
Contemporary running shoes, especially those meant for speed and performance, are packed with many technological advances.  These new shoes feature beefy midsoles, carbon composite plates, high bounce foams, curved geometries, and fancy upper materials, which are supposed to make runners run faster and longer. There are, however, some shoes that buck the current trend and stick to the basics. These shoes don’t make you any faster than you are, and you have to put in your work.  However,  if you want to run faster, these shoes play along very well and don’t come in your way.  Newest Kinvara, the 13th edition of this legendary line-up is one such shoe.  __It is a no-nonsense running shoe that sticks to basics.__  

We’ve reviewed Kinvara 12 last year ([Check the review here](https://shoegeeks.in/review/saucony-kinvara12-006003012/)), so I can’t help but compare it with the previous edition. Please do read the Kinvara 12 review for a better understanding of what Kinvara 13 has to offer. 

<ShoeCard shoeCode="006003013M"></ShoeCard>

##### What makes up Kinvara 13?

As a running shoe, Kinvara 13 is as minimal a shoe as it can get. It has 4mm heel-to-drop, one of the lowest in the market.  It continues to maintain the light weight profile from the previous editions.  Its published weight is 213g (for UK 8).  We’ve measured UK 10 at 240 grams (a 2 gram increase from the previous edition).  It has a stack height of 28.5mm. The shoe is one of the lightest in this price range (under 10000 INR).

<LightBox src="/images/kinvara13_10.jpg" caption="One of lightest in this price range" alt="" ></LightBox>

Given how it is made up, it is hard to label Kinvara 13 as a daily trainer or speed trainer. It doesn’t have the versatility of daily trainers like Nike Pegasus 39 or Puma Velocity Nitro 2.  Even within Saucony’s own line-up, Ride 15, and Endorphin Shift 3 are way more versatile and can be rightly called as daily trainers. On the other hand, the speed trainer landscape has significantly changed, since we reviewed Kinvara 12.  [Saucony Endorphin Speed 2](https://shoegeeks.in/review/saucony-endorphinspeed2-006012002/), Puma Deviate Nitro 2, Asics Magic Speed 2, Adidas Takumi Sen 8 offer much better bounce, and are much fun to run at faster paces.

Kinvara 13 fits somewhere in between, and it indeed feels like a compromise.  It is a cheaper daily trainer that can be used for short-to-mid distances, and can double-up as a speed trainer.  

__Midsole__

Midsole shape is unchanged from Kinvara 12. If you place the two editions side-by-side, you can hardly find the difference. Like the earlier edition, Kinvara 13 is made of PWRUN Midsole, which is a light-weight blend of EVA.  EVA based midsoles are firm, but are very durable.  The EVA blend used in Kinvara 13 is much softer compared to the one used in the earlier edition.  I’ve measured it at 34 for Kinvara 13, as opposed to 37 for the previous one on the durometer.  The durometer matches that of React foam used in Nike ZoomFly.  But it is still a far cry from the softness offered by the likes of Saucony Endorphin Speed 2, New Balance Rebel 2 which are in the range of 25-30.

<LightBox src="/images/kinvara13_8.jpg" caption="Kinvara 12 (left) and Kinvara 13 (right) side by side" alt="" ></LightBox>

<LightBox src="/images/kinvara13_9.jpg" caption="Midsole is much softer than previous editions" alt="" ></LightBox>

__Upper__

The upper is a mono-engineered mesh, and is very well constructed.  This is probably the only biggest upgrade from the previous edition.  The upper is highly breathable and well-ventilated.  The eyelets standard configuration of 6+1. The laces used however, are strange. Instead of flat laces, it used one that is rounder.  Interestingly, the kind of laces used changes from one color-way to the other.  The colorway, I had used a rounded lace configuration, and I am not a big fan of those.  They are bulky and don't really tie well, a perplexing design choice. 

<LightBox src="/images/kinvara13_1.jpg" caption="Upper is a nice upgrade from previous edition" alt="" ></LightBox>

__Heel__

The heel is virtually unchanged from the earlier edition. It is very well padded at the back and gives plenty of confidence. The midsole below the heel has a flared bevel, and makes the shoe feel very stable. The addtion of a proper pull-tab is a nice touch.

<LightBox src="/images/kinvara13_2.jpg" caption="Heel is well padded, pull tab is a nice addition" alt="" ></LightBox>

__Outsole__

Outsole design is retained from Kinvara 12.  The midsole is fully exposed, with few patches of hard rubber at the heel and under-forefoot. 

