The Saucony Kinvara Pro is a confusing shoe, and after my testing I remain unsure what it’s best for. I thought it could be a versatile cushioned plated shoe for daily training in the style of the Hoka Mach X, or a more accessible super-shoe for those who don’t get on with the best carbon plate running shoes, which can be unstable. But I’m not convinced it can play either role as well as other shoes.
The Kinvara Pro is also expensive, for what amounts to a plated cushioned shoe that does a variety of runs quite well but nothing exceptionally well. If you want an all-rounder I’d look at lighter, more propulsive plated options, like the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3, and if you’re looking for an easy day cruiser, you can take your pick of the best cushioned shoes, all of which are cheaper than the Kinvara Pro.
