Test the Saucony Kinvara 15 – Ultra-light and fairly minimalist

Test video summary

My summary

How do you use Kinvara 15?

The Kinvara 15s are quite simple, very light shoes, quite minimalist compared to the most classic models on the market, without being extreme. I find they offer a good compromise between the two worlds: not too much technology and limited cushioning… but still dynamic and comfortable.

These shoes are designed for fast runs, tempos, splits and road training, up to 15km/half-marathon. I say this as an indication, but of course it all depends on the person: some will be able to go further with them, others less so!

Features

• Drop: 4mm
• Stack at heel: 29mm
• Weight: 180g in size 40.5, women’s model (according to our scale)
• Carbon plate: no
• Price: €145

Our complete test of the Saucony Kinvara 15 (Women’s)

Look

Visually, I have to say I’m a total fan of the Kinvara 15’s sleek design. With its thin upper and airy mesh, it’s sober and elegant, and the colors of the women’s model are just right for me. No pastels, just neutrals (white or black) or my favorite flashy colors (blue or orange). I love my orange version, which I think is particularly successful.

The sole is very plain, with only rubber reinforcements in two places to limit wear. At first glance, you might think the sole isn’t going to be durable, but the sole of my Kinvara 14, which looks similar, actually held up quite well, despite the fact that I sometimes took it on totally unsuitable and abrasive terrain, such as the trail in the Marseilles creeks (yes, a dark tale of forgotten shoes!).

As far as durability is concerned, it’s the mesh that can give way a little quickly, as it’s so thin: as far as I’m concerned, it’s around the big toes that it started to break through on the Kinvara 14 after around 500km. The mesh on the 15 seems a little more resistant at first glance, but I haven’t got enough experience yet, so I’ll have to wait and see.

Weight

This is one of the Kinvara 15’s great strengths: its extremely low weight. At 180g on my scales (women’s model, size 40.5), these are really extremely light shoes. I love the way they feel as soon as I put them on and run in them: they’re featherweights and you suddenly feel lighter and faster (even though I’m not fast! :-P), it’s very pleasant.

Fit and comfort

Once again, the Kinvara fit me very well. The fit is snug without being too narrow for my foot (which isn’t very wide, but I like to have enough room in front all the same) and the foot is supported without being tight.

The heel counter is very comfortable for me, offering good support without pressure points thanks to the padding. The shoe is also quite flexible in the midfoot area, so you can feel that your foot can move without being too constrained.

The mesh is soft, light and breathable: very comfortable, even in hot weather. The thin, supple tongue, semi-sewn in at the sides, is comfortable and stays firmly in place. The laces are flat and don’t move when tightened.

I also appreciated the PWRRUN+ foam insole, a new feature compared to the Kinvara 14: softer, it improves initial contact with the ground without weighing down the whole.

Amortized and dynamic

With the Kinvara 15, we’re a long way from the cushioned shoes that soak up everything. The PWRRUN foam midsole used here is rather firm and responsive, and you can feel the ground under your foot without it being extreme or unpleasant. For my part, I really think this is a good compromise between shoes packed with technology and ultra-minimalist shoes, at least for sessions of up to 15km/half-marathon.

There’s also a slight rocker to help the foot roll, but you shouldn’t expect too much help either, compared with other, less minimalist shoes. As I was saying, the Kinvara isn’ t at all about the accumulation of technologies, and personally that’s why I like it.

I love the feeling of lightness, freedom and energy return, and the fact that I feel quite close to the ground. It’s also worth noting that the stack has been reduced by 2mm on this version 15 compared with the version 14, for an even more “natural” stride (even if it’s a long way from barefoot running, eh!).

I mainly use the Kinvara 15s for split and tempo sessions, but I have to say that I also use them for simple jogging because I love the natural, dynamic feeling they give me when I’m running!

Be careful, however, if you’re not used to this type of shoe. If you’re not used to the low drop (4mm ), or if you’re used to a high level of cushioning, you’ll need to build up to it gradually to avoid injury.

Stability

I find the stability of the Kinvara 15 really good, nothing to say about that!

Adhesion

This is the only negative point I can find with these Kinvara:the grip of the sole in wet conditions is not very good , so you’ll have to be careful on wet roads and tracks. On the other hand, there’s nothing to say in dry conditions and on non-technical paths.

Conclusion

The Saucony Kinvara 15 is a favorite with me. Light, toned and simple, this is a shoe I’d recommend to anyone who likes a natural feel while retaining dynamism, and who wants an effective pair without breaking the bank. However, it certainly won’t suit everyone, and especially not those looking for a lot of cushioning.