Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 7.6 oz (men's) · 24/20mm stack · 4mm drop
Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The Saucony Kinvara 6 replaced it
How it ranks
The Saucony Kinvara 5 is one of the strongest daily trainers in our data. Comfort and value are its strongest sub-ratings. Durability scores well below its other sub-ratings. The rating is based on 128 runner reviews and 14 other rated shoes in the Kinvara product line.
Confidence
How settled the rating is against every other rated shoe. A shoe can rate high on confidence with relatively few reviews of its own when its product line has a long record and external ratings from retailer sites agree. Confidence is low when we have few ratings or when runners disagree.
Confidence
100 Very high
Based on
The bars show roughly how much each source contributes to this shoe’s rating. Their influence depends on how many reviews we’ve collected, how many earlier versions are in the product line, and the external ratings available.
“Tears occur on every pair on both sides of the toe box where the foot flexes.”
“Toe box is just a little bit too short unless I wear really thin socks and even then taking it on 12+ km runs is a blister-risk.”
“On trails, the shoe might last two-three months before they begin to rip across the sides and in various places on the front.”
“The mesh is very breathable yet durable and not prone to ripping unlike the mesh of the Kinvara 4.”
“With added cushioning, able to run in this shoe as a recovery shoe up to about 400 miles versus Kinvara 4 at 275-300.”
“Light weight (7.7 oz) and low drop (4mm) give it versatility as both a racing shoe (10k-Marathon) and daily mileage trainer.”
“Holes develop pretty quickly around the toe area.”
“Light with just enough cushioning and versatile enough to run a 5k or a marathon in.”
“Pieces of the outsole started to fall off as early as 180 miles.”
“The heel tab is nice and low and the liner in the heel area is super soft and still quite durable.”
“Allows running fast but provides enough cushioning to double as an everyday training shoe.”
“Previous editions would split from the side along the pinky toe.”
“Improved with a more durable and plush upper without compromising the weight.”
“Don't get much more than 200-250 miles from a pair.”
“The shoe is very light and pretty flexible, which really helps enjoy the surface being run on.”
“New model seems to have fixed tearing of fabric where the shoe flexes.”
“Prone to tearing on the upper, including midfoot area.”
“Great binding that locks in the foot while giving lots of room to breathe.”
“Toes started tearing up the sides of the toe box after a couple hundred miles.”
“After 300 miles, the mesh is shredded but the shoe still feels good to run in.”
“Don't wear on the bottom very fast, but the mesh top isn't very durable.”
“Very smooth without a ton of cushioning.”
“Got about 450 miles out of them.”
“Well cushioned, lightweight, with minimal heel to toe drop.”
“Put about 600 miles on them.”
“Got 500-600 miles.”
“Lightweight with 4mm heel-toe drop.”
50% 58/115
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Prices updated daily. Last checked Oct 23.
Rating & Confidence vs. other shoes for sale
Each dot is one rated shoe for sale, placed by its rating and by how much evidence sits behind it. Shoes toward the top right are both well rated and well established.
Better Shoes Rating
Each dot is one version of the Kinvara, placed by its rating and release year. The gold dot is this shoe.
Release year
2025 · 3 reviews
87 Good
85 Confidence
2024 · 13 reviews
83 Good
86 Confidence
2023 · 49 reviews
84 Good
97 Confidence
2022 · 36 reviews
78 Decent
96 Confidence
2021 · 6 reviews
84 Good
86 Confidence
2020 · 7 reviews
77 Decent
87 Confidence
2019 · 51 reviews
91 Very good
99 Confidence
2018 · 55 reviews
80 Good
99 Confidence
2017 · 57 reviews
81 Good
100 Confidence
2016 · 21 reviews
93 Excellent
98 Confidence
2015 · 8 reviews
89 Good
94 Confidence
Kinvara 5 This shoe
2014 · 128 reviews
91 Very good
100 Confidence
2013 · 129 reviews
71 Decent
100 Confidence
2012 · 11 reviews
86 Good
94 Confidence
2011 · 3 reviews
62 Below average
89 Confidence
Sizing and ride details at a glance.
5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Sep 15, 2014
55 mpw training for a marathon
5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Sep 14, 2014
25 mpw training for a half marathon
4/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Sep 14, 2014
50 mpw training for a half marathon
4/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Sep 13, 2014
50 mpw training for a half marathon
5/5
Overall
runreno19 · Sep 10, 2014
60 mpw training for a marathon
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