
Ever since the first edition of Kinvara introduced the 4mm heel drop in 2009, it influenced the midsole design of running shoes drastically.  It is now rare to see shoes with heel drop more than 10mm.  In its twelfth edition Saucony Kinvara continues to hold the baton of natural running.  

In Saucony’s running shoe line-up, Kinvara 12 has a special place.  It is the go to shoe for a lightweight, well cushioned, neutral daily trainer.  It is designed to be a very versatile shoe to handle any kind of run, speed work, or marathon. While It is in the same category of daily neutral trainers as Brooks Ghost, Nike Pegasus, and the likes, it is still different. Shoes like Pegasus changed its ways to keep up with the current trend of high stacks, while Kinvara 12 continues to be true to its original design philosophy, yet it stays right at the top of the list of modern neutral trainers.

<ShoeCard shoeCode="006003012M"></ShoeCard>

### What makes up Saucony Kinvara 12?

If you are running in Kinvara for the first time, first thing you will notice is how light it feels for a neutral daily trainer that costs under ₹10,000. It is built as a traditional shoe but with a low heel drop of 4mm. With a published weight of 213g (for US9) and 216g for UK 10 (as we measured it), it is the lightest cushioned daily trainer in the market.  Other shoes in this category, such as Nike Pegasus, Brooks Ghost weigh upwards of 260g. With a stack height of 28mm, it is also the lowest profile amongst its category.

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        <LightBox src="/images/skw-sideprofile.jpg" caption="Low profile and flexible" alt="" ></LightBox>
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    <div class="col-md-5 px-1">
        <LightBox src="/images/sk-weight.jpg" caption="Lightest daily trainer" alt="" ></LightBox>
    </div>
</div>

**Midsole and Outsole**

Kinvara 12 is made of PWRUN Midsole, which is a light-weight blend of EVA. It is firmer than TPU and PEBA foams, but is very flexible. It naturally bends along with the feet, as we run. As an EVA blend, it is also very durable, so much so that Saucony designers decided to expose the midsole fully with very little outsole rubber on it.

<LightBox src="/images/sk-outsole.jpg" caption="Midsole is fully exposed" alt="" ></LightBox>

**Upper**

The upper is an engineered mesh, and is very well constructed and seems durable. With almost no other overlays, it is very well ventilated and airy.  It is very stretchy, and gives plenty of room for toes to move around while running.  Wider shape of the shoe combined with the upper mesh makes it quite suitable for runners who prefer the shoes to be roomy.

<LightBox src="/images/skw-topview.jpg" caption="Durable engineered mesh, and is highly ventilated" alt="" ></LightBox>

**Heel**

The heel is very well padded at the back and gives plenty of confidence during foot transition at toe-off.  The midsole below the heel is built such that the shoe feels very stable.  The bottom part of the midsole flared out quite a lot (at forefoot and heel), which is probably the reason why the shoe feels stable. 

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    <div class="col-6 col-md-6 px-1">
        <LightBox src="/images/skw-heel.jpg" caption="Flared out midsole helps stability" alt="" ></LightBox>
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    <div class="col-6 col-md-6 px-1">
        <LightBox src="/images/sk-heelpadding.jpg" caption="Well padded heel" alt="" ></LightBox>
    </div>
</div>

### RIDE IN KINVARA

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Truth be told, this is the first time I have tried any other shoe brand than my usual favorite. I have run more than 150kms both at tempo and easy paces and the longest run was ~17kms. The light weight of the shoe surely helps with the pace as the cadence increases.  Furthermore, I'm more aware of the way I’m striding because of the low heel drop and the lower stack height. 

These shoes have speed written all over. If you have been practicing well and are looking for a short-distance race, the shoes will improve your cadence and pace by a notch.  For faster-paced runs such as strides, and tempo runs, the bounce from the midsole comes very handily. Given the lighter weight and extremely flexible midsole, which makes the shoes excellent for uphill running.  


