The Saucony Kinvara Pro is a confusing shoe, and after my testing I remain unsure what it’s best for. I thought it could be a versatile cushioned plated shoe for daily training in the style of the Hoka Mach X, or a more accessible super-shoe for those who don’t get on with the best carbon plate running shoes, which can be unstable. But I’m not convinced it can play either role as well as other shoes.

The Kinvara Pro is also expensive, for what amounts to a plated cushioned shoe that does a variety of runs quite well but nothing exceptionally well. If you want an all-rounder I’d look at lighter, more propulsive plated options, like the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3, and if you’re looking for an easy day cruiser, you can take your pick of the best cushioned shoes, all of which are cheaper than the Kinvara Pro.

Saucony Kinvara Pro Review: Price And Availability

The Saucony Kinvara Pro will be available to buy from 1st August. It costs $180 in the US and £200 in the UK, which is more expensive than Saucony’s popular plated all-rounder, the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3, which is $170/£165.

How I Tested This Shoe

I’ve run 30 miles (about 50km) in the Kinvara Pro across four runs, including a couple of easy plods, a short progression run and a harder 11-mile session including a 45-minute progression from around 6min/mile to 5min 40sec/mile pace.

Design And Fit

There is a lot going on in the Kinvara Pro, which bears little resemblance to the classic Kinvara line from Saucony, a line known for being minimalist, low-drop and lightweight.

By contrast, the Kinvara Pro is a beast: It is 42mm tall at the heel and 34mm at the forefoot for an 8mm drop. It weighs 10.7oz/303g in my US 10/UK 9, which puts it in the cushioned shoe weight bracket, rather than the plated super-trainer one.

There are three foams underfoot, with the PWRRUN+ insole on top of a dual-density midsole. The top layer is PWRRUN PB, the bouncy, lightweight foam used in the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 and Speed 3. Underneath that is a larger layer of PWRRUN, which is a firmer, more durable foam. 

Instead of using a rubber outsole, Saucony has molded the bottom of the PWRRUN foam to create grip, since it is a hardy enough material to hit the pavement without breaking down too rapidly. In between the two midsole foams is a ¾-length carbon plate that adds pop to your toe-off without being as stiff and harsh underfoot as a full-length plate. The shoe has Saucony’s Speedroll rocker geometry to create a smooth ride.

The mesh upper has thin rubbery overlays that add structure and is well padded at the heel, with a substantial internal heel counter to help with stability. I found that the shoe fitted well in my normal running shoe size.

Running Performance

I’ve long been a fan of the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3, which I consider the best all-rounder running shoe thanks to its mix of comfort and speed. The Kinvara Pro has similarities to the Speed in the rockered, plated design, and also uses PWRRUN PB foam for the top layer of its midsole, but it has a different feel underfoot.

The rocker rolls you along smoothly, especially at easy paces, but I didn’t feel the bounce from the midsole that I get from the Speed 3, and the Kinvara Pro is just too big and heavy to feel enjoyable at faster paces.

I undertook a couple of runs with faster sections and ran 7.67 miles (12.34km) during the 45-minute progression I did during my longest run in the shoe. It can move at speed, but feels awkward, especially when you’re not running in a straight line on flat ground. I didn’t feel the plate even when pushing hard in the shoe.

It’s stable, though, and comfortable on easy runs even if I still prefer something smaller on my foot for those. It may bring more joy to heavy runners who put more into the foam, and so get more back, but for me the bounce of the PWRRUN PB foam was negated by the firmer PWRRUN material beneath it.

The only role it could play in my rotation would be as an Endorphin Max substitute—an easy day cruiser to partner with the faster Endorphin Speed 3. However, the Speed 3 feels great for me at easy paces and has more versatility, at a lower price.

I was worried about the grip and durability of the outsole, but so far these fears have proven unfounded. The grip has been good even when running in torrential rain on flooded footpaths, and the exposed foam hasn’t shown undue wear yet. 

However, I have avoided taking it on gravelly trails for fear of roughing up the outsole, and this is something I like to do for easy runs. Given that the Kinvara Pro is not built to be lightweight anyway, adding a little rubber to the outsole would be worthwhile in my opinion.

Is The Saucony Kinvara Pro Worth It?

