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Saucony

Kinvara 5

Kinvara 5
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road
Excellent (96%)

Shoe details

Weight
7.6 oz
Release
2014
MSRP
$100
Stack Height
24mm heel - 20mm 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%)

Comfort

Excellent (96%)

Value

Very good (85%)

Cushioning

Good (78%)

Appearance

Good (76%)

Durability

Bottom tier (<1%)

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 73% of 10 kinvara family ranked.

Good (73%)

Saucony

Better than 93% of 206 Saucony shoes ranked.

Excellent (93%)

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Reviewers rate this shoe better than the Kinvara 14.
  • One of the most popular shoes among LetsRun.com readers.
  • Rated among the top 5% of shoes overall.
  • Rated among the top 5% of shoes on comfort.

Cons

  • A majority of reviewers like this shoe less than their last shoe.
  • Rated below average on cushioning.
  • Rated among the bottom 10% of shoes on durability.

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Saucony Kinvara 5
Saucony Kinvara 16
adidas adiSTAR 4
Kinvara 5
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
7.6 oz M
—
—
Stack
24/20mm
—
—
Drop
4mm
—
—
Release
2014
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
Good (78%)
Exceptional (99%)
Exceptional (99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Bottom tier (0%)
Exceptional (99%)
Exceptional (100%) Best durability
Appearance
Good (76%)
Exceptional (99%)
Exceptional (99%) Best appearance
Value
Very good (85%)
Exceptional (100%) Best value
Exceptional (100%)
Specific shoe

Search for the exact model to add to this comparison.

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Reader Reviews

128 reader reviews

Review a shoe

Showing 1–5 of 128 reviews

Saucony Kinvara 5-Deserved Its Hype

Anonymous runner · Sep 28, 2025

5/5

Overall

I got this shoe a little after it came out and it has lasted me all the years since. I haven't used it as much as my other shoes, but that's mainly due to its speed in races. Overall I've logged around 200 miles in them and left them to sit in a closet otherwise, but neither time nor wear have seemed to give them any turmoil. I have set PRs in this shoe for 5k and used it for many tempo runs and workouts that were some of the best workouts I'd experienced. An overall great shoe that I wish I had used more often for longer races (especially a half) and workouts.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Nice light, neutral ride, but uppers shred with less than 200 miles' use

Anonymous runner · Sep 28, 2025

4/5

Overall

Bought this earlier Kinvara version because it was available for a great price. I've been wearing Kinvaras since 2012. A versatile shoe for regular runs and races for anything over 10k. I'd rate this version middle-high among model editions... fit, cushioning, and lacing were improved over some versions (3 and 4 seemed to be problematic to me). The uppers not holding up was still a problem-- I had big-toe holes just before 200 miles, and some light pulling and shredding of the side mesh near the arch noticeable at about 250 miles. Hard rubber covering the foam of the rear right was also starting to go, but that might be more related to my gait. I'll be able to milk out another 50 miles or so to get this pair to the low-end of typical shoe life for me (300-400 miles). A good shoe that works well for me, but uppers not durable, making them frustrating, having experienced what Saucony shoes can be at their best.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
2/5
Appearance
3/5
Value
3/5

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Sep 28, 2025

5/5

Overall

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

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Sep 28, 2025

5/5

Overall

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

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Sep 28, 2025

5/5

Overall

Comfort
1/5
Durability
1/5
Appearance
1/5
Value
1/5