<LightBox src="/images/kinvara13_6.jpg" caption="Kinvara 12 & 13 side-by-side, Outsole is unchanged from 12" alt="" ></LightBox>


##### Why did I buy it?

Having used Kinvara 12 and having seen the other interesting speed trainers, I was eager to check how Kinvara 13 evolved from its earlier edition. Given that I am also starting to train for an upcoming half-marathon in February, I was hoping Kinvara 13 could be a good addition to my rotation.

##### Kinvara 13 Ride

I’ve run about 90 kms in the shoe so far. Most of the runs are easy, but with a mix of speed training. 

The shoe is super comfortable to wear, and feels very light on the feet.  Given my recent marathon block training involved high stack shoes, the shoe feels too minimal. You can even feel occasional stones on the ground, if they are sharp enough.  That said, the shoe has plenty of cushion to protect your feet.

The firm ride the shoe offers makes it a bit harder to use it for easy or recovery runs. It took me a couple of runs to get used to the firmness of EVA foam, after all that PEBA goodness that I was used to during the marathon block training. 

The longer 800m uphill repeats, during which I started to feel the goodness of what Kinvara has to offer.  The lightweight nature, and the firm ride is all you need to have the right leg stiffness go fast against the gravity.  Despite the firmness, the EVA blend used in the shoe does offer a bit of bounce.  But don’t expect too much from it.  It is barely comparable to that offered by speed trainers such as Saucony Endorphin Speed 2.

<LightBox src="/images/kinvara13_3.jpg" caption="Firm ride, but lighter weight helps" alt="" ></LightBox>

I have also used the shoe for the shorter 400m intervals, but with little bounce it offers, I hardly feel good about the shoe. For shorter repeats, any day, I prefer something like [Puma Liberate Nitro](https://shoegeeks.in/review/puma-liberatenitro-005004000/) which also has similar profile, but is much softer and has much better bounce. 
I also ran a half-marathon distance in the shoe.  While I could get through the distance fairly easily, the shoe is not fun to run the slower and longer runs. 


__Fit and Comfort__

Fit wise it is slightly relaxed compared to Kinvara 12. As a speed trainer, I would have preferred a more snugger fit, like that of Endorphin Speed 2. If you like a snug fit, you might want to consider a half-size smaller than your usual.  As with other Saucony running shoes, the toe box has plenty of room.

__Road Grip__

As the outsole doesn’t have much rubber, the grip is just enough on tarred roads.  On roads with loose gravel, and sand, the shoe doesn’t give any confidence to run faster. 

<LightBox src="/images/kinvara13_4.jpg" caption="Hardly any rubber on outsole, and the grip is barely okay" alt="" ></LightBox>

__Aesthetics & Ergonomics__

Saucony India sells Kinvara 13 in 5 different colorways, each more beautiful than the other.  Vizi Pro Night Light color way that I have is a beautiful gradient of Purple Blue to Orange Red.  Night Light offers reflective detailing, which is handy when running the dark. 

### Review Summary

<ReviewSummaryCard shoeCode="006003013M"></ReviewSummaryCard>

<ProsCard
  title="PROS"
  pros={[
    "Low drop and lightweight natures of the shoe promotes natural running",
    "Breathable and airy upper, an upgrade from Kinvara 12",
    "A medium soft midsole, yet offers a firm ride",
    "Affordable price point with discounts",
  ]}
/>

<ConsCard
  title="CONS"
  cons={[
"Very little bounce for a speed training shoe",
"Too firm, and not cushiony enough for longer runs", 
  ]}
/>

<InfoCard title="RECOMMENDATION">
Kinvara 13 is a minor upgrade from Kinvara 12, which is a bit disappointing.  Much of Kinvara 12 goodness is retained, but for a softer midsole, and better upper.  The shoe feels a bit dated when compared to the peers.  
<br/>
The shoe is designed for runners who enjoy low-drop and firm rides, and have a midfoot or forefoot strike. If you are in that niche, Kinvara 13 can make a good no-frills speed trainer, and is versatile enough for you to run distances up to half-marathons.
</InfoCard>


No non-sense speed trainer + a firm low-profile daily trainer

Saucony Kinvara 13 Review

In spite of the carbon-plated super shoes hogging all the attention, the trend for high-stack and maximalist shoes continues. The shoe companies continue to innovate the maximalist shoe category, making them lighter and more versatile, and that's highly evident in the Saucony Triumph 20. A lot of attention is being paid to the midsole, and that's exactly where the Triumph 20 shines. 

