Personal: A- ( A niche shoe for me but a shoe I really like for long runs and fartleks. Or doing strides in.) It has been one of my favorite shoes to run in lately and it’s mostly due to the comfort that the upper gives me. Like I said before it’s lightweight, with the women’s version coming in at 6.2 oz (184g)and the Men’s version at 7.2 oz(213g). If that wasn’t enough, the Saucony Endorphin Edge with its Pwrrun PB midsole and Carbon plate is out too. A few years ago, when Saucony re-introduced the Triumph with an expanded Polyurethane (aka the Everun) midsole, we thought, ‘Here comes another unoriginal adidas Boost copycat.’

Cut in half: Saucony Kinvara 13 Review (2023) | RunRepeat

The Endorphin Pro 3 is one of the lightest race shoes we’ve ever tested. At 206g (7.3 oz)—it is a whopping 61g (2.2 oz) lighter than the average road running shoe and 1g (0.03 oz) lighter than the average race shoe. Its stripped-down and minimal upper also made it very breathable during our runs. Since the Kinvara 13 isn’t the ideal everyday trainer due to the minimal ride character, we recommend a shoe like the Saucony Ride 15 or Nike Pegasus 38 as your daily go-to shoes. However, the changes are more than skin-deep. The redesigned midsole has a softer and smoother ride due to the articulated outsole design that exposes more midsole foam than the 19. Until this point, the Saucony Ride was a neutral trainer with a noticeably firm ride. This made it a favorite for runners who not only wanted a stable ride, but also a speed-friendly character that was the inevitable result of a firm midsole. Saucony further simplified the Kinvara upper leaving a very lightweight and airy technical mesh to wrap the foot.

Performance Comparison

If you liked the Kinvara at any point over the past 12 years, you’re bound to like the Kinvara 13. It can still be your do-everything daily trainer or a speed-day shoe for faster workouts. It can even be a light-duty racing shoe, if you’re willing to concede that its simple foam architecture isn’t going to provide the energetic pop that modern racing shoes do. You might find the Kinvara 13 less appealing than you did in the past, if only because running shoes as a whole have evolved and there are many models that are more responsive, more cushy and more durable. The FORMFIT topsole remains a staple in the Kinvara line and further enhances the contoured and comfortable fit of the shoe. The heel-to-toe offset is, and I expect always will be, 4 millimeters Neutral shoes are meant for runners with normal pronation (no excessive inward or outward rolling of the foot), while stability shoes have supportive components to prevent overpronation. Fit is also phenomenal with its semi-gusseted and padded tongue. We didn't feel the laces dig in, nor did we experience any blisters and hotspots during our day hikes and trail runs. With the solid fit, we were able to focus on navigating the trails seamlessly. There are more subtle differences, including what seems to be a slightly more voluminous interior, creating a more accommodating fit for more foot shapes. It also feels softer and slightly more flexible than the Kinvara 12.

Saucony Kinvara 13 | Fleet Feet Shoe Review: Saucony Kinvara 13 | Fleet Feet

Extremely light, undeniably fast, and pleasantly grippy. Add comfort, and you have the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3. From easy runs to races, from hot to cold weather, from dry to wet roads, this shoe can do it all and do it all great. Make way for the Endorphin Speed 3, the best overall Saucony running shoe. David: The Saucony Kinvara 13 does really well serving its purpose. I think the upper was a step in the right direction for sure. My only recommendation really lies in the transition through the forefoot. For nearly all uses it does well the way it is but the shoe can come off a little bit slappy through the forefoot when running fast. Because of how much flexibility is in this shoe the forefoot can get that slapping sensation upon loading and then you would flex through it into toe-off. I would like to see it get a slightly firmer forefoot while still maintaining some flexibility by just increasing the outsole coverage a tad through that region. That wouldn't affect the weight or flexibility too much but could make the shoe a tad more snappy.That’s precisely the reason why it’s on this list. With all brands pushing the boundaries of technical construction and materials, it’s refreshing to find a running shoe with a medial post.

Best Saucony Running Shoes in 2023 | RunRepeat 7 Best Saucony Running Shoes in 2023 | RunRepeat

With the Omni 20, one gets a conforming yet comfortable upper fit that’s now aligned with how other Saucony products are designed.The Triumph 20 fits like a glove without being constricting. Although it is 2 mm narrower on the forefoot than the average running shoe, there was enough space for our toes to wiggle. Even when our feet swelled after long runs, there was room to move around. It is a versatile lineup that is ready for slow daily miles as well as speed training. It is more cushioned and durable than the Kinvara. Both the Endorphin racers have been updated, and even everyday trainers like the Ride 15 and Guide 15 have been completely redone from the ground up. The Saucony Tempus is a brand new – and interesting – take on the stability running shoe concept. The first difference I noticed in the Kinvara 12 midsole is the new shape. The PWRRUN midsole dovetails out from the heel of the shoe by several millimeters, mildly evoking the aesthetics pioneered by the Nike Vaporfly. The Kinvara 13 comes along and instantly makes me feel like I’m putting on my running shoes from years ago. It’s a good feeling. It makes me work harder, and adjust my running form and gait.

Saucony Ride vs Saucony Kinvara | Running Shoes Guru Saucony Ride vs Saucony Kinvara | Running Shoes Guru

With no added carbon plate and less foam underfoot, this model feels a bit less responsive than other models, but there is no denying that this is one of the fastest shoes in our lineup, thanks to its ultra-lightweight design. With it being so light, it's impossible to not feel fast and responsive. Each footstrike is met with a small amount of compaction that is felt on rebounding. The foam has a nice density and is far from plush.

IS THE SAUCONY KINVARA 13 DURABLE?

The Saucony Peregrine 13, true to its namesake (the Peregrine falcon), is a nimble and agile trail running shoe. It has extraordinary traction and a great fit. A more than capable all-rounder, it is definitely the best Saucony trail shoe. David: The Saucony Kinvara 13 is a neutral performance trainer for those looking to have a flexible and natural ride in their shoe. The shoe is very lightweight weighing in at 7.2 ounces in Men's size 9. This is a shoe that is "all you" and serves quite well for long runs and for fartleks. For those that can handle it there is some durability that can handle some daily training miles as well. The biggest update of the shoe is the upper and I think they improved it by making it more breathable yet still more reinforced and plush at the same time. For high-mileage runs, we suggest a suitably-cushioned shoe. Later in this review, our rotational recommendation offers alternatives. It is incredible breathable which made for some cold toes as I tested the K!2 at the end of winter. Printed graphic overlays add some structure to the upper, but keep the shoe lightweight.