Saucony Kinvara 8
Update: See our full review of the Kinvara 8 with comparisons to Kinvara 7 and others here
I have now run about 20 miles in the upcoming Kinvara 8, all on a fairly firm indoor track at slower tempo paces,
This is a very good update solving some of the issues of the Kinvara 7 (RTR review here): overly snug mid foot hold and stiffness. It can be called a smart step back towards the original Kinvaras without going all the way back to being super flexible with a largely unstructured upper, and soft ride.
At the midfoot, the Pro-Lock straps hold the foot down just right, no longer "in the way" and overly constraining but still there functioning more like Saucony's IOS Fit,
The upper is a single material, soft mesh with melted on Pro-Film overlays. It should be very breathable.
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| Kinvara 8 |
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| Kinvara 7 |
Update: After running a Kinvara 7 on one foot and a Kinvara 8 on the other and closely examining the firmness of the midsole, I find the Kinvara 7 has a firmer midsole foam and ride than the 8, I am now concluding that the Kinvara 8 is softer in the heel and forefoot than the Kinvara 7. The heel of the Kinvara 7 even with its Everun insert is firmer and more responsive than the Kinvara 8. The forefoot of the Kinvara 8 is more agile and flexible as instead of a conventional "board" below the sock liner it has the softer 3mm Everun layer.
The ride is very good, stable and smooth, decently responsive but on the soft side particularly at the heel. The Kinvara 7 is stiffer while the Kinvara 8 after 10 miles was more flexible, far more agile feeling.
Update: The Kinvara 7 is a firmer, stiffer overall ride and is a slightly more responsive, faster feeling shoe. The Kinvara 8 is softer overall, more training focused and yet has a slightly more agile and natural ride due to its improved forefoot flexibility and more minimal yet still foot conforming upper which still has a fairly snug but more relaxed mid foot hold.
The Kinvara 8 so far represents a blend of the Kinvara 7's snug mid-foot support, now dialed down and more comfortable, along with the more flexible accommodating front of the shoe of the earlier Kinvara on top of a softer, maybe a touch to soft for my tastes. riding midsole.
Kinvara 8 Stats
Pre-Order Saucony's New Kinvara 8 Running Shoes - Now Available at Saucony.com!
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KInvara 8 is available now at Running Warehouse
US: Men's here Women's here
Europe: Men's here Women's here
Australia:: Men's here Women's here
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15 comments:
Does the sole on the 8 have the same width footprint as the 7?
Hi Anonymous, Kinvara 7 and Kinvara 8 have exactly the same footprint on the ground as far as I can tell, matching them sole to sole. The big difference between them at the "sole" level is that the K8 has deeper flex grooves and thus is considerably more flexible than K7. Thanks for reading! Sam, Editor
Hi Sam, when you say the ride is "decently firm", do you think it would be too firm for a treadmill (for example, the Vazee Rush 2 were too firm for me, and the Zante V2's didn't have enough cushioning)? The Runner's World review creates the impression that the Kinvara 8's are really cushioned. See http://www.runnersworld.com/shoe/kinvara-8. Just trying to decide whether to pull the trigger on these. Thanks!
Hi Ryan, Tricky question. I would say the Kinvara 8 is closer to the Vazee Rush 2, with a little less harsh edge for the Kinvara 8. At least for me I found Zante v1 way to firm and especially stiff. If you wanted to get more cushion yet still have a snappy ride... Ride 9 and especially the upcoming Ride 10 which is fantastic and coming in a few months. Review soon. Thanks for reading! Sam, Editor.
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Hi there,
I love the 7s for the most part except for the rapidly wearing sole. I feel like the 7 lacks enough lugs to accommodate my weekly mileage which is all done on the road. Do you feel that there was any update to the 8's sole material or structure? From pictures I can only speculate, but they sort of look the same.
Thanks!!
Hi Anonymous, no changes that I know to outsole material or coverage. However the Kinvara 8 is noticeably more flexible than 7. This may help wear as less scuffing? Thanks for reading! Sam, Editor. You can also follow Road Trail Run ion Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Hi,
I've not liked a Kinvara since the 5s. It seems that 6 & 7 narrowed the toebox. Do you have any experience with 5s and how do the 8s stack up?
I'm an older ( 47 ) year old daily runner, had to take some time off due to my knee pains. I have been a fan of the Brook's Ghost ( some iterations ) but not all of them. Then I switched to the Saucony ride 8 and I just purchased the Kinvara 8. This shoe has alway's intrigued me since it's begging and I have tried various iterations of the shoe but alway's felt like they were way to firm my aging knees. I have yet to take them out on the pavement , I have only wore them around the house and they feel UBER cushioned !!! Wondering if I should just take the plunge to a 4 mil drop and hit the street's.
ANY SUGGESTIONS ??? I only run 5 mile stretches but I do run almost every day . A little worried to switch to the 4 mil drop coming from the Ride's 8 mil.
Hi Chad, Thanks for writing. A lower drop should not by itself necessarily cause issues but do go at it slow at first. You will find the K8 firmer than your Ride with a narrower heel landing. It will feel somewhat more like earlier Kinvara than the firmer K7 did. I personally prefer the K7 and found the K8 not as responsive. Also make sure the upper fits you OK. If you want to go lighter also consider the new Hoka Clayton 2 I just posted our review of them http://www.roadtrailrun.com/2017/04/hoka-one-one-clayton-2-review-tuning.html
More cushion and more stable with a better upper than K8
Thanks for reading Road Trail Run.! You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram where we publish interesting run related content more frequently as well as links to our latest reviews, Sam, Editor
Hi, I wear size 12 on Kinvara7 and it fits perfect! Should I get the same size on Kinvara8? Thank you
Gabriel, was 12 your normal size or half size up? I was true size in K7 a bit tight half size up in K8 a touch to roomy. My conclusion would true to size and especially if using thin socks.
Sam, many thanks for your answer! Actually, 12 is a half size up for me. However, I wear 12 in almost any running shoes. Size 12 on Kinvara 7 fits me perfectly, roomy toebox and a correct lenght. Based on this, I think I will try Kinvara 8 on the same size as the 7. Do you believe that the two models in the same size have similar dimensions?
Gabriel, if 12 is your usual size you will find the K8 slightly pointier up front than K7 and definitely not as constricting over the mid foot as K7. I would go true to size.
Hi Sam,
I have the Kinvara 8s in the Marl/black color and have had terrible hotspot issues.
I think it has todo with the upper being different for the different color, have you had the chance to run in both the different versions?
I have tried everything and can not think of anything else.
Thanks Ryley
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