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Saucony

Kinvara 3

Shoe image placeholder
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road
Excellent (96%)

Shoe details

Weight
7.9 oz
Release
2012
MSRP
$100
Stack Height
23mm heel - 19mm toe
Drop Height
4mm

Ratings & Reviews

Excellent (96%)

Rated better overall than 96% of all shoes.
?

This score rates better than 96% of other shoes we judged.

Our ratings use detailed reviews from knowledgeable runners, ratings for shoes in the same product line, and reliable product information from trusted retailers.

Rating breakdown

Percentile vs. all shoes. Shaded bars reflect our uncertainty.
?

Rankings are based on real review data, but there is always some uncertainty.

The shaded bar shows a plausible range for this shoe’s rank based on the review data we have and normal variation in runner feedback. More reviews usually narrow the range.

Overall

Excellent (96%)

Value

Exceptional (99%)

Comfort

Excellent (96%)

Cushioning

Above average (62%)

Appearance

Above average (61%)

Durability

Bottom tier (5%)

All Running Shoes

Better than 96% of 2,492 running shoes ranked.

Excellent (96%)

Daily Trainers

Better than 97% of 1,818 daily trainers ranked.

Exceptional (97%)

Kinvara Family

Better than 80% of 10 kinvara family ranked.

Very good (80%)

Saucony

Better than 95% of 206 Saucony shoes ranked.

Excellent (95%)

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Reviewers rate this shoe better than the Kinvara 14.
  • Popular shoe among LetsRun.com readers.
  • Rated among the top 5% of shoes overall.
  • Rated among the top 10% of shoes on comfort.
  • Rated among the top 25% of shoes on cushioning.

Cons

  • Several of reviewers reported getting injured in this shoe.
  • Rated below average on durability.

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Shoe image placeholder
Saucony Kinvara 16
adidas adiSTAR 4
Kinvara 3
Kinvara 16
adiSTAR 4
Current shoe
Reference shoe
Lowest price / Best overall / Best comfort
Newest / Best cushioning / Best durability
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
7.9 oz M
—
—
Stack
23/19mm
—
—
Drop
4mm
—
—
Release
2012
2025 Q2
2025 Q3 Newest
MSRP
$100
—
—
Best price
—
$129.95 Lowest price
$139.95
Ratings
Overall
Excellent (97%)
Exceptional (100%) Best overall
Exceptional (100%)
Comfort
Excellent (96%)
Exceptional (100%) Best comfort
Exceptional (100%)
Cushioning
Above average (62%)
Exceptional (99%)
Exceptional (99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Bottom tier (5%)
Exceptional (99%)
Exceptional (100%) Best durability
Appearance
Above average (61%)
Exceptional (99%)
Exceptional (99%) Best appearance
Value
Exceptional (99%)
Exceptional (100%) Best value
Exceptional (100%)
Specific shoe

Search for the exact model to add to this comparison.

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Reader Reviews

11 reader reviews

Review a shoe

Showing 1–5 of 11 reviews

Outdated Kinvara

YourMom.Com · Sep 28, 2025

4/5

Overall

Decent cushion for a low heel-toe drop shoe. Good if you want cushion, bad if you want firm stiff and more ground feel. Light but sacrifices durability. Foam sole will wear down fast. I like the shoe so bought several of these older models.
Comfort
4/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
3/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
5/5

Best Shoe of All Time

PrimalCabbage · Sep 28, 2025

5/5

Overall

This is often listed amongst the best shoes ever made for a reason. Extremely comfortable and a high quality, no frills trainer that is unbelievably versatile.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Sep 28, 2025

5/5

Overall

Comfort
5/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
5/5

Reader review

kc1223 · Sep 28, 2025

5/5

Overall

Excellent Shoe. Love the 4mm drop. Great cushioning whilst maintaining light weight.
Comfort
5/5
Durability
3/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
5/5

Reader review

ajlesser · Sep 28, 2025

5/5

Overall

This is the 3rd generation of Kinvara I have trained in. Version 3i has been my favorite of the 3. I tend to average more miles than most seem to get out of these shoes. I have raced my last 3 marathons in Kinvara 3s.
Comfort
5/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5