<div class="avatar-label-2" data-toggle="tooltip" title="ARAVIND">AR</div>

With all my recent running in high stack shoes, carbon plates, and rocker profiles, running in Kinvara feels very different, but in a good way.  The shoe didn’t need any break-in, but for a bit of adjustment to low heel drop for the first few km.  Once done, the shoe is as comfortable as it can be.  I have run 130 km so far, the ride experience is as good as the very first day.  

I have used the shoe for interval runs, tempo runs, easy and long runs of more than 25 KM distance.  The shoe is as versatile as it can be.  No matter the type of run, it works very well.  For interval and tempo workouts, it offers enough bounce.  For longer runs, there is enough midsole cushion across the entire foot, and the lighter weight of the shoe keeps me comfortable even in the latter kilometers. However, I may not consider this shoe for training distances beyond 30 KM, as I am better served by shoes that have more cushioning and are much softer.

The low heel drop definitely promotes mid-foot strike better than other shoes that I have used.  Despite being a very flexible shoe, the extra outward flare at the bottom helps the stability. My pronation angles reflect it, and are quite low too at 7 degrees, compared to the 11 degrees that I see in my other shoes.  That said, I don’t expect it to match with stability shoes. For neutral runners wanting slight stability with lightweight, Kinvara could be a good option. Here is how my foot strike and pronation measures (courtesy: [RunMechanics](https://runmechanics.in)).  

<LightBox src="/images/sk-footstrikestability.jpg" caption="Very stable and promotes good stride" alt="" ></LightBox>

**Fit & Comfort** 

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I use UK 6 and the shoe is true to size. The shoes fit snugly on my feet, and the toe box is roomy.  The laces lock well and don’t come off while running.  The cushioning is good enough for long runs.  But during the latter kilometers, I feel the feet hitting the road harder, due to the stiffness of the midsole.  The heel collar is well padded and hugs the back of the feet very well.  It gives good grip and confidence during faster paces.  The shoe tongue is attached and is held very securely in place. I  have the future black color, it has many shades of color and is quite colorful.  

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        <LightBox src="/images/sk-forefoot.jpg" caption="Forefoot is wide and roomy" alt="" ></LightBox>
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    <div class="col-6 col-md-6 px-1">
        <LightBox src="/images/sk-innersole.jpg" caption="PWRRUN+ inner sole adds softness to midsole" alt="" ></LightBox>
    </div>
</div>

<div class="avatar-label-2" data-toggle="tooltip" title="ARAVIND">AR</div>

I use UK size 10, and the shoe fit is perfect for me.  If you are a user of Nike, Puma, or Asics, you can consider the same size.  The midsole cushioning is well balanced across the feet, so there is plenty of protection across the heel, midfoot, and forefoot.  What I like the most about the shoe is the flexibility.  The shoe bends naturally along with the foot during toe-off, which makes the ride very enjoyable. There are few studies that say, the flexibility of running shoes is one of the defining characteristics that determine shoe comfort.  I can’t agree more.

My toes run high, and that often causes cuts, blisters, and bruised toenails after the longer runs.  Kinvara’s wide forefoot shape, and stretchy upper mesh, really helps.  If you are like me and have an issue with toes, Kinvara could be a good option to consider. 

I have run in the rain quite a few times, and it is the most comfortable than any other shoe.  The upper doesn’t absorb water, nor does the midsole.  Despite not having much rubber on the outsole, the outsole grips quite well and is good for most conditions including wet roads.  However, it does have traction issues when there is loose sand.

**Packaging**

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I like to give a shout-out to [Saucony India](https://sauconyindia.com) for the packaging of the shoe. The package has a pace chart at the back and has a space to log Personal bests.  While the utility is questionable, it is a nice touch. The package also included a cap and a saucony branded t-shirt.