I’m not the kind of runner who would pick up the Saucony Kinvara Pro. For me, the Endorphin Speed 3 does every kind of run better than its maxed-out sibling, and is cheaper. If you find the Endorphin Speed 3 and other lighter and lower plated shoes unstable or lacking in cushion, then the Kinvara Pro may be your shoe as a bulkier all-rounder option.

However, it’s expensive, and I don’t believe it does a great job as an all-rounder. A traditional plateless cushioned shoe like the Saucony Triumph or Brooks Glycerin 20 might be just as good an option and, if you want a plated shoe with more stability and comfort than something like the Speed 3, I rate the Hoka Mach X higher than the Kinvara Pro.

If price isn’t your main concern and you like training in plated shoes then the Kinvara Pro could fit well in a running-shoe rotation alongside a faster option like the Speed 3. However, for that role I’d be just as happy in a traditional cushioned shoe without a plate, or happier, since I’d save money and get a shoe with a rubber outsole to boost durability and grip.

The Saucony Kinvara Pro is a tricky shoe to get a handle on. It has Kinvara in its name but very little in common with the established Kinvara line, which is known for being lightweight, low-drop and fairly minimalist.

It also has Pro in its name, like the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3, one of the best carbon plate running shoes. However, despite having a carbon plate in its midsole, the Kinvara Pro isn’t really designed for smashing out PBs on race day. It’s billed as more of a max-stack daily trainer, but at $180/£200 it costs a lot more than other daily trainers. 

• UPDATE 24 JULY 2023: Saucony Kinvara Pro Review

The midsole isn’t entirely made from Saucony’s best foams either. The top layer is the springy PWRRUN PB found on the Endorphin Speed 3 and Pro 3, but the bottom layer is PWRRUN, a much less bouncy and exciting material.

The Kinvara Pro is also heavy at 10.7oz/303g in my US 10/UK 9, which is thanks to the very high stack height—it’s 42mm at the heel and 34mm at the forefoot for an 8mm drop.

On paper, it didn’t make a lot of sense, and after a couple of runs, I’m still not entirely convinced. However, two possible uses for the Kinvara Pro come to mind. One is as a cushioned trainer for easy and long runs to pair with faster shoes like the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3—which is how I’d use it. The other is as a more accessible carbon plate, speed-focused shoe for those who find other super-shoes don’t work for them, because they’re not protective or stable enough.

Despite its stack height, the Kinvara Pro is stable thanks to the firmer layer of PWRRUN foam at the bottom of the shoe. It also uses a ¾-length carbon plate, rather than a full-length one, which means it’s a bit softer under the heel and less stiff overall.

I was worried that the lack of an outsole on the shoe would reduce durability, but actually the foam on the bottom half is hardy enough to take a pounding and not having a rubber layer creates a more grounded feel to the shoe. I also found the Kinvara Pro gripped well even when running on flooded pavements during torrential rain.

It’s a faster shoe than I expected too. I used it for an easy-to-steady progression run finishing at sub-6min/mile pace and it rolled along quite comfortably, aided by the Speedroll rocker geometry on the shoe you also have on the Speed 3 and Pro 3 shoes. I did prefer it on the purely easy run I did, but it’s lighter and more nimble on the foot than it looks like it’s going to be, even if I personally wouldn't pick it for track sessions or race day.

On the other hand, it’s not designed for a runner like me. I love super-shoes and find plated trainers like Endorphin Speed 3 comfortable and stable enough to do all my daily training in. 

Perhaps the Kinvara Pro will be more inviting to those who don’t like the feel of a shoe like the Speed 3 for daily training, or carbon shoes for racing. This is what the Hoka Bondi X was designed to be—a super-shoe for the masses—but it wasn’t a great shoe. The Kinvara Pro is a lot better.

With more testing to come I still have significant doubts about whether it’s good enough to justify its high price, but the Kinvara Pro has won me over to an extent. A different name would help avoid confusion of what the Kinvara Pro does. I’ve dubbed it the Endorphin Max in my mind, since the geometry and materials used have more in common with the Endorphin line of shoes.

The Saucony Kinvara Pro will be available from 1st August, and will cost $180 in the US and £200 in the UK. 

Even if you’ve never worn Saucony shoes before, it’s a brand you should be considering if you’re in the market for a new pair of running kicks. That’s because the American company has been firing out some of the best running shoes going in the past couple of years.

Saucony has a couple of the best carbon plate running shoes on the market in the Endorphin Pro 4 and Endorphin Elite, and my favorite all-round running shoe of the last few years is the Endorphin Speed 4. However,  the brand excels in more than just speedy shoes: It also has a variety of cushioned running shoes for daily training, plus several top-notch trail shoes.

