Hi there!
I got a new pair of Saucony Kinvara’s a few weeks ago and I absolutely love the feel and how they ‘run’, but I’m bumping into some problems.
First of all the whole Prolock ‘thing’ seems to make it impossible to just slip my feet in when using locklaces. Having to stop, take my foot out, adjust the tongue is costing me quite a bit of time in transition… So effing frustrating because they are quite a fast shoe but they cost you seconds to put on.
If anyone has a kind of workaround, please let me know!
Second, the sole just seems to melt away under my feet (not litterally). I just noticed how fast the sole actually wears out. I don’t use them for long training runs, only for speedwork and races because I know they are not as durable as high milage trainers… but come on… this is just ridiculous.
Is anyone having the same issue? I have been using shoe goo on spots that seems to wear out quick, and it has helped a little bit, but I’m not planning on pasting my shoes every 50 miles.
Can’t speak of the recent Kinvaras. I’m currently doing most of my running in the Hoka Clifton, which is essentially a jacked up version of the Kinvara - feels very similar, but with more cushioning.
My current Kinvaras are the 4’s, but I’d always get around 400 miles per pair (up to 450). I’ve probably gone through 15+ pairs since the shoe was introduced. The outsole would definitely look trashed when I was done, but I’d judge it more on how the shoe felt while running.
I’ve been using Kinvaras since version 2 - best shoe for me hands down but I have the same observations as you when it comes to durability. Not only are the soles mush but I tear holes by the pinky toe all the time.
I didn’t like the 4s but the Kinvara 5 has been my favorite shoe for racing and tempo runs. Never had a problem using them with lock laces. Just make sure I have them powdered up, pull on tongue and heel and slide it right on (with socks).
I agree with the durability issue. They don’t last as long as other shoes I’ve used but with the 6s out now, I plan on sticking up on 5s on sale.
Interesting. I have been running in Kinvaras since the first version and love them. No issues at all running full marathons in them. I find speed laces are too springy so I just keep mine laced just open enough to get my foot in fast. No issues in transition, just slip my foot in. They are laced tight enough that they stay where I put them.
I haven’t experienced the durability issue and in fact just replaced my last pair of K5s with 600 miles on them, not because the sole was dead but because my big toes wore holes in the uppers.
Thanks for the replies. As for the sole, I just hope once it’s worn in it doesnt wear out at the rate it is now. Seems strange they didn’t just put some harder rubber on known high wear spots.
As for the sliding-foot-in-shoe problem it seems to be the sidewalls of the prolock that causes the problem. With mynother saucony shoes I just grab the tongue and slide my foot in. With the kinvaras the sidewalls seem to get double folded.
hmm my experience on the sole is different than that of the majority.
I’ve had ~5 pair and use them mainly on a packed, groomed, dirt/sand/rock trail. Usually get ~ 400 miles on them before they become dog walking shoes. Soles have held up well on all with no issues.
I haven’t experienced the durability issue and in fact just replaced my last pair of K5s with 600 miles on them, not because the sole was dead but because my big toes wore holes in the uppers.
Crazy how different peoples experience can be on the same shoe. My uppers look almost new still but the sole has definitely lost the feel I love and is just about dead. This is after probably 300 miles of mostly road use. I’m about 165lbs so it’s not like I’m putting too much weight on them every stride. Interesting.
Anyone feel anything noticeable between the 5s and 6s? I’m not a fan of the new colors.
Check out the asics 33fa. Super comfy uppers with no socks and pretty light. Nice somewhat cushy bottom and quite responsive. Sole seems pretty durable. I love mine.
I’ve been running in the Kinvara’s since the 4’s. The upper on those started falling apart around 50k. The 5’s were amazing, lasted forever, except for the outer heel, but that was still not too bad. The 6’s have very noticeable wear on the outer heel after one half marathon. I couldn’t believe how much they wore after one run, and I’m more of a heel 'swiper than a striker. Nola’s are next on the list!
I LOVE the new colors. The old black, white, blue and red shoe thing we had until Newton came along was BORING!! Funny how these bigger companies like Asics, Brooks, New Balance etc…are putting out shoes based on the popularity of a small company like Newton, but I am glad they are. Their shoes don’t look like old man shoes now.
I raced the 5’s in my 1st IM last year. Good all around shoe. Drainage is pitiful. I ended up drilling my own holes which worked pretty well overall. I haven’t tried the 6’s. I still run in my 5’s now and then as part of a 6 shoe rotation.
I was going to race in Cliftons this year and loved the 1’s, but the Clifton 2’s are too firm, feel heavier, a lot cheaper and more generic. You cna tell Hoka went mainstream unfortunately on these shoes. More durable, but overall, very disappointed as I get blisters on longer runs.
So for Kona, I’m taking a gamble and using my Saucony A6 race flats. Minimal blisters at 70.3. Great drainage and I’m hoping the light weight lets me maintain good run mechanics longer and go maybe 5s/mi faster as well early on. Hey, it’s the WC, you throw the kitchen sink at it right?
… I’ll probably toss my old Clifton 1’s in my special needs bag just in case.
I had a similar question/issue. love the Kivaras - all models - for races incl half marathons and oly tris. but i ran a marathon on them and screwed up my achilles big time. Now i’m training long runs in Hoka Clifton 2s but I can’t decide what to race a marathon in. Kinvaras are lighter but not by much. Has anyone run a marathon in the Hokas?
SS
Yes. I ran Ironman Mont Tremblant in the Clifton and they worked wonders. I was having Achilles issues during training with my Kinvara, so I opted with the Hokas. I do have high arches, so I have actually put “SuperFeet” in them and that seemed to help a lot. Are the “SuperFeet” a placebo affect? Possibly. But I did two long runs with Hoka and Kinvara before IMMT and the Hoka was the winner.
I also ran IMMT in the Cliftons. I had a real bad run, but that didn’t have anything to do with the shoes.
My only problem is that I have 5 boxes of unworn Kinvaras that I bought on sale a while back, and I’m not sure what to do with them. I’ve grown accustomed to the Cliftons, and also have a pair of the Bondi 4’s. I think I’ll probably rotate, and trade off runs in Cliftons and Kinvaras.
I think the Cliftons 1’s and Kinvara 5’s were virtually the same weight. The Clifton 2’s are a few oz heavier. Again, IMO, it was a step backward from what make the original Clifton so good. The only change they needed was a better insole. I stole one out of a pair of Virattas I have and it helped a lot. Hoka unfortunately took the opportunity to reduce MFG costs in the guise of adding “durability”. Congratulations, your a mainstream show company.
I think the Cliftons 1’s and Kinvara 5’s were virtually the same weight. The Clifton 2’s are a few oz heavier. Again, IMO, it was a step backward from what make the original Clifton so good. The only change they needed was a better insole. I stole one out of a pair of Virattas I have and it helped a lot. Hoka unfortunately took the opportunity to reduce MFG costs in the guise of adding “durability”. Congratulations, your a mainstream show company.
I know this is a thread on Kinvaras (so sorry), but to respond, I just found two pairs of the Clifton 1 on the Hoka website and grabbed them. Looks like the very last two pairs in my size that are on sale.
Second, the sole just seems to melt away under my feet (not litterally). I just noticed how fast the sole actually wears out.
Thats the main reason I switched form them. I was barely getting 200 miles on them. I chewed through the foam portion of the lateral forefoot in no time I went with a bigger stack (not a huge fan) on the Brooks Launch and get double the mileage I did on the Kinvara.
