For the next month or two, I'm gonna be doing mostly Track work mixed in with road miles because there aren't any trails where I live. After that I'm gonna focus on mileage for XC. Which shoe will be better suited for me? Currently an 800/1500M runner, then preparing for XC. And approximately how many miles does each shoe have in them? I'm currently using Lunarglide +2's.
Go with the Kinvaras. They are seriously a sick ass shoe. I've probably never been happier with a running shoe and I'll never go back to anything else.
If I do decide to go Saucony, I'm gonna get the Kinvara 2's that came out recently. Have you tried any of the Free Run series, and if so, can you give a reason as to why you prefer the Kinvaras over the Frees?
I wear the Frees before the Kinvaras came out. There are pretty much two main reasons why I like the Kinvaras over the Frees.
1) Heel to toe drop. Even though the Frees are a "natural" shoe, they do have a bigger heel to toe drop than the Kinvaras. When I wear the Kinvaras, they feel flat to the ground. This allows a more natural motion in my opinion.
2) The flexibility of the Frees can be a problem because they pick up a ton of rocks and stuff and can be very annoying. The Kinvaras don't have that which is nice.
Kinvara for sure, I have three pairs and they helped me alot with foot strike and stuff like that back when I first started wearing them when they came out. Very durable shoe for its weight, and really well made. Saucony is number one, they have some of the best made products on the market right now. They will break down alot quicker on the roads for sure, but it will depend on how comfortable you are with wearing shoes that are worn out. I got 500 out of mine, that would probaly be a safe guess. I've heard of some people getting 700, and some getting 300.
Yeah during my XC training it'll probably roads like 85% trails 15% I'd love to get more trails in and all but my area simply doesn't have any and I'll only be able to get to some once per week. With that approximate ratio of 85:15 (or 17:3) established, how long would they last?
Frees aren't for running, don't be silly.
^^ this guy right here, im in complete agreement with him
if your a forefoot or a midfoot striker youll get a ton more mileage out of the kinvaras, but even if ur not the heel to toe ratio helps to promote that.
i used kinvara this summer for buildup to XC and didnt have a single problem with them, probably the best shoe ive ever worn, absolutely loved it. i wasnt a forefoot stiker then, but wearing the shoes helped me so much that when i finally changed my footstrike i didnt have any negative side effects from doing so (i would normally get calf pains when i tried before). i didnt have any issues wearing the shoes and im going to try to pick up another pair as soon as my current shoe (newtons) wear out. only reason i switched is becuase i needed a shoe that would last longer while running with a heel strike and on pavement in order to save money
in regards to the frees, ive heard theyre ok but they arent as good as the 5.0 or 3.0, kind of sucky compared to them and have an odd heel on them. kinvaras beat any of the free series though, i only use frees as walk around shoes
I use the Free Run as my walkaround shoe and like it a lot. It may be a little too squishy for running compared to the Kinvara though. I loved the Free 3.0 and they would wear a lot better than the Kinvaras.
Free 5.0's are my walkaround, casual shoes, but I wouldn't be caught dead running in them. If you must go lightweight, go Kinvara.
Kinvara it is then. Any recommendations between KV2 and KV1?
I work at a running store. Much of what made the Kinvara great remains unchanged in the Kinvara 2. The heel drop, midsole, and outsole are all the same. There are slight changes to the upper, but that's about it. I'd try both on and choose whatever one feels best, but the performance between the two shouldn't vary at all.
Gimme Half wrote:
I work at a running store. Much of what made the Kinvara great remains unchanged in the Kinvara 2. The heel drop, midsole, and outsole are all the same. There are slight changes to the upper, but that's about it. I'd try both on and choose whatever one feels best, but the performance between the two shouldn't vary at all.
So I should just opt for the original Kinvara? It's probably quite a bit cheaper than the original now.
Cheaper now* because the Kinvara 2 came out is what I meant to say.
Another vote for the Kinvara.
Best shoe I've ever had. And as mentioned, if you have the option to get the first model, do. The 2's are just a minimal upper change.
I wouldn't do track work in either of these shoes. Why did you narrow your search down to these two shoes?
You'll be tough pressed to get the Kinvara's in your size, but they still may be around. I saw the Kinvara 2's at the Boston expo and they basically look like the same shoe. Just a little more strapping on the upper by the toe box and the cooling mesh grid was a different shape.
I'm on my 2nd and 3rd pairs right now. I get about 500+ in them. My black/yellow have 435, my orange vizi have 303. I wish I got more of the orange/vizi those are some bright shoes. I'll miss that colorway.
Probably will go with the green/yellow and black/grey in the 2's....
Definitely find that these shoes lead me more for forefoot/midfoot striking. And they are light. 7.6-7.7 oz.
Are the Kinvara's good for racing?