Saucony Kinvara 12 Review
The Kinvara 12 is built to fly with a 4mm drop and the most comfortable tongue in history on a lightweight and smooth platform.
Specifications
- Heel stack
- 28.5 mm
- Forefoot stack
- 24.5 mm
- Heel-to-toe drop
- 4 mm
- Weight
- 7.5 oz
- Cushion
- Minimal
- Arch support
- Neutral
- Pronation
- Neutral Pronation
- Widths
- Standard, Wide
- Available in
- Mens, Womens
Where to buy
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How this score was built
No usable ratings survived migration for this shoe — sources were recorded without scores. It will be re-scored on the next run.
What people like
- Lightweight
- Breathable
- Wider toebox
- Flexible
- Locked down and balanced
- Works for most foot strike patterns
What people don't
- Questionable durability
- Mixed reviews on responsiveness
- Flexibility is reduced in cold weather
How it performs
Comfort and fit
The Saucony Kinvara 12 is very well thought out and the result is great comfort with a nice fit. Seams are hard to find so hotspots shouldn't be an issue and the toebox is wider to support wider feet and toe splay.
Durability
Runners report the Kinvara isn't as durable as some other road running shoes and may wear out faster.
Traction
Grip is solid on dry and wet road surfaces.
Flexibility and responsiveness
The Kinvara 12 is wildly flexible compared to the average competitor, it is also more responsive than many cushy competitors which swallow efficiency with overbuilt midsoles.
Construction
Outsole
The Kinvara 12 outsole does have exposed EVA foam, but it is durable and strategically exposed to keep the shoe lighter. The sole does have a tendency to collect small bits of gravel in the impressions under the shoe.
Midsole
The heel to toe offset of 4mm is an offset many runners find ideal.
Upper
Runners love the Kinvara 12 running shoe tongue! The tongue is soft on the underside and has extra padding at points where a tight lace could cause discomfort. One runner said it was "the most incredible tongue I have ever seen". Combine this with gusseting and the airy mesh upper and you've got one comfortable shoe! Wider feet stand a chance with the toebox too.
Lacing
The Kinvara has flat, wide and long shoelaces. Previous versions of the shoe had shorter laces and Saucony corrected on this version, maybe too much! The laces lock down nicely, but the extra length tends to flop around on some feet.
Some believe the Saucony Endorphin series has overtaken the Kinvara as the best Saucony running shoe, but Pulse Scoring indicates the Kinvara 12 gets a high rating on the whole!
This is a leaner road running shoe than many of the maximalist options on the market and runners love the lightweight, neutral 4mm heel to to drop on the Kinvara. This is a comfortable and locked down shoe capable of going short or long — well worth adding to your running toolbox.
Video reviews
Sources consulted (4)
Carried over from the previous methodology. Ratings shown are historical and do not contribute to a current pulse score.