Kinvara too soft???

Put 400 miles into a pair of kinvaras and they should be perfect.

I've worn both shoes and I think the Kinvara and Lunaracer are very similar. The upper on the Kinvara fits a bit looser but that's it.

Love the fit and profile of the Kinvara, but wish it were firmer. Too much cushion.

I've never worn the Kinvara, but am interested in them. I should just get them. Have you looked at the new NB 1400? They have a 10mm drop (which I do not notice at all) and are pretty soft without being mushy.

I have run a lot on the Lunar Racer and really like them.

My experiences:

If you get them in your "correct" size, DO NOT run in them right away. Take them out for a few long walks/Gallowalks or at least throw some old insoles in them and wear them while running errands a few times. They come out of the box tight and need some time to break in so you don't get retarded blisters.

If you want to run in them on the first day, buy them 1/2 size bigger. They'll fit perfectly. However, they'll eventually be a little big after they break in.

As for cushioning, they are soft in the heel, but who here heel strikes anyway? The forefoot is firm enough to be fast yet soft enough for longer distances. I see a lot of -thoners wearing these shoes some to think of it. Since I mentioned the NB 1400, if I've been in the 1400s a lot when I switch to the Lunar races it takes a mile or so before I get used to the softer feel. So, there is that to think about.

The Lunar Racer is a great shoe and I recommend them.

redux - I was thinking about the 1400. Can you compare it to either the 890 or the Skylon? The 890 is a tiny bit wider than I'd like.

Gah! I can't compare either. I've only worn the 1400.

Here's a neat video about the 890 and 1400 though. The jazz soundtrack is really cool. I hope that helps.

http://www.runningwarehouse.com/interviews.html?ccode=INT008

How's the arch height on the Lunaracers?

I have fairly flat feet. Nothing extreme, but a little flatter than the average person, I'd say. Never seem to have given me any problems, but if a shoe has a high arch height it bothers me. Medium or low height isn't too bad.

The Kinvara is definitely squishy.

I found the lunaracer to be much less firm. The Kinvara are mushy compared to a flat, but feel pretty firm compared to even a lighter trainer. They have absolutely NO stability (which I like, since my feet don't like being told how to move) and in that sense feel like my adizero flats. I don't get my feet beat up in them with a bunch of miles, unlike the flats.

Definitely get them.

I guess that's what I want to know. Compared to the cushioning of a traditional trainer, is the Kivara more squishy, or is it just squishy compared to a more firm racing flat?

I mean, even if traditional trainers have more overall cushioning, that doesn't necessarily mean they feel "squishy." So it's not the overall amount of cushioning for the Kinvara that I am worried is too much or too little, I just don't want something that would lose more stability than is natural. Obviously I don't want a stability shoe, but I also don't want my foot moving around more than is natural if the midsole gives in an excessive amount each step.

I wear the Kinvara as my regular trainer. It's pretty soft, but less cushioned that something like the Pegasus. I don't feel like the softness interferes with my normal footstrike because the softness is the same all over with no stability elements or changes in the sole. For me, it's not "too soft."

It may not be optimal for racing something short like a 5k because of the softness, but really because it's so light it's not a bad shoe for running fast in either, at least for me.

I'm not sure if the post above about blisters was talking about the Kinvara or the NB, but for me I've never had trouble with blisters in the Kinvara and I wear them in my usual size.

I would definitely give it a try.

The New Balance 1400 could be a good middle for you if you find the Hysperspeed too firm and the Kinvara too soft (which I found it to be).

The arch is pretty low. What other Nike's do you wear? It's comparable to the Fly and Elite arch. Basically, there's a little "arch" in the insole but it's nothing more than soft insole material that has no real structure. There's no large piece of plastic sticking up.

I have a problem with high arches, prone to shin splints, and am a heel striker. Would the kinvara be okay? Should I throw out my orthotics?

Do your 100 Ups!

The foam is firm, and has some cushioning, but there is nothing else to keep your foot from wobbling around. If you hold the shoe at the toe and heel and push together lightly, the whole thing folds up like a flat does. Its got cushioning, but no stability.

The foam is not really soft feeling under feet like the lunaracer, which I also occasionally wear. You can feel the road or trail through the kinvara as well. It feels light, but does not feel fast like a flat.

Its not a racing flat, but it works great as a marathoning shoe for me.

been running in Kinvaras for the past year and a half and I've heard people say the same thing but I never thought of them as being soft. Either way, they harden up with more miles so nothing to worry about.

So, I run in the NB 1400 and Lunar Racer mostly. I'll throw in the Minimus Road and Nike Zoom XC, too. I'm good with the firm soles. Do you think adding the Kinvaras to that list would be worth it? Like I've said, I've been thinking about getting a pair.

I have and hate the Lunaracer: absolutely zero road feel. May be fine for long races, but for 5k and 10k, they are like running on a firm pillow. For me, I can't stand them after 3 races and I gave them to my son to wear around.

Haven't had the Kinvara but would like to try the short 4mm drop.I believe the Nike is double that.