The Saucony Triumph 20 is a premium neutral max-cushion daily trainer. Triumph is Saucony’s workhouse which offers a plush, luxury upper with soft premium cushioning. Since its earliest iteration, the Triumph series has been acclaimed for its plush cushion, sometimes referred to as the hotel bed mattress, generally soft and springy. Starting from the Progrid Triumph in the early 2000s, to the ISO Triumph between the 12th to 16th editions, until the series was just called Triumph, the series has always offered an 8mm drop. This is where the 20th iteration took a leap step by offering a 10mm drop. But the overall purpose to offer a luxurious softer responsive ride remains the core offering of the series and Triumph 20 is no different. Triumph 20 in fact goes on a diet to shred some weight amidst all the major changes. 

The pair of Saucony Triumph 20 was sent to us for review by Saucony India. That said, stay rest assured about a neutral review since this is neither a sponsored post nor Saucony India has got any say about the review. In India, Triumph 20 is officially priced at ₹15,990.  However, you would find them at a much cheaper price at online stores such as Flipkart and Amazon, or at the official Saucony India online store with [discount code](https://shoegeeks.in/showoffer?brand=Saucony). 

Unboxing the Triumph 20 for me was a major throwback to unboxing Hoka Clifton 8. They both are built like solid block, but they are the lightest and the softest. So let’s dive into the detailed review. 

<InfoCard title="🎧 The World of Running">
Listen to podcast episode <a href="https://geeksonfeet.com/podcast/ep11/">All About Running Shoes</a> to understand the current running shoe trends, choosing the best running shoes and more.
</InfoCard>

<ShoeCard shoeCode="006010020M"></ShoeCard>

##### What makes up Saucony Triumph 20?

Saucony Triumph sees major and notably welcoming updates throughout the shoe. An increase in stack height from 32.5mm to 37mm and a heel drop from 8mm to 10mm are significant updates from the earlier edition. The midsole features a full-length revamped PWRRUN+ foam. The cushion is energetic and responsive on every stride. The forefoot features an early rocker, whereas the shoe overall receives a new geometry to enhance the gait cycle. 

Even with the added stack height, Triumph 20 is the lightest max-cushion shoe I have had so far. It weighs 270 grams for UK size 8 which is lighter than its competitors in the category. 
 
**Midsole**

The Triumph 20 features PWRRUN+ foam in the midsole. The heart of the shoe has been powered by PWRRUN+ since Triumph 17, launched in 2019. PWRRUN+ is a modern e-TPU based midsole made from fused TPU beads, which is similar to Adidas Boost foam. However, Saucony has managed to innovate and reduce its weight significantly when compared to Boost foam.  Triumph 20’s PWRRUN+ midsole has been further tweaked to make it much softer and lighter than before.

<div class="d-flex flex-row align-items-center justify-content-center">
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    <LightBox src="/images/triumph20_6.jpg" caption="Cushioning is tweaked for softness" alt="" ></LightBox>
</div>
</div>

The softness of the cushion varies significantly from the heel to forefoot. The heel feels plusher, and the forefoot is comparatively firmer. The stack height at the heel is measured at 37mm whereas the forefoot is 27mm, hence offering a 10mm drop. The midsole has a deep groove at the heel, which helps it to compress inwards and makes the shoe stable while reducing some weight. 

<div class="d-flex flex-row align-items-center justify-content-center">
<div class="col-12 col-md-8 px-1">
    <LightBox src="/images/triumph20_8.jpg" caption="Softest Midsole we've seen so far" alt="" ></LightBox>
</div>
</div>

The shoe has a stack height of 34 mm on the heel and 28mm on the forefoot with a 6 mm heel-to-toe drop. The midsole additionally features M-strike technology, commonly known as a rocker, to promote a midfoot strike and for a quicker transition from heel to toe.

**Upper**

The upper of the Triumph also sees a significant change. It features a seamless engineered mesh, which is breathable, while it didn’t feel like one at first impression. The lacing mechanism also sees a big change. The shoe features reinforced eyelets both on the lateral and the medial side and adds an extra strap-based eyelet (a throwback to ISOFIT). This pulls in the sides of the shoes to give you a perfect lock of the midfoot. This is not the first time Saucony has attempted this mode of lockdown in the Triumph series. Triumph ISO 2 and 3, which is technically Triumph 12 and 13 respectively, featured a full-length ISOFIT system. Those who are familiar with Flywire from the Nike Pegasus series can see the similarities here. 

