While a lot of things are changing, improving and rethinking in running, certain things remain as good as they are. This also applies to the Saucony Kinvara 13. A review by Claudio Meiler.

The classic among tempo shoes

The era of racing flat shoes seems to be slowly but surely coming to an end. The entire speed and competition segment of running shoes is occupied by rocker constructions and high-voluminous, strongly cushioned midsoles. The whole speed and competition segment? No! An indomitable shoe from Saucony does not stop resisting the intruders.

Unchanged PWRRUN sole and revised upper

The 13th Kinvara version also remains true to its principles. With 4 mm drop and the targeted PWRRUN cushioning, the sole remains unchanged compared to its predecessor. This results in the characteristics that I personally like so much about the Kinvara series: The direct contact with the ground, the wonderfully light feeling on the foot (213 g on US size 9) and the active running feeling – the Kinvara does not guide the runner, it only complements him. The toe box is moderate, the heel fits. Due to the fact that the Kinvara 13 requires an active running style and does not easily swallow rough surfaces due to its direct sole, it can also be run optimally on my favorite gravel paths on the Shore of Lake Obersee.

An update, however, was given to the upper material. Compared to its predecessor, where the partially stiff mesh has led to unwanted wrinkles, especially above the toe box, the mesh of the Kinvara 13 feels supple and well ventilated. Only the entry tab on the heel offers a small point of criticism, it is positioned a bit too low for my taste – and therefore takes some getting used to for the triathlon transition zone.

A shoe for the fast units

Who is the Kinvara 13 suitable for? If you enjoyed the Kinvara 12, the successor will also be a lot of fun. For all fast units, intervals on the track and competitions up to the half marathon distance, the Kinvara 13 offers a welcomed alternative to carbon and rocker shoes. An active running style, such as a midfoot strike, allows the shoe to come into its own. For triathlon, however, the pre-fatigue for the running course must not be ignored. Anyone who shows difficulty sticking to their own clean running style on the sprint or Olympic distance or already has an extensive injury history should tend to resort to a more guided and cushioned shoe.

Conclusion

For me, the Kinvara is not a beginner’s shoe, but an alternative that still gives experienced and dynamic runners a lot of joy and a shoe type that should not be missing in a balanced runner’s cabinet.