I’ve been running in and reviewing Saucony shoes for several years and have picked the best options for different types of runner below. It should be noted that none of the options below are especially cheap but many of them are the latest in a long-running line, so you will be able to find past editions of the shoe—or even the latest one—in sales, often with sizable discounts. Check our best budget running shoes page to keep up with prime deals.

How I Test Saucony Running Shoes

I usually run 50-70 miles a week in training on a mix of roads and trails, and race regularly to test shoes. I have a marathon PB of 2hr 28min and I’m always working hard to try and bring that time down with a structured training plan full of different types of runs, which makes it easy to rigorously test Saucony’s shoes for the purposes they’re designed for. 

The Best Saucony Running Shoes

The Endorphin Speed 4 is the most versatile shoe available from any brand, with its main competition really being the Endorphin Speed 3, which is almost as good and now likely to appear in sales for less than the new shoe. The Speed 4 uses Saucony’s Peba-based PWRRUN PB midsole foam with a nylon plate that’s more stable and less stiff than the carbon plate used in the brand’s racers—creating a comfortable but still speedy ride for any kind of run.

I’ve used the various generations of the Speed in my own running shoe rotation for years and there’s not a type of run that I don’t enjoy using it for: from short speed sessions and races to recovery plods. It’s a great daily trainer that you can also use on race day, and for one-shoe runners it’s the clear pick from Saucony’s range.

Read more in our Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 review

The Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 is overshadowed by the top-of-the-range Endorphin Elite racing shoe. However, I think the Pro 4 is the better pick for most runners because it’s a fast carbon super-shoe in its own right, while also being cheaper and having a more natural and comfortable ride than the Elite.

I used the Pro 4 for some of my toughest marathon training workouts and it delivered the efficient and fast ride expected from a super-shoe. Compared to the Pro 3, Saucony has changed the midsole with the Pro 4 to have a top layer of the PWRRUN HG foam used on the Endorphin Elite, with a bottom layer of PWRRUN PB. For me, this results in a more propulsive ride than that of the Pro 3. The older Pro 3 is still a great carbon racer though, and one to look for in sales if you want a cheaper super-shoe.

Read more in our Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 review

The Saucony Guide 17 is a cushioned daily trainer that uses features like a wide base and sidewalls of foam to create stability, rather than the more intrusive approach of a medial post that blocks overpronation. As a result, it’s a comfortable and supportive shoe for runners of all types and its mild rocker creates a smooth ride that works particularly well for ticking off easy miles. I rate the Tempus as the livelier, more versatile shoe, with the Guide 17 feeling a bit heavy if you try and use it for faster runs, though it can handle some speedwork if you just want one cushioned stability shoe for all your runs. Or, you can pair it with the Tempus for a two-shoe rotation that will cover your bases well.

Read more in our Saucony Guide 17 review

The Peregrine has long-been a go-to option for trail runners who need a reliable shoe for almost any kind of trail, with its versatile outsole gripping well on roads and hard tracks as well as deep mud. It’s not as cushioned as the Xodus Ultra 2, but the Peregrine 14 is comfortable enough for long runs, especially on soft ground, and it has a nimble feel that means you can use it for trail races as well as training runs.

You can get a Gore-Tex version of the Peregrine 14 if you want a waterproof upper and it’s a shoe that offers value by virtue of the fact both the current and older versions of the Peregrine frequently appear in sales. Right now, I rate the Peregrine 13 as the better-value option because Saucony has only made small changes to the upper of the Peregrine 14. So, if you spy the older shoe in sales it’s worth going for.

Read more in our Saucony Peregrin 14 review

The updates Saucony has made to the Ride 17 make it similar to the Triumph 21—both shoes now have a PWRRUN+ midsole. The Ride 17 is heavier than the Triumph 21, but it’s cheaper and a great option for beginners thanks to the comfortable, protective ride.

I didn’t find the Ride 17 particularly versatile, and would mainly use it just for easy runs, but it does have a little bounce and would work as an all-rounder for newer runners who don’t have a running shoe rotation.

Read more in my Saucony Ride 17 review

I’ve a lot of affection for Saucony’s Triumph line—an earlier model was the shoe I used most when first starting out in the sport. The latest version is one of the best cushioned shoes available from any brand and while the Ride 17 is similar, I still slightly prefer the Triumph 21 as the lighter and more versatile of the two, though it is more expensive.

