Kinvara 9
M J · Sep 28, 2025
5/5
Overall
Best training and racing shoe ever for road and trails.
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 5/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 5/5
Saucony
Kinvara 9
Daily trainer
· Neutral
· Road
Excellent (95%)
- Weight
- 7.6 oz
- Release
- 2018 Q1
- MSRP
- $110
- Stack Height
- 23mm heel - 19mm toe
- Drop Height
- 4mm
Excellent (95%)
overall
Shoe details
- Weight
- 7.6 oz
- Release
- 2018 Q1
- MSRP
- $110
- Stack Height
- 23mm heel - 19mm toe
- Drop Height
- 4mm
Ratings & Reviews
Excellent (95%)
Rated better overall than 95% of all shoes.
?
This score rates better than 95% 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 (95%)
Value
Exceptional (99%)
Comfort
Exceptional (97%)
Appearance
Good (79%)
Cushioning
Average (49%)
Durability
Bottom tier (14%)
Comparison set
Rating
All Running Shoes
Better than 95% of 2,492 running shoes ranked.
Excellent (95%)
Daily Trainers
Better than 95% of 1,818 daily trainers ranked.
Excellent (95%)
Kinvara Family
Better than 67% of 10 kinvara family ranked.
Above average (67%)
Saucony
Better than 92% of 206 Saucony shoes ranked.
Excellent (92%)
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Most reviewers like this shoe more than their last shoe.
- 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
- Reviewers rate this shoe worse than the Kinvara 8.
- Rated below average on cushioning.
- Rated below average on durability.
Compared to other shoes
See how this shoe compares to others like it.
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
23/19mm
—
—
Drop
4mm
—
—
Release
2018 Q1
2025 Q2
2025 Q3
Newest
MSRP
$110
—
—
Best price
—
$129.95
Lowest price
$139.95
Ratings
Overall
Excellent (95%)
Exceptional (100%)
Best overall
Exceptional (100%)
Comfort
Excellent (97%)
Exceptional (100%)
Best comfort
Exceptional (100%)
Cushioning
Average (49%)
Exceptional (99%)
Exceptional (99%)
Best cushioning
Durability
Bottom tier (14%)
Exceptional (99%)
Exceptional (100%)
Best durability
Appearance
Good (79%)
Exceptional (99%)
Exceptional (99%)
Best appearance
Value
Exceptional (99%)
Exceptional (100%)
Best value
Exceptional (100%)
Where to buy
No offers available
Check back soon for deals
Better alternatives
Higher-rated shoes similar to this one
Kinvara 16
Daily trainer
$129.95
100th percentile
+5% vs this shoe
adiSTAR 4
Daily trainer
$139.95
100th percentile
+5% vs this shoe
Cloudsurfer Max
Daily trainer
$129.88
100th percentile
+5% vs this shoe
Clifton 9
Daily trainer
$131.96
99th percentile
+4% vs this shoe
Wave Rider 29
Daily trainer
$149.95
99th percentile
+4% vs this shoe
Triumph 23
Daily trainer
$134.96
98th percentile
+3% vs this shoe
More from Saucony
Reader Reviews
55 reader reviews
Showing 1–5 of 55 reviews
Excellent Trainers and Race Shoes
Anonymous runner · Sep 28, 2025
5/5
Overall
Bought my first pair about a year ago and liked them so much I bought 3 more pairs. Great shoe to train in, very light compared to some of the other trainers out there, and responsive enough to race in.
- Comfort
- 4/5
- Cushioning
- 4/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 5/5
Light And Fast - Saucony Kinvara 9
Anonymous runner · Sep 28, 2025
5/5
Overall
When I first got this shoe it felt different from every other shoe I've ran in. It was light, springy and so breathable, especially compared to my Asics Gel Nimbus's which I wore before the Kinvara's. I instantly fell in love with lighter shoes that don't have any unnecessary padding all over the shoe. I felt comfortable wearing them in heat, on faster repeats and on slower long runs of up to 10 miles. These shoes opened my eyes to the wonders of more minimal shoes. They lack in cushioning, but that's a plus for me. And besides for some discomfort in the arches of my feet due to the strange material they used under the middle laces, I've never felt more comfortable and in control. I found these shoes on discount for around $75 and over the past 100+ miles they have been worth every penny. If you like lighter shoes that don't mess around with unnecessary cushioning, that can take whatever road (and even some flatter trail) runs or workouts you throw at them, than these will undoubtedly be high on your list of top choices.
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 3/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 5/5
Great shoe
Anonymous runner · Sep 28, 2025
5/5
Overall
Great shoe for my needs
- Comfort
- 4/5
- Cushioning
- 3/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 5/5
kinvara 9
Anonymous runner · Sep 28, 2025
5/5
Overall
best shoe so far I can't complain about. provides cushoning and comfort for my feet thus minimizing injuries
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 5/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 5/5