Any loyal Kinvara fans try the new 5? I’m not a fan. Why did they add fabric? And the lace lock. Toe box feels huge and heel is really soft.
I got some of the 4s on closeout as soon as I saw the 5s.
Why did they add fabric? And the lace lock. Toe box feels huge and heel is really soft.
Because the focus team were webbed toed (wider toe box) and a little dim (can’t tie laces)… oh shit they talked to triathletes…
Well there’s your problem…
i wanted wider toe box!
i wanted wider toe box! me too, R2!
Any loyal Kinvara fans try the new 5? I’m not a fan. Why did they add fabric? And the lace lock. Toe box feels huge and heel is really soft.
Huh… they might have just created my dream shoe…a Cortana light. I found the Kinvaras were just a little too stiff for a light heel striker for longer runs and the toe box was a little narrow.
I could care less about the lace lock, I replace the laces with elastic anyway for all my race shoes.
I really like the 5s. Been running in them for about a week.
The toe box in the 4 was too narrow for me, and I like the changes in the upper to make it a little more durable. I did not suffer from a disintegrating upper in the 4s, but I have heard that complaint.
To me, the 5s feel a bit more substantial all the way around, which I can understand won’t be your cup of tea if you are looking for something minimalist. My pair is size 8.5 and weigh in at 7.7 ounces.
If you want minimal, I suppose there are still the Mirages, Virattas or even the A6. The A6 actually has some rubber on the sole and I suspect might last nearly as long as the Kinvara 4’s. Though padding, while fairly soft, it very minimal.
I think I see some 5’s in my future.
Have 5’s been officially released? Stores are carrying them?
anyone know where you can still get Kinvara 3 or 4s? I need a 9 2E. They are out there on random sites like amazon and runningwarehouse but dont see my size.
The 5s are out and available. I picked up a pair at the Boston expo.
Saucony.com has some old models available - not sure what sizes.
Yep, confirmed just ordered a pair from Saucony site. Hope the sizing is still the same, never had to switch sizes yet.
Yup - we have 5’s in stock and ready to go
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Hey I run in the Kinvara 3’s and 4’s and just did my first road race in the A6. I would love to know how you choose which shoe to wear. Not really interested in the Mirage, but is the Viratta basically just a zero-drop Kinvara?
do you know whether they wd be releasing wide version?
Viratta is a softer ride and thicker sole. It’s also more flexible. But the EVA breaks down quickly, but that’s the trade off you get for ultra light weight and ultra cushioning.
Viratta is a softer ride and thicker sole. It’s also more flexible. But the EVA breaks down quickly, but that’s the trade off you get for ultra light weight and ultra cushioning.
I haven’t run in my Virattas in a little bit due to injuring my Achillies. But I thought i remember them being even a little more firm than the Kinvara 4’s and the A6 being surprisingly soft and compliant. But not softer than Fasttwitch 6’s. But maybe that’s just because the insole was brand new on the A6.
Hmm, I have run in both the kinvara 4 and the virratta and my experience was that the kinvara was stiffer. I have run most of my 10k’s up until recently in A4 and A5’s. Did they really change the sole of the A6? The A4 and A5 were pretty stiff and you could feel the ground quite clearly thru the shoe.
On the upside … the cushioning is really nice. But the fatal flaw of the 5 (for me) is the increased height of the heel where my lateral ankle bone is … with the result that with every step the upper edge pokes into my bone. Horrible fail of this upgrade.
Viratta is a softer ride and thicker sole. It’s also more flexible. But the EVA breaks down quickly, but that’s the trade off you get for ultra light weight and ultra cushioning.
I love my Kinvaras and don’t like the Virratas at all. The Kinvaras feel soft and flexible and match my running style. Every time I run in the Virratas everything hurts the next day. I have a very gently used pair of size 9 Virratas that would love a new home.
As to the original question, I’ve only run about 20 miles in my new 5s but I like them a lot. The upper is different but the overall feel of the shoe is not that different from the 4s, at least on my feet.