Saucony Kinvara 9

Name: Saucony Kinvara 9
Brand: Saucony
Rating: 4.6 (55 reviews)

Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 7.2 oz · 23/19mm stack · 4mm drop

Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The Saucony Kinvara 10 replaced it

How it ranks

The Saucony Kinvara 9 ranks among the stronger daily trainers in our data. Value and comfort are its strongest sub-ratings. Durability scores well below its other sub-ratings. The rating is based on 55 runner reviews and 14 other rated shoes in the Kinvara product line.

Good

Overall

Good 80

Value

Exceptional 98

Comfort

Very good 92

Appearance

Good 86

Cushioning

Decent 74

Durability

Below average 64

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.

See the product line's history

Confidence

99 Very high

Very high 99

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.

Product line track record
Our ratings
External ratings

What runners say

“Super light and responsive and bouncy, with excellent cushioning.”

5/5 Full review 30 mpw training for a marathon came from the Saucony Kinvara 7

“Breaks down faster than other trainers; needs replacement within 2 months at 50-60 mpw.”

5/5 Full review 50 mpw came from the Mizuno Wave Rider 19

“No hole in toe mesh at retirement; previous models had this problem in 1/3 of cases.”

4/5 Full review 28 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Saucony Kinvara 5

“Great freedom of movement like a minimalistic shoe, but without losing cushioning.”

5/5 Full review 30 mpw training for a marathon came from the Saucony Kinvara 7

“Has less cushioning than K8; causes foot and joint pain in training.”

4/5 Full review 30 mpw came from the Saucony Kinvara 8

“Only 300 miles before the shoe is crushed.”

5/5 Full review 40 mpw training for a half marathon came from the New Balance 1500 v2

“Lightweight feel; helped resolve shin injuries over time.”

5/5 Full review 40 mpw training for middle distance came from the Brooks Ghost 10

“Don't last long; expect 250-300 miles.”

4/5 Full review 65 mpw training for a half marathon came from the New Balance Fresh Foam Zante v3

“Rips on inside cloth after 2-3 months, irritating feet.”

3/5 Full review 40 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Brooks Launch 5

“Wear out quickly; little life after 300-400 miles.”

4/5 Full review 60 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 34

“Versatile workhorse handling high mileage, speed work, and long distance.”

5/5 Full review 60 mpw training for ultramarathons came from the Brooks Pure Flow 4

“Got over 1000 miles on these shoes.”

5/5 Full review 42 mpw training for a marathon came from the HOKA Clayton 2

“Light, springy and breathable compared to heavier shoes.”

5/5 Full review 30 mpw training for a half marathon came from the ASICS GEL-Nimbus 20

“Light, cushioned without being spongy; fits high-arched feet well.”

4/5 Full review 28 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Saucony Kinvara 5

“More springy than before with a roomier toe box.”

5/5 Full review 30 mpw training for a marathon came from the Saucony Kinvara 7

“Outlasts K8 model; still usable at 350 miles vs. K8's 200-250.”

5/5 Full review 55 mpw training for a marathon

“Run tight; go half size up.”

3/5 Full review 40 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Brooks Launch 5

“Spot on the laces gives blisters.”

2/5 Full review 110 mpw training for a marathon came from the Saucony Kinvara 8

“Discomfort in the arches from strange material under middle laces.”

5/5 Full review 30 mpw training for a half marathon came from the ASICS GEL-Nimbus 20

“Never felt heavy or too thin from 5K to 100-mile ultras; still usable at 400+ miles.”

5/5 Full review 60 mpw training for ultramarathons came from the Brooks Pure Flow 4

“Lightweight at 7.6 oz, 4mm drop, with just enough cushioning.”

4/5 Full review 65 mpw training for a half marathon came from the New Balance Fresh Foam Zante v3

“Wear down quickly and need frequent replacement.”

4/5 Full review 35 mpw training for a marathon came from the Brooks Launch 5

“Run small; go up half a size from street shoe size.”

4/5 Full review 28 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Saucony Kinvara 5

“After 1000K, shoe feels really flat.”

4/5 Full review 40 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Saucony Kinvara 7

“Improved durability but less flexible.”

4/5 Full review 30 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 35

“Not plush or high support; upper is bare bones.”

4/5 Full review 40 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Saucony Kinvara 7

“Traction lacking for trails.”

4/5 Full review 30 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 35

Prefer this shoe over another

38% 31/81

Where to buy

No offers available

Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.

Prices updated daily. Last checked Oct 22.

Pros

Reviewers use it for everything from easy days to marathon racing.
At 7.6 oz reviewers find it light but still cushioned.
Many reviewers find the toe box roomy and the fit comfortable.

Cons

Several runners say the midsole flattens by 300 to 400 miles.
Some reviewers find the cushioning thin for long, slow runs.
Three reviewers order half a size up, though fifty-two of fifty-five call the fit true to size.

Kinvara 9 rates 80. This shoe has very high confidence. See how we rate shoes.

