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Surface(s) this shoe is designed for
Road
Support philosophy of shoe
Neutral
Heel-to-toe angle
4mm
Underfoot height on the heel of the shoe
28.5mm
Underfoot height on the forefoot of the shoe
24.5mm
Likes
Dislikes
Scoring Comparisons:
The Saucony Kinvara 12 is very well thought out and the result is great comfort with a nice fit. Seams are hard to find so hotspots shouldn’t be an issue and the toebox is wider to support wider feet and toe splay.
Grip is solid on dry and wet road surfaces.
Runners report the Kinvara isn’t as durable as some other road running shoes and may wear out faster.
The Kinvara 12 is wildly flexible compared to the average competitor, it is also more responsive than many cushy competitors which swallow efficiency with overbuilt midsoles.
The Kinvara 12 outsole does have exposed EVA foam, but it is durable and strategically exposed to keep the shoe lighter. The sole does have a tendency to collect small bits of gravel in the impressions under the shoe.
The heel to toe offset of 4mm is an offset many runners find ideal.
Runners love the Kinvara 12 running shoe tongue! The tongue is soft on the underside and has extra padding at points where a tight lace could cause discomfort. One runner said it was “the most incredible tongue I have ever seen”. Combine this with gusseting and the airy mesh upper and you’ve got one comfortable shoe! Wider feet stand a chance with the toebox too.
The Kinvara has flat, wide and long shoelaces. Previous versions of the shoe had shorter laces and Saucony corrected on this version, maybe too much! The laces lock down nicely, but the extra length tends to flop around on some feet.
Some believe the Saucony Endorphin series has overtaken the Kinvara as the best Saucony running shoe, but Pulse Scoring indicates the Kinvara 12 gets a high rating on the whole!
This is a leaner road running shoe than many of the maximalist options on the market and runners love the lightweight, neutral 4mm heel to to drop on the Kinvara. This is a comfortable and locked down shoe capable of going short or long — well worth adding to your running toolbox.
