Type a shoe name, like Pegasus, Clifton or Kayano.

Saucony Kinvara Pro

Racing · Neutral · Road · 8.7 oz · 8mm drop · 42/34mm stack

Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock.

How it ranks

The Saucony Kinvara Pro ranks among the stronger racing shoes in our data. Cushioning and looks are its strongest sub-ratings. Value scores well below its other sub-ratings. The rating rests on 19 runner reviews.

Saucony Kinvara Pro

of 5

Good

89/100
Overall
89
Cushioning
89
Appearance
87
Comfort
86
Durability
79
Value
78
Confidence

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 will score low when we have few ratings or when runners disagree.

Confidence

87/100

87

What runners say

“Like running on a cloud and the carbon plate rolls you forward and aids in propulsion”
3/5 Full review 7 mpw training for 5K and 10K came from the Saucony Kinvara 12
“It is springy but light, and extremely comfortable”
5/5 Full review 80 mpw training for ultramarathons
“The lack of outsole rubber leads to below average durability”
3/5 Full review 7 mpw training for 5K and 10K came from the Saucony Kinvara 12
“Plenty of cushioning and stability which makes it great for any type of run”
4/5 Full review 35 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike ZoomX Invincible Run 3
“The shoe is big and feels a bit clunky at faster speeds”
3/5 Full review 7 mpw training for 5K and 10K came from the Saucony Kinvara 12
“I need support in a straight last, stiff shoe. They are hard to find. I love this shoe.”
4/5 Full review 25 mpw training for a half marathon came from the HOKA Gaviota 5
“I've never felt so fresh after a long run as I have in these shoes”
3/5 Full review 7 mpw training for 5K and 10K came from the Saucony Kinvara 12
“This shoe is a great fit”
5/5 Full review 80 mpw training for ultramarathons
“The carbon plate makes slowing down and cornering difficult”
3/5 Full review 7 mpw training for 5K and 10K came from the Saucony Kinvara 12
“I would not recommend running on uneven surfaces in the shoe”
3/5 Full review 7 mpw training for 5K and 10K came from the Saucony Kinvara 12

Prefer this shoe over another

40% 2/5

Where to buy

No offers available

Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.

Prices updated daily. Last checked Sep 14.


Pros

  • Reviewers praise the cushioning for long, easy and recovery runs.
  • Two reviewers say the plate rolls them forward, one using it for tempo runs.
  • 8.7 oz with a 42mm heel stack, light for the cushioning.

Cons

  • Durability is its lowest-rated dimension, and one reviewer blames the lack of outsole rubber.
  • One reviewer finds it clunky at faster speeds and hard to corner in, despite the Pro branding.

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.

Confidence
50 60 70 80 90 100 25 50 75 100

Better Shoes Rating

Kinvara Pro rates 89. This shoe has high certainty. See how we rate shoes.

Reader Ratings

19 ratings
5/5 11
4/5 7
3/5 1
2/5 0
1/5 0

Specs & fit

Sizing and ride details at a glance.

Weight
8.7 oz
Release
2023 Q3
MSRP
$180
Stack Height
42mm heel - 34mm toe
Drop Height
8mm

Runner reviews

Write a review

Showing 1–5 of 8 written reviews

The most cushioned shoe I've had

3/5

Overall

The Kinvara Pro is like running on a cloud and the carbon plate rolls you forward and aids in propulsion. I've never felt so fresh after a long run as I have in these shoes. Getting used to the carbon plate takes a few runs. I had arch pain after the first few runs but adapted after that. The shoe is big and feels a bit clunky at faster speeds. The carbon plate makes slowing down and cornering difficult. The high cushioning, stiffness, and higher drop than I am used to contributed to me twisting my ankle when I stepped in a rut while slowing down and turning. I would not recommend running on uneven surfaces in the shoe. The high cushioning makes this shoe ideal for long or recovery runs. Don't be fooled by the carbon plate or the Pro branding, this shoe is too clunky for serious racing. If you race in a carbon plated shoe, this can be a good trainer for getting used to a carbon plate. The lack of outsole rubber leads to below average durability. I use the shoe in rotation with other trainers for longer and easy runs. Aside from cushioning, this shoe doesn't excel in anything.

Anonymous runner · Jun 30, 2024

7 mpw training for 5K and 10K came from the Saucony Kinvara 12

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

Reader review

5/5

Overall

Anonymous runner · Jun 15, 2024

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

A shoe for any type of run.

4/5

Overall

The Kinvara Pro has plenty of cushioning and stability which makes it great for any type of run you may wish to do.   I’ve done easy runs in it and totally enjoyed the PB cushioning while still having that roll to keep my tired legs going. I’ve also done tempo runs using the bounce of the PB and the aggressive roll off of the toe.  

Michael Green · Dec 6, 2023

35 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike ZoomX Invincible Run 3

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

Reader review

4/5

Overall

Anonymous runner · Dec 3, 2023

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

Stability, Motion Control, and Stiff is hard to find

4/5

Overall

I need support, in a straight last, stiff shoe. They are hard to find. I love this shoe!

Anonymous runner · Dec 3, 2023

25 mpw training for a half marathon came from the HOKA Gaviota 5

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

Alternatives

Other shoes worth considering.

More from Saucony

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Current shoe
Choose a model
Reference shoe
Lightest / Newest / Lowest price
Best overall / Best comfort / Best cushioning
Shoe properties
Type
Racing
Racing
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
8.7 oz M
7.7 oz M Lightest
8.5 oz M
Stack
42/34mm
40/35mm
Drop
8mm
8mm
5mm
Release
2023 Q3
2024 Q1 Newest
2023 Q1
MSRP
$180
$295
$145
Best price
$142.82 Lowest price
$149.99
Ratings
Overall
Good (89)
Exceptional (99)
Exceptional (99) Best overall
Comfort
Good (86)
Excellent (95)
Exceptional (99) Best comfort
Cushioning
Good (89)
Exceptional (97)
Exceptional (99) Best cushioning
Durability
Decent (79)
Below average (64)
Very good (92) Best durability
Appearance
Good (87)
Excellent (96) Best appearance
Very good (91)
Value
Decent (78)
Good (84)
Good (88) Best value
Specific shoe

Search for the exact model to add to this comparison.