Avid community runner and content creator Melissa Foo discusses Saucony’s latest iteration of the Kinvara series, the Kinvara 14, on our latest episode of “Sole Mates”, a running shoes review series in collaboration with iRun Singapore
As part of an ongoing collaboration with Singapore's premier running specialty iRun Singapore, SportPlus.sg has teamed up with local running content creators, Key Opinion Leaders and athletes to have them share their thoughts on the latest running footwear.
The Saucony Kinvara 14 establishes itself as an agile and lightweight trainer which provides runners a smooth ride. It’s designed for speedwork but it can handle easy paces equally well thanks to its stability. This model caters to runners who expect comfort, responsiveness and versatility from their pair of running shoes.
According to Saucony.com, the Men’s Kinvara 14 weighs at 200g, 13g lighter than its predecessor even though it has a thicker midsole and insole. The latest edition of the Kinvara series still has the signature heel-to-toe drop of 4mm. Not only that, the pair also contains recycled materials, contributing to sustainability in our environment!
In this video, we discuss unique aspects of the shoe and how the Saucony Kinvara 14 can possibly suit your running needs.
Is the Saucony Kinvara 14 simply another daily trainer for avid runners to add to their collection? Does the Saucony Kinvara 14 serve multiple purposes for new, entry-level runners? Today, runners have countless options when picking out a new running pair. Read on to find out whether the Saucony Kinvara 14 will be your next value-for-money purchase!
To help you decide, avid runner Melissa Foo shares her insight into the Saucony Kinvara 14, and how you can benefit from it effectively. Melissa will be sharing her key opinions of the shoe that she enjoys after clocking about 30 kilometres in the pair.
Lightweight and Breathable
The Kinvara 14 has been updated with a lighter and more breathable upper together with a thicker midsole. The women’s pair of the Kinvara 14 weighs only 117g in comparison to Kinvara 13’s 184g! The shoe is also light because the tongue is thin. Melissa noted that the pair can be used for “easy, recovery runs” and even “Negative Splits” where runners start slow before picking up the pace towards the end of their runs.
As for the mesh, it is akin to a racing mesh. Now you may wonder, how does a racing mesh-like material even help?
The mesh of the Kinvara 14 is made out of a really porous material with high breathability.. This means that it is more suited for warm climates than cool ones. The material helps keep the foot cool and dry during exercise as well, making it ideal for Singapore’s sunny weather!
Improved PWRRUN+ cushioning
I personally believe that the shoe’s high responsiveness is due to its PWRRUN cushioning. This cushioning is added to the insole of the shoe. As I mentioned earlier, the thicker midsole foam offers a responsive and bouncy feel that can help propel you forward during your runs. Talk about that extra ‘boost’! The shoe's topsole is also made from Everun foam, which provides additional cushioning and energy return.
With the PWRRUN foam cushioning and security, Melissa feels that it “can add an additional 10 kilometres to my runs.” There is also long-lasting comfort with this pair.
It is worth noting that previous versions of Kinvaras are created so that runners can feel the ground more. This is one of the changes that the Kinvara 14 faces. With more cushioning, runners experience a super smooth ride. I can tell the pair is designed for speedwork but it can handle easy paces equally well thanks to its stability. The smooth ride is also due to Its lack of outsole rubber.
A Shoe For ‘Leg Day’?
“If you want leg muscles, you should definitely consider this shoe!” says Melissa.
The shoe makes my leg work a little bit harder because there is no plate to stiffen the midsole of the shoe. Without a plate, the ride will also feel more natural. This contributes to the shoe being lightweight but your foot has to do most of the work during transitions. Although you may not get as much speed assistance from Kinvara 14 as compared to a plated shoe, you definitely get to train your legs in the process. I see that as a win!
As for the traction on the Kinvara 14, the durable rubber features a unique tread pattern for a variety of surfaces. I find the grip of the shoe to be sufficient but due to its small ridges on the outsole, it may not be suitable for rougher terrains like the ones at Macritchie Reservoir. However, I also find it easy to wash the mesh if you get dirt or mud on the shoe after running on different terrains.
Final Thoughts And Ratings
Overall, the Saucony Kinvara 14 is an amazing option if you’re looking for a lightweight speed trainer. If you do not prioritise outsole durability, I would definitely recommend this pair as a daily trainer which provides a padded and smooth ride for tempo runs or speed training. With that, I hope my sharing has given you a meaningful insight to Saucony’s Kinvara 14!
Presenting to you Melissa Foo’s final ratings for the Saucony Kinvara 14:
Sole Mates Overall Shoe Rating
Comfort: 4/5
Stability: 4/5
Responsiveness: 5/5
Grippiness: 3/5
Value for Money: 5/5
This would result in an overall rating of 4.1 out of 5 soles for the Saucony Kinvara 14!
If you think this pair is the right fit for your running needs, you can purchase the Saucony Kinvara 14 from any iRun Store or online at iRun.com.