara 15  is a winning  option for runners who are looking for a lightweight and responsive shoe that provides enough cushioning and support for up to the half marathon. Now, I have actually worn the Kinvara in a marathon, but with what’s on the market now it wouldn’t be my go to.

Kinvara 15 Specs

Let’s dive in with some of the top line info that we all need to know about a shoe!

• Neutral shoe
• Moderate cushion
• Weight: 7.0 oz men’s, 6.2 oz women’s
• Heel drop: 4 mm
• 8 colors
• Not available in wide (usually they add a wide option when it’s been out awhile)
• Available now on Saucony.com ($120)
• The 14 is on sale and I wouldn’t shun it for the savings, but do like this better.

Don’t judge my shoe color. It’s not my favorite either, this is one where I’d go for the bright colors to feel as fast as possible. When it comes to reviews, you take what you can get in a size 11 women’s and sometimes…it’s this grey, pinkish color.

Side by side with the 14 on the left. That’s my second pair of the 14 and why it doesn’t look completely trashed, but says a lot about the fact that even when it wasn’t my favorite version, I still got a second pair after running through the first!

Quick Take

Too many words happening here, no worries let’s take a high level look at what we like and dislike! If you’re tired of the growing stack height on shoes, then this is going to be a welcome change.

Pros

Cons

• Too narrow for some runners, smaller toe box
• Long laces needed to be double knotted
• Not a shoe for super long runs or marathons (though I did run a marathon in the 10)
• If you liked the last version this will be slightly less cushioned

Saucony Kinvara Fit

I’ve always said that Saucony runs a bit more narrow compared to other brands like Brooks or Asics and that remains true with the 15. This has never been an issue for me, but know your foot type and what works for you.

The toe box is definitely not wide either. Keep this in mind on longer runs when feet swell.

Padding around the heel collar and tongue is moderate, as in not thing and not super puffy. I like this in a lighter shoe because nothing is digging (like say the back of the Hoka Rocket X2), but it’s not adding weight or making the shoe feel warmer.

Who is it Good For?

Who is the Saucony Kinvara a good fit for, let’s break it down by some common categories:

• Wide Feet: Not available in wide and regular may feel too tight
• Heavier Runners: Not ideal for providing enough cushion
• Long Runs: Will work well up to the half marathon
• Front of the Pack: Faster runners will enjoy these for easy runs to quick workouts as a non-plated option

Similar Shoes to the Saucony Kinvara

Looking for other running shoes that don’t have that massive cushion? Here are some ideas:

Saucony Kinvara vs Kinvara Pro

The Kinvara Pro is the carbon plated version of this shoe, designed to be even faster for race day. That being said, once again it feels like a really different shoe and I’m not sure why brands keep trying to reuse a shoe name.

A few key differences:

• Pro is an 8mm drop, very different feel
• Pro is a 42 mm stack height and more cushioned (though not as bouncy as the top carbon plated running shoes)
• Pro is over an ounce heavier due to the cushion and plate
• While I’d limit the Kinvara to half marathon, the Pro is more substantial and could work for the full
• The Pro also felt just slightly wider through the mid-foot

While the Pro isn’t a bad shoe by any stretch, it’s probably not where I’d put my $$ if seeking out a plated shoe. But we’ll see if that changes with the new model, it often does.

Sustainability

This is a new section I’ve been trying to add when details are available. I think as runners, we all care about having clean air and beautiful places to run, so it’s a bonus when our shoes are taking that in to account.

You might notice some of their shoes marked with Run For Good. Those items are exceeding all expectations with 50% or more of the entire shoe being recycled. The standard Kinvara does not meet that level, but is part of their goal by 2025 to have 90% of gear contain recycled materials.

Saucony PWRRUN Foam

PWRRUN is a midsole foam designed to provide a balance of cushioning and responsiveness, with a focus on energy return.

According to Saucony, the foam is 25% lighter than the brand’s previous cushioning material, yet delivers 5% more energy return. This means that runners can experience a more comfortable and efficient stride, with less fatigue.

Another look at how the foam height has changed over the years. Also you’ll notice a bit more rocker with the heel and the split, where they are taking weight the shoe doesn’t need.

What sets PWRRUN apart from other midsole foams is its construction. The foam is made up of a proprietary blend of materials that allows it to adapt to a runner’s unique stride, providing customized cushioning and support.

Additionally, PWRRUN is highly durable and can withstand the wear and tear of regular training and racing.

Right now the Endrophin pro is using the PWRRUN HG and as we usually see that will probably trickle down to other models.

All right, I really hope this Saucony Kivnara 15 review helped you in making a decision! I may not love every single shoe that I test, but I’ve found that just sharing the details helps you find a shoe that YOU LOVE.

And that’s all that actually matters.

Checkout my complete breakdown of the best Saucony running shoes >>

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