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    <div class="col-6 col-md-6 px-1">
        <LightBox src="/images/sk-box.jpg" caption="Pace chart and PB log is a nice touch" alt="" ></LightBox>
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    <div class="col-6 col-md-6 px-1">
        <LightBox src="/images/sk-packaging.jpg" caption="PWRRUN+ inner sole adds softness to midsole" alt="" ></LightBox>
    </div>
</div>

**Review Summary**

<ReviewSummaryCard shoeCode="006003012M"></ReviewSummaryCard>

<ProsCard
  title="PROS"
  pros={[
    "Very versatile and can handle any type of run",  
    "Pleasing aesthetics",
    "Very good midsole bounce",
    "Low heel drop promotes natural running",
    "Extremely durable",
  ]}
/>

<ConsCard
  title="CONS"
  cons={[
    "The midsole is firmer compared to other neutral trainers",
    "May not work for heel strikers or those with niggle in the heel"
  ]}
/>

<InfoCard title="RECOMMENDATION">
    Kinvara 12 is the best neutral trainer out there.  It is the most versatile and can handle any type of run, easy, tempo, long, or speed workout.  If you are a midfoot or forefoot runner and are looking for a very versatile shoe that doesn’t interfere with your natural running, then Kinvara 12 is the go-to shoe.  
    <br/><br/>
    Rotation: 
    Kinvara can handle training up to any distance, and racing up to half-marathon.  While well-conditioned runners can use it for racing marathon distances, that space is well addressed by higher stack shoes like Saucony Endorphin, Brooks Hyperion, Puma Nitros, and Nike ZoomX.
</InfoCard>


Kinvara 12 is the lightest and most versatile daily trainer in the market. It is cushioned, low-profile and doesn't come in your way of running.

Saucony Kinvara 12 Review


Primarily coming from a background of minimalist shoe running, I didn’t experiment much with the new carbon fiber plated super shoes and shoes with modern energy-returning supercritical foams. I was curious to experience those shoes. After reading the Puma Velocity Nitro review by GeeksOnfeet (review [here](https://www.geeksonfeet.com/blog/velocitynitro/)) and having them available at good discounts on Amazon, I took the bait. The intention was to use Velocity Nitro for easy runs and LSD runs. After a couple of weeks of running, I’ve realized it wasn’t light enough that it could be used for tempo runs and intervals.  I have chanced upon Liberate Nitro, and it seemed a perfect match.  

<ShoeCard shoeCode="005004000M"></ShoeCard>

### What makes up Liberate Nitro?

Aptly named Liberate Nitro feels like the stripped-down version of its “easy and LSD run counterpart”, the Velocity Nitro. It is a neutral shoe and does not interfere with your foot’s natural pronation. It is built as a traditional shoe with a heel drop of 10mm.  With a published weight of 178g (for US9) and 192g for size for my size US 11, it is one of the lightest shoes in the Indian market. 

<LightBox src="/images/lnitro-weight.jpg" caption="One of the lightest shoes in the Indian market" alt="" ></LightBox>

**Midsole**

Unlike the Velocity Nitro, the midsole has only one layer of foam i.e. the Nitro foam. Nitro foam is made by infusing Nitrogen into EVA. This is similar to the DNAFlash foam that is found in Brooks Hyperion Tempo.  Note: Velocity nitro has 2 layers of foam, Nitro foam and ProfoamLite foam (this is a traditional EVA foam) which is on the bottom layer. The single foam layer in Liberate is to keep the weight low.  The midsole has a 30mm stack height.

<LightBox src="/images/lnitro-midsole.jpg" caption="Single layer midsole with Nitro Foam" alt="" ></LightBox>

**Upper**

The upper mesh is a mono-mesh, is very light and almost transparent, and highly breathable. It also has a gusseted tongue that spans the mid and forefoot area. 

**Heel**

Heel of the shoe is flexible but is reinforced by a semi-rigid bar which manages to keep the heel locked in place. There is minor padding on the inside part of the heel.  But the top heel counter is not padded at all and is also quite high.  So it may rub into the Achilles part of the heel for a few. 

