Founded just two years after the first Olympic Marathon and one year after the first Boston Marathon, Saucony brand has runners in its’ blood. Four young businessmen in Kutztown, Pennsylvania opened the Saucony Shoe Manufacturing Company in 1898. Their goal was to change the way people run. They knew there had to be a better way than barefoot or leather spikes. By 1910, they were already producing more than 800 shoes a day from their two-story brick factory along Saucony creek. In 1968 the company moved to Boston, Massachusetts. In 1972, Frank Shorter (an American) won the Olympic Marathon and sparked the fuse to a running frenzy in the United States. Consumer Reports Magazine named Saucony shoes “Best Quality” in 1977. The “Run For Good” foundation was launched in 2006 to aid in ending childhood obesity. In 2009, the Kinvara was launched, and is now on their 10th model!

Saucony sponsors and supports athletes who compete at the highest levels which helps us continue to push the envelope in terms of developing better technology and higher performing shoes and apparel. Saucony exists for runners. Runners inspire, bring new ideas to the table, force the company to be better. Runners drive the design and engineering process. They keep Saucony competitive, hungry, and honest.

There are a plethora of reviews on the Saucony Kinvara 10. Saucony is a well known brand, and people have been buying this style of Saucony shoes for 10 years now. Most of the reviews are from customers who have worn other forms of the Kinvara in the past.

According to one consumer, the toe box is larger (about a ¼ shoe size longer), and is more rounded than the Kinvara 9-allowing more room for your toes to lay naturally. The Kinvara 10 comes with ankle fusion padding around the sides of the ankle collar. They were afraid that this would feel bulky and restrictive, but once they started running in them, they found that this was not the case; and that the padding actually helps keep small rocks and dirt from entering your shoe. They claim the overall responsive, lightweight feel has remained intact, and that the 10 seems lower to the ground (because the outsole is thinner rubber), as well as more conformed to their feet (FormFit footbed).

A nurse had issues with plantar fasciitis due to being on her feet for 12 or more hours a day. She also runs and has high arches. Switching to the Kinvara style shoe has made her issues settle down tremendously. She recommended the Kinvara 10 to fellow nurses with the same struggles, and they fell in love with them, too!

The upper material of the Saucony Kinvara 10 is engineered mesh, which is a relatively new innovative technology. It delivers enhanced breathability and is stronger and more flexible than standard mesh. Engineered mesh gives us a sneak peak into the possibilities for sneaker construction in the future.

You may be wondering what engineered mesh is. It’s a textile composition that is composed of 90% mesh, which is woven tightly to present a snug, glove-like fit. Since engineered mesh is so strong and flexible, it bestows a more natural blend than standard mesh materials.

With notably more prominent perforations that normal mesh, the engineered mesh delivers a higher level of airflow, thus breathability. When engineered mesh is used for the upper of a shoe, it helps to support the foot and the textile composition offers more of a natural flex. It is also more lightweight, which is ideal with running shoes. Engineered mesh is a perfect solution for staying dry and comfortable on long runs.

Saucony created EVERUN by stream-fusing thousands of springy TPU beads; dynamically changing the polymer, the molding, even the assembly, to create unique products for all types of runners. Runners enjoy cushioning which is more flexible, and durable, with a more buoyant feeling from start to finish, thanks to the 83% energy return and a position closer to your foot. EVERUN cushioning is three times more durable and three times less temperature-sensitive than EVA (synthetic rubber). EVERUN is also twice as flexible as typical cushioning, and moves with your foot for a impressively smooth landing, stable transition, and powerful liftoff. The benefit of having EVERUN shoes is that the TPU is directly underneath your foot, not just built into the midsole. The patent pending 2mm “Topsole” that sits right below the insole It maximizes the comfort and performance factor. According to Saucony, the bouncy and resilient feel you get as soon as you try them on will last the entire life of the shoe because TPU is highly durable.

Saucony rearranged the blown-rubber pattern on the Kinvara outsole once again with the 10th form. The amount of rubber used in the outsole has also reduced this year. Strategically placed under the big toe and the lateral part of the heel is a firm layer of blown rubber. To minimize the weight of the shoe, most of the outsole leaves the EVA+ foam exposed. The exposed foam is more durable and more dense that the previous forms of the Kinvara shoe. The only downside of this year’s update, as far as the lack of blown rubber, is that it doesn’t provide great traction in wet conditions.

The pattern on the outsole has not changed, besides that it is now in a tighter configuration, which gives you premium forward momentum and energy return. To inspire a smooth, straight transition from landing to toe-off, there are guidance lines spanning the center of the outsole from toe to heel. Even though the EVA+ midsole is slightly more firm than previous models, it is paired with the EVERUN topsole/midsole, so it persists to render a luxurious ride with exceptional response step after step, run after run.

