Are Saucony Kinvaras ok for training?

I went through two pairs of the Kinvara 3

1st lasted 350 miles

2nd lasted 250ish miles before I couldn't use them anymore. One shoe caused a lot of pain when I ran in them.

Overall they work for some people I guess but don't expect them to last more then a season

If you want something that feels like a Kinvara, but lasts a little longer and is a bit heavier look at a Cortana. You should get about 400-600 miles out of it as opposed to a Kinvara which will do about 300ish.

Your primary concern with a shoe is that you want to be able to do your desired mileage without getting injured. The Kinvara should put you more up on your toes than the Ride and could potentially strain your calfs.

Your concern that your spikes wont feel as light is misguided. If that were the case then you would see top athletes wearing purposefully bulky shoes so that they run faster in their spikes.

If you really need the psychological boost of wearing the heavier shoes but sill want to get the Kinvaras you could get some ankle weights.

I train in the Kinvaras and like them. But I use them only on dirt roads, grass, and the indoor treadmill. I don't use them on pavement or concrete -- just not enough cushioning. But if you stick to the softer surfaces (which is always a good idea), you should do just fine.

It's hard to give an accurate comment without seeing your running gait. If you are neutral, Kinvaras can be a good trainer. But you've used them before, so how do you like them? Personally, I never liked them and preferred to go with the slightly heavier and more cushioned NB 890s (V1s weren't great but I love the V2s). I dk about versions 3 and 4 since I haven't worked in a store for nearly 2 years. There's nothing wrong with training in Kinvaras or racing flats although it is hard to squeeze more than 500 miles from them, whereas a neutral runner can usually pretty safely get 1000 miles from a regular trainer, like the Pegasus. Go to your local store and try on a few pairs while asking these questions. You should get the help you need.

Stay away from Pegasus, it is a terrible shoe. Try one of the Pure series shoes from Brooks if you want more cushion as well.

I've ran 500-600 miles in several pairs of Kinvaras. They're my favorite training shoe, but I do always have a pair of thicker, more cushioned shoes if I know I'm going to be going long and on pavement.

I got injured in the Kinvara 2. Runners knee and metatarsalgia. They were too soft.

I do a lot of running in the 890 series. I like the 2 and 3 equally although they are different. The 4 fit me badly so I'm going to be buying a few more pairs if the 2 and 3 before they disappear.

Listen Dood wrote:

Stay away from Pegasus, it is a terrible shoe. Try one of the Pure series shoes from Brooks if you want more cushion as well.

Ah, yes. If a shoe doesn't work for you, then of course it's a terrible shoe for everybody. Newsflash: not everyone has the exact same feet that you have.

Are the NB 890s more similar to the Rides or the Kinvaras? I'm thinking of trying them out!

Maybe you need to learn about shoes, Pegasus and most other Nike trainers are crap.

Schoms wrote:

Are the NB 890s more similar to the Rides or the Kinvaras? I'm thinking of trying them out!

They have a 8mm offset same as the Rides, but about the same cushioning as the Kinvaras (4mm drop).

There are two types of posts about the Kinvaras: Those who just got them and think they're great, and those who want to move away from them due to soleus and/or achilles injuries...

Lol. That was me under a different handle after I got mine. And then I got my two injuries and have never had a good thing to say about them since. It wasn't until I got hure in the Pure connect and cadence 2 that I accepted the fact that shoes can actually hurt you.The moron at the store assured me the cadence 2 had zero support and was just marketed like it did. 30 miles later peroneal issues. 30 miles in the connect and achilles issues.I'm sticking with firm shoes.

doyoulikebeinginjured wrote:

There are two types of posts about the Kinvaras: Those who just got them and think they're great, and those who want to move away from them due to soleus and/or achilles injuries...

Listen Dood wrote:

Maybe you need to learn about shoes, Pegasus and most other Nike trainers are crap.

I know plenty about shoes. Again, you might not like a shoe, but that doesn't mean the shoe is bad for everybody. I don't know how to make it any simpler. Your personal experience is not the only experience.