<LightBox src="/images/lnitro-heel.jpg" caption="Stable heel, but very little padding" alt="" ></LightBox>

### RIDE IN LIBERATE NITRO

**Usage** - The shoe did not really need any break-in, at least for me, and felt right from the start. I have clocked 60 km so far in this shoe.   I have used it primarily for tempo and longer intervals, barring a couple of easy runs.  I can say it is a very comfortable and light shoe.  It comes with a good energy return the ride gets better as you speed up.  After those runs, I do not feel my legs are beaten up, unlike my minimalist shoe experience.  

With a 30mm stack height, the cushioning levels are not too high.  The shoe works very well for distances up to 10k and can be stretched for distances up to HM, both for training and races.  For longer distances, it is probably better to look out for a shoe with more cushioning. 

**Grip** - The midsole foam, which is directly exposed in the outsole, does not show any sign of wear and tear until now and the roads that I run are not too smooth either. The rubber on the outsole, the PUMA Grip rubber, is also much more sparsely distributed, to minimize the weight( in contrast to the Velocity nitro).  Even without the “Puma grip” rubber not covering the entire outsole, the road grip remains solid on wetter roads.

<LightBox src="/images/lnitro-outsole.jpg" caption="Excellent grip, despite very little rubber" alt="" ></LightBox>


**Stability**

Similar to the Velocity Nitro, Liberate Nitro also has a TPU plate inserted into the heel area that provides stability when the foot strikes the ground. 

**Fit and Comfort**

The forefoot and midfoot parts are pretty flexible and do not have any particular stability constructs. You may feel a bit odd if you are used to stability shoes quite a bit. 

The toe box is perfect, for those who do not have wide feet. The foot is securely held in place by the structure around the midfoot and there does not seem to be any sliding movement of the foot with respect to the shoe floor.

<LightBox src="/images/lnitro-topview.jpg" caption="Roomy toe box, flexible forefoot & midfoot" gallery="Liberate Nitro" alt="" ></LightBox>

Overall, it gives a very cushiony feeling and feels very comfortable when one wears it. At the same time, it gives a good ground feel and can be related to minimalist shoe experiences.  

The shoe is true to size.

**Aesthetics**

I own a fluorescent green colorway (the official name: Elektro Green-Puma Silver) which looks gorgeous and has a unique look I have not seen before in other shoes. The reflective Puma logo on the front and the reflectors on the back definitely help visibility in the dark. 

**Review Summary**

<ReviewSummaryCard shoeCode="005004000M"></ReviewSummaryCard>

<ProsCard
  title="PROS"
  pros={[
    "Very light and works extremely well for executing intervals and tempo runs.",
    "Decent cushioning from the Nitro foam makes it comfortable. The bounce from the responsive Nitro foam at higher efforts is evident.",
    "Outsole has good traction and road grip.",
    "Good stability aspects with TPU plate and heel bar.",
  ]}
/>

<ConsCard
  title="CONS"
  cons={[
    "No padding around the heel counter and the jutting of the heel counter may give some discomfort and possible chafing for some runners in the Achilles area.",
    "No data on durability. Need to wait for a few hundred km more to check.",
  ]}
/>

<InfoCard title="RECOMMENDATION">
    Liberate Nitro is highly recommended for tempo runs and speed intervals, and races up to half-marathon distances. It fills the gap in ultra-lightweight and well-cushioned trainers in the Indian market.  For those training for longer distances, this makes a good rotation for speed work, and tempo effort runs.
</InfoCard>


One of the lightest shoes in the market. Low profile, medium cushioned, and is highly recommended for speed training. Works well for training and racing distances up to half-marathon.

Puma Liberate Nitro Review

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Reviews

Saucony Kinvara 12 Review

Puma Liberate Nitro Review