The Saucony Kinvara 10 features a heel to toe drop of 4 mm. The heel height is 23 mm and the forefoot height is 19 mm. The typical range for heel to toe drop is 0 to 16 mm. If a shoe has zero drop, that means that the heel of the shoe and the toe are the same distance from the ground. A popular heel height today is 4 mm, meaning that the heel is 4 mm higher than the toe. Before the minimalist shoe movement, traditional running shoes typically had a heel to toe drop of 12 mm.

A low heel to toe drop is meant to make running feel more natural because it allows you to run more like you would if you were barefoot. It is believed to be better for your joints and tendons. Studies have found that this is true for some runners. However, everyone is different and there are many factors that go into finding comfort when it comes to your feet, because arches vary, widths vary, there are diseases and disorders and injuries to consider. So, be sure to consider your personal needs before deciding what kind of drop you want to have in your shoes.

It has been said that the key to converting to minimalist running shoes is to do it gradually. Your foot needs time to adjust to running a different way, to having more impact in some spots on the foot and less impact in others. If you have any foot problems at all, make sure you figure out if you need a high or low heel to toe drop. If you try a shoe with a low heel drop and it’s not the right choice, you may cause yourself unnecessary pain.

The Teva Kinvara 10 only weighs 6.7 ounces, making it considered lightweight. Lightweight running shoes give you less impact, less fatigue, and faster recovery. Pairing soft footsteps with lightweight shoes can benefit runners of any ability or experience level. Running has the capability of putting you in an euphoric bliss which will allow you to run farther, if you have good form and a natural running gait (midfoot/forefoot). Lightweight shoes save your muscles energy and muscle strain because you’re lifting the weight of the shoe off the ground, not using excessive force to push it off the ground. Whether you’re running for a minute or a marathon, lightweight shoes will help get you there faster and with less fatigue.

While lightweight shoes are better for all runners, it’s more than just the weight that is making the difference. How the shoe is built and how much it can convert downward energy into forward propulsion also come into play. And the Kinvara 10 has 83% energy return.

With the latest edition of the Saucony Kinvara 10, many features were updated/discontinued.

The Kinvara used to have a Pro-lock lacing system, which is meant to eliminate laces getting in the way or coming untied while you’re running. It’s also supposed to provide a more secure fit. However, Saucony did away with the Pro-lock lacing system in the latest model, and consumers are not disappointed. People reported that the system didn’t help, it was just constricting and uncomfortable.

The Kinvara 9 had a thin tongue. It has been puffed up in the 10th version, more similar to the Kinvara 8. The tongue doesn’t slide around your foot, instead resting comfortably on top of your foot, because it is stitched into the upper of the shoe.

An addition to the Kinvara 10 that you can’t miss are the two cushioned pods that are inside the heel counter and rest against your Achilles. These cushions are meant to offer you more comfort and protection to this very sensitive, powerful tendon. Consumers reported that the cushions did take some getting used to but, after running in the shoes, they were aware of the reassuring light pressure they felt against their Achilles. Before long, they didn’t notice the cushions at all because they got used to them being there. The cushions don’t enhance or harm the fit and performance of the shoe, they are there to protect and give comfort.

The Saucony Kinvara 10 is the latest edition of a shoe that has been loved for 10 years and has built a solid customer base. If you're a serious runner, you should take the time to check out these lightweight running shoes. Offering air flow, breathability, flexibility, comfort, style, and protection, the Kinvara 10 is an ideal choice for most runners, novice and professional alike. From top to bottom, the Kinvara shoe is ingeniously crafted. Switching back to traditional laces was a choice that fans appreciate. The Pro-lock system was uncomfortable and constricting. The more puffy tongue that is sewn right to the upper provides the top of your foot with comfort and keeps the tongue from sliding around during a run. The engineered mesh upper material keeps your feet comfortable because it is breathable and flexible, allowing it to move more naturally with your feet and keep them dry and cool. The footbed is designed to conform to the shape of your foot, providing stability and comfort, even over time. An EVERUN midsole offers even more cushioning, flexibility, and buoyancy, along with a high energy return, smooth landing, stable transition, and powerful liftoff. The patterned rubber outsole allows for premium forward momentum and energy return. A 4 mm heel to toe drop makes your run feel more natural because your foot is allowed to sit more naturally in your shoe.

Considering the flawless reputation and huge customer base that Saucony Kinvara's have, along with the positive reviews from some of these loyal customers, the 10th edition is one you need to add to your collection. With many colors to choose from, you're sure to find out that speaks to you!