<div class="d-flex flex-row align-items-center justify-content-center">
  <div class="col-12 col-md-8 px-1">
    <LightBox src="/images/triumph20_7.jpg" caption="Strap based lace offers good lockdown" alt="" ></LightBox>
  </div>
</div>

Triumph 20 is not just plush in the midsole, but also in the upper. The heel counter and the tongue is decently padded. I assumed they would impact the breathability of the shoe, but I guess I was wrong. 

<div class="d-flex flex-row align-items-center justify-content-center">
  <div class="col-12 col-md-8 px-1">
    <LightBox src="/images/triumph20_5.jpg" caption="Plush upper also offers good ventilation" alt="" ></LightBox>
  </div>
</div>

**Heel**

The heel is the reason why the 10mm drop doesn’t feel like one. It feels more like an 8mm drop for two reasons. The primary reason is the softer midsole on the heel. You feel the compression the moment you are on your heel. The more important reason is the heel bevel. The heel bevel here is more aggressive than any daily trainers out there, especially in the max-cushion category. 

The heel counter on the Triumph 20 is rock solid. The overall width of the heel runs narrower, which along with sufficient padding keeps the heel and the ankle locked pretty well. Triumph 20 didn’t bother my Achilles even with my Haglund deformity.
 
<div class="d-flex flex-row align-items-center justify-content-center">
  <div class="col-12 col-md-8 px-1">
    <LightBox src="/images/triumph20_2.jpg" caption="Well padded heel with good stability" alt="" ></LightBox>
  </div>
</div>

**Outsole**

The outsole rubber on the Triumph 20 is generously thick. The rubber covers most of the midsole at the bottom.

<div class="d-flex flex-row align-items-center justify-content-center">
  <div class="col-12 col-md-8 px-1">
    <LightBox src="/images/triumph20_1.jpg" caption="Durable outsole" alt="" ></LightBox>
  </div>
</div>

##### Why should one consider this shoe?

The fall and winter seasons in the northern hemisphere are when India enjoys the best climate for running, and hence sees the most road races happen. The season holds the World Athletics Elite Label races like the Delhi Half Marathon and the Mumbai Marathon. 

I have been training to build up my mileage to a Marathon later in this season, and Triumph 20 seemed a great choice. If you are someone who's looking to build up mileage, especially for the longer races, The maximalist shoes are rarely versatile, but this is again where Triumph attempts to stand out. You can put in a variety of paces from recovery to tempo. More details about it are in the next section.

##### Ride In Triumph 20

We'll talk about the performance of the shoe here. To test them out, I have run over 100KMs on them with a variety of runs, notably three long runs including a 25K, and a speed interval session. 

The first run was me trying to understand the shoes. The higher stack height was quite felt, however, the foam below the heel is so soft that you feel it's compressing just when you are on your feet. Even with all the softness in the midsole, the ride felt firmer on the forefoot, and I'm not complaining. The rocker geometry on the forefoot to help your foot to transition faster is something I'm yet to experience, which means the rocker is very mild. That said, I neither expect such propulsion from a max-cushioned shoe. Having a rocker probably defeats the purpose of having all those softer elements in the midsole.

The long runs in them felt refreshing. There is a humble response on every stride from the PWRRUN+ midsole. Once I'm exhausted, that's when the magic starts. It's a marshmallow ride once you start striking on your heel. It's one of the shoes that is here to break the myth that "heel-striking is bad" in running. __This shoe will work like an absolute charm for heel-striking runners, a big kudos to the heel bevel too.__ The heel bevel on Triumph 20 is aggressive enough to give you an apt gait cycle even when one lands on the heel. The transition from heel to toe works seamlessly.  The shoe works very similarly on your recovery sessions as well. The magic is on the heel, don't look anywhere else!

<div class="d-flex flex-row align-items-center justify-content-center">
  <div class="col-12 col-md-8 px-1">
    <LightBox src="/images/triumph20_3.jpg" caption="Midsole with nice heel bevel" alt="" ></LightBox>
  </div>
</div>

The speed intervals on them was a bummer. I was landing on my heel even if I didn't want to. This outright ain't a speed intervals shoe or a tempo day shoe, but I'll stick to the point that it's versatile enough since I have managed to click some tempo paces on them comfortably. If you are a one-shoe guy, who would also like to clock some tempo and interval paces, you might want to consider the Saucony Ride 15, which is more versatile than Triumph 20. Triumph 20 is also great for runners who are on the heavier side,  with all the great cushioning here. 


