Saucony ProGrid Kinvara Review

A lot has been said in recent times about the fact that humans should be running with a more midfoot/forefoot strike. In certain segments of the running community this certainly has taken a firm hold. A midfoot/forefoot strike is said to make for more efficient running and is said to significantly reduce the risk of injury.

Recently launched in South Africa the new Saucony ProGrid Kinvara is one such shoe that was designed to facilitate a midfoot/forefoot strike. Classified as a neutral lightweight trainer the Kinvara is light (218g) and although it may be frowned upon by die-hard minimalist runners for its 14mm forefoot, there is only a 4mm drop from heel (18mm) to forefoot.

This shoe is ideal for those who are looking to experiment with a more midfoot/forefoot running style. I would actually say that this is the perfect (if not only) shoe for those looking to make the transition from traditional running shoes to racer/minimalist shoes. The Saucony Kinvaras are an excellent choice for the “first time minimalist runner”.

Although this shoe might not look like much or even feel like much when you put it on at first, it just gets better the moment you use it for what it was intended for.

Someone asked me what I thought about the Kinvaras after my first run in them. My response:

“At first I wasn’t totally convinced… until I ran in them.”

Yes it is extremely flexible and lightweight/minimalistic, but Saucony have designed a shoe that somehow manages to offer enough support and cushioning to use this shoe for your daily runs.

If you are looking for something a little more supportive however, I’ll let you in on a little secret. Saucony will be introducing the Saucony ProGrid Mirage in 2011, which is basically the Kinvara’s successor, with a heel cup and torsion support added for those who are still not totally convinced.

The Saucony ProGrid Kinvaras are exceptional running shoes. If this whole minimalist running thing has got you confused and you’re not sure which way to turn for your next pair of shoes, I would strongly suggest that you try the Kinvaras.

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