There are many similarities between the outgoing Kinvara and the incoming model, but comparing the Kinvara 10 and Kinvara 11 side by side reveals a few differences. The smaller drop also recruits your calf muscles and Achilles to do more work than a higher drop shoe, so if you’re not used to a 4 mm drop, ease into the Kinvara slowly (consider only using it a couple of days per week at first), and be sure to foam roll your calves post run. Like track spikes that are built to put a sprinter on her toes, the Kinvara encourages a forefoot strike and quick turnover. The 4 mm drop, though, is a big difference from the typical 10-12 mm drops in many everyday running shoes. Its scant weight doesn’t burden you with superfluous ounces, and its streamlined fit doesn’t distract from the task at hand. While the Kinvara 11 comes with enough cushion to rack up some serious miles, it really shines on faster days. “I wore these recently for a speed workout in the rain, and it felt light, fast and perfectly cushioned.” “It's super snappy and responsive on the run,” one tester says. Fleet Feet testers say there is plenty of cushioning, and it’s very snappy. According to Saucony, the stack height measures 28.5 mm in the heel and 24.5 mm in the forefoot. Saucony lists the Kinvara at 6.9 oz for a women’s size 8 and 7.8 oz for a men’s size 9.Įven with the feathery weight, though, the bouncy PWRRUN midsole gives the shoe plenty of cushion. The first thing you notice about the Kinvara is how light it is. The Kinvara has long straddled the line between racing flat and everyday trainer, and the newest version stays true to that legacy.