The Triumph 21 affords the legs good protection thanks to the large stack of cushioning in the midsole, and will work well for runners tackling their first long-distance events. Given how similar the Ride 17 is to the Triumph 21, I expect a major update with the Triumph 22, but for now the 21 is my favorite cushioned Saucony shoe.

Read more in my Saucony Triumph 21 review

There are many caveats to note with the Endorphin Elite. The two biggest are that it provides a pretty harsh ride and is expensive. However, for pure speed it’s the best racer Saucony has made. I found it a truly exhilarating shoe for races and fast training sessions. The Elite has a bouncier, firmer ride than the Endorphin Pro 4 and has a more aggressive rocker that propels you onto your toes. It’s fast and efficient, but beats up your feet more than the comparatively relaxing ride of the Pro 4. The Pro 4 is probably the better buy for most runners, especially for long distances, but if it works for you the Elite is the speediest shoe in Saucony’s line-up.

Read more in my Saucony Endorphin Elite review

Like the excellent Endorphin road shoes, the Endorphin Edge has a PWRRUN PB midsole, Saucony’s Speedroll rocker geometry and a carbon plate. To adapt the shoe to the trails, Saucony has used a Carbitex carbon fiber plate, which is more flexible than plates used in road shoes and so better suited to running on uneven ground. The Edge also has a more aggressive outsole to provide grip on varied terrain, and the upper is more protective than the thin mesh materials used on the Speed 3 and Pro 3. 

I only really felt the benefits of the plate and rocker in the Edge on relatively tame, hard and even trails, but it does provide a boost on those and it grips well and feels nimble enough on more technical tracks. It’s one of the best trail-running shoes available, and the best carbon shoe we’ve come across for off-road races, though the Hoka Tecton X2 is a close second and better on certain terrain.

Read more in my Saucony Endorphin Edge review

The Tempus is another shoe that not only tops its category within Saucony’s range, but is also the stand-out pick on the market at large. It’s a stable shoe that any runner will enjoy using, thanks to the midsole set-up that creates a bouncy, comfortable and stable ride that works well for a variety of training runs.

Instead of using traditional stability elements like a medial post, the Tempus has a firmer frame of PWRRUN foam around a bouncy PWRRUN PB core, a combo that creates its versatile and enjoyable ride. My main criticism of the shoe is that it’s quite pricy, and the Guide line from Saucony offers a cheaper option for stability-seeking runners.

The Tempus is my top pick in our round-up of the best stability running shoes, where you can also find out more info on this type of shoe in general.

Read more in my Saucony Tempus review

Once again Saucony has knocked it out of the park. The Xodus Ultra 2 is a versatile trail shoe that has become my favorite off-road option from any brand. It has Ultra in the name, and it’s designed to be comfortable over very long distances, but I enjoyed using it for pretty much any kind of run. Short, long, fast or slow, the Xodus Ultra 2 is terrific.

It has a similar midsole set-up to the Tempus road shoe, with a frame of firmer PWRRUN foam for stability, and a core of PWRRUN PB to deliver some bounce and help make the shoe pretty light considering the 4.5mm lugs on the outsole. Those lugs grip well on any surface except deep mud, where the Saucony Peregrine 13 would be a better option.

Read more in my Saucony Xodus Ultra 2 review

The Kinvara Pro has little in common with the classic Kinvara, which is a lightweight, low-drop shoe that eschews all the bells and whistles of modern trainers. The Pro version embraces those bells and whistles, with a ¾-length carbon plate and a high midsole stack that contains two different foams, with Saucony’s bouncy PWRRUN PB material as the top layer.

I didn’t love the Kinvara Pro. I found it heavy, and less enjoyable than the Endorphin Speed 3 for any kind of run. However, if you feel the Endorphin Speed or Pro shoes are too unstable and/or uncomfortable for you, the Kinvara Pro may be a more accessible carbon-plated alternative for a variety of runs.

Read more in my Saucony Kinvara Pro review

When updating popular, long-running shoe lines, many brands err on the side of caution and make small changes that verge on the imperceptible. That has not been the case with the last few generations of Saucony Kinvaras, which have seen the shoe shift to a cushioned daily training option. But this 12th edition reverts to type, delivering a low-drop, lightweight and speedy trainer that you can also race in. It fits true to size and looks sharp, too.