**Fit & Comfort**
Out of the box, the shoe looks huge and heavy. Let me remind you that the Triumph 20 is the lightest one from the series, weighing around 275 grams for UK 8, it is on par with many daily trainers. 

This is yet another maximalist shoe, where I have to warn you to not side with the look of it. The 37mm stack height sounds or feels unstable but offers a lot of comfort along with some stability (we'll speak about that in next section). 

Rest assured, Triumph 20 fits true to size. The shoe is narrower on the heel to avoid any heel slipping, but has a wide toe box to accommodate the widest of the feet. This was my first trainer with a wide toe box, since I prefer narrower shoes. The reinforced eyelets paired with a strap on both the lateral and medial side ensured my mid-foot is well locked. The laces, which are quite thick, could have been a little longer. I barely manage a double knot on this one. I typically prefer a thin lace like the one offered in Skechers trainers, where a single knot works. I tested Triumph 20 with a single knot, and it pulled out within the initial 500 meters.

Breathability is of prime importance in tropical weather. The upper doesn't seem breathable, but Triumph 20 surprised me by working extremely well in the October heat for my long runs with its airy upper. The mesh material used is pretty comfortable and accommodative too. The padding around the heel counter and the tongue is comfortable too. I would be confident to pick them up for my runs on a hot humid day, which is always the case in Mumbai.

**Stability**

Triumph 20 is an out-of-box neutral shoe. Even with all that max-cushioning Triumph 20 is quite stable. The eyelets ensure the locking is perfect in the midfoot, and the wider toe-box ensures the feet stay well in place. The stiff heel counter and deep groove in the heel make sure your ankle is not wobbling around. 

Otherwise, Triumph 20 isn't a stability-focused shoe. If you are looking for a maximal running shoe with more stability check out the all-new Saucony Tempus (upgrade from Hurricane 23).

**Durability** 

Saucony has done a fabulous job with the outsole of the Triumph 20. The rubbers, since they are thick and they cover most of the midsole, make them more durable. Even with the thick rubber, I found them a little slippery on wet surfaces. 

In terms of durability benchmark, I’ll put them on par with the Nike Pegasus series. One should be able to clock about 800KMs quite comfortably with this one.

**Aesthetics**

I personally love the Prospect Glass and the Ocean Restock colorways Triumph 20. The one I received for review is a Twilight Rain variant which looks just fine. But hey, It's all about the performance right? The heel counter and the sides, all carry some reflective elements, making your runs quite safer at night. So look here only for performance. Aesthetics take a backseat even though some of the colorways look fantastic. We do miss out on the gold color variant in India which looks fabulous.

##### Review Summary

<ReviewSummaryCard shoeCode="006010020M"></ReviewSummaryCard>

<ProsCard
  title="PROS"
  pros={[
    "Extremely lightweight and sufficiently cushioned",
    "Breathable upper",
    "Smooth and responsive ride",
    "Durable outsole",
  ]}
/>

<ConsCard
  title="CONS"
  cons={[
    "Responsiveness could have been better",
    "Low Stability",
    "Too much of room for narrow feet",
  ]}
/>

<InfoCard title="RECOMMENDATION">
The Saucony Triumph 20 is a premium max-cushioned shoe with just enough versatility.  Triumph 20 is the lightest max-cushioned trainer amongst its competitors. It is a highly recommended shoe for those building up distances up to the marathon and looking for a comfortable shoe for long runs. 

The shoe is priced premium when compared to similar shoes such as Brooks Glyercrine 20 and Hoka Bondi 8 but is cheaper than Nike ZoomX invincible. The ride comfort, 37mm of cushioning, stability, and fit justify the price though. I would have been skeptical about recommending it, but when you consider the discounts on offer, it is a worthy pick as a shoe that makes your long runs extremely comfortable. If you are a heel-striker, this shoe makes even more sense. 

For me, Triumph 20 will be a shoe for long runs, easy runs, and for recovery days. For rotation, I recommend pairing it with Saucony Endorphin Shift 3/ Saucony Ride 15 for daily training and Saucony Kinvara 13 for speed intervals and tempo runs. 
</InfoCard>

Reviews

Saucony Kinvara 13 Review

Saucony Triumph 20 Review