Better Shoes Rating of prior versions of the Saucony Kinvara

Each dot is one version of the Kinvara, placed by its rating and release year. The gold dot is this shoe.

Rating

40 60 80 100

62 2011 86 71 2013 91 89 2015 93 81 80 2018 91 77 84 2021 78 84 2023 83 87 2025

Release year

We use the reviews of past versions to inform this shoe’s rating. See why.

Kinvara 16

2025 · 3 reviews

87 Good

85 Confidence
Kinvara 15

2024 · 13 reviews

83 Good

86 Confidence
Kinvara 14

2023 · 49 reviews

84 Good

97 Confidence
Kinvara 13

2022 · 36 reviews

78 Decent

96 Confidence
Kinvara 12

2021 · 6 reviews

84 Good

86 Confidence
Kinvara 11

2020 · 7 reviews

77 Decent

87 Confidence
Kinvara 10

2019 · 51 reviews

91 Very good

99 Confidence
Kinvara 9 This shoe

2018 · 55 reviews

80 Good

99 Confidence
Kinvara 8

2017 · 57 reviews

81 Good

100 Confidence
Kinvara 7

2016 · 21 reviews

93 Excellent

98 Confidence
Kinvara 6

2015 · 8 reviews

89 Good

94 Confidence
Kinvara 5

2014 · 128 reviews

91 Very good

100 Confidence
Kinvara 4

2013 · 129 reviews

71 Decent

100 Confidence
Kinvara 3

2012 · 11 reviews

86 Good

94 Confidence
Kinvara 2

2011 · 3 reviews

62 Below average

89 Confidence

Runner Ratings

55 ratings

5/5 36

4/5 17

3/5 1

2/5 1

1/5 0

See written reviews Write a review

Specs & fit

Sizing and ride details at a glance.

Weight: 7.2 oz
Men's / women's: Men's 7.6 oz · Women's 6.8 oz
Release: 2018 Q1
MSRP: $110
Stack: 23/19mm
Drop: 4mm

Runner reviews

Write a review

A solid training shoe that doesn't last long.

5/5

Overall

The Kinvara is my favorite training shoe, as it feels fast and light. However, it comes with a significant drawback. It breaks down significantly faster than any other trainer I've tried, and ends up feeling like you need a replacement within just 2 months of moderate volume (50-60 mpw). Typically, I can squeeze 3-4 months out of the wave rider, for reference. This means the value isn't really there, as it already comes with a stiff price.

Anonymous runner · Jul 12, 2018

50 mpw came from the Mizuno Wave Rider 19

Comfort: 5/5
Cushioning: 2/5
Durability: 2/5
Appearance: 4/5
Value: 3/5

4/5

Overall

Lucysdad · Jul 12, 2018

Comfort: 5/5
Cushioning: 5/5
Durability: 4/5
Appearance: 4/5
Value: 3/5

Great Daily Trainer and Marathon Shoe

5/5

Overall

Rotated this shoe in toward the end of training for my first Marathon. Used for long marathon pace runs (10-12 miles) and long runs. I put about 150 miles on them before I wore them for the Marathon. I enjoyed the Kinvara 8 and still have a pair in the rotation, but there were noticeable improvements in cushioning and flexibility with the 9. Fit remained largely the same, but the integration of the tongue into the upper (more like the freedom) was an improvement. After 300 miles on the K9s they were relegated to short easy runs (have 350 on them now), the K8s would have been relegated to shorter runs at 200-250 miles and retired at 300 miles. I have 100 miles on another pair and will continue to use these for long easy and tempo runs. For me these are the perfect daily trainer and wear them for 50-75% of my mileage on any given week (between 2 pairs) .

Anonymous runner · Jul 7, 2018

55 mpw training for a marathon

Comfort: 5/5
Cushioning: 5/5
Durability: 3/5
Appearance: 4/5
Value: 5/5

great shoe for easy runs

4/5

Overall

I run about 8:00 pace on my easy days, almost always on dirt trails or grass. I like the Kinvaras because they (a) are lightweight (7.6 ounces); (b) have a minimal drop (4mm); and (c) have just enough cushioning. The shoes aren't particularly firm, so I wouldn't use the shoe for fast road running or racing. But they are excellent for plodding along on easy days, especially if you like to stick to the soft surfaces. The main drawback is that they don't last particularly long -- I'd expect to get 250-300 miles out of them, but you can usually find an older model for $60, making the shoes an overall excellent value.

Milton Friedman · Jul 3, 2018

65 mpw training for a half marathon came from the New Balance Fresh Foam Zante v3

Comfort: 5/5
Cushioning: 5/5
Durability: 3/5
Appearance: 4/5
Value: 5/5

like nb zante

5/5

Overall

Used to run in NB Zante and picked these up. Like a shoe with a more responsive feel so was pleasantly surprised. The old kinvara felt way too soft and flat.

Piraat · Jul 3, 2018

80 mpw training for a half marathon came from the New Balance Fresh Foam Zante v4