Compared with the 11, the Kinvara 12 is a firmer shoe that loses some bounce, delivering a ride that lets you feel the ground beneath your feet. The firmer feel is more in line with the earlier Kinvaras I tested (my first was the Kinvara 8), and the reversion to that ride will please many people who weren’t such fans of the softer Kinvara 11.

It does give the Kinvara 12 more of a kick when running fast, and the most enjoyable runs I’ve done in the shoe have been sessions doing short reps, either 400m or 60 seconds long. It’s without doubt a speedy shoe, and although the ride is firm, it doesn’t beat up your legs as much as a traditional racing flat with minimal cushioning.

See related

• The Best Running Shoes
• The Best Saucony Running Shoes For Every Type Of Runner

However, it’s still harder on the legs than a lot of other shoes. I did not enjoy using the Kinvara 12 for easy runs or longer tempo efforts. I’ve been spoiled by the new generation of shoes that combine the ability to handle a higher pace with a softer, bouncier ride: shoes like the Saucony Endorphin Speed or the Hoka Rocket X, both trainers you can race in that have plates (nylon in the Speed, carbon in the Rocket X) and softer, springier foam in the midsole.

There are also shoes without plates that are light and fast but have a more enjoyable ride than the Kinvara 12, like the Hoka Mach 4. The more comfortable ride of the Mach makes it versatile enough to do all your training in, and it matches the Kinvara 12 in the pace stakes.

Unless you have a real craving for the traditional feel and firm ride of the Kinvara it’s not a shoe I’d recommend. At £120 it’s a fair bit cheaper than the £155 Endorphin Speed, but the Hoka Mach 4 is around the same price.

Even if you do enjoy a firmer ride, the Brooks Hyperion Tempo is a better shoe than the Kinvara 12. It’s more suited to easy training runs while still bringing the heat in speed sessions.

The Kinvara 12 is not a bad shoe by any means, but it doesn’t stand out against better options available from other brands and Saucony itself.

Buy men’s from Saucony | Buy women’s from Saucony | £120

When a shoe reaches its tenth edition, that’s usually a good sign that it’s doing something right. The Kinvara has been an immensely popular shoe for Saucony since its launch a decade ago, with its lightweight, cushioned ride and 4mm heel-to-toe offset appealing to runners seeking a low-drop trainer that can handle a variety of runs.

I’ve run in one previous edition of the Kinvara – the 8 – which I found was especially good to wear on long steady runs, and the same holds true for the Kinvara 10.

The shoe weighs just 221g (men’s) or 190g (women’s), yet has a good stack of cushioning that makes for a fairly soft ride. However, the overwhelming feeling I associated with the ride is not softness, but how smooth it is in rolling through from heel to toe. It’s great on runs of any length where you’re working at a steady or easy pace, but shines over longer distances, where you positively eat up the miles while feeling like you’re cruising. And if you fancy upping the pace towards the end of a long run, the Kinvara feels quick enough to let you do just that.

It’s also very comfortable to wear. The mesh upper holds the foot in place without being oppressive and the FORMFIT contoured footbed also helps to envelop your foot in the shoe. I found there were no pressure points on my foot and the Kinvara wasn’t far off the plush feel of the Saucony Triumph ISO 5, which is purpose-built for comfortable cruising.

The ride and fit of the Kinvara combine to make it a solid option for long-distance racing. It doesn’t have the snap and responsive feel of something like the Adidas Boston 7 or Nike Zoom Fly Flyknit and I found it lacked a little oomph in short, speedy runs, but longer efforts at a good if not all-out pace feel great in the Kinvara.

To put its speed credentials to the test I took the Kinvara to the track for some 2km intervals as well as tackling a fast 10K, alternating between something like marathon pace and 10K pace for each kilometre. On both occasions I found that I was craving something a little faster on my foot, especially towards the end of the rep or workout. The Kinvara isn’t slow, but it doesn’t provide the propulsive feel of a true racer which you want at track session or for 5K and 10K races.

It will do a great job over a marathon distance, however, and would be good pick for half marathons as well, offering a balance of weight, comfort and cushioning, as well as that silky-smooth ride – perfect for long races.

