Aren’t they pretty?
Guys guys guys! They arrived! Last week, I came home from an easy run to a happy piece of mail (among other pieces of mail that involved people asking me for money). Saucony was generous enough to provide me with the newest version of the Kinvara before it’s officially released on May 1st. I’ve been wearing this shoe for over 2 years. I think I bought my first pair in April or May 2011 when I started training for my first marathon. After a short transition period, they quickly became my favorite shoe. And they’ve remained a constant in my shoe rotation ever since then. At this point, I’m not exactly sure how many pairs I’ve owned, but it’s likely over 10-12 pairs (I usually log around 350 miles on each pair.)
The Kinvara 2 has been my favorite version. When they released the Kinvara 3 last year I was bummed that the rise at the back of the heel rubbed my achilles a bit more than I’d like. Luckily, I was able to stockpile a few pairs of Kinvara 2s and track down a few more pairs with the help of Saucony when I could no longer find them online (super nice of them!).
I went for my first run in the Kinvara 4s last night even though it was supposed to be a rest day. I can’t resist a new pair of shoes especially when: a) they’re my favorite shoe by far b) the colors are badass c) they have the potential of being my Boston race shoe! and d) it’s a gorgeous spring evening (now that it’s finally warming up in Chi). Coach approved a short jaunt to test the shoes and I was all too happy to take advantage. I took them out for a quick 3.5 miles.
I’ll decide by this weekend if the Kinvara 4s will be my Boston race shoe but it’s certainly looking positive at this point!
I’ll post a full review of the Kinvara 4s soon (hopefully before race day!).
What’s your favorite shoe? Do you have a lot of different brands in your shoe closet or do you stick to a certain brand?
-J
We Wander And Ponder 
The Kinvara is my shoe of choice as well, but I only started running in them in September. I’ve logged five marathons on them since and I haven’t had a single issue with them at all. I actually like the 3s more than the 2s, so I’m looking forward to stockpiling a bunch of them in the coming weeks. I will likely not wear the 4s until next year when the 5s come out. Alas, to run on some semblance of a budget.
Good luck in Boston!
Right now I stick to Brooks Adrenalines and Mizuno Wave Nirvanas. Both have been recommended to me after a gait analysis (and after trying on a zillion pairs of other shoes), and I’ve gone through at least a couple pairs of both so I know they work well for me. I’m also trying a pair of Brooks PureCadence but I’m not sure about them yet.
The kinvara is definitely my shoe of choice. I have tried traditional running shoes but they are always too heavy for me and left me with one injury or another (almost always in the foot area). I began running in kinvaras about 18 months ago and have not gone deviated from them. I have I only run in the 2s though but my current pair is reaching the end of is running life, so I am curious to see what
Oops major commenting failure. I am curious to see what the 4s are like.
They are so beautiful!!!!
love the look of the new version. the 3’s had some god awful color combos. wish i could safely run in these kicks, but my body just can’t do neutral and minimal feeling combined. has to be one or the other 😦
boston is in serious countdown mode now! so excited for you!!! i never asked you about your race day goals?!?!?! are you aiming for a schweet pr, or are you just going out there and planning on taking in the race for all of it’s glory? seems like you’re on track for quite a race! can’t wait to track you online and root for you from my computer on race day!
Like you, I have fully transitioned to the Kinvara’s and like you I love the 2’s but the 3’s are doable. I am excited for the 4 as it will likely be my NYC Marathon shoe but really…I am more intrigued by the Kinvara TR 2 that will be released May 1st as well. Thanks for sharing the feedback, that color scheme on your 4’s is awesome!