Read more about this line in our reviews of the Saucony Kinvara 11 and Saucony Kinvara 12

When a shoe reaches its 11th edition, it’s a good sign that it’s doing something right. The Kinvara has been immensely popular since its launch over a decade ago, with its lightweight, cushioned ride and 4mm heel-to-toe offset appealing to runners seeking a low-drop trainer that can handle a variety of runs.

This is the third edition of the Kinvara that I’ve run in, having used and enjoyed running in the 8 and 10. With a new midsole material thrown into the mix for the 11 – Saucony’s bouncy and lightweight PWRRUN, which was the highlight of the Triumph 17 – I was excited about trying it.

That excitement only grew when I saw the shoe, because the blue colourway might be my favourite running shoe design ever. I know that’s a matter of taste and irrelevant to how it runs, but it’s fair to say I was rooting for the 11 to be a brilliant shoe on the basis that I wanted it in my rotation for its looks.

Fortunately the Kinvara 11 backed up its appearances with a top-quality ride. The last edition, the Kinvara 10, stood out for me by offering an incredibly smooth transition from heel to toe. That’s not the case with the 11: it has a bit more bounce instead, and also feels a little softer.

Bouncier and softer are good things in my book, but I’d also say the Kinvara 11 has moved the shoe more firmly into the training arena, whereas past Kinvaras have been all-rounders well-suited to racing, especially over long distances. The 11 is no slouch and still light at 233g (men’s), and it would make for a comfortable and quickish marathon shoe, but I found picking up the pace easier in the 10.

It’s a more enjoyable shoe to use for easy training, though, and still great for tempo and harder long runs too. The padded tongue and collar, plus the stretchy upper all combine with the underfoot cushioning to create a shoe that’s comfortable from top to bottom.

This all makes the Kinvara 11 a lightweight and comfortable daily trainer, but there is increased competition in that area from shoes that are also better for fast running. Chief among these is the Nike Pegasus Turbo 2, which is also soft and bouncy but feels quicker too. Admittedly the Turbo 2 is expensive at £159.95, compared with £115 for the Kinvara 11, but there’s also the Hoka One One Rincon at £105, which is another excellent shoe that’s lightweight, cushioned and fast. The Rincon also has a low heel-to-toe drop – 5mm, similar to the 4mm of the Kinvara – and I’d certainly lean towards the Hoka if I was picking between the two shoes as a versatile trainer.

If you’ve loved the Kinvara in the past, the new edition does tweak the formula to be more of a trainer than a trainer-racer but it’s not so drastically different that I’d recommend steering clear – it’s still a great shoe to pull on day to day. If you’ve no experience of this line, however, I’d say the Hoka Rincon offers a faster ride while still being comfortable to use for easy runs.

Running shoes can come a cropper when they try to appeal to too many different people. Different runners want different things, whether that’s the amount of cushioning a shoe has, or its overall weight, or its offset – the difference in height between the heel and forefoot. A shoe that seeks the middle ground can result in a shoe that no-one especially wants.

Fortunately, this is not the case with the versatile Saucony Kinvara 8, which has always enjoyed a large fanbase. The neutral, low-offset (4mm) shoe is comfortable to wear for all kinds of running, with a plush tongue, heel padding and enough cushioning packed into a 224g frame (men’s size 9) that you can head out for longer runs without fear of putting your legs through undue stress.

I’ve never tended to use low-offset shoes but the Kinvara 8 was comfortable from the first run onwards. The ride was smooth, especially when I picked up the pace but also on long weekend plods. Despite its slightly bulky appearance, the Kinvara 8 is light, responsive and eminently suitable for fast training runs or races.

If you prefer a low-offset shoe, the Kinvara 8’s good chunk of cushioning makes it especially well-suited to races of half marathon distance and above. A common worry at these distances is choosing a shoe that’s not so weighty as to slow you down, but with enough cushioning that you can complete the distance in (relative) comfort. The Kinvara 8 should solve this problem for many runners.

The upper is thin and breathable, with Saucony’s internal strap system securing the midfoot in place. If you prefer a completely loose upper this might feel a bit tight, but I found the extra security comfortable.

With the Kinvara 8, Saucony has maintained the good name of the Kinvara line and produced a fine all-rounder that will fit the needs of almost any runner who prefers a low-offset shoe.

If you are keen to move to a low-offset shoe, the bounteous cushioning and smooth ride make the Kinvara 8 a great first option to start the transition.

Read more about this line in our reviews of the Saucony Kinvara 10, Saucony Kinvara 11 and Saucony Kinvara 12